News

SIGGRAPH 2016 content is now available for free in the ACM Digital Library for a one-month period that began two weeks before the conference, and will end a week after it concludes. Following this one-month "free access" window, the content is available at no cost in perpetuity, exclusively through open access links on SIGGRAPH.org.

In addition, USB drives of conference content will be on sale at SIGGRAPH 2016. There are two USB drive options. One drive contains conference presentations, organized by program and session, and the second contains selected pieces from the Computer Animation Festival and Daytime Selects program. The drives cost $30 each and will be shipped in September.

What goes unseen, unfelt, unheard? The Digital Arts Community of ACM SIGGRAPH presents Science of the Unseen: Digital Art Perspectives, an on-line exhibition curated by Phil Gough (Australia) and Lindsay Zackeroff (USA). Comprised of both moving and still imagery, the works in this captivating exhibition integrate science and art to amplify what may go unperceived in usual visual, social, and political registers.

Art works in this exhibition challenge conceptions of interactivity, participation, and collaboration via both the media they use and how they approach the topic of research. The scientists, artists, and researchers extend the scope of their work outside of lab, studio, or library out into broader communities. By doing so, they created opportunities for viewers to experience their artwork, and together, the artist and viewer critically explore how art and science impact society.

The innovative use of digital media by a diverse group of 34 works includes gameplay simulation, software engineering, performance, and video art, all focused on immersing the viewer in a sensory exploration of the limits of inside and outside. Because several of the works in the exhibition are by collaborative teams, over 50 artists and researchers are represented in the exhibition, including contributors and reviewers from Italy, Mexico, Sweden, Australia, the UK, Austria, France, Japan, Canada, Taiwan, Senegal, and the USA.

Explore the exhibition at: http://science-unseen.siggraph.org

The SIGGRAPH Pioneers Group is proud to present one of the most influential scientists in computer graphics history, Alvy Ray Smith, as the guest speaker for the 2016 Pioneers' Reception. Dr. Smith pioneered numerous advances in computer graphics, including one of the first digital paint systems, the alpha channel and digital sprites.

At this years SIGGRAPH Pioneers' Reception, he will present a visual report on his insights for the future of computer graphics, including advancements in artificial intelligence and the continuing windfall for the field of computer graphics due to the ongoing advances of “Moore's Law.” Alvy is perhaps best known as the cofounder of Pixar. But his career spans many of the most influential labs and achievements in computer graphics, including development of the first paint system with Richard Shoup at Xerox PARC (1974), Superpaint the first 24bit paint system at NYIT, and CAPS (Computer Animation Production System) the hardware/software system that Pixar created on contract with Disney that revolutionized its 2D cell animation pipeline. In 1998, he received a Scientific and Engineering Academy Award® for pioneering efforts in the development of digital paint systems used in motion picture production.

In his agreement to take on the annual speaker spot, Alvy recalls “Marvin Minsky's recent death caused me a much longer pause than most, he has gone in and out of my life in important ways for decades. It's partly from the impact that I felt inspired to re-confront our pursuit of Artificial Intelligence in a world that has come to live by 'Moore's Law' — and offer my take on its current status and possible future.”

The 2016 SIGGRAPH Pioneers' Reception will take place on Tuesday, July 26th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Avalon Room of the Anaheim Hilton Hotel, near the Anaheim convention center. Light appetizers will be served, and drinks will be available.

The reception is exclusive to active members of the ACM SIGGRAPH Computer Graphics Pioneers Group. In addition, the Los Angeles SIGGRAPH chapter is specially inviting SIGGRAPH pioneers to join their 30th anniversary of the NY/LA SIGGRAPPH chapter party that will begin after the pioneer reception concludes.

Any person with 20 years of experience of more, in some aspect of computer graphics and/or interactive techniques is eligible to become a member. The cost for a non-ACM SIGGRAPH member to become an ACM SIGGRAPH CG Pioneer is $47, which includes ACM SIGGRAPH membership. New members can join online. The cost to upgrade an existing ACM SIGGRAPH membership to Pioneer level is $5, and can be done by calling ACM Help at 1-800-342-6626 or by emailing acmhelp@acm.org.

Since 2003, the ACM SIGGRAPH Education Committee and the ACM SIGGRAPH Pioneers have sponsored the Spend a Week at SIGGRAPH Student Program, which brings high school sophomores and juniors to the the annual SIGGRAPH conference. This year, the two groups are eager to continue the tradition — but they need your help.

In a world where start-ups can rocket from nothing to billion-dollar companies by riding the razor edge of advances in computing, there's a surprising shortage of young people interested in careers in computer science and technology. Young women and minorities are particularly underrepresented in the world of computing.

If you’ll be at SIGGRAPH 2016 for a significant amount of time between Sunday, July 24 and Thursday, July 28, consider volunteering to serve as a mentor for a bright young student interested in learning more about computer graphics, interactive techniques and cutting-edge technology. Being a mentor won’t cost you a lot of time (each mentor averages about 30 minutes a day), and the personal rewards are significant. The idea is simple: to enable each student to experience computer graphics up close and personal, and have an expert as a consultant and guide.

The Spend a Week at SIGGRAPH program is supported by the ACM SIGGRAPH Education Committee, and is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. The value of the program is apparent in the letters received by past participants.

Those interested in volunteering should please contact Kathleen Milnes or Marc J. Barr.