Lecture and forum on data visualization and art — April 19

Bradley Smith, Associate Dean for Creative Work, Research, and Graduate Education, and a professor in the School of Art and Design and Department of Radiology, will offer a talk and lead a forum on data visualization and visual arts on April 19. Smith’s talk, titled “Visualization: What Has Art Got to Do With It?”, is scheduled from noon – 1 p.m. at 1755 School of Public Health Building I. Smith describes the talk this way: “It seems obvious that a study of visualization methods and practices would cross paths with visual arts practices – but these disciplines tend to resist each other, in spite of their shared commitment to visual representations. This talk will explore some of the assumptions, methods, tools, behaviors, and products of the visual arts that are relevant to scientific inquiry and communication. Special attention will be given to considering how the highly social activity of ‘critiques’ used in the visual arts can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of scientific visualization practices, as well as to enhance learning and retention of technical information. The talk will also consider why these two disciplines struggle to find common ground.” Smith will lead a community forum immediately following the talk, from 1 – 2 p.m. at 2750 School of Public Health Building I. Join a group of interested community members from across campus to discuss current data visualization challenges and interests in your own work. Participants may look forward to hearing innovative, cross-disciplinary solutions for their research projects, as well as fostering new collaborations across campus. Please come prepared to answer the question, “What data visualization challenges and interests to you have in your own work?” For more information on Brad Smith, visit http://www-personal.umich.edu/~brdsmith/BioGraph.html