Naked data: curating Wikidata as an artistic medium to interpret prehistoric figurines

Sant, Toni; Tabone, Enrique

Abstract

In 2019, Digital Curation Lab Director Toni Sant and the artist Enrique Tabone started collaborating on a research project exploring the visualization of specific data sets through Wikidata for artistic practice. An art installation called Naked Data was developed from this collaboration and exhibited at the Stanley Picker Gallery in Kingson, London, during the DRHA 2022 conference. Through data analysis, employing Wikidata tools, this creative work employs a data set depicting prehistoric female figurines held by Heritage Malta. The artistic research aims to develop a creative workflow model for processing essential information about art collections, museum policies, and ways to engage with cultural heritage through data. This article outlines the key elements involved in this practice-based research work and shares the artistic process involving the visualizing of the scientific data with special attention to the aesthetic qualities afforded by this technological engagement.

Citation

Sant, T., & Tabone, E. (2023). Naked data: curating Wikidata as an artistic medium to interpret prehistoric figurines. International Journal of Performance Arts and Digital Media, 19(3), 445-462. https://doi.org/10.1080/14794713.2023.2253335

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 24, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Sep 4, 2023
• Publication Date: Sep 2, 2023
• Deposit Date: Sep 19, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 19, 2023
• Journal: International Journal of Performance Arts and Digital Media
• Print ISSN: 1479-4713
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 445-462
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14794713.2023.2253335
• Keywords: Visual Arts and Performing Arts, Communication