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FT Alphaville’s inaugural Art of the Chart show landed last week, with hundreds of enthusiasts turning up for some dataviz delight.
With the immeasurable support of the FT’s graphics desk, helmed by data supremo Alan Smith, we put 24 of the finest, freshest, fanciest charts on display at A1 size inside London’s stunning St Bartholomew the Great church. Finance dominated the chartfest, but there was also plenty of economics, business, demographics and other good stuff (plus some non-good stuff).
Almost all of the charts were bought at auction by exhibition-goers, raising around £3,500 — which will be donated the FT Financial Literacy and Inclusion Campaign as soon as we can find a big-enough duffel bag. Three are still up for auction — details on how you can get your hands on them can be found below.
As well as traditional paper charts, Alan and co. masterminded a multimedia corner, with visitors able to watch a version of the FT’s sonic yield curve set to church bells, and try out a virtual reality version of the Phillips machine via an Apple Vision Pro.
Naturally, any attempt to show these charts here would be a pale imitation of the in-the-flesh experience, given how much smaller than A1 whatever screen you’re reading this is probably is (we can’t believe we’re getting to roll this graphic out again) . . .
. . . but here goes anyway (with apologies to mobile users). Scroll sideways to see them all:
As mentioned above, three of the charts haven’t set been sold. If you would like to bid for any of them (black wooden frame with glass front included), please submit a bid of at least £75 to alphaville@ft.com by this Friday 7 March.
Here are the ones that are still available:
How Trump triumphed:
The new guard:
Why chickens prefers log scales:
Personally we think the chicken one would be lovely in a paleo kitchen or a loo with an intimidating aura. Highest bid received by the deadline wins, and the money goes to charity, so don’t hold back.
Please note that you won’t receive the chart for a couple of weeks, as they’ll all temporarily be on display elsewhere, but we’ll get it/them to you as soon as possible.
The Art of the Chart will return. Until then, scratch that itch via our Friday charts quiz? We’re still accepting guesses until ca midday today.
