COMMON THREAD

2018 EXHIBITION, 3'x22', Information Visualization, Typography, Tiling

In a tense political climate, Common Thread exhibits the similarities between past governmental discrimination as seen in Japanese American Internment and current rising actions against Muslims Americans. Incorporating historical images, data visualization, and informational wall texts, two converging timelines parallel these two narratives and bridge them at the center with shared experiences of empathy, respect, and activism. The space forces viewers to physically follow this convergence, mentally consider the future impact of today’s federal policies, and emotionally connect with how two communities are working together for change. Just as the Japanese and Muslim Americans are bought together by a common thread of discrimination and social justice, the viewer is asked to contemplate how they can be more empathetic and compassionate to communities outside their own.

PROCESS

Infographics displaying the movement of Japanese Americans and hate crimes against Muslim Americans eventually became the timelines that guide the exhibit. Data was sourced from Social Explorer, The Department of Justice, the US Census Bureau, and the FBI. 

First Iteration

Prototype to scale for feedback and discussion.