Taoist Data Visualization

Abstract

This chapter addresses a new concept of data visualization, in which Taoist body philosophy has been explored in the context of digital technology. It proposes as Taoist data visualization, which aims to create interactive embodied data visualization. As part of the proposed theoretical framework, it demonstrates the application of traditional Taoist philosophy associated with Chinese yijing aesthetic into design of aesthetic approach to data visualization. This chapter addresses a new concept of data visualization, in which Taoist body philosophy has been explored in the context of digital technology. It proposes as Taoist data visualization, which aims to create interactive embodied data visualization. As part of the proposed theoretical framework, it demonstrates the application of traditional Taoist philosophy associated with Chinese yijing aesthetic into design of aesthetic approach to data visualization. This practice part of the project involves the process of creating two artefacts adopting sleep EEG data as a sample of digital media to experience harmony and unity of user’s body and data. The three factors of processes in the theoretical framework have been demonstrated through creation of two artefacts through the visual complementarity of xu (void) and shi (reality) and focusing on the unification of the body and the power of nature as one whole.