[-empyre-] On the limits of critique (d'Ignazio) and the limits of representation (Barad)

[AAR]

I am coming into this discussion a bit late, and but fascinated, and honored to be part of this illustrious group. I hope this response goes out as intended. 

In reference to Christina’s call to, “situate" data visualization and locate it in concrete bodies and geographies…"

I wanted to pick up on just one idea, the representation of representation. Forgive me, but it seems that the discussion of visualized representation of data is being addressed as primarily a semiotic system. I would question that, based on text about the experience of embodiment, and the intentions of this forum. 

What specifically came to mind, was my experience of teaching drawing to science-based students at Stonybrook University in 2014. I think too often, artists are cultivated away from noticing how physiological and even physics-based perception is marginalized to privilege technologically mediated perception, even as we speak of the location within the body. As a consequence, I think we fall into the very traps Haraway and so many others have warned of, of dissociation from the actual human experience of perception. The reason it was interesting to teach young scientists, was that they very quickly “got” the idea, that for example, the behavior of rods and cones in the eyes might more accurately lead them to precise representation than a digitally mediated frame, Art students seemed to struggle more with relinquishing the familiarity of technospace. 

Conversely, when I have used GIS, for example in correlating data on fish and plant distributions in threatened ecosystems, or the sonification of spatial or toxic data, in the case of my present project, Blued Trees, the representation of data as concepts engages an entirely different world, that doesn’t require the same embodiment experiences at all. 

I am interested in the space between of what the body knows that we ignore, and what the mind knows, that doesn’t seem to require the body. I would be curious to know where others might be locating the negotiation of that complicated space.


“What the world needs is a good housekeeper.”
Aviva Rahmani, PhD
Affiliate INSTAAR, University of CO. at Boulder
https://www.nyfa.org/ArtistDirectory/ShowProject/1446ef3a-0a9d-4449-96be-74023eb9c376
Watch “Blued Trees”:  https://vimeo.com/135290635
www.ghostnets.com
www.gulftogulf.org





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