Sights + Sounds - Sunday at SIGGRAPH

by Jennifer Recknagel

Traditionally SIGGRAPH has always been part work and mostly play. Of course there are loads of invaluable tech tips to be gained--and more importantly, a lot of really cool things to check out. But a week at SIGGRAPH would not be complete without attending at least a few of the off-site events.

The 14th annual Sake Party was the first social event of the 2001 Conference. Held in the ballroom of the Wilshire Grand Hotel, the event drew in about 300 - 400 Siggraphees with the promise of a live performance and a barrel full of sake. Although the event seemed more promo than party, the sake proved to be an excellent way of getting people into the swing of things. The live performance, featuring two dancers interacting with a giant screen via wearable devices, provided ample eye candy, while the digital backdrops created by Yoichiro Kawaguchi added psychedelic flare to an otherwise quiet event.

For anyone in the know, it seemed that the real place to be Sunday was poolside at the Figueroa Hotel. Not technically a SIGGRAPH event, this popular weekly party offered a rare glimpse into LA culture. Local Dj's mixed down tempo beats, while weekend revelers continued the party with a few light cocktails and some poolside dancing. The event which takes place Sundays between 1 pm. and 7 pm., ended up turning into a late-night cocktail party, attended mostly by SIGGRAPH conference-goers. Needless to say, the few remaining LA natives seemed more than a little confused by all the influx of tech talk.