SIGGRAPH Controversy
SIGGRAPH, the behemoth conference and trade show for computer graphics, is planning to change its policy on interactive arts. Noah Wardrip-Fruin calls the new policy "a printmaking show" and speculates that his trip report on SIGGRAPH 2002 will be his last. He writes that
"The reason given, as with the rumored cuts to the Art program, is budget difficulties. But I believe it's a big mistake. I know I won't attend a SIGGRAPH with no panels, no art papers, and no interactive art. And I know others for whom these programs, singly or in combination, are primary reasons for their SIGGRAPH attendance. Cutting these programs entirely, rather than paring them and other programs back more incrementally, will only lower SIGGRAPH attendance."