![\"nicolas\"](\"http:\/\/www.doc.gold.ac.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/nicolas.jpg\")
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On 22 January 2016, Digital Arts Computing recently had the pleasure of meeting Belgian visual artist, self-taught software programmer and data activist Nicolas Malev\u00e9. Undergraduate student Isabella Maund<\/a> reports on what happened.<\/strong><\/p>\n Based in Barcelona, internationally active Malev\u00e9 is a core member of Constant for Arts and Media<\/a>, an artist run non-profit organization that explores an interdisciplinary approach to art, media and technology.\u00a0Technical curiosity is what led to Malev\u00e9\u2019s interest in data and the creative analysis of data.<\/p>\n Active Archives<\/a>,\u00a0a research project led by Malev\u00e9 and Michael Murtaugh, investigates the mutation of an archive in a digital context. With his peers he is\u00a0redefining our understanding of archives and focusing on original ways to classify, annotate and disseminate archives of images, with a strong focus on photography.<\/p>\n This masterclass was particularly relevant and fascinating, as data has become a large and ever growing part of our everyday lives. We are constantly creating and interacting with data through everyday searches, selfies, public transport, etc. Huge amounts of data are constantly being collected, becoming a resource that is\u00a0transforming society.<\/p>\n Data collection has become a growing topic of conversation in the art world. Current exhibition\u00a0Big Bang Data<\/a>\u00a0at the Somerset House has brought together artists, journalists and designers to further discuss data and its huge presence in our everyday lives, and what this may mean for our future.<\/p>\n
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