The Fence

An analog info visualization - a cross section of a core sample of “The Fence” on Carnegie Mellon’s campus. It is a tradition for different organizations to paint the fence everyday advertising parties and events.

I had become intrigued by the stories of certain customs of various schools identifying distinctions between the different classes... We talked it over in the Dragons and decided that we would build such a fence. The building of traditions at Carnegie would get a shot in the arm. (Hugh Sprinkle, Electrical Engineering, 1923)

“On September 11, 2001, the Fence was covered in names of loved ones with unknown fates in the attacks on our country and hundreds of candles were lit on top of it during the Candle vigil. Out of reverence, no one would paint over it. It was weeks until the student government finally took the plunge and blanked the Fence. “ (James Chang, Blog@Case, 2001)