1. Is there a fundamental correlation between art and public funding and how do we know it is beneficial? (and how could this or the opposite be measured? could we make some wall of fame/shame?)
think the problem with this is that you can't. Most of the time art does not have a direct effect, nor is it made to have one. I look at it as kind of a deductive thing where anything is permissible, and no beneficial outcome is promised. You can quit doing it, but all progress you make then is based on inductive reasoning, which mostly focusses on what the mass asks for, met alle gevolgen vandien.
Also: it depends on what kind of benefits you're talking about. Benefits in terms of money are way easier to measure than let's say, psychological benefits. And then there's the democratic problem about which kind of benefits you value more.
2. Data visualisation is presented as the key solution to create insight in political decisions, and thus increase democratic processes. What about known setbacks like inevitable subjectivity, misconception or even being misleading?
I think that's why source indication is important. With this project for example we get the data from the government and people can check it themselves. But these setbacks you're talking about might always be a problem because they can occur at any point of the data's journey from political decision to the minds of the people. The government might for example not publice the correct data.
All we can contribute to create real insight is stay objective yet critical, keep communicating with all parties that have to do with the data and keep in mind who you're visualzing for and why.
3. What would be a counter strategy to a visualisation?
The answer would be (as far as i am concerned) to build sort of a cultural leaks. The opposite of classic convergence, just show it all and let the crowd decide.
(off course it would take more time+effort to establish this)
I'm missing the point here. What information should be leaked on there that's hidden now? And who would want to counter a visualisation and why?