I genuinely don’t like self-promotion, particularly when it comes to my Second Life photography ( which I view as blog illustrations rather than “art”). However a couple of months ago Gonzalo Osuna (Jon Rain) asked me to exhibit at his Konect Art Gallery – and was not going to take no for an answer!
So, running from Friday, October 16th through until the end of the month is an exhibition of some of the many images I’ve taken over the years as I’ve explored Second Life, entitled Second Life Landscapes.
Konect Art Gallery: Second Life Landscapes
I’ll admit that it is my biggest exhibition to date – and as such, I’m glad it has had something of a “soft” opening rather than a big splash, as I think I would have been too nervous to do anything more than hide in a corner. When invited, and given past exhibits at the gallery, I was anticipating being one of two people displaying their work – so I was stunned, surprised and deeply flattered (as well as slightly panicked!) when I arrived to set-up this week and find that the entire gallery had been made available to me!
So, the result is some 35 of my images are offered across the two floors of the gallery in a relatively large format and which feature many of the places I’ve particularly enjoyed visiting since around 2014. I’ve even managed to include one or two that haven’t shown up in my Flickr stream!
Konect Art Gallery: Second Life Landscapes
Anyway, I’m not going to prattle on about things here – but I hope you’ll pop over to Konect Art between now and the end of October and have a look around. And while there, why not chill out to the sounds of Konecta Radio?
My thanks again to Gonzalo for the invitation to exhibit!
Cica is back with her October 2020 build, and given the time of year, she’s presenting Halloween. However, rather than going all dark and gloomy with things that go bump in the night and nasty things hiding in the shadows, she offers something very different: a homage to the the genius of a film-maker known for his unique style of fantasy / horror storytelling that’s mixed with Cica’s trademark lightness and whimsy.
That focus of the homage is given away by the quote Cica offer with the installation:
Every day is Halloween isn’t it? For some of us.
– Tim Burton
And indeed, set out across the region is a series of little vignettes, many of which feature characters that may have popped out of the consciousness of Mr. Burton. They are all going about their business in this landscape of graveyards, pumpkin patches and strange little houses that appear to have grown, rather than having been built.
Halloween by Cica Ghost
Round-eyed and slender, these are characters who carry on their skull-like faces grins that appear genuinely happy as they go about their business, be it stroking a cat, pulling a pumpkin-filled cart, riding a swing, playing a piano or some other endeavour. Like many of Burton’s characters, while their appearance may be drawn from the ideas of horror, they carry a natural attractiveness that encourages us to wander among them.
However, they are not the only attraction here. There are lots of little touches that add depth to the setting: flowers that will cause you to consider the term “spider plant” in a new way, crows that watch over everything with mischievous look in their eyes, and footprints that magically creep across the ground whilst eyes stare out of some windows, suggesting menace whilst none appears. And do keep watch for the rooftops that occasionally hinge upwards – they have a little surprise of their own.
There’s also interactive elements throughout the region waiting to be found as well, one of which carries a little touch of the macabre as it brings a whole new meaning to the words “dancing on a grave”, while for those who are taken by the folk occupying the region, a little shop offers the chance to purchase them, together with several of the other characters to be found at various points. And if the pumpkins in the patch take your fancy, they can be purchased directly from there.
Halloween by Cica Ghost
Finished in a semi-monochrome environment, Halloween is another Cica delight. So, if you fancy something a little more whimsical for your Halloween, be sure to pop over – it’ll be there for the rest of the month!
Wythburn Art Walk, October 2020 -Mark Steiner (mrcanoehead)
Currently open through until November 1st, is the Wythburn Art Walk (SLurls at the end of this article), an event to help raise funds for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC), and to encourage people to explore Wythburn at Thirlmere, a full Mainland region. Some two dozen artists are participating the event, with their art offered for sale through RFL of SL vendors, with exhibitions spread throughout the region, thus allowing visitors to explore the region as they view the art.
The art is displayed on easels found throughout the location – along the roads and waterfronts, around the town square and along the each of the local lake. Exactly how many pieces each artist has provided appears to be up to individual choice – but taken together this is a rich and diverse display of Second Life art. Several SLurls are offered by which to explore, but I do recommend starting from the town square, and thence out along the waterfront and around the lakeside.
Wythburn Art Walk, October 2020 – Jaz (Jessamine2108)
Meet the Artists
In addition to the art and the chance to explore the region, the event offers unique opportunities to meet with the participating artists and hear about their art.
These events will occur between 10:00 and 12:00 noon SLT on Saturdays 17th and 24th October, when DJ Tani will be playing tunes for people to dance to, between which he’ll read notes the artists have provided about themselves, their work and their techniques, with the featured artists also in attendance.
To help make these sessions a little more special, attendees are asked to dress formally.
Wythburn Art Walk, October, 2020 – Mirabelle Biederman
Selfies with the Breast Cancer Ninja
The event includes a “selfie” contest with three unique statue prizes from artist Harry Clover (ImpossibleIsNotFrench) up for grabs. Those wishing to participate should:
Locate the Breast Cancer Ninja at the town square.
Touch the Fight Like A Girl sign next to it to obtain a competition package containing:
An attachable sign.
Instructions on entering the contest.
A contest entry note card.
A copy of the Ninja statue.
Touch the statue to sit next to it, and then select a pose.
If you prefer, you can also use the copy of the statue and use it to take your entry photo wherever you like, so you’renot limited to just the event region.
You can also wear the sign included in the package if you wish.
Note that the statue supports two avatars posing at a time – so you can include a friend!
Take your selfie(s).
Upload the photo you wish to enter and make sure it is set to full permissions.
Open the contest entry note card and:
Add your avatar name.
Drag and drop your photo into the card.
CTRL-drag the completed card in the mail box alongside the contest vendor.
Entries may be displayed within the region while the contest is open – so check back to see if yours is one of them.
At the end of the event, three of the entries will be selected to receive the prizes created by Harry.
Wythburn Art Walk, October 2020 – Star (Gossamerstar)
Wythburn Attractions
As well as the art exhibition, Wythburn has numerous attractions of its own, including horse riding, a hidden room of magic and spells, a stone henge, The Hall of Faces, a cave to explore, and more.
Participating Artists
GraciAnne Harte (Gracianne), Jaz (Jessamine2108), Jolie (JolieElle Parfort), Max (Maxseagate), Poppy (Popikone), Star (Gossamerstar), Darkstone Aeon, Abi (Abigail Lemongrass), Caly Applewhyte (Calypso Applewhyte), Stevie Morane Basevi (Stevie Basevi), Wildstar Beaumont, Michiel Bechir, Mirabelle Biedermann (Mirabelle Sweetwater), Tour Blanche (Aspen Normandy), Harry Cover (impossibleisnotfrench), Star (Morningstar Finesmith), Tresore Prada Hawkins (Tresore), Skye McLeod (Skye Fairywren), Maya McQueen (Maya Snowfield), Doddy Meiler, Wren Noir (Wrennoir Cerise), Kammy Page (Kambrie Triellis), Mark Steiner (mrcanoehead), and Pavel Stransky.
October sees Akim Alonzo’s Itakos Project gallery host an exhibition of art that chimed a strong bell with me, thanks in part to my cosmological interest in astronomy, space exploration and science fiction. Located in the Black hall of the gallery, Space Oddity features a selection of 14 images that are predominantly monochrome in tone, with just touches of colour that give them an almost heartbeat-like splash of life.
It’s an exhibition that apparently grew out of a common interest both Caly and Akim share for the beauty of deep space, and also a mutual love of the music of David Bowie. Given Caly’s attraction to things like cybernetic enhancements and the use of prostheses in her avatar images, these interests combine to present a selection of 14 pieces that are framed by two stanzas from Bowie’s 1969 single, Space Oddity, released just five days ahead of the launch of Apollo 11 and which itself drew inspiration from the Kubrick / Clarke masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey.
This is Major Tom to Ground Control I’m stepping through the door And I’m floating in the most peculiar way And the stars look very different today
– David Bowie, Space Oddity, 1969
These 14 images take us on a voyage, one that wonderfully encompasses several elements, all of which could be said to be reflective of thoughts of space – inner and outer – whilst touching on elements of identity and of human progression and the state of the world around us.
Itakos Project: Space Oddity by Caly Applewhyte
Intentional or not, the offered images appear to be split into three groups, each with its own story, each of which it turn goes beyond the subject our deep space.
On entering the hall and turning to the left, the far end features a series of avatar images set against backdrops that seem to offer up views of who we are and what we might become, indicated by the various cybernetic and machine elements evident in some, and also by the almost tribal-like markings, some red and some blue. They also frame both the reality of our place in the cosmos (star fields and black voids suggestive of endless space) and the conceit that once attempted to put us at the centre of the universe (a head at the centre of an orrery, the planets orbiting around it).
A further set show a hardsuited figure on a planetary surface, mechanical hands clutching a posey of daisies. These again perhaps offer a mix of themes. On the one hand, they could indicate the wonder of the universe that somewhere out there, one day, on another world, we may well encounter the beauty of life (represented by the daises), that we will cherish. But might they also tell other stories? One perhaps that not matter how far we progress in space, Earth – as represented by the daisies – will always call to us? Or another that stands as a warning that if we do not start nurturing the world around us, the only way we might come to see its open spaces is from within the confines of hardsuits, the promise of life a scarce an precious find within its barren fields?
Itakos Project: Space Oddity by Caly Applewhyte
For here am I sitting in my tin can Far above the world Planet Earth is blue And there’s nothing I can do
– David Bowie, Space Oddity, 1969
The final group of images take us to the original theme of the exhibition as discussed by Caly and Akim: that of floating in space. But here again the interpretation of the images is mixed.
On the one hand, the presence of the odd little fish, with their translucent scales revealing their skeletal forms suggest some of these images don’t represent outer space, but the inner space of an ocean. But is this again the ocean of another world, and the fish its strange inhabitants? Or is it a reminder that there is a vast “cosmos” around us on this very planet within the oceans that make up the majority of its surface, there is much that we have yet to discover – including the wonder of lifeforms of which we’ve remained ignorant for so long? It is, again for you to decide the narrative – although, as with the other images, selecting one story does not exclude any of these others.
Itakos Project: Space Oddity by Caly Applewhyte
Multi-layered, beautifully presented Space Oddity is a marvellously engaging exhibit that should be seen by all who appreciate art that stirs both the heart and the mind.
The October 2020 exhibition at the Third Eye Gallery, curated by Jaz (Jessamine2108), brings with it a selection of art by Poppy (Popikone) and a second by Thus Yootz, both of who present pieces that are captivating to the eye and rich in narrative.
Poppy is a physical world photographer who discovered Second Life somewhat by chance: whilst entering various physical world photo challenges presented through Flickr she came across the work of Second Life photographer and became entranced by what she saw to the point of signing-up and getting involved. Since joining, she has become deeply involved in in-world photography to the point that she notes she has a backlog of around 2,000 images she has yet to process and upload.
Third Eye Gallery: Poppy (Popikone)
Despite this, Poppy has never publicly exhibited her work in SL until Jaz approached her about this exhibition. Within it, she presents 26 images that are somewhat thematically defined as you view them, with some focused on water and boats, others on landscapes, and others on avatar and art. These are presented in a number of styles, some of which are mindful of painting styles (Girl in Blue) for example, with its Neo Impressionism overtones), others of which might be said to lean more towards Expressionism or Abstract). Many have a rich vein of narrative within them, some quite captivatingly so, while her use of colour brings her landscape images very much to life.
Third Eye Gallery: Poppy (Popikone)
Narrative is also very much present within Thus Yootz’s work. With an MA in art, Thus has no fear in experimenting in style and genre, and here she presents a total of nine pieces, each individual and unique, encompassing a range of themes as well as artistic styles. Within some, there is a sense of abstract expressed through the use of colour (I Wish the fog would Lift and Sunny Summer Filled with Colour). Others offer rich studies, and I found myself particularly drawn to Sola Festa and – most particularly – Fantasy Garden Statues, which has a stunning depth and richness of story to it that is remarkable.
This is only the third time I’ve witnessed Thus’ work on display, and as the first two times her work was part of a larger ensemble exhibition, it is the first time I’ve been able to study it in the depth it deserves – and I hope to see more in the future as it is genuinely evocative.
Third Eye Gallery: Thus Yootz
Similarly, I hope that following this exhibition, Poppy will accept further opportunities to display her work – and gallery owners will seek her out as well, as she is richly deserving of the opportunity.
The October exhibition at Raging Graphix Gallery, curated by Raging Bellls, brings us a joint exhibition by Jamee and Matt Thompson, perhaps between known to many in Second life as Jamee Sandalwood and MTH63, who recently officially partnered in SL.
Both are well known for their photography depicting the sights and art of Second Life, their individual styles an engaging mix of the contrasting and the complimentary, depending on subject and – I assume – mood. Indeed, so complimentary are their styles that but for the tell-tales evident in some of the piece in this exhibition, and the occasional presence of a name in a canvas corner, all of the photographs offered here might be mistaken as being captured by the same photographer.
Jamee’s work encompasses several genres, including landscapes, avatar studies, fashion photography and abstract pieces, although her landscapes predominant here. These generally tend towards softer tones and lighting, carefully processed to give a genuine feel for the time of day that frames them. However, more recently she has moved towards what she refers to as”shadow photography”, using both the play of light and shadows to create elements within her images, while at times also leaning towards darker tones in over composition.
Matt has also built a reputation as a landscape photographer, again as evidence in the pieces included in this exhibition. However, were Jamee sways towards softer tones and post-processed finishes, Matt often tends towards sharper, cleaner lines and finishes that – even when portraying reflections on the water – give his work a more crystalline finish, one so sharp in places that it feels as if a brush of the fingers over some of the lines of his images might well cut the finger.
Raging Graphix Gallery: Matt Thompson (MTH63)
This sharpness gives his pieces a sense of life and realism comparable to Jamee’s work, one that like hers reaches beyond the digital realm in which they were taken to offer something very tangible, whilst that same sharpness mentioned above offers that subtle contrast to Jamee’s work, gently pointing to the fact these these are pieces produced by two individual artists, even as they are unified by subject matter and tonal quality that can unify them into a single exhibit.
This complimentary flow is perhaps seen in the four pictures along the longest wall of the exhibition space, in which two of Matt’s landscapes bracket two of Jamee’s pieces that lie within her more “shadow photography” approach. The contrast of hard and soft lines, be it through finish or the use of the shadows inherent within the location where an image was taken and the tonal qualities of all four pieces, even with the differing approaches to post-processing offer all four as a continuous whole, the eye running easily across them as if they had sprung from the one artist’s eye and hand.
Raging Graphix Gallery, Matt and Jamee
Engaging, bold, and with a personal touch through the inclusion of The Rings, a piece marking their recent union in Second Life, this is another excellent exhibition at Raging Graphix, and it will run through until the latter later of October.
