Client
NOVAK
Location
Central Station, Newcastle upon Tyne
Client
NOVAK
Location
Central Station, Newcastle upon Tyne
Project Details
Making the Invisible, Visible—A Live Data-Driven Digital Artwork
FLUX is a cutting-edge digital artwork by NOVAK, with sound design by Ed Carter and Tim Shaw, that transforms real-time pollution data into an evolving visual and sonic experience. Displayed on a striking, monolithic LED screen in Newcastle Central Station from 17th to 21st May 2019, FLUX provided a compelling representation of the often-invisible pollutants affecting our daily lives. The installation was powered by live data from Newcastle University’s Urban Observatory—the UK’s largest publicly available real-time urban data network. By making data on air quality and environmental factors tangible through dynamic visuals and immersive sound, FLUX offered an engaging and thought-provoking way to experience the impact of urban pollution. Originally developed as part of a commission for Google Design and It’s Nice That, FLUX was later expanded with support from Arts Council England via The National Lottery.
Project Details
Making the Invisible, Visible—A Live Data-Driven Digital Artwork
FLUX is a cutting-edge digital artwork by NOVAK, with sound design by Ed Carter and Tim Shaw, that transforms real-time pollution data into an evolving visual and sonic experience. Displayed on a striking, monolithic LED screen in Newcastle Central Station from 17th to 21st May 2019, FLUX provided a compelling representation of the often-invisible pollutants affecting our daily lives. The installation was powered by live data from Newcastle University’s Urban Observatory—the UK’s largest publicly available real-time urban data network. By making data on air quality and environmental factors tangible through dynamic visuals and immersive sound, FLUX offered an engaging and thought-provoking way to experience the impact of urban pollution. Originally developed as part of a commission for Google Design and It’s Nice That, FLUX was later expanded with support from Arts Council England via The National Lottery.
The Brief
Visualizing Pollution in an Engaging and Accessible Way
The challenge was to transform complex, real-time pollution data into a compelling and accessible digital artwork that could raise public awareness about urban air quality. The installation needed to be responsive to live environmental conditions, making pollution levels visible in a way that was both scientifically accurate and artistically engaging. Placed in the high-traffic environment of Newcastle Central Station, the artwork had to be visually striking enough to capture the attention of commuters while also conveying the deeper message about how air pollution fluctuates in real-time.
The Brief
Visualizing Pollution in an Engaging and Accessible Way
The challenge was to transform complex, real-time pollution data into a compelling and accessible digital artwork that could raise public awareness about urban air quality. The installation needed to be responsive to live environmental conditions, making pollution levels visible in a way that was both scientifically accurate and artistically engaging. Placed in the high-traffic environment of Newcastle Central Station, the artwork had to be visually striking enough to capture the attention of commuters while also conveying the deeper message about how air pollution fluctuates in real-time.
Our Response
A Living, Breathing Artwork Powered by Real-Time Data
NOVAK’s approach to FLUX was to create an ever-changing, real-time visual and sonic experience that responded to live environmental data. Using Newcastle University’s Urban Observatory sensors, the system translated fluctuating levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), Nitric Oxide (NO), and Particulate Matter (PM2.5) into dynamically shifting abstract shapes and colors. Each element of the artwork—the size, movement, and placement of the shapes—was driven by the live data stream, making the invisible airborne particulates perceptible in a visually poetic way. The accompanying sound design by Ed Carter and Tim Shaw further enriched the experience, using real-time data to generate an immersive sonic representation of pollution levels. By combining data, design, and sound, FLUX provided a unique and thought-provoking way for the public to engage with air quality data—turning abstract scientific information into an artwork that was both visually mesmerizing and socially impactful.
Our Response
A Living, Breathing Artwork Powered by Real-Time Data
NOVAK’s approach to FLUX was to create an ever-changing, real-time visual and sonic experience that responded to live environmental data. Using Newcastle University’s Urban Observatory sensors, the system translated fluctuating levels of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), Nitric Oxide (NO), and Particulate Matter (PM2.5) into dynamically shifting abstract shapes and colors. Each element of the artwork—the size, movement, and placement of the shapes—was driven by the live data stream, making the invisible airborne particulates perceptible in a visually poetic way. The accompanying sound design by Ed Carter and Tim Shaw further enriched the experience, using real-time data to generate an immersive sonic representation of pollution levels. By combining data, design, and sound, FLUX provided a unique and thought-provoking way for the public to engage with air quality data—turning abstract scientific information into an artwork that was both visually mesmerizing and socially impactful.
Credits
FLUX is a development of an artwork originally commissioned by Google Design and It’s Nice That .
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Venue support from LNER. Thank you to all the staff and management team at Newcastle Station.
LED screen and technical support from ArtAV
Photography by Rich Kenworthy
Credits
FLUX is a development of an artwork originally commissioned by Google Design and It’s Nice That .
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Venue support from LNER. Thank you to all the staff and management team at Newcastle Station.
LED screen and technical support from ArtAV
Photography by Rich Kenworthy
Other projects
Performance and Theatre
The Paddington Bear Experience
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Performance and Theatre
The Paddington Bear Experience
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The Book of Kells Experience
Digital Exhibition, Trinity College Dublin
Installation and Exhibition
The Book of Kells Experience
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