Data and Deity

Tekja and Yehrin Tong

2026

“The world’s oceans and waterways are dynamic, living things. Humanity has always sought to make sense of them and control them through its own languages: stories, myth, science and data. This work holds these different ways of relating to water side by side.” – Tekja and Yehrin Tong

This film is made up of 180 lines, one for each degree of the Earth’s latitude, spanning from pole to pole. The lines morph into different scenes representing data and deity.

Animated data scenes are made using recent records of rainfall, droughts, floods and sea temperature. They show that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. Sea temperatures are rising.

These moving maps are mixed with images of water deities. They represent the powerful mermaids, whales, serpents, dragons and hybrid land-and-sea creatures that appear in many cultures through time.

Digital

7:35, no audio

Data and Deity was inspired by this building. It was once part of a water supply system set up by the New River Company. Their motto was: “I caused it to rain upon one city.” This biblical reference describes the godly power to move water from one place to another.

Generously supported by the Barbara and Philip Denny Trust