This is a visual tribute to 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. It translates the idea behind the novel into a data illustration and data animation.

New to this project? Read the general introduction first.

MOON illustration

The second image I created for this series is based on my first Murakami read. It uses the rhythm of 1Q84 to transform the idea behind the novel into an image.

In this case, the book has 79 chapters. So with my seven-chapters-per-row setup, I had two leftover chapters to work with (77 + 2). I placed one on top (chapter 1) and one all the way at the bottom (chapter 79). They resemble Tengo and Aomame, with the story between them. The color, night green, is based on that particular moon.

Data art illustration inspired by 1Q84

MOON animation

The video below shows the way the idea for the book forms in the mind of Haruki Murakami and how he then writes a first draft for the story.