At SIGGRAPH 2024, we will be showcasing a video of the winners of the Speculative Futures Student Competition. The curatorial proposal for Speculative Futures positions artwork as a critical medium for addressing pressing social, political, and environmental issues. Art, particularly in its digital forms, has the power to illuminate the consequences of current trends and policies, provoking thoughtful engagement with the future. This contest attracted 96 students from every continent, demonstrating a broad and enthusiastic response to our call, and underscoring our commitment to social, cultural, gender, and economic inclusion.
Rebecca Ruige Xu, professor of computer art and animation at Syracuse University, focuses her research on the intersection of data visualization, experimental animation, and interactive media. She investigates how emerging technologies can transform creative practices, particularly in artistic data representation, visual music, and digital performance. Her projects have been exhibited globally at venues like ISEA, SIGGRAPH, and Ars Electronica. A co-founder of the ChinaVIS Arts Program, Xu also chaired the IEEE VIS Arts Program in 2023 and 2024 and currently chairs the ACM SIGGRAPH Digital Arts Committee.