Constellations – The Flow of Belonging is a generative art piece that visualizes Canada as a fluid constellation of families, symbolizing the dynamic movement of people, and their connections and contributions to Canada’s cultural regeneration. This piece transforms LAC’s transcribed census data into a vibrant narrative, celebrating mobility, diversity and resilience.
Resembling constellations, flowing patterns and family units grow brighter and more interconnected over time, symbolizing the strength of diversity. Taking inspiration from Norman Takeuchi’s 1970 Expo Bus, which connected Canada’s diverse communities through a coast-to-coast journey, Constellations – The Flow of Belonging reimagines this mobility in the digital age of 2025 and beyond. The colours pulse through particle-like connections between people, represented as a stream. Each connection symbolizes the cultural and social links forged by communities and represents a vision of unity and mobility in a dynamic, data-driven form. Constellations – The Flow of Belonging celebrates Canada’s multicultural identity, aligning with the theme of Regeneration by showcasing people and communities as constellations of renewal. The visualization offers a glimpse into the endless stories that can be found and activated through LAC’s collections. Using LAC’s archival census data to tell a compelling and inclusive story, the piece illustrates how Canadians have continually renewed Canada’s social and cultural fabric, and reflects on Canada’s past, present, and future as a nation of diverse, interconnected communities.
Constellations – The Flow of Belonging was shown at the Canada Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.
Software
Processing (https://processing.org)
Above: Census data test output
Above: Census data test output video
Constellations – The Flow of Belonging & Chinese Exclusion
Constellations – The Flow of Belonging & Chinese Exclusion, a generative art piece extending Constellations – The Flow of Belonging, draws on Library and Archives Canada’s census data while referencing the Chinese Exclusion Act period towards its repeal (1923-1947). While celebrating Canada’s interconnected communities, it juxtaposes flowing, constellation-like patterns with sharp, red strokes symbolizing the dispersal, disruption, and exclusion of Chinese immigrants. These erratic visuals evoke the volatility of systemic barriers, contrasting communal unity.
Software
Processing (https://processing.org)
Constellations – The Flow of Belonging & Chinese Exclusion Video