Hexagram is an international network dedicated to research-creation in the fields of media arts, design, technology and digital culture. Consisting of over eighty members working from Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and Concordia University, with additional researchers from l’Université de Montréal, l’École de technologie supérieure, l’Université du Québec à Chicoutimi and McGill University. The network collaborates with organizations in Québec, across Canada, and around the world (Europe, Latin America, the United States, Asia and Australia).

The 2014-2020 research program is centered on three axes: (1) Senses, Embodiment and Movement; (2) Materiality; (3) Ubiquity. These axes reflect the changing landscape of media arts, design and technology research with the inclusion of researchers from sociology, art history, anthropology, game studies, philosophy and communication/media studies in addition to artists and designers into the network.

The quality and diversity of research and technical infrastructures available to researchers and graduate students makes Hexagram unique. Hexagram has two central goals: (1) Promoting collaborative work between Hexagram researchers to develop theoretical, methodological concepts/tools/processes and practices for the promotion of research-creation as an emerging field and (2) consolidating, exchanging and exporting this expertise on the international stage.

Each strategic cluster brings together researchers, research teams and student-researchers from various disciplines, academic units and institutions. Each cluster must demonstrate that it possesses the critical mass required to reach its objectives and foster excellence in research by:

• Developing platforms to exchange ideas and share research results;
• Stimulating the development of joint projects;
• Constituting a unique environment for research initiation and training;
• Offering privileged opportunities to postdoctoral trainees;
• Supporting the integration of new researchers;
• Focusing on research results dissemination, transfer and commercialization whenever possible;
• Cultivating links and exchanges with national and international researchers;
• Carrying out initiatives geared towards the scientific community (researchers and students).

Each strategic cluster in Québec must set itself apart from the other groups in the same or related fields and demonstrate particular strengths. Clusters must also take an innovative approach to Canadian and international research trends.

Source : Fonds de recherche Société et Culture

In 2001, Hexagram Institute, a non-profit organization, received significant support from Valorisation-Recherche-Québec (VRQ) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). This investment allowed for the creation of a research technology infrastructure and a platform for new media arts at Concordia and UQAM, in partnership with l’Université de Montréal.

This research platform served as a basis for the creation of the Hexagram Institute, providing a unique gathering point for research-creation in Montreal and the rest of Canada. Prior to its formation, university arts faculties in Montreal enjoyed an enviable reputation both nationally and internationally, but researchers and independent artists tended to work in isolation.

Hexagram became a crucial link in tying together the work of many of Quebec’s researcher-creators. Since its inception, numerous enduring partnerships have been made possible, not only in the university context, but also with industry, non-profit organizations, independent artists and cultural producers.

The Hexagram Institute ended in 2008 when the VRQ funds were depleted, leading to the formation of two new organizations: CINQ (Consortium en innovation numérique du Québec), an independent body supporting collaborations between universities and the commercial media industries, and two university-based research platforms (Hexagram-Concordia and Hexagram-UQAM).

Hexagram’s most recent development since its inception in 2001 is the partnership/consolidation with the former CIAM — Le Centre interuniversitaire des arts médiatiques (2001–2010, funded also by the FRQSC) which was also bringing together researchers from Uqam, Concordia and Université de Montréal. Hexagram and CIAM were supporting the same researchers, with Hexagram focusing on the transfer of technology and direct support for research-creation, while CIAM fulfilled its mission of training and support for students, transfer of knowledge, and dissemination of research. In addition, Hexagram and CIAM successfully united French and English Montreal University cultures.

In 2008, FRQSC evaluators recommended the merger of Hexagram-Concordia, Hexagram-UQAM and CIAM under the banner of HexagramCIAM. The mission was to establish a unique international network for research-creation in media arts, design and technology, specialized in research, training and dissemination. In Spring 2011, Hexagram | CIAM was born and funded (2011–14 FRQSC)

Now, in its state as a mature network, the organization is known as Hexagram.