Mapping Light: Data Impressionism

Using a practical investigation as a sample case study, this paper outlines an initial investigation into the visualization of people’s experiences within a city space. Highlighting the shortcomings of conventional data visualization approaches, it presents an argument for the use of light as a useful metaphor for mapping and connecting emotion with place. Inspired by the impressionistic painters, and their use of light as a means to capture the sense or mood of a scene, the project advocates light as a possible way to develop a kind of ‘data impressionistic’ approach for visualizing the data-informed mood of a location. The paper outlines the on-going practical project work and prototypes, and looks forward to future opportunities and project developments during the next phases of work.