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SIGGRAPH 2017, WHO KNEW-THE BEST SHOWCASE OF INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGIES JUST LEFT LA

© 2017 ACM SIGGRAPH, photo by John Fuji

I was overwhelmed by the size and high-end presentations of the exhibitor’s at Siggraph 2017 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  Siggraph is the world’s leading annual interdisciplinary educational experience showcasing the latest in computer graphics and interactive techniques concluded Thursday with over 16,500 attendees from around the world. SIGGRAPH 2017 marked the 44th International Conference and Exhibition on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, and opened Sunday July 31st.

The exhibitors and attendees came to see and interact with the latest innovations in computer graphics, including new applications in virtual and augmented reality and robotics. At the heart of SIGGRAPH 2017 were opportunities to gain hands-on experiences with new technologies; to hear experts discuss the “how-to” behind their cutting-edge film, television, game, or multi-media productions; and, to experience the merging of traditional processes with experimental, never-before-seen technologies.

I came to interact with educators, workforce development and potential collaborators in building Digital Content Labs in the urban inner city community college systems.  During the course of the conference, I was struck by one demo in particular.  The Intel super-computer below.  The 4-day experience featured over 600 papers, courses, lectures, panels, installations, artworks, and experiences were shared, culled from nearly 2,000 submissions from around the world. Over 1,800 speakers and contributors participated during the course of the conference. In addition, select sessions that were live-streamed generated significant viewership, with over 29,000 views on YouTube, and over 73,000 views on FaceBook thus far.

On the conclusion of this year’s event, SIGGRAPH 2017 Conference Chair Jerome Solomon said, “We had a fantastic, very well-attended show this year! SIGGRAPH 2017 presented more activities, technologies, experiences, and venues than we’ve ever seen before. Once again, SIGGRAPH has proven itself a preeminent conference for computer graphics and interactive techniques, and I’m confident that our 2018 show next year in Vancouver will no doubt present even more unique experiences, as SIGGRAPH contributors continue to fulfill the future potential of interactive technology and innovation from every corner of the globe.”

SIGGRAPH 2017 attendees hailed from the United States and 87 other countries worldwide, including Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

The conference and exhibition also played host to over 150 diverse exhibitors on the show floor, each showcasing the latest in computer graphics and interactive technologies, products, and services. Due to the remarkable increase in the amount of new technology that has debuted in the global computer graphics marketplace over this past year, one-third were first-time exhibitors.

Among this year’s highlights were the Keynote session, which featured a conversation with Disney Legend and animator Floyd Norman, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ first African-American animator. Attendees also enjoyed critically acclaimed VR short films in the first-ever SIGGRAPH Computer Animation Festival VR Theater; participated in a VR Film Jam, which transformed two animated short films into virtual reality experiences; listened to and met with the creators of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters as part of the Production Sessions program; and, heard from the most cutting-edge technical researchers in the business.

SIGGRAPH 2017 Award Winners

“The Human Race,” a real-time demonstration presented by The Mill during Real-Time Live! on Tuesday night, was awarded the SIGGRAPH 2017 “Best Real-Time Graphics and Interactivity” honor. “The Human Race” is a collaboration with Epic Games and is made possible through the combination of Unreal Engine 4, The Mill Cyclops, and The Mill Blackbird. The demonstration showcased its ability to blur the line between production and post, revolutionizing the conventions of digital filmmaking.

The SIGGRAPH 2017 Emerging Technologies program awarded its “Best in Show” prize to “MetaLimbs: Arms Interaction Metamorphism,” from Japan. MetaLimbs proposes a novel approach to body-schema alternation and artificial-limb interaction by adding two robotic arms to the user’s body and mapping the global motion of the user’s legs and feet relative to the torso.

The 45th annual conference, SIGGRAPH 2018, will be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 12–16 August, at Vancouver Convention Center.

About SIGGRAPH 2017

The annual SIGGRAPH conference is a five-day interdisciplinary educational experience in the latest computer graphics and interactive techniques, including a three-day commercial exhibition that attracts hundreds of companies from around the world. The conference also hosts the international SIGGRAPH Computer Animation Festival, showcasing works from the world’s most innovative and accomplished digital film and video creators. Juried and curated content includes outstanding achievements in time-based art, scientific visualization, visual effects, real-time graphics, and narrative shorts. SIGGRAPH 2017 will take place from 30 July–3 August 2017 in Los Angeles. Visit the SIGGRAPH 2017 website or follow SIGGRAPH on FacebookTwitterYouTube, or Instagram for more detailed information.

About ACM SIGGRAPH

The ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques is an interdisciplinary community interested in research, technology, and applications in computer graphics and interactive techniques. Members include researchers, developers, and users from the technical, academic, business, and art communities. ACM SIGGRAPH enriches the computer graphics and interactive techniques community year-round through its conferences, global network of professional and student chapters, publications, and educational activities.

About ACM

ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, is the world’s largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting educators, researchers, and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources, and address the field’s challenges. ACM strengthens the computing profession’s collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for lifelong learning, career development, and professional networking.