A Thousand Suns

Walk through video:

Screen Recording 2024-12-12 at 5.24.03 PM 2.mov

Brief description/Abstract/Concept

This project explores the profound impact of the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki through dynamic data visualization. By recreating key elements of the event—such as the geographical extent of the blasts, casualty data, and the long-term effects on survivors—it aims to provide an immersive experience that bridges history and emotion. The visualizations not only highlight the immediate devastation but also reveal the lasting consequences on human lives and society.

At its core, this project seeks to humanize the statistics and historical facts, transforming them into a compelling narrative that fosters empathy and reflection. The goal is to encourage audiences to reconsider the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare, understand the long-term suffering it causes, and inspire a commitment to peace. Through the fusion of art and data, the project emphasizes the enduring scars left by war and the importance of learning from the past to prevent future tragedies.

Why this topic (motivation/inspiration)

Even though the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki occurred 80 years ago, the physical and psychological trauma inflicted on the Japanese population remains profound and long-lasting. However, humanity seems to have failed to learn from this tragedy, gradually forgetting the pain caused by World War II as time passes. War continues to plague the world, with countless civilians still losing their lives, being displaced, or suffering from hunger due to ongoing conflicts.

Data resources

To build a reliable dataset, potential resources include:

• Historical Archives & Museums: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, and related digital archives.
• Academic Research: Scholarly articles, medical journals, and demographic studies conducted on survivors, known as hibakusha.
• Survivor Testimonies & Oral Histories: Collections curated by organizations such as the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, and documentary film archives.
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Peace organizations and nuclear disarmament groups may have interviews, testimonies, and data summaries.
• Public Databases & Library Collections: University libraries or national archives that store first-hand accounts, letters, and recorded interviews.

Methodology

• Data & Story Collection: Gather personal stories, birth/death years, gender, age at bombing, distance from epicenter, injury severity, and health outcomes from multiple sources.