Data sculpture created at Aalto University moves to the University of Helsinki's Kumpula campus

The Sonification Art Display creates an interactive aural and visual experience of environmental sensing and data. It converts Helsinki University’s MegaSense platform air quality data into an immersive sound and vision experience. The spectator controls the data sculpture by walking towards the circular visual display.
The art piece is created by Aalto ARTS’ Department of Art and Media and was commissioned by the City of Helsinki to make the art piece during the MegaSense led Urban Sense testbed project.
'Each revolution of the display represents one day of air quality measurements. The nearer to the circular display the faster the days pass. Retreating from the interactive clock slows down the passage of time, so the air quality pulse of each day can be observed', Senior Researcher Andrew Rebeiro-Hargrave says. Rebeiro-Hargrave coordinates the MegaSense Smart City project at the Department of Computer Science at University of Helsinki.
'Creative solutions make it possible to present otherwise difficult-to-understand entities. With the help of an installation created by our multidisciplinary team, anyone can get hold of the topic through an audiovisual experience', says Professor Rupesh Vyas from Aalto University.
The Sonification Art Display was situated in Mall of Tripla early 2022. The University of Helsinki has leased the art piece until January 2023.
Design team at Aalto University:
Kalle Järvenpää, design and construction
Olli Ketonen, sound design and programming
Koray Tahiroğlu, tutor for sound design
Nicola Cerioli, tutor for data visualization
Rupesh Vyas, supervision and concept design
Contact:
ProfessorRupesh Vyas, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, [email protected], +35850598803
- Published:
- Updated:
Read more news

Henry Tirri: Scaling technology business requires strong strategic and psychological competence
A good professor or business director shares wisdom that can only be gained over the years
Five things to know about university impact
When you think about the powerhouses ensuring our societal and economical success, universities may not be the first thing to pop into mind. It's clear that a university's basic function is to provide education and advance scientific research, but what else is there?
Alum Maria Lehto: My hobbies have had a big influence in my career and through them I have had my first leadership experiences
Maria Lehto has had an exciting career path to her current position as an Engagement Specialist at School of Business Premium Partner company, Konecranes. Even though the path didn’t always feel so straightforward, all experiences have played a part in her professional development. She would like to encourage young students to follow their own areas of interest and trust that it will lead them to the right direction in the end.