Of Sound Mind

Of Sound Mind is a collaborative piece lead by Lorin Tone which explores the nature of sound and the ways in which it can be employed to add depth to a virtual environment such as Second Life. It opened on Saturday 17th November as a part of the Linden Endowment for the Arts Full Sim Art, and features Lorin’s work along with that of other SL artists and builders such as Madcow Cosmos (who with Lorin, brought the delightful Through the Lens of Dreams to Art Screamer last year), Glyph Graves, P4ndor4 Quintessa, Meriadne Merlin, Inventor Alchemi, Marcus Parrott, Mia Anais, Judi Newall, and will feature seminars and demonstrations from these and other SL artists.

The installation comprises a landscape  – sometimes whimsical in nature, sometimes more natural, sometimes with the obligatory spookiness (you’ll understand why I say that when you visit), and always inviting further exploration. Here one can experience and learn about the many and varied ways in which in-world sounds can by used in a virtual environment. As an aural, as well as visual experience, one obviously needs to have their sound on when exploring the region – although there is no requirement for either streaming or Voice to be enabled.

The arrival point features a number of introductory notice boards which will deliver various notecards to you explaining some elements of the installation and introducing you to some of the artists. Similar notice boards are scattered across the region, introducing the various elements and other artists involved in the collaboration. However, the secret here is to simply explore, experience and touch.

And there is a lot to explore. Each area of the installation features demonstrations of how sound can be used (musically, to emphasise visual events, to create additional ambience, and so on) and the ways in which it can be triggered (by touching, by animating an avatar, though avatar/object collision, through object/object collision, and so on). Each area is visually and imaginative presented, with Madcow Comos’ visual genius very evident throughout, as well as elements created by the other participating artists. You can walk overground and underground, dive underwater, meet a certain homicidal computer with a door problem and pick up various scripts and other items along the way – and do much more.

There is much to see overhead as well – bumper cars (in the form of chess pieces) demonstrate the use of vehicle sounds (as well as providing further comical boings and squeaks during collisions), there is also a stunning live performance stage area. Both of these can be reached via teleporter.

Also in the sky is Lorin and Madcow’s wonderful Castle of Airs, which can be reached via tour discs, available from the ground-level welcome area. Both the sound stage and the Castle of Airs have featured in the Machinima The Joy of Music by Chantal Harvey and featuring the work of several of the artists participating in Of Sound Mind.

The live performance area was the venue for DRUM (Divine Rhythms of Universal Music), who featured during the opening of the installation on November 17th. DRUM describe their aim being, “To bring the world to you via the power of drumming. Our aim is to have fun and to create incredible, beautiful rhythms – live.” They are possibly unique in that their performances are not pre-recorded or simply streamed: they are created directly within SL, captured and then streamed to the listening audience. Definitely worth witnessing in-world.

Seminars and presentations on the use of sound is SL will also be a feature at Of Sound Mind – although currently, only one is currently scheduled – Lorin Tone will be discussing environmental sound effects in SL on Monday, November 19th at 12:00 noon SLT. Expect notices of additional events to appear in the Upcoming Events noticeboard at the arrivals area.

Of Sound Mind is both visually and aurally immersive and a fun. Well worth a visit.

Of Sound Mind (LEA19) (Rated General)