Before this international showcase, the foundations of the virtual museum were laid during residencies supported by Hexagram, a research-creation network for arts, cultures, and technologies. Driven by a shared vision, the Hexagram Network and ELEKTRA have maintained fruitful collaborations for some twenty years. These have helped build a lasting partnership based on the sharing of infrastructure and resources for the dissemination and production of digital art research. The Virtual Museum is the latest result of this cooperation: this flagship project offers a physical and immersive 3D experience, bringing together works by artists from Quebec.
The EVM sparked enthusiasm among the public and professionals alike during its unveiling in Seoul, South Korea, at ISEA – International Symposium of Electronic/Emerging Art – this past May. Visitors were able to explore a five-story virtual exhibition space, either alone or with others, using a virtual reality headset. An elevator allows for travel between floors, sometimes turning the experience into a spontaneous and playful social moment when several visitors choose to tour the exhibition together. ELEKTRA presented the EVM as part of a program highlighting Quebec with Focus Quebec: ISEA 2025, showcasing performances and a special exhibition.
« There are two kinds of people in the world: those who have experienced ELEKTRA Virtual Museum, and those who have not. The virtual museum is going to be a BIG HIT!! »
— Soh Yeong Roh, Director of Art Center Nabi
As early as 2023, Hexagram made its resources available to support the development of this innovative project. This support was instrumental in bringing the EVM to life, which will be presented in Montreal from May 19 to 22 at the Agora of the Cœur des sciences at UQAM, as part of the ELEKTRA Festival 2025. This international recognition confirms Quebec's essential place in the landscape of emerging digital art, and the role of the Hexagram Network as one of its incubators.
