Abstract

As a dominant Western aesthetics, the Kantian sublime involves power over nature perceived from a distance. In the Kantian model, the sublime oscillates between the mathematical sublime—emphasizing the vastness of nature that exceeds the comprehension of the viewer—and the dynamic sublime, in which the viewer attempts to establish a sense of control over nature. In big data visualization based on the sublime, users tend to apprehend the magnitude of data from a distance, provoking an experience of fear or awe over the immense scale of technology. Such a model is predicated on a dualism between body and data. In contrast to Kantian dualism, Taoist philosophy privileges the integration of data, body, and nature. This article theorizes the Taoist body in relation to digital technology by, firstly, critiquing the Kantian sublime that underpins much data visualization. Visualization based on Taoist embodiment leads to a more harmonious integration of human experience and data, promoting emotional, psychological, and health-related dimensions. Towards a model of Taoist embodiment of big data, interactive digital technology is key. This article concludes with examples of data-based, participatory, and installation art, including my interactive work Taiji (2013–15) centred on the embodied visualization of electroencephalography data.

中文翻译：

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走向道家的数据可视化美学

摘要

作为西方占主导地位的美学，康德的崇高感涉及从远处感知到的对自然的力量。在康德模型中，崇高在数学崇高（强调超越观看者理解力的大自然）与动态崇高之间摇摆，在动态崇高中，观众试图建立对自然的控制感。在基于崇高的大数据可视化中，用户倾向于从远处了解数据的大小，从而在巨大的技术规模上引起恐惧或敬畏的体验。这样的模型基于身体和数据之间的二元性。与康德二元论相反，道家哲学优先考虑数据，身体和自然的整合。本文通过以下方面对道家身体与数字技术的关系进行了理论化：批评支持大量数据可视化的Kantian崇高精神。基于道家体现的可视化可以更和谐地整合人类经验和数据，从而促进情感，心理和健康相关维度。对于道家大数据体现的模型，交互式数字技术是关键。本文以基于数据，参与式和安装艺术的示例作为结尾，包括我的互动作品太极（2013-15）集中于脑电图数据的可视化可视化。