It’s called the what…? It’s called “fantastic” is what it’s called. It’s the Sociéte des arts technologiques. The “SAT” has impressed me since I first stepped foot in the place 10 or so years ago. The top floor satosphère houses a round room with beanbag chairs for experiencing immersive audiovisual productions on a dome screen. The rooftop terrasse is on a number of “best patio” lists. One level below is the metalab for research, projects and residencies. An aside: funny signage for the washrooms on this floor. Or at least I think so. You will know what I mean when you see it. On the main level, with the entrance onto St Laurent, is the SAT venue for music and digital arts events. Over the years, I have danced late into the night, solo and with dear friends, in the corner of the dance floor that is tucked behind the bar. On the south side of the building is a street-level entrance to Café SAT. Check out DJs on Shift Radio Fridays. One level further, is the SAT campus, which has professional development programming, day camps for children and teens, as well as classes for seniors. The “discover the SAT” section of the website has a history of their 25 years and annual reports. An acquired taste, that sort of thing, I realize, but I share it just the same.
When asked about my weekend plans, from time to time, my answer is that I am going to the SAT and it surprises me when someone who lives in Montréal says, “the what…?” and so, I borrow from the SAT website just a few words:
“Founded in 1996, the Society for Arts and Technology [SAT] is a non-profit organization dedicated to digital culture. With its triple mission as a centre for the arts, training and research, the SAT is a gathering space for diverse talent, curiosity, and knowledge. It is recognized internationally for its active, leading role in developing technologies for immersive creation, mixed realities and telepresence. The Society for Arts and Technology is a place of collective learning that holds the promise of exploring technology to infuse it with more meaning, magic and humanity.”
Indeed it is. Indeed it does.
a few words ... from Montréal 