{{short description|Canadian feminist artist-run centre}} '''Ada X''', formerly known as Studio XX, is a feminist artist-run centre based in Montreal, Canada.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|title=Studio XX, centre d'artistes féministes|url=https://www.esmtl.ca/repertoire/entreprises/studio-xx-centre-dartistes-feministes/|access-date=2021-02-23|website=www.esmtl.ca|language=fr-CA}}</ref> Founded in 1996, it focuses on the promotion and production of new media art by offering workshops, artist residencies and by hosting exhibitions.<ref name=":11">{{Cite journal|last=Abtan|first=Freida|title=Where Is She? Finding the Women in Electronic Music Culture|url=|journal=Contemporary Music Review|year=2016 |volume=35|pages=53–60|doi=10.1080/07494467.2016.1176764 |s2cid=147062994 |via=Taylor & Francis Online}}</ref> It operates in French and English.<ref name=":11" /> The studio is currently located at 4001 rue Berri in the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood of Montreal.<ref name=":8" />
== History == Studio XX was founded by Sheryl Hamilton, Patricia Kearns, Kathy Kennedy, and Kim Sawchuk in 1996.<ref name=":0">Moore, Sheehan. ''The XX Factor.'' The McGill Daily, Volume 99, Issue 36. Retrieved 2021-16-02</ref> They started with an equipment sharing program and a computer lab that they themselves put together from older computer models.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|date=2013-05-08|title=Feminism, Media Technologies, and Studio XX: An Interview with Kim Sawchuk|url=https://median.newmediacaucus.org/tracing-newmediafeminisms/feminism-media-technologies-and-studio-xx-an-interview-with-kim-sawchuk/|access-date=2021-02-23|website=NMC Media-N|language=en-US}}</ref> Their intention was to create a feminist space that encouraged the creation and dissemination of new media art.<ref name=":0" /> Additionally, Studio XX acted and still acts today as a source of education and conversation on the topic of digital technologies with the goal of "demystifying and deconstructing digital technologies through critical examination."<ref name=":0" /> This was and still is a part of a philosophy known Cyberfeminism.<ref name=":12" /> The studio has an emphasis on developing a digital democracy.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Parent|first=Sylvie|date=2008|title=" Un studio à soi " : entrevue avec Bérengère Marin Dubuard, du Studio XX.|url=https://www.erudit.org/en/journals/etc/1900-v1-n1-etc1135785/34774ac.pdf|journal=Revue de l'Art Actuel ETC|volume=84|pages=29–31}}</ref> Digital democracy ensures accessibility to and training on digital technologies for those who may face hurdles in obtaining this knowledge otherwise. This entails educating, equipping, exhibiting, and celebrating the works of people who are marginalized within the community.<ref name=":1" />
=== Name Change === Until 2020, Ada X operated under the name Studio XX.<ref name=":2" /> The XX in the title was in reference to the female chromosome.<ref name=":9" /> However, after some deliberation, members decided that the name did not accurately represent the beliefs of the community as it was not inclusive of trans, non-binary and queer artists.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|date=2019-10-29|title=A new name for Studio XX?|url=https://www.cqam.org/en/news/2019/a-new-name-for-studio-xx/|access-date=2021-02-16|website=Conseil québécois des arts médiatiques|language=en-CA}}</ref> The name Ada X, standing for Art, Digital, Activism was chosen.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2020-08-26|title=Le Studio XX devient Ada X|url=https://reseauartactuel.org/le-studio-xx-devient-ada-x/|access-date=2021-02-17|website=Réseau Art Actuel|language=en-US}}</ref> The singular X represents the studio's history as well as being a symbol for "an intersection of gender that is rich, manifold and fluid"<ref name=":2" /> In conjunction with this name change of the studio, the affiliated radio program XX Files changed its name to Ffiles.<ref name=":6" />
== Services == Members of the studio have access to a variety of services including access to the computer lab, equipment and space rentals.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|title=Ada X|url=https://reseauartactuel.org/membres/studio-xx/?lang=en|access-date=2021-02-23|website=Réseau Art Actuel|language=en-US}}</ref> Since 2017, Ada X has introduced a unique theme that guides its programming over a certain time period.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Themes|url=https://www.ada-x.org/en/thematiques/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Studio XX|language=en-US}}</ref> Past and current themes include, ''DISLOCATIONS'' (2017-2018), ''Invisible Labor'' (2018-2019) and ''Slow Tech'' (2019-2022).<ref name=":3" />
=== Residency Program === Ada X offers artist residencies. This is a six-week period of time, in which the artist chosen has access to a private workstation, workshops and studio equipment in order to realize a project.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Studio XX|url=https://www.transartists.org/air/studio-xx|access-date=2021-02-18|website=www.transartists.org}}</ref> They are remunerated with an artist fee.<ref name=":4" />
=== Workshops & Exhibitions === Ada X offers a series of professional training workshops. Some past workshops have included topics such as website production, electronic audio, fabrication of solar batteries etc.<ref name=":10" /> Additionally, Ada X offers a range of educational activities aimed at younger audiences.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-04-28|title=Les arts électroniques en famille avec Studio XX|url=https://montreal.mediationculturelle.org/les-arts-electroniques-en-famille-avec-studio-xx/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=La médiation culturelle à la Ville de Montréal|language=fr}}</ref> Ada X also organizes and curates a variety of exhibits as part of its programming.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Studio XX|url=https://canadacouncil.ca/research/2017-18-stats-and-stories/artist-stories/2018/studio-xx|access-date=2021-02-23|website=Canada Council for the Arts|language=en}}</ref>
== Notable Projects ==
=== HTMlles Festival === HTMlles is an international media arts and digital arts festival established by Ada X in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-11-27|title=Festival HTMlles / Studio XX|url=https://reseauartactuel.org/festival-htmlles-studio-xx/|access-date=2021-02-23|website=Réseau Art Actuel|language=en-US}}</ref> The festival takes place across multiple venues, and it occurs biennially.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The HTMlles 11 – Feminist festival of media arts + digital culture – Palyazatok.org|url=https://palyazatok.org/en/the-htmlles-11-feminist-festival-of-media-arts-digital-culture/|access-date=2021-02-18|language=en-US}}</ref> The festival's mandate states that "each edition explores urgent socio-political questions through a series of exhibitions, round tables, conferences, performances and workshops."<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=About – HTMlles Festival|url=https://htmlles.net/en/about/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=htmlles.net}}</ref> HTMlles Festival regularly partners with various Montreal based organizations including Eastern Bloc, [https://feministmediastudio.ca/about-feminist-media-studio/ Feminist Media Studio], [http://givideo.org Groupe Intervention Video], La Centrale Galerie Powerhouse, [https://mirl.lab.mcgill.ca Moving Image Research Laborator] y, [http://nt2.uqam.ca/en Laboratoire NT2], [https://www.oboro.net/fr OBORO], Studio 303, [https://tag.hexagram.ca Technoculture, Art and Games (TAG)], and [https://www.articule.org Articule].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ada X présente : Festival HTMlles|url=https://reseauartactuel.org/evenement/festival-htmlles-2/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Réseau Art Actuel|language=en-US}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |+Past Editions<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-11-09|title=HTMlles Festival|url=https://www.ada-x.org/en/productions/festival/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Studio XX|language=en-US}}</ref> !Year !Themes !Reference |- |2020 |Slow Tech |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-10|title=HTMlles Festival – save the date!|url=https://www.ada-x.org/en/activities/htmlles-festival-save-the-date/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Studio XX|language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2018 |Beyond the # — Failures and Becomings |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-09-26|title=HTMlles Festival {{!}} Edition 13|url=https://www.ada-x.org/en/activities/htmlles-festival/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Studio XX|language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2016 |Terms of Privacy |<ref>{{Cite web|title=Terms of Privacy {{!}} HTMLLES|url=https://htmlles.net/2016/en/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=HTMLLES 2016|language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2014 |ZÉR0 FUTUR{E} |<ref>{{Cite web|title=FESTIVAL HTMLLES 2014|url=https://htmlles.net/2014/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=htmlles.net}}</ref> |- |2012 |Risky Business |<ref>{{Cite web|last=XX|first=Studio|date=2012-02-15|title=HTMlles Festival 10 - 2012|url=https://htmlles.net/2012/en/index.html|access-date=2021-02-18|website=htmlles.net|language=fr}}</ref> |- |2010 |Home Land |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-11-13|title=HTMlles 9 - 2010 :: Home Land|url=https://www.ada-x.org/en/activities/htmlles-9-2010/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Studio XX|language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2007 |Crowd Control |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-10-17|title=HTMlles 8 - 2007 :: crowd control|url=https://www.ada-x.org/en/activities/htmlles-8-2007-crowd-control/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Studio XX|language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2005 |Peripheries + Proximities |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2005-05-18|title=HTMlles 7 - 2005 :: peripheries + proximities|url=https://www.ada-x.org/en/activities/htmlles-7-2005-peripheries-proximites/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Studio XX|language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2003 |Active Agent |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2003-02-04|title=HTMlles 6 - 2003 :: Active Agent|url=https://www.ada-x.org/en/activities/htmlles-6-2003-active-agent/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Studio XX|language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2002 |The Double, the Multiple and Contamination in Web Art |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2002-02-06|title=HTMlles 5 – 2002 :: The double, the multiple and contamination in Web Art|url=https://www.ada-x.org/en/activities/htmlles-5-2002-the-double-the-multiple-and-contamination-in-web-art/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Studio XX|language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2001 |Mutating Cultures and Identity |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2001-02-07|title=HTMlles Maid in Cyberspace 4 – 2001 :: Mutating Cultures and Identities|url=https://www.ada-x.org/en/activities/htmlles-maid-in-cyberspace-4-2001-mutating-cultures-and-identities/|access-date=2021-02-18|website=Studio XX|language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2000 |n.a | |- |1998 |n.a | |- |1997 |n.a | |}
=== Ffiles Radio === Ffiles Radio, formerly known as XX files, is an intersectional feminist radio project started in 1996 by Ada X founder, Kathy Kennedy and longtime contributor and current production coordinator Deborah VanSlet.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=ffiles {{!}} CKUT 90.3 FM|url=https://www.ckut.ca/en/content/ffiles|access-date=2021-02-19|website=www.ckut.ca}}</ref> Similar to Ada X, the show's contents focus on conversation related to digital technologies.<ref name=":6" /> Some themes include "transmission practices, sound healing, electronic music discourse, noise, techno-feminisms, the voice, and much more."<ref>{{Cite web|title=XX Files|url=https://popmontreal.com/en/artists/detail/xx-files/|access-date=2021-02-23|website=popmontreal.com|language=en}}</ref> Ffiles is broadcast on CKUT 90.3 FM every Wednesday from 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM EST.<ref>{{Cite web|title=CKUT 90.3 FM {{!}} CKUT 90.3 FM|url=https://www.ckut.ca/en/content/ckut-903-fm|access-date=2021-02-19|website=www.ckut.ca}}</ref> Additionally, Ffiles also has a monthly broadcast on [https://n10.as N10.AS Radio]. According to CKUT 90.3 FM past hosts include, Valérie D. Walker, Anita Cotic, Bérengère Marin-Dubuard, Britt Wray, Maia Iotzova, Maya Richman, Stéphanie Dufresne, Amanda-É. Clément, and Nnedimma Nnebe.<ref name=":6" /> Current hosts include Julia Dyck, Amanda Harvey, Miranda Jones, Sophy Merizzi, and Sophie Marisol.<ref name=":6" />
=== Matricules === Matricules is an archival project launched by Ada X in 2008.<ref name=":1" /> It is one of the largest archives of digital art started by women.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-08-09|title=Lancement de Matricules, le samedi 20 septembre à 17 h à La Chambre Blanche|url=https://reseauartactuel.org/lancement-de-matricules-le-samedi-20-septembre-a-17-h-a-la-chambre-blanche/|access-date=2021-02-19|website=Réseau Art Actuel|language=en-US}}</ref> The archive has over 3,000 pieces.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title=Matricules|url=https://www.ada-x.org/en/archives/matricules/|access-date=2021-02-19|website=Studio XX|language=en-US}}</ref>
=== .DPI Magazine === ''.dpi'' was an online publication produced with Ada X that ran from 2004-2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mission and History {{!}} .dpi|url=https://dpi.studioxx.org/en/mission-and-history|access-date=2021-03-22|website=dpi.studioxx.org}}</ref> The magazine implemented a feminist perspective on the themes of art and digital technologies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=.dpi|url=https://arts-et-medias.net/en/media/magazines/dpi|website=Arts & Médias}}</ref> The magazine was released bi-annually with its contents revolving around a specific theme such as Hacktivism.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web|last=Levine|first=Rachel|date=2013-04-25|title=.dpi reboots feminist digital art|url=https://cultmtl.com/2013/04/dpi-reboots-feminist-digital-art/|access-date=2021-03-22|website=Cult MTL|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2012, the magazine re-launched with a more focused mandate and structure.<ref name=":13" /> Then Editor-in-Chief Sophie Le-Phat Ho stated, " We want to welcome reflections and showcase feminist aspects of different digital art events and initiatives. We want to build a discourse of feminism in regard to digital culture, especially here in Montreal.”<ref name=":13" />
== References == <references />
Category:Arts centres in Canada Category:Digital technology Category:New media art festivals Category:Digital art Category:Net.artists Category:Art in Montreal