Recently we got an inquiry asking us why we developed a network data model instead of sticking to existing relational models. Apart from the general design of System One that would have made it nearly impossible to transfer the hyperlinked structure to a relational model without some cost, we are true believers in a networked perspective of information. And that perspective starts with the most basic structure that we can think of, which is the data structure itself.

One other reason is currently an issue in one of our projects, where we work with the Neue Galerie Graz and the Büro für Perspektivenmanagement to bring the complex and important topic of Fair Trade and Globalization to the Net and also to an exhibition taking place in Graz during the Steirischer Herbst.

We will use System One as general research and Storage System for all digital material contained in the exhibition. Naturally the topic itself has many perspectives that one could look at, so we decided to do some visualisations that will also be used as artwork in the exhibition. Actually the whole exhibition will be built around the visualisations.

When we started to talk about the visualisations we found out that based on our current data structure, it is very easy to provide different perspectives on the data itself without the need to reformat or restructure it. Because we look at it as objects that are related and interlinked it is very easy filter, slice and dice it according to some properties. Also simple inference is possible, showing dependencies and relations in the data that haven't been visible before.

I'm looking forward to the result and I'll share some of it here, during the process.