Who the heck are the Data Vandals?
8-minute video interview by our friends at MOME Open, Budapest
photo credit: Mark Shaw
Photo credit: Jamie & The Jam
Data Vandals is a NYC art duo creating public installations, workshops, and participatory exhibitions that turn data into art and create participatory experiences in cities around the world.
Our artwork transforms data into experiences that invite curiosity and create conversations, turning passive observers into active participants.
Data Vandals is Jen Ray (artist) and Jason Forrest (dataviz expert). Driven by the conviction that meaningful change happens when art meets community, we have engaged thousands of people through exhibitions, performances, and workshops.
- Email us! Datavandalsnyc@gmail.com
- Book a workshop!
- Let’s create murals!
- Let’s build micro-museums!
Bios
Jen Ray
https://cargocollective.com/JenRayArt
https://socogallery.com/jen-ray
Multidisciplinary artist Jen Ray (b. 1970, American) presents performances, paintings, and sound works that celebrate female confidence and self-determination. Drawing inspiration and symbolism from a wide range of socio-political and cultural references, from feminist science fiction and dystopian theory, to seventies glam rock, to multi-layered historical references and gendered storytelling, the artist challenges static or reverential perceptions of feminism and encourages on-going discussions about gender, intersectionality, and identity politics.
Jen Ray’s drawings are militantly detailed filigrees of judicious line and color; the artist’s hand enunciates sparring Amazonian women, who inhabit decaying, semi-surrealist and strangely beautiful wastelands. In addition to her works on paper, Ray orchestrates lavish and provocative performances in which the female protagonists of her drawings come to life. Ray currently lives in New York.
Jason Forrest:
https://www.jasonforrestftw.com/
Jason Forrest is a data visualization and design leader whose work connects business, culture, and public discourse. He focuses on turning complex information into human-centered visual stories that build community, reveal shared histories, and create new opportunities for entrepreneurship.
A former McKinsey Associate Partner and director of its Data Visualization Lab, and the co-founder and former editor-in-chief of Nightingale, the journal of the Data Visualization Society, Forrest now focuses his practice on three platforms: the Jason Forrest Agency, the art duo Data Vandals, and the MPS Data Visualization & Communication program at the School of Visual Arts, where he is the founding chair.
FAQs
Who are the Data Vandals?
We are Jen Ray (artist) and Jason Forrest (dataviz), a New York–based duo who transform data into participatory artworks, installations, and workshops. Our projects turn everyday people into co‑creators, not just spectators.
What exactly do you do?
We design interactive artworks that collect and visualize real‑world data in public spaces, galleries, classrooms, and community settings. This can take the form of a subway newsstand turned into data-art gallery, large‑scale murals, or hands‑on workshops.
Where have you worked so far?
We’ve engaged thousands of people through projects and workshops with universities, cultural institutions, and social groups around the world. Our work spans cities like New York, Los Angeles, London and multiple international locations through collaborations with art and design schools and civic organizations.
How is this different from traditional public art?
Instead of asking people to quietly look at a piece of artwork that only reflects our ideas, we invite them to answer questions, share stories, or leave marks that become part of the artwork. The data they generate shapes the visuals in real time and over the life of the project, so the work keeps evolving with the community.
We see ourselves in the lineage of Joseph Beuys’s “social sculpture,” which understands society as a collective artwork shaped by everyone’s daily, creative actions. In the spirit of Corita Kent’s joyful, justice‑oriented teaching, where play, simple tools, and ordinary language invite people to participate. In the same way, Data Vandals turn civic data into friendly public prompts and visuals that invite anyone to reshape how their city thinks and feels.
What kinds of organizations do you collaborate with?
We partner with museums, universities, festivals, public agencies, brands, and community groups who want to spark deeper conversations with their audiences. If your work touches cities, culture, or community engagement, we can probably design something together.
Do you offer workshops or talks?
Yes. We run hands‑on workshops and talks for professional groups, students, educators, civic innovators, and creative teams who want to explore data storytelling in playful, low‑tech ways. Workshops can be stand‑alone sessions or connected to a larger exhibition or public project.
Can you create a custom project for our space, event, or brand?
Absolutely. We regularly design site‑specific installations and activations tailored to a particular location, audience, or theme.
Do participants need to be “good with data” to take part?
Not at all. We design our prompts, questions, and visuals so anyone can join in—no technical background required. Curiosity is the only prerequisite.
How far in advance should we reach out?
For most commissions and large‑scale workshops, we recommend contacting us at least 2–3 months before your ideal date. Bigger public installations or multi‑city collaborations typically need more lead time for approvals and production.
Where are you based, and do you travel?
We’re based in New York City but work globally.
How do we start a conversation?
Email us at DataVandalsNYC@gmail.com with a few lines about who you are, what you’re imagining, and your ideal timeline. We’ll follow up to schedule a short call and explore what we can build together.