Can We Keep Up [halwatts.co.uk] is a a physical data visualisation that investigates the domestic need for water in cities all over the world.
Inspired by those little sponges embedded in a soldering iron setup, the authors realized how differently expanded sponges might be an ideal way to show water requirements on a map. Therefore, the tangible map is created from compressed cellulose sponges cut out in the shape of individual countries, on which specific amounts of water was carefully poured. As the authors were looking for more analogue approaches to infographic representation, the spongy representation aims to provide an impression that is relevant to the issue.
Watch a documentary movie below.
UPDATE: The project was a runner-up in visualizing.org's competition "Visualizing the World Water Day Challenge".