The Access Grid, new cutting edge technology for users and participants of collaborations, makes its debut at SIGGRAPH 2005, the 32nd International Conference on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques, July 31-Aug. 4, 2005, in Los Angeles. At SIGGRAPH 2005, the Access Grid supports a global collaborative performance piece, international art panels and multi-site community interaction. This emerging, scalable teleconferencing technology enables interaction between individual desktops, 3,000-person theaters and everything in between.
"We see this as a great opportunity to enable knowledge creation and learning in this unique and collaborative environment," said James L. Mohler, SIGGRAPH 2005 Conference chair from Purdue University. Since SIGGRAPH is the place where barriers are broken, it is especially significant that this will be the first time in history that the Access Grid will host a performance with artists working together on the same piece from five different continents.
The grid's 1,500 users throughout the world interact through thousands of nodes, designed spaces that contain the high-end audio and visual technology needed to provide a high quality, compelling user experience. The nodes are also used as a research environment for development of distributed data and visualization corridors, and to study issues related to collaborative work in distributed environments. The SIGGRAPH 2005 node includes three large screens in a dedicated Access Grid space, where attendees can participate in worldwide events. This years content is a collaborative effort between SIGGRAPH and the Digital Worlds Institute at the University of Florida (www.digitalworlds.ufl.edu).
The Access Grid is a component of the SIGGRAPH Emerging Technologies installations, which continue to be a launching pad for new consumer products, technologies or new ways to use technology for the benefit of life or as a work of art. SIGGRAPH 2005 Emerging Technologies opens July 31 at 1:00 pm and closes Aug. 4 at 5:00 pm.
Complete details of all the Emerging Technology installations can be found at www.siggraph.org/s2005/main.php?f=conference&p=etech&s=access.
SIGGRAPH 2005 is sponsored by ACM SIGGRAPH, a leading professional society for computer graphics and interactive techniques. Information on ACM SIGGRAPH membership and other conferences and activities can be found at www.siggraph.org.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
