Month: April 2016

When art inspires stories in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Stories at the Park - Holly Kai Park
Holly Kai Park – Stories at the Park

On Sunday April 3rd, and in collaboration with the folk at Seanchai Library, we launched the first in a new series at Holly Kai Park called Stories at the Park.

Arising from a discussion about the arts in Second Life between myself and Caledonia Skytower, Stories at the Park is a companion to out Art at the Park exhibition series. The idea is that at each Stories at the Park event, members of Seanchai Library and their guests will read, in Voice, stories or poems inspired by selected works of our Invited Artists currently on display at the Park’s hilltop exhibition area. Each story must be precisely 100 words in length, no more, no less (known as a “drabble”), while poems can be of any form, so long as they do no exceed 100 words.

To start the first session, Caledonia Skytower and Kayden Oconnell presented a total of 25 stories and poems inspired by the work of our Invited Artists for February / March: Io Bechir, Goodcross, Hana Hoo, Mistero Hifeng and Sisse Singh.

Holly Kai Park: Art at the Park and Stories at the Park
Holly Kai Park: Art at the Park and Stories at the Park

The event took place at the stone gazebo (from here on called the storyteller’s gazebo 🙂 ), located in the middle of the hilltop exhibition space at the park, a short walk up the hill from the landing point. Over 15 people attended the readings, with some arriving early to look at the art on display, before taking their places at the tables in the gazebo or on the cushions located around the low wall or simply standing out on the grass.

Cale and Kayden opted to read their stories and poems in groups of 3 apiece, offering a nice ebb and flow of readings between them So nice, in fact, I became so wrapped up in their tales, I forgot to take any photos of the gathering! Afterwards several stayed on to wander through the park and chat about the event and the art on display.

For those who didn’t make the event, Caledonia and Kayden kindly agreed to allow their stories and poems to be reprinted on the Holly Kai blog. The pieces are presented by artist, complete with an image of the art which inspired each of them, and some include an audio reading as well. So do please follow the links below and enjoy the crop of the first round of Stories at the Park.

 

Note: all written works by Caledonia Skytower ©2016 by Judith Cullen and all works by Kayden Oconnell © 2016 by Kevin Lee. Reproduced with the permission of the authors. If you plan to reblog any or all of the poems and stories, please ensure you have the authors’ written consent first.

Poems and art in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
I like for you to be still - Dathúil Gallery
I like for you to be still – Dathúil Gallery

Opening at 13:00 SLT on Tuesday, April 5th, is the latest exhibition at Dathúil Gallery, operated by Max Butoh and Lυcy (LucyDiam0nd). I like for you to be still presents images by photographer Kate Bergdorf what have been composed and shot to the words of Pablo Neruda’s poem of the same name, published in his 1924 volume Veinte poemas de amor y una canción desesperada (Twenty Love Poems and A Song Of Despair).

On offer are 19 images of varying sizes, some of which are nude studies, together with framed copies of the poem. “With the works in this exhibit, I attempt to transmit emotion by using both words and images,” Kate says of the exhibit. “Each image corresponds to a sentence or words from the poem. An expression of silent love.”

I like for you to be still - Dathúil Gallery
I like for you to be still – Dathúil Gallery

Presented in three (or sometimes five) stanzas, the poem is an emotive, moving piece, rich in melancholy, coupled with redemption and catharsis; the feelings of one lover towards another, as both occupy the same space in silence.  In these moments, it is possible for the mind to wander to dark places, only to return, the heart lifted by a smile, or a gentle, wordless touch,  such as a kiss.

Attempting to interpret such a well-known and loved poem is never going to be an easy task, and I have to confess, that for me, not all of the images here really work when set against Neruda’s words. Certainly, the melancholia is beautifully encapsulated in several – notably those on the lower right side of the exhibition space as you enter (seen above, centre). However, I confess that the nude images, while artfully posed and presented, didn’t resonate with me as visual interpretations of the emotions and tenderness of thought present within Neruda’s words. Which is a shame.

I like for you to be still - Dathúil Gallery
I like for you to be still – Dathúil Gallery

But this is only my opinion; I would still urge you to visit Dathúil, where I like for you to be still continues through until the end of April.

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Travelling through Noire’leans in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

Noire'leans; Inara Pey, April 2016, on Flickr Noire’leans – click any image for full size

There’s a certain bayou feel to Noire’leans, and the name itself tends to put you in mind of Mississippi, if not Louisiana. Reader Maddie (MadisonRaelynn) suggested I add it to my itinerary of places to visit, and as Maddie has suggested a number of places to me, all of which I’ve enjoyed visiting, I was only to happy to add Noire’leans to the list.

Truth be told, Caitlyn and I actually first dropped into the region back at the end of February. However, I was hesitant to blog about it right away, as it is not intended as a public region per se. Rather, it’s a residential island, one that has been lovingly put together by Kas Torkelsonn (Kasia Kenin) and MadZ Levane (Magdaleine Demonista); so I wanted to ensure they were comfortable with the region being written about.

Noire'leans; Inara Pey, April 2016, on Flickr Noire’leans

As it turned out, the way had been prepared for me. “Maddie did say she was going to mention us to you,” Kasia informed me when I approached her about blogging the region. “We have been  preparing for this day and are totally open to this being a place to  explore. MadZ and I are working on the last remaining  undeveloped area to make it more inviting to guests who want to stroll,  linger, and take photos.”

Given this is a residential region, it should come as no surprise that the landing point is alongside the rental shingle, sitting on a small dock where visitors can rez a pedalo and explore the region via its various waterways. For those who prefer dry land, there are tracks, paths and bridges to guide them around the island.

Noire'leans; Inara Pey, April 2016, on Flickr Noire’leans – click any image for full size

The bayou feel is immediately apparent: the winding waterways crossed by wooden bridges, tall trees growing from mushy, reedy banks, wooden houses sitting back from the water or over it on slits, all presided over by a sky which could be taken to be a late pre-dusk afternoon, filled with the croak of frogs chirp of cicadas and buzz of dragonflies. The only thing indicating you are not in the bayou perhaps being the high peaks of the surrounding mountains.

Properties here are of varying sizes and forms, but all are in keeping with the general theme of the region and stand within their own parcels. “We have installed security in the residences  and made the scan range minimal,” Kasia told me. “So if anyone wants to visit, they  literally have to be on the porch of the house before they get a  warning.” This means that straying onto a property whilst exploring won’t get you told off by a security system, but you will be given a reminder that the houses are private residences should you try to enter.

Noire'leans; Inara Pey, April 2016, on Flickr Noire’leans – click any image for full size

As well as the residential homes, Noire’leans presents a central park area, a small beach, a café where refreshments can be had after wandering (or padding) around the region. With a design that’s immersive and which ensures tenants have a good sense of privacy without feeling cut off from one another, the region is also photogenic and welcoming to visitors.

Thank you, again, Maddie, for dropping me the details of another gem!

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Lab: get grandfathered tier in 6-month buy-down offer

Posted on by Inara Pey

On Monday, April 4th, the Lab took a step to help those who are leasing a region (full or homestead) directly from the Lab with the opportunity to reduce their tier payments, by paying a one-off fee.

The blog post announcing the offer – which runs for a six-month period from April 4th through October 4th, 2016 – reads in part:

From today until October 4th, 2016, you can “buy-down” your Full Islands and/or Homesteads to the grandfathered maintenance rates. By paying a one-time fee up front, you’ll be entitled to lower tier rates on your land for as long as you hold it (and remember, we now also allow transferring grandfathered land).

The pricing for this offer is as follows:

  • Full Island:
    • One-time buy-down fee: $600
    • Grandfathered maintenance fee: $195/month (regularly $295/month)
  • Homestead:
    • One-time buy-down fee: $180
    • Grandfathered maintenance fee: $95/month (regularly $125/month)

If you plan to hold onto your land for longer than 6 months, this is a great deal for you!

To take advantage of this offer, you’ll need to submit a Support Case using the Land & Region -> Region Buy Down case type. In that case you can provide us with the names of the regions you would like to buy down, and we will assess the appropriate buy-down fee per region.

There are some caveats to the offer: it cannot be combined with Education and Non-Profit discounts, nor can it be applied to Skill Gaming Regions. The quoted prices are also exclusive of VAT, if applicable.

Coming on top of the recent changes to region set-up fees, which is also referred to in the blog post, this is an interesting move by the Lab, indicating that they are trying to mix things up a little in an attempt to try to help with the issue of tier.

The 6-month period of the offer means those who take immediate advantage of it will effectively break even on the one-time fee cost, and will continue to enjoy the grandfathered tier status for as long as they hold the land. And, of course, grandfathered regions can now be transferred – although this does incur a further up-front fee (US $600 for a full region, $225 for a Homestead, for example).  At the same time, it potentially offers the Lab something of a cash injection, making it almost a best of both worlds offer.

Tier will remain a contentious issue within Second Life, but the Lab is hoist by its own petard  when it comes to taking broader steps with tier and possible tier reduction; there is only so much the company can do without risking hurting itself. As such, this is something of a welcome move, although it will be interesting to see how far down it reaches.

April at The Living Room

Posted on by Inara Pey
Eleseren Briana at The Living Room
Eleseren Briana at The Living Room

Tuesday, April 5th sees the opening of the latest exhibition at The Living Room, the art and music venue operated by Owl, Daallee and Nora. This month sees a further double-header, featuring the images of Bluesrocker and Eleseren Briana.

Eleseren is just ramping-up her focus as a photographer in Second Life, although she has previously exhibited her work at Dreanz and Visionz in Inworldz, with The Living Room marking her fifth exhibition in Second Life.

Trained as an illustrator in the physical world, Eles is perhaps best known as a fashion and couture model in Second Life, so her photographic work is understandably focused in that direction, but certainly not limited to fashion shots. Rather, she demonstrates a measured eye for composition and colour which brings depth and beauty to her landscape work as well, as demonstrated in several of the pieces displayed at The Living Room.

Bluesrocker at The Living Room
Bluesrocker at The Living Room

“I’ve been involved in the arts most of my life. Coming from a musical background, I have had a very keen appreciation of the creative process, whether it be in music,  the performing arts,painting, writing or photography,” Bluesrocker says of his photography. “I much prefer shooting out on location in the multitude of amazing sims which populate SL than in a studio, as I feel I get much better results that way.”

The majority of pieces Bluerocker presents at The Living Room are avatar studies which marvellously demonstrate his ability to create a  rich narrative with a single image, making this a captivating display of his work.

Bluesrocker at The Living Room
Bluesrocker at The Living Room

The April exhibition will officially open at 12:00 noon SLT at The Living Room on Tuesday, April 5th, with music from Camme {CC} Carver. It will remain open through until Tuesday, April 26th, when there will be a closing party again at 12:00 noon SLT, featuring Mimi Carpenter. In addition, there will be a special celebration featuring Eleseren’s work taking place at Holly Kai Pavillion, Holly Kai Park on Saturday, April 9th at 12:00 noon SLT, featuring the music of Christopher Quan (formal attire requested).

Don’t forget the monthly music sessions at The Living Room, either! On Thursday, April 14th the The Living Room will host Tone Uriza from 17:00 SLT, followed by Key Drammondof from 18:00 SLT. Then, on Thursday, April 21st, there will be three hours of music, starting at 16:00 SLT with Engramma, then Oblee at 17:00 SLT, before finishing with The Vinnie Show at 18:00 SLT.

Eleseren Briana at The Living Room
Eleseren Briana at The Living Room

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2016 viewer release summaries: week 13

Posted on by Inara Pey

Updates for the week ending Sunday, April 3rd

This summary is published every Monday, and is a list of SL viewer / client releases (official and TPV) made during the previous week. When reading it, please note:

  • It is based on my Current Viewer Releases Page, a list of all Second Life viewers and clients that are in popular use (and of which I am aware), and which are recognised as adhering to the TPV Policy. This page includes comprehensive links to download pages, blog notes, release notes, etc., as well as links to any / all reviews of specific viewers / clients made within this blog
  • By its nature, this summary presented here will always be in arrears, please refer to the Current Viewer Release Page for more up-to-date information.

Official LL Viewers

LL Viewer Resources

Third-party Viewers

V4-style

V1-style

Mobile / Other Clients

  • No updates.

Additional TPV Resources

Related Links