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Where is the humour in data? In these meme-fuelled, data-overloaded, statistically skewed times, we are asking how, when and where can data be funny.

Data infrastructures are revealing themselves to direct, redirect or misdirect our news, our governments and ultimately our cultures. How can we find the comedy – dark or light – in the flow of data surrounding us?

For the next Data as Culture art exhibition we are looking for artworks that interrogate data in ways that raise a wry smile, a full blown LOL, or a Black Mirror-style swipe at the future of open data.

Data as Culture is the art programme for the Open Data Institute. Exhibitions take place in the working environment, alongside ODI staff and visitors.

* Selection criteria
We are looking for framed or unframed, wall or screen-based works in any media which:

• present data as a humorous material for ‘funny ha-ha’ or ‘funny peculiar’ art propositions
  
• consider the funny or absurd uses and misuses of data in emerging data and open data landscapes
  
• play with the growing number of visual gags in online environments, eg chihuahua or muffin
  
• raise critical questions or extend common experience of data in relation to the stated theme
  
• creatively engage with the innovative, material and experiential qualities of data and its broader impacts on culture and society
  
• inspire ODI staff and visitors to think differently about data and its ability to tell stories or frame questions
  
• contribute to a richer visual environment in the ODI space
• Small objects may be accommodated. We are particularly keen to receive proposals that incorporate open data.

We are not looking for:

• direct data visualisation
  
• fragile, interactive works
  
• works that need assistance or complex instructions
  
• long narrative pieces
  
• continual externalised sound, although headphones are possible
  
• toxic or hazardous substances

* Application process
Only applications submitted in the correct format via this online form will be accepted (http://theodi.org/blog/call-for-proposals-lmao).

* Eligibility
The call is open to all artists working with data, and we actively encourage applications from the groups below who are currently under-represented within our sector. These are artists from black, asian and other minority ethnic groups, artists who identify as LGBT, as well as deaf and disabled artists.--