Jacob Sundstrom: From the digital realm to the tactile

Professionally, Jacob works as a data scientist or research engineer, depending on the day. His work often involves financial modeling, uncertainty analysis, and exploring the limits of what data can—and can’t—tell us. This blend of logic and ambiguity closely parallels the themes that run through his artistic and personal life.

“Outside of art and work, climbing has been a powerful tool for self-actualization. Being in an environment where decisions have immediate, tangible consequences provides fertile ground for learning and introspection. As Mark Twight put it, ‘I don’t actually care what I climb, only how it affects me.’ The summit matters less than the process: the uncertainty, the struggle, and the way it shapes me along the way. In many ways, it mirrors the creative process by pushing limits, embracing failure, and finding meaning in the effort itself.”

Jacob works within overlapping circles of artists, researchers, and climbers who are interested in how constraints—whether physical, mathematical, or creative—shape what’s possible. Jacob has been part of Space 4 Art for five years and currently serves as both an artist and a board member. He deeply values what the organization represents in San Diego’s art scene.

“Beyond being an artist at Space4Art, I also serve as a board member. I deeply appreciate what Space4Art represents and its role in the San Diego art community. It’s a vital space for creative work, collaboration, and experimentation, and I truly believe in its mission. The intersection of different disciplines and perspectives here is inspiring, and I’m grateful to be part of it.”

Website: notthatintomusic.com
Social Media: None—Jacob proudly avoids social platforms.

As an S4A artist of 5 years and a board member, we are grateful to share Jacob Sundstrom’s story:

Jacob Sundstrom’s creative path has moved from the digital realm to the tactile. Trained in composition, he spent years creating large-scale, data-driven installation work that use algorithms to shape physical space. But in recent years, his perspective has shifted.

Now, Jacob finds himself increasingly weary of computers in general. With a lot of time spent troubleshooting complex systems, his art practice has become a space to seek something more grounded. He has turned to analog, hands-on forms of expression, working with materials that don’t require debugging.

“I’ve always been drawn to the tension between structure and chaos, whether in art, data, or the mountains. My past work in large-scale, data-driven installations explored that balance, using algorithms to shape physical space. Over time, I’ve felt drawn away from screen-based work, not out of skepticism toward technology’s role in creative expression, but because I’ve come to appreciate a different kind of immediacy. Much of my time is already spent sifting through data and troubleshooting complex systems, so in my art, I’ve been seeking something more direct: working with my hands, engaging with materials in a way that feels less mediated and more grounded.”