Field

Join us for the first real workshop "intensive" on Field.

The EMPAC Field Workshop — Nov 7,8

  • An introductory talk by Marc Downie on the night of the 6th followed by an informal get together for those in town.
  • Two full days of animation, computer music, data visualization and anything else you want to hack on in Field. Build something in the resource rich environment of EMPAC, lead by Downie and other people from the Field community. It's a "food will be provided" kind of weekend.
  • We are going to try to welcome all skill levels and interests — digital artists, composers, engineers, scientists architects, everybody who is interested in Field is welcome. We're hoping for a significant "from campus" turnout as well. This means that anything could happen.
  • We're the new tool in the digital art and design world — this is your chance to get involved at the start of something and help shape it.
  • It's going to work best if you bring your own Mac.
  • Registration is required and numbers are limited — see this page for more info.
  • We'll be in Studio 2.
  • We have a preliminary schedule — here.
  • Any questions just email field@openendedgroup.com.

Where

EMPAC — That's The Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. Just like it says in the name, EMPAC is a new performing arts center — completed last year, it's really the most wonderful, interesting and exciting place in the experimental digital performing arts world right now. OpenEnded Group is honored to be associated with an institution that has such great people, spirit and resources.


View EMPAC in a larger map

By Car

  • From the North: Take I-87, the Adirondack Northway, South to Exit 7 East. Get on Route 7 headed Eastbound. Follow directions to campus (below).
  • From the South e.g. New York City: Take I-87, the New York State Thruway, North to Exit 23. At Exit 23, get on I-787 North to Route 7 East. Follow directions to campus (below).
  • From the East: From I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike, Berkshire Spur of the New York Thruway), take Exit B1. Continue West (13.5 miles) to the exit for I-787. Take I-787 North to Route 7 East. Follow directions to campus (below).
  • From the West: Take I-90, the New York State Thruway, to Exit 24. From Exit 24, continue onto I-90 East. Exit onto I-787 North. Take I-787 North to Route 7 East. Follow directions to campus (below).
  • Directions to Campus: From Route 7 East, get in the right lane, make a right at the FOURTH light onto Fifteenth Street. Follow Fifthteenth Street about 1 mile through two lights. You will pass under the Rensselaer footbridge. At the third light, turn right onto College Avenue. The parking garage will be one block down on your right. EMPAC is located ~200 meters further West on the right.

The building itself is unmissable — if you find yourself standing in front of a building in Troy wondering if it's EMPAC or not, you aren't standing in front of the right building.

By Train

The closest station is the Albany-Rensselaer Station which, despite what the name might suggest, is really in Albany, and thus is a cab ride from RPI. There are regular Amtrak trains from NYC, and on a sunny day the view of the Hudson valley is one of the best in the world. If you are coming from NYC this is really the way to do it. (On the return journey we recommend against trying to catch a train that originates from Canada.)

By Plane

See if you can fly direct to Albany International Airport — Southwest, US, Delta and United all fly there. After that it's a short cab trip to Troy.

Otherwise we recommend New York City and the train.

Accomodation

The place to stay is really this hotel in Troy — Franklin Square Inn & Suites, that's 1, 4th St @ 518.274.8800. It's a short walk from EMPAC. Otherwise, it's Albany (see this web page for more ideas).

If you are interested in pooling accommodation, try emailing the group.

Registration

Information here. Registration for the two day workshop costs $110 for regular people or $55 for people with student ids. If you can only attend part of the event email us (field@openendedgroup.com) and we'll figure something out.