For the most part, air pollution is invisible, so Stefanie Posavec and Miriam Quick created data objects to help see and experience the stuff you breathe. The glasses above represent large particulates, small particulates, and nitrogen dioxide.
The larger patterns cloud the wearer’s vision, providing a subtle indicator of differences in pollution levels between days. We wanted to ensure the data on the glasses could be experienced in two ways: as a physical, subtle experience when worn and as a graphic presentation of the data when the glasses were held and looked at, and compared to others in the series.
Posavec and Quick also made a necklace that serves as a tactile representation. Watch out for the high pollution days. You might prick your finger.
