Weaving data, slicing views

Digital archives metadata suggest a rich and complex system of relationships between the different properties of archived items, which is often not properly represented. Lomen is a research project aimed at exploiting the richness of digital archives, stitching up the relationships between entities and providing visual access to the system. This paper presents the design process used to create such visual access for architect Baldessari's historical archives. The research results in a digital platform that allows users to explore contents in a non-linear way, identifying patterns and fostering insight. The platform also aims at weaving together several levels of information through direct linking to archive entities such as projects, artifacts or individuals involved. Curators are also given the ability to elaborate theme-based paths, providing varied and unique entry points to the underlying data to users.