One of the benefits of ethnographic insight is that it lets us see and think beyond the “obvious”. My first impression when I saw the photograph was how much warmth the photo expresses; seems like a warm and cozy place to be in. After reading the captions, even though I couldn’t understand most of the technical explanation of the levels toxicity, I could understand that there’s a lot more to the image.
The caption explains not only what’s happening in the scene but also the sentiment of the author. One thing that comes to mind and is missing from the picture (if they exist/are used) are other instruments people might use to either measure or mitigate the effects of VOCs. We’re thinking here more about protective layers—to objects in the kitchen for instance—or other mechanisms people might have for dealing with daily toxins
I believe that the photograph itself holds enough ethnographic information to make us “think” about toxicity. There is no need to add the data screen shot. Adding the screen shot of the “unseen” toxicity of the space only closes the amplitude of subjects that the photograph could lead us to. What becomes very interesting with this kind of access to information on toxicity is, to what extent are numbers important? What we mean by this is how much information about VOCs do people you interact with generally have? Do they need/want more numbers/data?
Toxicity a lot of times is unseen. Many other times it could even be masked behind something as benign as a warm night scene. Furthermore, this visualization highlights how environmental sensibilities might be experienced by different people, particularly those with less resources when mitigating the effects of chemical presence.
This is a combination image where the bottom part explains with “data” what’s happening with the environment in the image above. It is a comprehensive way to point out the toxicity of the space and the moment. The images show us how our daily lives can be impacted by toxics in our living places, and how these toxins affect individuals differently with some being extremely sensitive to common chemicals. The impact of simple smells for some becomes a real health issue to others.
This visualisation shows us how very mundane everyday scenes may contain invisible toxins and create sources of exposure. The image contrasts a peaceful and cosy-looking appartment setting with alarming readings from an air quality measuring device. It draws attention to the underlying pathways of production that common objects such as incense, cigarettes or a stove burner ultimately come from, and how we may think of them differently than as sources of comfort or utility if we can become aware of this - or not.
To extend the ethnographic message of the caption, it could be extended to include more information about the people/friends living in this apartment, their neighbours and maybe the area within Toronto and the divisions that mark the city's residential patterns.
I think the image communicates beautifully the contrasts between comfort and alarm, the invisibility of toxic substances and the partial translation of these fluctuating processes that the reader data give. It is very ehtnographically rich and I wouldn't alter it.
The visualisation and the caption tell us about the presence of toxics and the instruments we may employ to measure them, to become aware of them, to grasp them, and how this might alter how we experience our surroundings.
