ATLAS in silico is a physically interactive virtual environment/installation and an ongoing art-science collaboration (18 team members and additional consultants) that provides an aesthetic encounter with metagenomics data (and contextual metadata) from the largest known protein sequence dataset, the Global Ocean Survey (GOS) - a ground-breaking snapshot of biodiversity in the worldís oceans. In this work, context animates the virtual world as a driving force, much like natural ocean currents, revealing internal structure within the data and metadata -- bridging out from the nano scale to the global and back again creating a multi-scale, multi-modal multi-resolution experience. The installation utilizes a combination of infrared motion tracking, custom computer vision, multi-channel (10.1) spatialized interactive audio, 3D graphics, data sonification/audio design, networking, and the Varrier 60 tile, 100-million pixel barrier strip auto-stereoscopic display. The sonic microworld was created by combining artistic approaches with data-driven strategies utilizing PureData as the sound engine.

The video below is six minutes and contains audio. For more information, including about the collaborative team and sponsors, please visit the project website: http://www.atlasinsilico.net