The exhibit is a multimedia visual and sensory extravaganza of data visualization and design that consists of over 100 exciting static and interactive visualizations ranging from the late 15th Century to the present. Topics range from Claudius Ptolemy’s Cosmographia World Map to an example of several ground-breaking geospatial concepts and mathematical proofs in a single visualization. Modern examples include New York City-based artist, Ward Shelley’s “History of Science Fiction”, which traces the literary history of the science fiction genre from its roots to 2011, when the map was first released to the public. The maps serve as fantastic examples of the intersection of art, design, and visualization.
In addition to science maps, the exhibit features three sets of interactive macroscopes, including a set newly added to the exhibit collection. A macroscope is a software tool that allows viewers to see patterns in both large and small scale; it allows us to see that which is “at once too great, too slow, and too complex for our eyes” (Joël de Rosnay, The Macroscope: a New World Scientific System). Macroscopes also encourage viewers to interact with the exhibit; visitors to the exhibit can explore these macroscopes through large, multi-touch displays. While hosted by VT, the exhibit will debut four brand new macroscopes: The Cosmic Web Histography - view the history of the world visualized via Wikipedia Megaregions of the US - explore commuter regions across the US Science Paths - explore the randomness of scientific success Additional macroscope sets include ‘Macroscopes for Interacting with Science’ and ‘Macroscopes for Making Sense of Science.’ The exhibit, curated by the Cyberinfrastructure for Network Science Center at Indiana University and created by Dr. Katy Börner, includes over 100 science maps and a variety of interactive and multimedia elements meant to “to inspire cross-disciplinary discussion on how to best track and communicate scholarly activity and scientific progress on a global scale.” Tracking the contours of human knowledge and experience, these maps present new ways of understanding science and scholarship, creating new insights and connections along the way. 2017/08/24 - 2017/11/17