Currently being hosted through until the end of August 2026 at the Savoy Rooftop Gallery, Creations Park is Atmospheric Second Life, a collection of photographs captured by Babs Belmonte (Babette Bellios) from across Second Life.
This is an engaging collection of 40+ images showing Second life in its many facets as a world of natural beauty by capturing popular locations across the grid and presenting them in a manner which encourages the eye and imagination.
Presented in a variety of styles from near-watercolour in look and wash (such as Deadwood, Forgotten Waters, and Still Among the Reeds) through to bordering on photo-real (e.g. Silent Anchorage, Towards Tranquillity, The Sentinels and Moonlight), thee collection is reached varied in its approach to its subject as befitting the nature of Second Life. In doing so, they also underscore the artist’s sensitivity to the places she captures and her use of both EEP and post-processing to create both mood and narrative.
The latter two – mood and narrative – is evidenced throughout. These are not only pieces intended to reflect Second Life, but to draw one into it; framing, cropping, focus all serve to generate a story behind each piece, one that reaches beyond its title to draw the audience into it. As a further individual example – The Quiet Way – it immediately draws the eye across the rickety bridge and instils a desire to see what lies within the grove of trees on the other side.
I have been capturing the beauty of Second Life through photography for several years, and I continue to be inspired by the incredible diversity I discover as I explore its ever-changing landscapes and communities. Every image is a reflection of the unique moments, creativity, and atmosphere that make Second Life such a remarkable virtual world.
– Babs Belmonte describing her Second life photography and her inspiration
I also confess to loving the appearance of photobombing within Welcome to the Beach. This is just utterly delightful and, being alongside the exhibition’s landing / entry point, it really opens the mind to appreciating all that Babs has brought together for this exhibition.
Loosely split into a series of themed elements – nature, seascapes, and the “artistic every day”, all of which flow one into the next such that they gently overlap rather than being rigidly demarked, Atmospheric Second Life is a richly engaging collection.
Slurl Details
- Atmospheric Second Life (Creations Park, rated Moderate)
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