Isovist is defined as “a set of all points visible from a given vantage point in space” (Benedikt, 1979). Although isovist refers to physical visibility, our interest lies in how digital information can affect our isovist. As demonstrated by our reliance on digital navigation tools, digital information is increasingly changing the way we perceive and interact with physical spaces.

As a channel of focus, we use events as a unit of analysis to examine this relationship closely. When an event takes place, disruptions happen in its physical space. Its digital spaces also undergo changes as we generate an influx of social media posts and discussions around the event. After the event, a space’s meaning is altered by both our physical actions and our digital presence. How can digital traces of an event be expressed in a spatial way? What are the not-so-visible impacts digital data have on the physical space?

Current Work in Progress:

Working with the constraints collaborating remotely and building a digital project, we took on AR as a tool. In this iteration, we investigate the manipulation of physical space with Twitter data around Covid-19 as an input, using AR to map tweet locations into our living room, layering and obscuring what is visible, and augmenting the way we experience a familiar physical space. Each time a tweet regarding Covid-19 is shared, a rectangular plane is generated in space, blocking what’s beneath it and presenting a piece of an alternate space. Over time, as more tweets are shared, planes become more dense, living room becomes more hidden, and a new space is eventually revealed. This gradual shift in perception alters our visibility and manipulates our isovist.

Past Work:

In its first iteration, the project took form of a drawing machine realized in disparate parts (the physical drawing device, the digital drawing, and the frame that displays the drawing). When working together, the drawing device produced data visualizations of how much digital information was produced each hour and minute during a physical event, while the frame displayed the drawing with the help of UV light. The event we chose to use was Extinction Rebellion’s Declaration of Rebellion.

Future Direction:

In the next term, our interest remains in investigating how physicality can be affected by digital information. The next iteration of the project will aim to construct a space manipulation tool with light projection and AR that takes live digital data as an input to layer onto physical space and transform the way we see space. As a framework for exploring manipulation, we are considering using a series of space alteration techniques such as the expansion, revealing, inversion, replacement of existing physical spaces.

Benedikt, M. L. (1979) To Take Hold of Space: Isovists and Isovist Fields.  Environment and Planning B, 6(1) 47-65.pp. 47

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Changes in physical spaces are often associated with tangible structures. But when an event takes place, a space's meaning can be altered not only by our physical actions but also our digital presence. What if digital data can change our physical view? How can digital traces of an event be expressed in a spatial way? Digital Isovist investigates the manipulation of physical space with Twitter data as an input, mapping tweet locations into our living room, layering and obscuring what is visible, and augmenting the way we experience a familiar physical space. In collaboration with @situated_tech, @_spiros.kpg , supervised by @shedrawswithcode @mattdesl_art #dfpi #workInProgress #pathwayOne @interactivearchitecturelab @bartlettarchucl

A post shared by Juan Cabrera (@juancabreramo) on Apr 29, 2020 at 12:50am PDT

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Visualization can take many forms. From animation to AR test camera to code generated geometries, we experimented with different tools to achieve desired outcomes in visual aesthetics, spatial relations, and live data interaction. Swipe left to see our tests! . . . . Changes in physical spaces are often associated with tangible structures. But when an event takes place, a space's meaning can be altered not only by our physical actions but also our digital presence. What if digital data can change our physical view? How can digital traces of an event be expressed in a spatial way? Digital Isovist investigates the manipulation of physical space with Twitter data as an input, mapping tweet locations into our living room, layering and obscuring what is visible, and augmenting the way we experience a familiar physical space. In collaboration with @juancabreramo , @situated_tech , supervised by @shedrawswithcode and @mattdesl_art . . . #dfpi #workInProgress #pathwayOne @interactivearchitecturelab @bartlettarchucl

A post shared by ?????? ???????????????? (@_spiros.kpg) on Apr 29, 2020 at 12:36am PDT

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A series of diagrams that explain the notational system behind the generated visuals. Swipe left to learn how we represent tweet geolocation, time, character counts, follower counts, and disruption of space. . . . . Changes in physical spaces are often associated with tangible structures. But when an event takes place, a space's meaning can be altered not only by our physical actions but also our digital presence. What if digital data can change our physical view? How can digital traces of an event be expressed in a spatial way? Digital Isovist investigates the manipulation of physical space with Twitter data as an input, mapping tweet locations into our living room, layering and obscuring what is visible, and augmenting the way we experience a familiar physical space. In collaboration with @_spiros.kpg @juancabreramo, supervised by @shedrawswithcode and @mattdesl_art . . . . . #dfpi #workInProgress #pathwayOne @interactivearchitecturelab @bartlettarchucl

A post shared by Situated Technology (@situated_tech) on Apr 29, 2020 at 12:26am PDT