Flying Through the Valley by Wendy Shijia Wang

In May 2024, I stood in Yosemite Valley, surrounded by towering granite walls. The views were stunning, but something felt incomplete—standing within the embrace of the mountains, I couldn't see it all at once. I wish I could glide from El Capitan to Half Dome, seeing the valley as a bird might, with the freedom of flight.

That feeling sparked the idea for this project: a series of four video artworks created from real-world data. Using GIS and 3D-modeling tools, I turned precise geographical data into immersive visual journeys, merging scientific accuracy with artistic expression, inspired by the memories of my time in Yosemite.

The centerpiece of this series is a smooth journey from El Capitan to Half Dome, carefully paced to allow viewers to absorb the relationships between Yosemite's iconic formations. It is complemented by three focused scenes, each offering a closer, more intimate exploration of the valley’s landmarks.

By blending art styles, colors and motion, the series celebrates the natural beauty of Yosemite while invites the audiences to experience the landscape with the freedom of imagination.

Watch the videos here: https://wendyshijia.github.io/yosemite/
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Technical Implementation:
1. Data accuracy: Real-world geographical data from USGS and OSM ensures fidelity to Yosemite's geography.
2. Visual references: Colors and textures are derived from Google Maps, photographs, and on-site sketches.
3. Digital craftsmanship: Modern digital tools like CloudCompare, QGIS, and Blender were employed to process the geographical data and reconstruct the landscape in 3D.