The UK-based creative collective Dorothy has long had the trick to transforming raw data into highly detailed and visually appealing artwork. From minimalist maps and conceptual charts to alphabet and musical timelines, their works often serve as celebrations for the information itself. However, with the ongoing series “Inside Information,” Dorothy makes things deeper, literally, figuratively, by rethinking everyday cultural icons as complex kataway diagrams rich in narratives, symbols and cultural reference points.
Taking advantage of the legacy of illustration techniques from centuries ago, the series is more than just a visual gimmick. It is a thoughtful, layered reexamination of modern objects and the communities and history powered by them. Think of it as a mashup of architectural rendering and cultural critique wrapped in the nostalgic shell of a boombox, sneaker or Moog synthesizer.
The Art of Cutaway, Rethinking
Cutaway diagrams may feel like a staple in the classroom, but they have been around for a long time than textbooks. The concept dates back to the 15th century and comes from the notebook of Italian Renaissance engineer Mariano “Taccola” de Jacopo, using this method to explore how mechanical inventions work from within.
Dorothy’s view on the format leans heavily towards the imagination zone of its mechanical meat. Each piece of Internal information The series peels off the shell outside the object. This reveals a very complicated inner world with a story, as it is audio gear, a classic computer, or a retro sneaker.
But these are more than just mechanical internal organs. Within each object is a cultural landscape inhabited by musicians, inventors, icons and historical moments. Instead of gear and wiring, there are miniature figures that recreate pivotal moments in hip-hop history, and highlight innovators who have changed their way of interacting with music and technology.
In the Boombox: Hip Hop History Lessons
One of the standout works in the series is “Inside Information: Boombox,” a detailed homage to the cultural throbbing of the late 20th century. The boombox itself is rendered as an architectural cross section similar to a hip-hop dollhouse. But instead of furniture, the room is filled with miniature tributes to the DJs, MCs and pioneering artists who shaped the genre.
From the Bronx block parties to the rise of breakdance and mixtape culture, this print feels like it’s alive with movement and energy. It’s not just the physical design of the boombox. It’s about the cultural blueprint that it has come to represent. Boombox wasn’t the only hip hop. It lived in it. And Dorothy captures that energy with impressive detail and emotional resonance.
Moog Magic: Circuit Icon
Another fan favorite is the MOOG synthesizer cutaway, which places the viewer deep inside the analog circuit of one of the music’s most important inventions. Here, Dorothy maps Moog’s evolution with stunning accuracy. Within the frame of the synth is a miniature figure that represents a key moment in musical history. Whether it’s David Byrne, Kraftwerk, or Led Zeppelin, each diagram occupies a narrative node of how Moog reshapes music.
This piece nods to Robert Moog himself, a pioneering engineer who transformed electrical engineering into an expressive medium. Dorothy’s print takes him into the foreground and frags his influence within the larger constellations of artists and tinkerers who have created something that will change the world from wires and wooden panels.
Where art, design and obsessions collide
Internal information The series is more than just novelty. It reflects the level of obsessive research and design that appeals to collectors, fans and design nerds alike. These are more than just aesthetic works. They pay tribute to the influence of objects that have helped shape identity, culture and sound over decades.
Dorothy’s work lands at the intersection of data visualization and artistic storytelling, making it beneficial and emotionally resonant. Whether you’re a stubborn sneaker head, a music tech lover or someone who appreciates the clever design, there’s something you’ll discover in every single square inch of these prints.
And they don’t stop right away. As the series grows, so does its range. It covers everything from vintage gaming systems to analog media. The goal is to not only introduce an object, but to celebrate what it means (and still means) to those who used it, loved it, and lived its era.
Where to buy and follow Dorothy’s work
Print from Internal information The series is now available from Dorothy’s official website and continues to release new works in a variety of theme collections. Fans can stay up to date with new drops, behind-the-scenes peaks, and limited edition releases via Dorothy’s Instagram. Collectives regularly share deep dives with creative processes.
and Internal informationDorothy doesn’t just produce smart wall art. They preserve cultural moments in ink and paper. It offers an ingenious look with internal details of what keeps music, technology and creativity moving forward.
