Internationals in the city
Internationals in the city
From mid-October to mid-December 2020, the Van Abbemuseum is showing an exhibition by Information Design students of the Design Academy Eindhoven. The students were commissioned by the Van Abbemuseum and the strategy department of the Municipality of Eindhoven to visualise research into the internationalisation of the city. The exhibition "Internationals in the city" was created under the direction of Joost Grootens, graphic designer and head of the Information Design department, as well as teachers Toon Koehorst and Jannetje in 't Veld.
An international city
Eindhoven is constantly on the move. The city's population is becoming increasingly international. People from all parts of the world come to Eindhoven to live, study and work here. Because of them, far away places appear a bit closer, enriching the diversity of the city. It is important for government and policymakers to accurately chart and monitor these developments. This way, they can respond to new developments and ensure a pleasing living environment for everyone. Not just now, but especially in the future.
research and data visualization
Together with the CBS (the Dutch Central Bureau for Statistics), the municipality of Eindhoven is researching these developments, while simultaneously looking for opportunities to share the results in an inspiring way. Data visualisation is being utilised more often. That way, complex information can be presented in a comprehense way, offering you an overview in a single glance. Yet the collection of data and the translation into information is not neutral. There is always a question or perspective hidden under the surface. Which is why data visualisation, a form of interpretation, requires a critical attitude from both the sender and the receiver.
Dates and collection
A few years ago, the Van Abbemuseum posed questions about how data from its art collection could be shared with the public. Together with Joost Grootens, graphic designer and head of the information design department of the Design Academy Eindhoven, the museum developed the "Museum index", a series of presentations that made information, contained in the data, visible in a surprising and inspiring way. For example, it was visualised to what extent female artists are underrepresented in the museum's collection. The most recent installment in this series is an infographic that compares the origins of the residents of Eindhoven with that of the artists in the museum collection. The Van Abbemuseum called on the strategy department of the municipality of Eindhoven to obtain the necessary data. This collaboration also gave rise to the idea for the current exhibition.
work, housing, identity, community and data
In two rooms on the first floor of the Collection Building, the designs are presented on the basis of the themes of work, housing, identity, community and data. Statistics Netherlands' research has been translated into infographics in a series of posters. Toon Koehorst and Jannetje in 't Veld, who were also involved in the project as teachers, translated the results into an exhibition design.