NYT on EMPAC: "A technological pleasure dome for the mind and senses"
The science section of today's NYT has a preview of EMPAC (it looks like Dennis Overbye toured it this past summer) and, yes, the phrase "technological pleasure dome for the mind and senses" really does appear in it. Here's another clip:
Within its walls, the designers say, scientists can immerse themselves in data and fly through a breaking wave or inspect the kinks in a DNA molecule, artists can participate in virtual concerts with colleagues in different parts of the world or send spectators on trips through imaginary landscapes, and architects can ponder their creations from the inside before a single brick or two-by-four has been put in place.
It opens for business on Oct. 3 with a three-week gala of performances including classical music, virtual reality rides, symposiums and celebrations. Some scientists dream of eventually using the new center to create a version of the "Star Trek" holodeck where humans can interact with life-size "synthetic creatures" who live only in a computer. Others plan to teach surgery by doing virtual procedures or taking doctors on tours through models of actual hearts and circulatory systems.
A holodeck? Everyone knows the holodeck episodes were the worst.
Seriously, we are excited about EMPAC. We've heard from multiple people that it's going be very cool. It opens October 3.
image: Grimshaw / RPI
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Comments
Jeez, get a room, Dennis Overbye and EMPAC.
(Seriously, though, I'm excited about it, too--especially the possibility of a holodeck!)
... said Siobhan on Sep 23, 2008 at 12:01 PM | link
A technological marvel that is going to cost a fantastic amount to keep current, doesn't have student performing spaces, and was the first building in Troy to glow a nice Cherenkov radiation blue at night.
We can only pray that Shirley's latest monument to herself slides down the hill with West Hall, the Pitts, and the Library.
... said komradebob on Sep 23, 2008 at 5:07 PM | link
is this going to be at RPI or what?
... said kim on Sep 23, 2008 at 5:12 PM | link
komradebob says EMPAC "doesn't have student performing spaces" - that is not true. While EMPAC currently does not have dedicated student performing spaces (this would make long-term artist and/or researcher-in-residence projects - both internal to the campus and external - difficult to schedule), all of the spaces will be available for student club use, both in terms of rehearsal and performance. October 17-19th is chock full of student performances, and two grad student thesis performances have already been planned for EMPAC.
Hope you can make some of the performances, komradebob, not only to see what is shaking in the building, but also to have some of your misconceptions addressed.
... said M-Dog on Sep 23, 2008 at 7:02 PM | link
Thanks for the correction m-dog!
... said komradebob on Sep 24, 2008 at 7:04 PM | link