Visualization Representations Of Data Exhibit Opens at Mann Library: Cornell Theory Center's Visualization of 2004 Tsunami on Display

June 13, 2006
Contact:
Laura Cima
607.254.8757
Ithaca, NY

Cornell Theory Center’s visual representation of the December 26, 2004, tsunami that crashed into the Indian Ocean is one of many illustrations of data that are part of the “Visualizing Meaning” project. The endeavor was funded in part by the Cornell Council for the Arts, Mann Library, New York Foundation for the Arts, and various College of Agriculture and Life Sciences departments.

Both Cornell faculty and staff were invited to participate and submit examples of information graphics from popular culture or professional publications that have impacted them. Selected interpretations were chosen for display and enlarged for the walls outside Mann Library. Chris Pelkie, CTC’s Scientific Visualization Producer and creator of the tsunami visual portrayal, responded to the solicitation letter that asked "Of the many charts (graph, map, diagram, table and 'other') you have seen in your life, which has been the most important, remarkable, meaningful or valuable?"

The chosen images will be on display beginning June 10 - through the summer and the entire assortment of responses will be compiled into a book as part of a historical record. All the visual depictions of data can be seen on the web site.

About CTC

CTC is an interdisciplinary research center at Cornell University focused on providing cyberinfrastructure resources for research and education; these resources include high-performance and data-intensive computing hardware and expertise, visualization, and K-12 outreach. Scientific and engineering projects supported by CTC represent a wide variety of disciplines, including bioinformatics, behavioral and social sciences, computer science, engineering, geosciences, mathematics, physical sciences, and business.

About CTC’s Visualization Group

CTC offers a variety of visualization services to Cornell faculty and their research groups. These include consultation on how to visualize data, creation of animations, videos, publication graphics, development of 3-D virtual reality applications, and training in the use of OpenDX. Faculty from diverse fields like chemistry, computer science, geology, civil engineering, astronomy, nutrition and environmental sciences work with CTC specialists, who have internationally-recognized expertise in visualization. In addition to their experience, CTC’s visualization resources include a three-wall CAVE virtual reality environment, and a video production suite.