Exhibition - Information Gallery
The most profound impact of information technology has been to transfer the potential of the scientific method - the ever-expanding accumulation of knowledge - to the cultural sphere. Internet protocols allow us to link any two computers, enabling an explosive global network of networks and generating a worldwide cultural accumulation beyond imagination, available to anyone, anywhere. Our unprecedented ability to collect, generate, understand and communicate information means more sharing of knowledge and leads to more holistic views of our world. As the limitless virtual world becomes larger and more powerful, and access to information - the true catalyst for change - increases exponentially, so too do the opportunities.
This gallery explores the design of devises that link humans to their computers, the design of the information that eventually emerges from computers, and finally, the design of methods to share that information, demonstrating that the world of information is intimately linked to the world of design.
The Aviation Wall (left). View into the global portraits room (right). Photos courtesy of Institute without Boundaries and Vancouver Art Gallery
Aviation Wall To create this somewhat comprehensive picture of global aviation we chose to illustrate the connections between cities serviced by the three major alliances. Making such an editorial choice allowed us to showcase the design of an organized system indented to maximize efficiency despite tight regulations. Doing so allowed us to visualize the larger patters of the industry today, these patters naturally forming continental and some political boundaries. One can only imagine what this map will look like in five years.
Visitors watch the projections on the walls and read the captions on the light tables. Photos courtesy of Institute without Boundaries and Vancouver Art Gallery
Global Portraits This dark room is full of slowly moving projections of globes, each one a different way of viewing our Earth. While they are beautiful, more importantly, they are incredibly informative as information graphics and computer outputs. Many of the projections are computer simulations instead of photographs because we wanted to emphasize the human capacity to understand our Earth and communicate that understanding in a visual way. The globes mesmerizing nature serves to encourage visitors to question the data they convey. Each individual caption on the light tables serves to explain a specific projection in detail, while also connecting it to the importance of thinking about our world as extremely interdependent.
Two views of the input device “family tree.” Photos courtesy of Institute without Boundaries, Vancouver Art Gallery and Work Worth Doing.
Input Devices Studying trends in input device design paints a very intriguing picture and sets us up to anticipate new directions for the future. The arrangement of this gallery is intended to call attention to the transfer of technology, technological adaptation and market forces for different needs - when it works and also when it does not work.
Audio Commentary by:
Bruce Mau
Bill Buxton (Human-computer interface designer)
Ilene Solomon (IwB 2004) - 1
Ilene Solomon - 2
Ilene Solomon - 3
Explore the Exhibition:
Exhibition Introduction
Urbanization
Movement
Information
The Image
Markets
Energy
Materials
Military
Manufacturing
Living
Wealth & Politics
