When data meets Art

there,

Hope you're doing well!

This week's been a bit intense—I'm preparing for a 3-day workshop on React and D3.js I'm giving next week.

D3 is such a vast, rich topic that I couldn't resist creating a solid course pack with plenty of exercises for my upcoming students. If you're interested in learning D3 within a React environment, take a look—it's free.

So this week, I just want to share a data art project I discovered.

What's data art?

Data art is a creative field where visuals are generated from real datasets, sometimes accurately, sometimes abstractly, but always rooted in genuine data.

Unlike generative art, which uses algorithms to create purely abstract forms, data art has that extra spark—it's grounded in something real.

River Maps

A great example is the work of Maayke Leenstra.

She uses a Relative Elevation Model (REM) to show the contrast between river surfaces and the surrounding landscape.

The results are absolutely mesmerizing, and they reveal patterns and shapes you'd never expect.

Take a look when you have a moment—you might just find a new favorite type of art!

That's it from me this week. I hope this little discovery brings something visually refreshing to your morning coffee.

PS: I'm actually such a fan of data art that I even started data-to-art.com a while back. But time's been scarce! Do you think I should make it a priority?

PPS: Know any data artists? I'd love to hear about them—drop me an email!

See you next week!
Yan