The Shapes and Sounds of Visa Inequality
Experience an immersive audio-reactive visual journey that brings data to life. Turn up the volume and let the data sing.
Presented by Tiziana Alocci and LAGO Collective
Commissioned by Lago Collective, this project transforms Schengen visa rejection rates from 2023 into a unique audio-visual narrative. Through sound and shape, the inequality in visa accessibility becomes tangible, highlighting the disproportionate rejection rates faced by low and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa.
Adding Emotion to Data Through Data Sonification
Data sonification, the process of transforming data into sound, adds an emotional dimension to information that might otherwise remain abstract. By pairing each visa rejection rate with a harp note and representing shifts in income levels through bass changes, the project creates a visceral connection to the data. The harp, with its delicate and evocative sound, was chosen to reflect the fragility and significance of each visa application. The resulting soundscape mirrors the tension between opportunity and rejection, allowing audiences to feel the disparity rather than just see it.
Data Sonification bridges the gap between raw numbers and human experience, transforming statistics into stories. It enables us to hear the stark contrasts in rejection rates as melodies of inequality, emphasising the lived realities behind the data.
A Delicate Harmony of Data and Emotion
The harp’s fragile resonance echoes the duality of each application—a gateway to opportunity or a symbol of rejection. For countries like Ghana, Senegal, and Nigeria, where rejection rates reach as high as 40–50%, these notes become a lament, underscoring the barriers to global mobility and opportunity.
Why This Matters
By transforming data into sound, this project brings a powerful new perspective to the conversation on visa inequality. It highlights disparities in global mobility, talent exchange, and international collaboration—issues that resonate deeply with the corporate world. For organisations, engaging with this piece signals a commitment to equity and inclusivity, aligning with broader goals for fair and empathetic global practices.
This technique not only invites us to engage with data differently but also fosters empathy and reflection. It prompts questions about the systemic barriers that impact diverse talent acquisition and potential markets, emphasising the importance of emotional resonance in data storytelling.
Play the video to explore the power of empathy-driven data storytelling and feel the stories behind the numbers.
