For this article, I’m taking a look at two exhibitions which opened at Second Life in November 2023. They are both entirely independent to one another (and indeed, very different in form and style), but share some common themes which – to me at least – make them somewhat suited to joint coverage. Perhaps the most obvious connection between the two is that as they feature nudity, they should be considered NSFW; some of the other links are drawn entirely from my own perceptions and probably do not coincide to any great degree with those of the artists. Ego, take what you read here with a measure of circumspection – and do visit the exhibitions to gather your own thought on them.
The first exhibition is entitles – sort-of appropriately – Restricted, likely in recognition of the nudity it presents. It can be found in The Annex at Dido Haas’ Nitroglobus Roof Gallery, and comprises a selection of some of Dido’s monochrome / black-and-white work. These take the form of simple but elegant studies of Dido’s avatar, generally nude, in minimalist settings / scenes.
Of the collection, Dido states there is “no story, just more of me”; but while no story per se might be had within Restricted as a whole, the individual pieces very much do offer glimpses of vignettes we might freely interpret, if so minded, whilst collectively and within their composition, framing and presentation, they most certain do offer a narrative of artistic measure in their celebration of the female form.
The use of framing is perhaps most delightfully apparent in What’s Up? and In The Corner, both of which utilise the physical framing of the picture in which to tell their individual stories. In terms of technical composition, the use of light and shadow, the more mechanical aspects of photography – such as the Rule of Thirds – can be found combined through the eye of a genuine arts to produce a piece simply dripping with stories waiting to be told (Curtain). Alongside of it, the My Shadow images offer their own lessons in composition and narrative framing, whilst Shy is so exquisitely expressive, it captivates from the moment first seen.
Meanwhile at Monocle Man Galleries, curated by Lynx Luga (lynx Iuga) and Kit Boyd (and available through until November 19th inclusive) is Hotel. A noted photographer of the human form male and female, Troy’s art covers portraiture, nude studies and erotica, and he is rightly admired for his life-like studies, which have been featured across multiple Flickr groups as banner images, the subject of exhibitions and the focus of multiple SL publications.
As indicated by its sub-title, Hotel is from the wellspring of erotic images Tory has produced – and is thus potentially the more NSFW of the two exhibitions herein. It features a series of intimate / sexual black and white chiaroscuro images, best described by the exhibition’s introduction:
This collection is, in a sense, a return to Troy’s roots in erotica. Using a single room, he images various guests, single or otherwise, and the behaviours in which they indulge once the doors are locked and the lights are out.
Offering a third-person view of these “behaviours”, each piece casts the observer into the role which combines a sense of presence within the activities taking place – perhaps as a participant taking a moment to watch, or as voyeur observing events with (or without?) the knowledge of those actively participating, or perhaps as the person behind the lens, capturing these moments of deep intimacy.
Which of these roles you opt to take – if any – is a matter of personal choice. What is not in question, however, is the depth of personal and shared intimacy evident throughout; together with the richness of presentation and style. In the latter regard, the use of chiaroscuro is genuinely exquisite, and does much to enhance what are already intense and personal studies, lifting them to the heights of erotica art. Each piece has its own narrative, shared and personal, and each is perfectly framed and processed.
So, what is the connection I see between these two exhibitions? Simply this: both are rich in their celebrations of individual freedoms of expression, be they in terms of how we see ourselves or in how we express intimacy, love and desire between one another regardless of gender, colour, etc., either individually or jointly. This is reason enough to appreciate both Hotel and Restricted; but add to that the fact that there are those zealously determined to deny such freedoms in order to force conformity to their own narrow strictures of society, and both exhibition might also be seen as offering a very subtle reminder of what be lost to many if we allow such zealotry to succeed.
SLurl Details
- Nitroglobus Roof Gallery (Sunshine Homestead, rated Moderate)
- Monocle Man Galleries (Flying fortress, rated Adult)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 