How to turn your body into data (and art)

Minjeong An body art - click image to see full picture Photograph: Minjeong An/Public Domain

Imagine measuring your body, combining it with everything that's happened in your life - and then turning it into a beautiful data-based piece of art.

This is the work of Korean Minjeong An, whose art has been exhibited at the Strata data conference this week.

In her own words from the exhibit, she works like this:

I first measure each body part, including length, distance and angle, and then transfer the measured dimensions onto paper. In the process, even small moles, scars and pimples on the skin are carefully observed and translated into symbols

The result are portraits such as the one above.

Is it art or data?

And does it matter?