September 2025 sees a rather novel and interesting exhibition of art at Carelyna’s ArtCare Gallery. Entitled Exploring PBR with Rob Fossett, it is perhaps best described as experiments in various art forms utilising PBR materials.
Of course, PBR is (now) hardly a new component in SL (although it still appears to be controversial for some), and has a lot of practical applications in adding depth and texturing to SL environments, just as the older Blinn-Phong materials can as well. However, whilst commonplace in surfaces using in building, landscaping, and so on – and even 3D art such as a sculptures; its use in 2D art has been somewhat limited, tending to be reserved for very specialised installations.
Within Exploring PBR…, Rob seeks to change this by offering a range of pieces focused on special and common art styles: bas-relief panels, stained glass, alcohol ink drawings and fractal art (something bound to attract me!), with some touching on impressionism.
The results, presented within a PBR-enabled exhibition space, is an engaging collection of images, arranged by style (so bas-relief is separate from stain glass, etc.). The Landing Point located within the bas-relief section, which is perhaps the most visually engaging of the various sections, given the way PBR really adds a 3-dimensional, tactile depth to each piece.
Each classification of art is offered for free via touch boxes found throughout the exhibition space, with a request that anyone taking one or more of the boxes please offer a donation to ArtCare Gallery via the associated donation tip jar located in one corner of the exhibition space.
Should you take any of the boxes, do please remember they are experiments in PBR materials and are not actual prim-based art pieces. Don’t try to drag one out inventory after unpacking in order to view an “image” – if you do, there is a good chance you’re going to end up applying the material to any editable surface you might drag it on to. Instead, to view a specific item, rez a prim and then apply the desired PBR material to it via the edit / build floater, then size the prim accordingly. Also note that being PBR, the surfaces, once applied, will respond to the local lighting (the examples in the exhibition utilise strategically-linked point light sources).
I’m not going to comment on this exhibition in terms of individual “pieces”, suffice it to say that all of the materials offer engaging expression of art and are attractive enough for applying to your own prims (as noted above) and then displayed as art in your own SL home / personal space, again potentially with a dedicated light source. Instead, I’m simply going to suggest that if this piece and the images within it pique your interest, do go take a look for yourself.
SLurl Details
- ArtCare Gallery (Emotion, rated Moderate)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 