Day: July 6, 2019

Three artists at the Lyric Gallery in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Lyric Gallery: Mareea Farrasco

Currently on display at the Lyric Gallery is an exhibition featuring three artists: Mareea Farrasco, Lylah Landar and FoxiBrown30.

All three are Second life photographers who between them present images that mix avatar studies and landscapes, with the latter in particular the focus of Mareena’s work, which occupies the ground floor of the gallery building. Located on the upper floor, Lylah and Foxi present pieces that lean more toward avatar studies.

Lyric Gallery: Mareea Farrasco

The images by Mareena present a marvellous feeling of being watercolours. Taken within popular public locations in Second Life, each presents an evocative view, some of which do have an avatar focus to them, but which nevertheless offer a vista that naturally has one trying to identify the location in which it was set – if that’s not immediately apparent.

However, what makes these pieces especially evocative is the richness of narrative within each of them – with the starting point for their stories contained within their title. This narrative element is enhanced by the simplicity of the setting used for each piece. Take NorderNey Beach, for example: a view of a breakwater, an incoming tide and boat moored offshore against a haze-filled sky, and the imagination has enough to take flight.

Lyric Gallery: Lylah Landar

Upstairs, Lylah continues the painting theme with some of her images, which are displayed alongside what might be considered more “traditional” photographic finishes. It is this richness of tone and style – paintings and photographs, colour and monochrome – that makes her pieces so attractive. There are many aspects of these pictures that make draw the eye to all of them, but I confess to being particularly attracted to the three alongside the stairwell: A New Day Dawns, Every Butterfly I Get Belongs to You and the piece to its right (which appear to have been mistakenly given the wrong title).  These three, to me, are simply captivating.

Foxi’s images are very much focused on avatars studies presented as photographs rather than paintings. As with the other pieces offered here, each has a story to tell. In this, there are two themes strongly apparent: contemplation / reflection and togetherness, with the fact that all of the images are untitled further adding to their depth of narrative.

Lyric Gallery: FoxiBrown30

Contrasting and complimentary, these are three exhibitions that are captivating and deserving not to be missed.

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Catznip R12.2: a little extra quality of life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Saturday, July 5th, 2019 saw the release of Catznip R12.2.

With two major releases on the horizon from Linden Lab – Bakes On Mesh (BOM) and the Environment Enhancement Project (EEP) – R12.2 is intended to be primarily a maintenance and “quality of life” release.

 Table of Contents

In this, Kitty notes that starting with R12.2, she hopes to de-couple these smaller “maintenance” style of release from those containing major new features and capabilities, and to be able to make this style of release on a more regular basis as a result.

The following notes cover the key improvements seen with R12.2. For a full breakdown of the release including all improvements and bug fixes can be found in the Release Notes.

Maintenance Releases Transition Times

Kitty also notes that with these maintenance releases, there will be a shorter transition period before they become mandatory for all users. For R12.2, this means that it will become the default download from around July 19th. Therefore, if you experience any problems with R12.2, the request is that you contact the Catznip team sooner rather than later, or offer feedback via the viewer.

Linden Lab Updates

Catznip R12.2 brings the viewer up to parity with the (at the time of writing) current Linden Lab viewer – version 6.2.3.527758, formerly the Rainbow RC viewer dated June 5th and promoted on June 18th. This version specifically contains a Windows 10 fix for some Nvidia users, where on exiting Second Life, the system video is distorted. It was this update in particular that encouraged Kitty to release Catznip 12.2.

Quick Preferences Updates

Worn Items

With R12.2, Quick Preferences adds a further button to the Worn Items display. This uses the same shirt icon as the top-level buttons on the Quick Preferences panel, and when clicked, will open the Wearing tab of the Appearance floater.

The new Worn Items button in Quick Preferences that opens the Wearing tab of the Appearance floater

See: CATZ-475: Add button to open wearing panel to the ‘Worn Items’ QuickPrefs panel.

Inventory Folder Button

Similarly, if you have a folder set for the Quick Access inventory button, there is a new button (again using the same suitcase icon) that will open the corresponding folder in your inventory.

The new inventory option to open the inventory folder you’ve set for quick access display in Quick Preferences

See: CATZ-476: Add button to open the selected folder to the ‘Quick Access’ QuickPrefs panel.

Inventory Improvements

Catznip R12.2 includes a number of improvements to inventory.

Show In Inventory

Ever wanted a quick way to locate a worn attachment in your inventory – particularly if you have multiple links to it scattered through your Outfits? Well, Catznip has the answer: Just right-click the worn item and then select Show In Inventory from the Context Menu.

With Catznip R12.2 allows you to quickly locate, in inventory, an item your avatar is wearing

See: CATZ-501: Add ‘Show in Inventory’ to the worn attachment context menu.

Clear Inventory Filter on Close

Inventory filter are useful – but can be annoying if you forget to clear them; if you do, you can re-open inventory and be confused as the last filter is still active. Catznip 12.2 solves this problem by adding an option to the filters selection panel that, when checked, will ensure any set filter is reset when you close inventory.

The Reset Filter on Close upon will automatically reset any inventory filter that has been set, when you close the inventory floater

See: CATZ-494: Option to reset the inventory filter when closing the filter floater.

Continue reading “Catznip R12.2: a little extra quality of life” →

Bellisseria JulyFest in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

Having been inaugurated on July 4th, 2019, the Bellisseria Fairgrounds will play host to its second major event on Saturday, July 6th, when JulyFest is held.

Running from 12:00 noon through until 18:00 SLT, JulyFest carries on something of a July 4th celebratory feel, while inviting residents of Bellisseria and their friends to come together for events and entertainment  – and Second Life residents are also invited to join in with the fun and meet those on us living on the continent.

The fairgrounds are located on an island within the eastern “bay” of Bellisseria, and can be reached via boat, using the moorings on the north side of the island, or by air using the adjoining airstrip (note that boats and planes will be auto-returned after arrival). For those who prefer, there’s the direct teleport, as given above, that will drop people at the entrance to the fairgrounds.

For the event, the Fairgrounds offers booths promoting groups active within Bellisseria, together with games and challenges (including a pole dancing challenge!), located either side of the main stage and sandy dance area. There’s also a fun fair with a Ferris wheel and other rides.

JulyFest: music, entertainment, games., information and a fun fair

As well as events on the Fairgrounds island, there will also be a parade of boats that will sail around some of Bellisseria’s waterways before arriving at the fairgrounds island.

Departing from the vicinity of the Calm Waters Lighthouse, the parade – or “floatilla”, as it is being called – will depart at 12:00 noon and proceed westwards, passing along one of Bellisseria’s main rivers before looping back to the east to anchor off the fairgrounds island. Those wishing to see the boats, the map below marks the route, and the parade will include motorboats and sailing craft.

The route of the parade of boats

Entertainment for the event will also start at 12:00 noon, and will comprise (all times SLT):

  • 12:00 noon – 13:30: DJ North Crannock.
  • 13:30 – 15:00: DJ Scottish Sarah.
  • 15:00 – 16:00: Live music with Ry Anne.
  • 16:00 – 17:00: Live music with Wolfie Starfire.
  • 17:00-18:00: DJ NoisyApp.
JulyFest offers Bellisseria residents and those hoping to move to the community the opportunity to discover the many active groups within Bellisseria, which cover a wide range of activities, including horse riding, sailing, boating, and more

The Fairgrounds aren’t the only place where events talk place in Bellisseria. There are several locations across the continent that feature music, horse riding and more. Keep up-to-date with activities via the Bellisseria Happenings events page.

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