The Datatext at the Knowledge Exhibition

Abstract

Public understanding of many aspects of modern life is routinely, and sometimes wildly out of step with reality. Given the increasingly visual nature of modern life, the question arises whether visual communication may address this problem. There are historical precedents in this field from which to learn – such as Isotype. This theoretical study sets out the groundwork for an alternative approach to Isotype. The datatext (after W. J. T. Mitchell) is a multilevel discourse comprising visual arguments mutually reinforced by combinations of words, numbers, and images. This concept draws upon John Dewey's philosophy of education (and localism); Martha Nussbaum's ideas about capability; Iris Murdoch's metaphysics; representational and embodied metaphor; and good practice in infographic design. The author provides recommendations for an experiment to test the effective visual display of key civic facts to improve a local public's civic awareness.