FERAL DATA VISUALIZATION
Reimagining data visualization for the ecological, queer, feminist, and embodied using botanical simulation
Research cultivated by
Cathryn Ploehn
Read the manifesto (IEEE)
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PRESENTATIONS & ARTICLES
PROJECTS
Elderberries for visualizing gratitude in the commons
2023 - present
websiteA project for collecting and visualizing stories of gifts (physical and intangible) received in community through the visual language of elderberries feasted upon by local birds.
In partnership with Festival Beach Food Forest, a (volunteer-run) permaculture food forest on a public park in Austin, Texas; the experimental commons.
Weathering-with micrclimates
2023 - present
websiteProject exploring how bodies (human, plant, soil, and more) care for and shape microclimates with sensing (bodies) and sensors (data collection).
Our sensors measure local temperature, humidity, and heat index inside and outside Festival Beach Food Forest, a (volunteer-run) permaculture food forest on a public park in Austin, Texas.
Our public workshops for “weathering-with” the landscape afford participants to tune into how our senses (and digital sensors) reveal the forest’s subtle rhythms of care.
How does 10 years of permaculture stewardship measurably contribute to resilience in the face of rising heat?
(Cardinal image (modified) by Rhododendrites CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mycorrhizal Myth Machine
2023
technical setupA (drive-in) mycorrhizal storytelling data performance.
A tech genius presents a technological panacea to unlock the secrets mysterious mycorrhizal force that may heal our tulmultuous era.
Audience members feed this mycellium stories of their solastalgia by way of on-site plants speaking through a locally served rhizome interface.
The fungus grows stronger as audiences get to know (and ultimately seek out) on-site plants.
- Performed in residency as part of the Collaborative Art + Technology Situation (CATS+) Interactive Cinema Residency at The Museum of Human Achievement
- This event was sold out, attracting over 50 participants.
Transgender Day of Remembrance
2021 - 2023
A bald cypress wreath serving as a data-driven memento mori of trans life lost every year.
In partnership with Gayta Science.
- longlisted in the 2023 Information is Beautiful awards
- read the article (Data Science by Design)
- interactive prototype
- watch the presentation (Outlier 2021)
Tsuga Convictio
2019 - 2020
A cellular automata simulation of old growth forests for visualizing community vitality.