watermap - physical live weather visualization

watermap

watermap

Without water, nothing organic exists. This water installation visualizes - symbolically - how rain brings the whole world to life. In a very tangible way of presenting and visualizing data, rain is represented by real drops of water. The installation features a black, wooden pedestal with a recessed world map filled with sand. Technically, the realization is done by a mini-computer, which evaluates live weather data and positions a water tank in an X-Y system above the world map. At places with precipitation, water drops fall onto the sand. After the drops leave traces in the sand, this form of representation also has a temporal component. As the exhibition progresses, one recognizes areas with more and areas with less precipitation.

Without water, nothing organic exists. This water installation visualizes - symbolically - how rain brings the whole world to life. In a very tangible way of presenting and visualizing data, rain is represented by real drops of water. The installation features a black, wooden pedestal with a recessed world map filled with sand. Technically, the realization is done by a mini-computer, which evaluates live weather data and positions a water tank in an X-Y system above the world map. At places with precipitation, water drops fall onto the sand. After the drops leave traces in the sand, this form of representation also has a temporal component. As the exhibition progresses, one recognizes areas with more and areas with less precipitation.

The platform with the world map is made of black wood and measures 1.6m by 1.3m and is 40cm high. At a height of about 2.5m, suspended from steel cables, there is an axial linear guidance system made of aluminum above it. The weather data is obtained live from the website openweathermap and processed with the help of a Raspberry Pi which needs a WiFi network.

The platform with the world map is made of black wood and measures 1.6m by 1.3m and is 40cm high. At a height of about 2.5m, suspended from steel cables, there is an axial linear guidance system made of aluminum above it.

On the ceiling, a Raspberry Pi mini-computer controls two stepper motors that move an electric valve on rails. The mini-computer constantly receives new weather data from the weather app „openweathermap.org“. On the basis of these data the valve is positioned in X and Y direction. If it rains at a specific point on earth, a drop is triggered at the corresponding point within the installation. In the wooden platform are milled depressions in the form of continents, which are filled with sand. The drops fall only on the continents and the sand absorbs the water. Depending on room temperature and humidity it takes about 10 minutes until a drop dries up.

https://ars.electronica.art/newdigitaldeal/de/time-based-interactive-media/

https://vimeo.com/562436188

https://www.daniel-fischer.at

The goal of this artwork is to shift the perspective away from a purely screen-based and localized perception of the weather, and thus the climate, to a global one. Away from the mobilphone weather apps to a more happtically experiential view. To create an awareness of global connectedness. After the drops leave traces in the sand, this form of representation also has a temporal component. As the exhibition progresses, one recognizes areas with more and areas with less precipitation. In this way, this work of art has a consciousness-raising and catalytic effect on the viewer. During this year's presentation at the Ars Electronica Festival, people from all over the world shared with me their experience of weather and how it changed in their perception. How seasons are shifting, deserts are expanding, and more extreme weather phenomena are occurring more frequently.