Hanakotaba
Digital image, 2025
I created a dataset based on Hanakotaba, the Japanese cultural system of flower
meanings. I collected data on the flowers and at least one of their meanings from Hanakotoba.com. Next, I conducted an
inductive content analysis, distilling all of the individual meanings into buckets based on a broader generalization. This
yielded 24 broad categories. Next, I made a pivot table to show the colors associated with each bucket. This gave me counts
of each color that corresponded to one of the border meaning categories. I manipulated the data to create a .csv file,
which I loaded into RawGraphs, and selected a chord diagram. I removed the chart’s labels, then downloaded it. Next,
I opened the .svg file in Inkscape to manipulate the colors, transparencies, and foci of the chord’s data ribbons. I
selected a palette intended to simulate an abstract flower garden.
The Patriotics of Hate
Digital video, 2026
The Patriotics of Hate is a data sculpture honoring the life of First Lieutenant Richard Collins. An artist's statement and legend are available here.
