Life After Visualization

The article examines two problems that emerge at the intersection of data collection, processing and visualization with participatory public inquiries. In these contexts, the use of data visualization makes it possibile to represent (part of) phenomena of collective interest, and design techniques allow the activation of spaces for mediation with diversified publics. Starting from a critical re-examination of experimental research experiences conducted by the médialab Sciences Po and the Advanced Design Unit at the Università di Bologna, the article proposes a reflection on data participatory practices from a dual perspective: on the one hand, data that is not part of a visualization process and therefore does not enter into collective reflection; on the other hand, how some visualised data is interpreted not only in relation to its content but also to the format through which it is conveyed. The proposed reflections, which connect issues arising from the concept of data and from limitations linked to the concept of civic participation aim to invite further experiments and lines of research to identify modalities and strategies for mitigating the problems that have been brought to light.