User:COMS423Wikiinfo/Society for Arts and Technology

The Society for Technological Arts (SAT) is a Montreal based cultural organization that was created in 1996. The (SAT) is dedicated to the promotion and conversation of works of art using new technologies. The Society for Arts and Technology is located on 1201 boulevard Saint-Laurent in the Quartier des Spectacles in the city of Montreal.

Description
Founded in 1996, the SAT is a transdisciplinary center for research and creation, production, training and dissemination dedicated to the development and preservation of digital culture.

A place of convergence, it brings together the community of researchers and creators using digital technologies through its research, prototyping, production, training, publishing and public exchange programs. It thus promotes creation, scientific advancement and the transfer of knowledge. It develops strategic alliances and partnerships with cultural organizations, research and educational institutions and private companies, at local and national and international levels.

It offers initiates and non-initiates a meeting place, a practical context for developing innovative projects and questioning current issues linked to new technologies. The high volumes of visitors at the SAT by various clientele confirms its ability to bridge the gap between the arts community (festivals, theater companies, artist-run centers, museums, etc.), higher education establishments (IT, communications, engineering, etc.) and industry (cinema, games, software, etc.)

Best described as an Interdisciplinary Centre, with a variety of focuses such as, ‘research, creation, production, presentation, education and conservation’ within the sector of digital art and culture. The SAT is a host for many live events of electronic music and video. Between the years October 2000 and 2012, the venue had already presented diverse 250 events. Since 2003, the SAT has been at the center of ‘Montreal’s Cultural Disctrict’.

Since its creation, the SAT has hosted =, produced or co-produced in its broadcasting space more than 1,200 events linked to current events in digital culture, bringing together more than 6,000 artists, the vast majority of whom are emerging.

Building Expansion
In February 2010, major renovations began at the Society for Arts and Technology. This renovation allowed the SAT to significantly expand its building on Saint-Laurent Boulevard and developed its spaces for dissemination and artistic research. It is the addition of the a new floor, the "sensorium". This project included a 6000 square foot space for immersive environments, alongside the development of a terrace and Satosphere, an immense dome intended for the projection of immersive audio visual works. This giant dome will allow some 400 people to view 360-degree projections.

The total cost of the project was 8.6 million dollars. The Government of Canada provided 3.45 million dollars of the sum under the "Canada Fund for Cultural Spaces". The Government of Quebec contributed 960,000 dollars under the "Quebec Infrastructure Plan".

Immersive Experiences
Society of Arts and Technology (SAT) Dome is a 210° experience that includes multiple speakers projectors installed within its walls. This Dome at the Society of Arts and Technology can hold up to 200 people, and acts as a ‘360° VR type immersion’ into both visuals and sound.

Just some events that have taken place in this ‘interactive generative space’ include, the Collective Reality exhibition that took place in 2016 and the IX Immersion Experience that took place in 2017.

LightTwist software was installed by Sebastian Croy in 2004, this made possible the ‘spatial experimentation’ of the 360-degree Pictorama Project at the (SAT). The Society of Arts and Technology introducing the Pictorama Project brings forth the ability for guests to witness the projections become an environment.

The SAT Symposium, self described as a ground breaking immersive experience. This IX Symposium offers experiences that include the following: Spatial Capture, Procedural Audio, Virtual Acoustics, 3D Listening, head-mounted display, mapping solutions and Image Capture.

An event focuses around the Symposium took place June 2nd, 2020. This event was 5 days in length and included workshops alongside immersive experiences.

Collaboration and Uses
The Organization of the Society for Arts and Technology offers a ‘play space’ for individuals, artists and companies from different sectors of technology and art to collaborate with one another in Quebec, Canada and internationally. Uses for this location include: Variety of commercial and restaurant space, fashion production, television shows, Electric and Digital Art.

Programs
Artists-in-Resistance Program