ɫɫÀ²

News

Data sculpture created at Aalto University moves to the University of Helsinki's Kumpula campus

An installation created by students and teachers of Sound in New Media and Visual Communications Design programmes at Aalto University demonstrates cyclic changes in air quality.
Data Sculpture by Department of Media for Mall of Tripla shows the cyclic data on air quality and traffic flows in the shopping centre
Photo: Sonya Mantere

The Sonification Art Display creates an interactive aural and visual experience of environmental sensing and data. It converts Helsinki University’s MegaSense platform air quality data into an immersive sound and vision experience. The spectator controls the data sculpture by walking towards the circular visual display.

The art piece is created by Aalto ARTS’ Department of Art and Media and was commissioned by the City of Helsinki to make the art piece during the MegaSense led Urban Sense testbed project. 

'Each revolution of the display represents one day of air quality measurements. The nearer to the circular display the faster the days pass. Retreating from the interactive clock slows down the passage of time, so the air quality pulse of each day can be observed', Senior Researcher Andrew Rebeiro-Hargrave says. Rebeiro-Hargrave coordinates the MegaSense Smart City project at the Department of Computer Science at University of Helsinki.

'Creative solutions make it possible to present otherwise difficult-to-understand entities. With the help of an installation created by our multidisciplinary team, anyone can get hold of the topic through an audiovisual experience', says Professor Rupesh Vyas from Aalto University.

The Sonification Art Display was situated in Mall of Tripla early 2022. The University of Helsinki has leased the art piece until January 2023.

Design team at Aalto University:

Kalle Järvenpää, design and construction
Olli Ketonen, sound design and programming
Koray TahiroÄŸlu, tutor for sound design
Nicola Cerioli, tutor for data visualization
Rupesh Vyas, supervision and concept design

Contact:

ProfessorRupesh Vyas, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, rupesh.vyas@aalto.fi, +35850598803

  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Three young people take a selfie on a sunny city viewpoint, with rooftops and trees stretching behind them.
Cooperation, Studies, University Published:

Student exchange in Europe? Unite! can take you there

Aalto is a member of Unite!, a European university alliance that gives students the opportunity to internationalise their degrees both online and in-person. Join the webinar to find out more.
Euroopan unionin osarahoittama
Cooperation, Studies Published:

Opinion: Finnish language learning should be integrated into degree programs

In this opinion piece, Rebekka Nylund, an expert at the University of Helsinki, and Elisa Räsänen, a university lecturer at Aalto University, reflect on what they have learned from the EU-co-funded Language-supported Knowledge Pathways project and offer suggestions on how and why learning Finnish could be integrated into the structures of higher education degree programs.
Project team for Alma Media
Cooperation, Studies Published:

What job seeking looks like in the age of AI?

Aalto students map the future for Alma Career
Alex and Lucie Lampen
Cooperation, Research & Art Published:

From humble beginnings to a captain of industry – a visionary’s final gift lives on at Aalto University

The Lampén bequest supports Aalto University chemical engineering students and future professionals through scholarships. Honorary counsellor and Master of Science (Technology) in chemical engineering Aleksander Lampén was a significant pioneer in the Finnish wood processing and cellulose industries. His legacy continues to promote internationalisation and high-quality research in the field of bioproduct technology. A donation ɫɫÀ² University is an impactful investment in education, innovation and the renewal of society.