Data as common ground

Data is everywhere and everyone. Human beings themselves are walking collections of data and beyond just being useful for marketing, data is rapidly growing into a vital element in several professional industries. An upcoming series of presentations and discussions in Nicosia takes a closer look.

“In an era of ubiquitous data and technological progress,” says CYENS Centre of Excellence which is organising the events, “the growing cloud of information, tools and possibilities often overcasts dissonance rather than clarity. What are data, how are they sourced and disseminated, and how can they contribute towards societal and environmental welfare?”

On Thursday CYENS invites a diverse group of local technologists, industry, governmental and civil society representatives, as well as researchers, academics and invited artists, to unpack the power of data based on their practises and with relevance to Cyprus context and realities. Special focus will be given to issues of socio-environmental sustainability and equity, the role of different stakeholders and the dynamics of artistic practises as pillars of innovation and communication.

The presentations and discussions will be realised in two working sessions delving into understanding data as common ground and as agents of creativity, progress and reformation of our present and future eco/techno systems.

A morning session taking place at CYENS between 10am and 12pm is titled Research and Implementation and is closed to the public. This session will consist of presentations from selected projects that deal with environmental, urban and societal data. The presentations and discussions will focus on approaches concerning data analysis and utilisation, allowing time for Q&A and further discussion.

The afternoon session, running between 4.30pm and 7.30pm, is addressed to local and visiting artists, creatives and designers that are considering datasets as mediums in their artistic practice. The artists will present and discuss their experiences, amongst them, the STARTS Residency Artist Joseph Hovadik who will publicly present his process for the first time.

The afternoon event is free to attend and is open to the public whether joining in person or online. Limited spaces are available, however, due to Covid restrictions and so registration is required via the CYENS website.

Data as Common Ground

Presentations and talks on data. April 14. CYENS Centre of Excellence, Nicosia. 10am-12pm and 4.30pm-7.30pm. Free. Registration is required. www.makerspace.cyens.org.cy