Issun - Akiko Nakayama | Ars Electronica Futurelab

“Issun”, in Japanese, represents a unit for measuring length about 3.03cm. It means smallness and fragility. The word originally comes from width of the thumb. In Japan, there is a story about the adventure of a little boy called ‘Issun-boshi,' (comparable to Tom Thumb from English folklore). It is a hint to see and measure our world using our body as a unit. Furthermore, it refers to the feeling of smallness and fragility in the world.

The piece by Akiko Nakayama was part of the Data Art & Science Project in collaboration with Toyota Coniq Alpha that was presented at the Ars Electronica Festival 2023. Visitors could experience five artistic explorations that combine data art and data science. As seen here, the projects were also presented in Deep Space 8K - one of the highlights of the Futurelab Night Performances at the Festival.

This work investigates the gap between individual optimism and social pessimism when looking on our future. The information indicated by data on optimism and pessimism and the individual experiences in everyday life, create the tension field that Nakayama explores with her genuine artistic expression.

To find out more about the Data Art & Science Project, have a look at https://ars.electronica.art/futurelab...

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