A new entry in the Destination guide alerted me to the fact that Artsville – the art and entertainment hub under the joint management of Frank Atisso and Vitoria Galli – has relocated.
Now occupying roughly one third of a Full region, the “new” Artsville is a very different beast to the “old” (or previous might be a better term). Whilst it continues the design collaboration between the owners and Megan Prumier, the updated Artsville presents a tranquil, almost mystical setting of ruins, underground spaces, gardens, walks and more, all set on and within a rugged, island-like setting tucked under a curtain wall of high cliffs separating it from the rest of the region in which it sits.
This is a place where natural elevation is used to offer a location rich in a sense of space and freedom, with the various elements from landing point to ruins and gallery spaces to upper reaches, all flowing together harmoniously. Within it lie spaces offering both a sense of sharing, should you visit the setting in the company of others and of quiet contemplation, should you visit alone.
Presented with an east-to-west orientation, the setting can be very broadly be split into four parts: to the east there is a large, oval-shaped promontory, the flat top of which is home to the remnants of a large structure with walls of great blocks hewn from rock. To the west is the larger bulk of the setting, a tiered fortress of rock rising from the water, an into which industrious hands have bored (or perhaps laboured to convert natural tunnels and caverns), creating a marvellous series of interconnected rooms.
Connecting these two extremes lies a narrow neck of rock, upon which has been created one of the setting’s several garden spaces, and which forms the Artsville’s new Landing Point. Bracketing this, but separate from the rest of the setting, are two circular islands, each home to an impressive oak tree. Neither is directly accessible from the rest of Artsville (save by flying, if you must), but both serve to enhance the overall design.
The ruins, with their stone-flagged floors and roofless spaces, offer an engaging mix of public spaces: the venue for music events (second and fourth Friday of the month, between 13:00 and 14:30 SLT), together with areas to sit and pass the time with friends, and corners of quiet retreat. Those venturing up the stairs from the event terrace will also find a gorgeous bar area. There’s also a secondary art display area here as well, which at the time of my visit presented images of Artsville as captured by a quartet of SL artists.
The main gallery, meanwhile offer a series of chambers in which to display art. At the time of my visit, these featured Silent Tones, an ensemble exhibition brought together by Frank and Vitoria and featuring a single piece of art from each of 12 invited artists. The exhibition is defined thus:
In a world dominated by vibrant hues and vivid imagery, Silent Tones offers a quiet, contemplative pause. This exhibition … explores the delicate power of minimal colour.
Through their lens, the artists have delved into the nuances of light, shadow and texture, allowing the subtleties of form and composition to take centre stage. The absence of bold colour evokes a sense of stillness, a return to the essence of what is seen, where mood and emotion are conveyed through the slightest shifts in tone.
It’s an engaging exhibition, and I particularly like the fact that links to the artists’ Flickr pages have been included, allowing easy access to the greater catalogue of their work.Another aspect of the gallery’s design I like is the potential for the two main halls within it to be used for individual exhibitions, where this to be considered; each might be seen as a boutique-sized space allowing for more intimate interactions between artist and audience. Intimacy also extends to the bar tucked away between and to one side of the two gallery halls. Utilising the MINIMAL King’s Skybox by Ors Quan, it is an eye-popping display of ambience and décor.
To either side of the entrance to the gallery are what might be termed the lower gardens. One of these takes the form of a hedge maze. Featuring sculptures by Mistero Hifeng, it leads to a path which makes its way up the southern side of the upper tier of rock, the lower end of the path watched over by a sculpture by Fujiko Lemon (Nicoll Levee). To the south, the garden is wilder in nature but also includes a path making its way upwards, this one by guarded by a sculpture from MedievalFantasy.
This latter path direct visitors up to the upper garden and a romantic-looking hilltop conservatory commanding views out over open waters. The southern path, meanwhile, directs visitors up to walled terraces and seating, with gates also offering access to the upper garden, and thus connecting south and north together.
With a central firepit and a balcony standing high over the entrance to the gallery, this upper garden is perhaps the most tranquil aspect of the setting; both the firepit and the balcony offer places for sharing or for sitting in quiet retreat – with the swing watched over by deer adding to the contemplative nature of the space.
Megan has always produced region and parcel designs to capture the eye and camera, and her work at Artsville is utterly sublime, making the setting perhaps the most unique gallery space in Second Life; whether you appreciate artistic expression through the platform or whether you simply enjoy exploring SL, this iteration of Artsville is not to be missed – and make sure you keep an eye open for all the little touches scattered around, and have local sounds enabled for the fullest experience.
SLurl Details
- Artsville (Seabreeze, rated Adult)
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