Using data visualizations in art can foster unity in the US regarding climate change

Communicating scientific concepts to a broad audience can be a daunting task. Presenting research on contentious issues such as climate change can prove to be even more challenging.

However, a groundbreaking study conducted by Nan Li, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, reveals that intentionally integrating art with data visualizations can effectively engage non-expert audiences in understanding climate change. Moreover, this amalgamation can bridge political divides in ways that data presentations alone cannot achieve, as standalone graphs often exacerbate political polarization surrounding climate change issues.

Li, an assistant professor in the Department of Life Sciences Communication, specializes in studying how innovative visual representations of science can shape people’s comprehension and opinions on various scientific issues. For this particular study, Li collaborated with Isabel Villanueva, Thomas Jilk, and Dominique Brossard from UW–Madison, as well as Brianna Rae Van Matre from EcoAgriculture Partners. The researchers surveyed individuals across the political spectrum to gauge their responses to a painting by Diane Burko titled “Summer Heat, 2020.”

The painting encompasses a captivating blend of red, orange, and blue motifs symbolizing wildfires and melting glaciers, which merge with maps seemingly dripping over a graph displaying global atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. This integration goes beyond mere juxtaposition of art and science or adding aesthetically pleasing colors to a graph. Instead, it weaves together two distinct elements to convey a larger narrative that provokes contemplation on the topic of climate change.

Li believes that the deliberate fusion of data within the artwork contributes to its effectiveness.

“To maximize art’s potential as a tool for public engagement, it needs to serve as a catalyst for self-reflection,” says Li. “Individuals employ this artwork as a starting point for contemplating its personal significance.”

For the study, which was published in Communications Earth & Environment, 671 survey participants from across the United States were divided into groups and exposed to four different presentations of the painting and its accompanying data: the original painting, an elaborate version of the graph, a simplified version of the same graph, and an edited version of the painting featuring a detailed graph.

In the initial phase of the survey, participants were instructed to reflect on the meaning and emotions elicited by the visuals. Those who viewed the painting reported experiencing stronger positive emotions, such as happiness, awe, inspiration, and hope, in comparison to participants who were presented with only the graphs.

The researchers then utilized a digital editing tool to simulate the appearance of “Summer Heat, 2020” and other visuals posted on an Instagram feed. The accompanying caption provided additional details about the painting and factual information about climate change.

Survey participants regarded the artwork post as equally credible as the data graphs post. Li notes that this finding supports the notion that success in showcasing this type of artwork is not limited to traditional galleries, but can also be accomplished by reaching a wider audience through social media platforms.

Typically, individuals’ perception of the relevance of climate change is influenced by their political affiliation when confronted with graphs on the subject. However, the study observed that when survey participants from different political backgrounds viewed the painting in a social media format, the gap between their political affiliations diminished. In other words, when liberals and conservatives are exposed to artistic depictions of climate data in lieu of raw data, they are more likely to perceive climate change as relevant to them.

In another iteration of the survey, participants were not instructed to reflect on the meaning and emotions evoked by the visuals prior to viewing them. After observing the simulated Instagram posts, they later reported their perceived relevance of climate change. This time, regardless of the different visuals they were shown, participants’ perceived relevance of climate change remained polarized along their political ideologies. According to Li, this suggests that priming individuals for introspection is crucial in breaking down political barriers.

While the findings of this study are truly groundbreaking, Li acknowledges its specific context and limitations. The study focuses on a single painting in a specific artistic style by one artist.

Looking ahead, Li and her team aspire to conduct further studies to identify the specific elements of artwork that enhance the communication of scientific information. They also aim to expand the study to encompass reactions to diverse artistic styles from artists of varying backgrounds, as well as to survey individuals from different countries. Additionally, Li and her team underscore the importance of artists and scientists being aware of their audience’s level of interest in art and recognizing that not everyone will respond emotionally or cognitively to a piece in the same way.

Despite the challenges associated with communicating polarizing concepts, Li believes in the power of art to bridge the gap between a lay audience and scientific data.

“When art is presented, it incites people to think, ‘Wait a minute. What is all of this about?'” says Li. “It fills in the imagination gap of what data truly signifies without adopting a lecturing approach. Instead, it actively engages individuals in exploring the meaning on their own.”

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