Of Kris Kringle, snowbound towns and a Dickens of a tale

It’s time to kick-off another week of fabulous story-telling in voice, brought to Second Life and Kitely by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library.

As always, all times SLT / PDT, and unless otherwise stated, events will be held on the Seanchai Library’s home on Imagination Island, or at their Kitely Homeworld.

Monday December 8th, 19:00: Witches, Magic and Other Strange Things

Gyro Muggins returns to conclude One Foot in the Grave. “Something’s wrong with his foot.  Something’s wrong with her foot.  There might be something wrong with the doctor and there is definitely something wrong with The Camel’s grave.”

Tuesday December 9th,19:00: A Christmas Story

With Kayden Oconnell

Wednesday December 10th, 19:00: Miracle on 34th Street

Caledonia Skytower commences an adaptation of the George Seaton / Valentine Davies Christmas classic film of the same name, which first appeared in 1947 starring Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn, and which has been subject to a number of remakes and updates, including the 1994 version starring Sir Richard Attenborough.

A novella based on the film, also penned by Davies, was published simultaneously with the film’s release, and was itself turned into a stage play in about 2006 by Will Severin, Patricia Di Benedetto Snyder and John Vreeke.

Join Caledonia as she retells the story of how Kris Kringle is hired by Macy’s to become their “Santa Claus” in what is regarded as a classic tale for Christmas.

Thursday December 11th

19:00 Christmasville

christmasvilleThe first volume in Michael Dutton’s trilogy of the same name, Christmasville, published in 2012, introduces us the to Mary Jane Higgins and a cast of characters in the little town of Christmasville.

It’s a strange place, is Christmasville. Trains may come and go, but no-one gets on or off them – no-one actually knows where they go or from whence they came. What lies beyond the forest and the hills surrounding the town is utterly unknown to the inhabitants. The town itself is a place where grass has never been seen, and seasons are unknown; where elephants, giraffes and camels and more are all creatures of myth – and where everyone accepts things just as they are.

Except Mary Jane Higgins. To her, something in not quite right; she has an odd feeling, one that causes her to take the forbidden route across the train tracks. Leaving Christmasville, forever snow-covered and white, with its year of only two months – December and January – behind, Mary Jane sets out to find the truth. Along the way she encounters  shepherd boy with his lamb, and three men riding camels! And ultimately, she discovers the truth about Christmasville and its strange ways and appearance…

Join Shandon Loring as he opens the pages of this delightful story for young adults.

21:00 Seanchai Late Night

With Finn Zeddmore.

Saturday December 13th, Seanchai Kitely

09:00: A Christmas Carol

Caledonia Skytower and Shandon Loring commence a reading of Charles Dickens’ seasonal classic. Dare you say “bah, humbug!” or will you go in, so that Shandon may know you better?! Will you let Cale reveal to you all things present, shaped by the past, or will you try to avoid her showing you those things yet to come? Step into the Seanchai Library and settle into one of the traditions of Christmas!

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Please check with the Seanchai Library SL’s blog for updates and for additions or changes to the week’s schedule. The featured charity for November – December is Heifer International, which is working with communities to end world hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth.

Related Links

Perceptions of depth and narratives in art

Depth Perception
Depth Perception – The Rose Art Gallery

This article was updated on Sunday, December 8th to reflect the fact the Château d’Ember display has been taken down, having been a special opening event.

Depth Perception is a new exhibition of the work of artist Molly Bloom, which was initially previewed at the Château d’Ember, on the Adult-rated, Gorean-themed region of Asperiche Island on Saturday, December 6th, 2014, with the main exhibition opening at midday SLT on Sunday, December 7th at the Rose Art Gallery, Angel Manor.

As the title suggests, Depth Perception offers the observer with a series of images which play with our perception of depth, and does so in a most eye-catching manner.

Depth Perception
Depth Perception  -“Throwing in the Cards” and “The Electrical Bouquet”, as displayed at Chateau d’Ember

All of the pieces on display, be they individual images, pairs of images or triptych pieces, have elements of the work extending beyond the picture frame, either as a part of the picture itself (such as the shadow of a boot which itself appears to be resting on the frame containing it), or as a 3D element in its own right (such as an extended hand holding a copy of the Bible). Some even include 3D elements that sit entirely outside of the picture itself, but which are nevertheless part of it. These can be as obvious as a television set placed before a picture, and which is clearly the subject of attention of those within the picture, or as subtle as a bird sitting on a picture frame.

Depth Perception - The rose Art Gallery
Depth Perception – The Rose Art Gallery

However it is presented, each image is beautifully composed, and many, particularly those in pairs or in a triptych, have a narrative to them; sometimes obvious, sometimes a little more subtle (and there are stories to be found in the individual pieces as well).

The installation at the Rose offers forms the main exhibition, and presents the works on display highly effectively; the installation is really eye-catching, the grey / black of the gallery space helping to draw the eye deeply into each picture in turn.

Depth Perception - Chateau d'Ember
Depth Perception – “The Queen is NOT Amused”, as displayed at Chateau d’Ember

Related Links