OUR ORIGIN STORY

Origin (2017): Pravin Pillay conceived a decentralized creative studio and research lab while teaching at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. The course was titled "Becoming Human: Creativity, Technology, and the Evolution of Decentralized Culture."

Development at MIT (2020): Pillay advanced his ideas at the MIT’s Center for Organizational Learning - Presencing Institute, shaping it into the Transformative Arts and Culture Exploratorium (TACE). TACE's goal was to enhance bioregional well-being through collaborative projects across various disciplines and arts.

Collaborations and Support (2021): TACE, with collaborators from the Pacific Northwest, Dubai, and the UK, was selected for further development at MIT’s Ulab 2x, Presencing Institute. To advance this development, TACE was awarded a ParTeck seed grant from the Human Data Commons Foundation (HDC), a Vancouver-based non-profit aimed at integrating technology, ethics, and consciousness.

Investment in XR Studio (2021): Pillay's company, Emergent Performance Consulting Ltd, received a COVID Recovery Grant from the Canadian Government. Funds were allocated to develop an XR research studio, building on MIT research.

Formation of MOVE37XR(M37) (2021): Under the guidance of Sandra Semchuk, Pillay founded MOVE37XR Arts Collective, leveraging his extensive network in Art and Technology to cultivate collaborative relationships. Artist salons in VR are held attracting award winning creatives in Canada and the US.

Key Connections (Early 2022): Collaboration with Dr. Brad Necyk and John Desnoyers Steward from iSpace lab at SFU marked a significant advancement for M37, blending technology and the arts. Monthly VR Salons drawing professional creators become regular during the winter months.

Soft Launch in Vancouver (Feb., 2023): Despite a snowstorm, the Vancouver launch of M37 saw artists and engineers brainstorming on interactive and XR technologies.

SXSW Collaboration (Mar., 2023): At SXSW, Pillay and Carol Anne Hilton of the Global Center of Indigenomics (GCOI) envisioned a collaboration, leading to an MOU for developing a Global Indigenous Technology House. The concept received support from Canadian institutions.

Expansion and New Projects (Mid-2023): After hosting successful XR creative jams with founding member artists such as Ruby Singh and developing a mobile immersive theater, noting its potential to enable positive cultural change, Dr. James Orbinksi suggested transforming the collective into a formal NGO.

Advisory Support and NGO Formation (2023): Esteemed advisors, Nettie Wild, Sandra Semchuk, Kim Haxton, and Joel and Michelle Levey, joined M37. The organization was registered as a Federal Not-for-Profit in Canada with Dr. James Orbinksi and Carol Anne Hilton as founding members of M37’s Board of Directors.

Public Engagement and Future Projects (Late 2023): Pillay was asked by City of Victoria Art and Culture to share his ideas about the potential of XR technologies with XR artists, XR professionals, and XR creative curious. This led to M37 being commissioned for the City of Victoria’s Winter Arts Festival and being approached to develop an XR experience for the Design Victoria Festival.

Canada Council for the Arts (Feb 2024): M37 was recognized by the Canada Council for the Arts as a Digital Arts Organization. A major milestone for us.