Category: Art in Second Life

Operated by Lee1 Olsen, the Lundy Art Gallery is a must-visit destination for all who appreciate Second Life art, offering as it does a broad cross-section of pieces by 2D and 3D artists.

At the time of my visit, the main hall of the gallery presented something of a historic look at Second Life, featuring artists who have joined the platform relatively recently, and those whose names are very much a part of the SL art landscape, helping as they have to establish and build artistic expression within the platform.

Within the hall, and split between the main floor and upper mezzanine, are pieces by Etamae, Eylinea, Gitu Aura, Barbara Borromeo, Rage Darkstone, Kerupa Flow, Mistero Hifeng, Wan Laryukov, JolieElle Parfort), Patrick Moya, Romy, Nayar, Bryn Oh, Vorum Short, Monroe Snook, Theda Tammas, Elle Thorkveld, Talullah Winterwolf, and CioTToLiNa Xue, to name just some of the artists present.

Despite the volume of art on display, the gallery structure is large enough and open enough to make any visit and an appreciation of the art a relaxed, easy affair. There is room to move, and space to see individual pieces or groups of pieces without feeling crowded out by the amount of art on offer.

If I’m understanding the posters at the entrance to the gallery, this ensemble exhibition will run through to mid-January before being replaced by the first to open in 2020, making it an ideal New Year visit. In addition to the main hall, the gallery has two smaller halls, each located in the wings to either side and accessible from both the lower and mezzanine levels. At the time of my end-of-2019 visit, these housed exhibitions by Ilyra Chardin and the inimitable Patrick Moya.

A stunning collection with a breadth and depth not often seen in SL.

SLurl Details

• Lundy Art Gallery (Brussel, rated Moderate)

Currently on display on the upper floor at Ani’s Gallery is an exhibition of Second Life art by a relative newcomer to the scene – and apparently to Second Life as a whole.

Dhyezl appears to have joined Second Life just over a year ago, and the exhibition at Ani’s Gallery – which actually closes at the end of the month, so my apologies to him for getting to it so late – is Dhyezl’s first public display of his art. It features some 27 images, all of which fall largely into the category of landscape images, although many have an avatar-centric lean to them as well.

Dhyezl says of his work:

As life is full of surprises, I discovered here a passion for photography. If I remain silent, maybe it’s because you speak in voice and I don’t understand everything, or maybe it’s because I am taking a photo!

I’m still learning, so if you are a photographer I would be happy to share about your techniques, or collect advices.

I actually think he is being far too modest. There is considerable technique in his art, and this exhibition demonstrates this to the fullest; there is a rich vein of narrative to his pictures. In addition, some of the pieces have been gathered together somewhat thematically. Three pieces featuring water, for example have a sandy element before them, representing a beach or river bank. Another three, all of which might be called countryside images, are placed over a mini-scene of a meadow, complete with a broken cart among the flowers.

These elements add a certain depth to the art on display; but the reality it, Dhyezl’s art is striking enough not to require additional props, and I look forward to seeing more of his art at future exhibitions.

Also when visiting, don’t forget to appreciate Ani’s art on the ground floor of the gallery as well.

SLurl Details

• Ani’s Gallery (West Grove, rated Moderate)

Currently open in Second Life, and very suitable for the holiday period if you’re seeking to appreciate some art whilst dealing with Christmas over-indulgence (not that this should be a primary reason for visiting) are two art exhibitions that are small enough to be enjoyed without over-exertion and which are individually engaging.

Freeze Frame at ArtCare Gallery (curated by Carelyna) presents a selection of images by Suzie Anderton (noted for her InWorld Films machinima brand). Taken from around Second Life, they present – as the title of the exhibition suggests – frozen moments in time that represent places, arts and events.

What is striking about Suzie’s art is her use of colour and tone to add an emotional depth to many of her pieces. This, couple with her placement of the Sun in-world to provide light and her considered use of saturation within her images bring them to life.

Within Asmita Duranjaya’s InterStellART, meanwhile, is Untold, by Jaime Poutine, a collection of her physical world art. These are fascinating pieces, each one marvellously abstracted, inviting interpretation. They project a sense of ink injected into water to naturally spread to form swirls and clouds of colour swirling against the resistance of the water.

At the same time, many of the images seem to carry ghostly, half-present outlines, the suggestion of something beyond the ink clouds and swirls,pointing to a possible story within the pieces where these “ghosts” are evident. Expressively rich in colour and form, these are remarkable pieces, and worth the time to view.

Two small, enticing exhibitions which are, as noted, well worth taking the time to visit and appreciate.

SLurl Details

• ArtCare Gallery (Prychek, rated Moderate)
• InterStellArt Gallery (Nice Atoll, rated Moderate)

Currently open at Sisi Biedermann’s Gallery and Garden, where it will remain through most of January, is an exhibition of art and words by the Second Life partnership of Ladmilla and Eli Medier, who between them also curate and manage THE EDGE Gallery.

On display are nine images by Ladmilla, each accompanied by a poem by Eli – part of a growing portfolio of joint pieces by the couple, who complement one another perfectly in brining words and images together to create a story from both.

A photographer in the physical world, Ladmilla admits to initially finding it hard to adapt to taking photographs in Second Life. However, with time and practice she has developed a style of her own, one that is notable in two major ways. The first is in the post-processing of images, in which she often layers-in textures, most of which she has made herself, to give special emphasis to her work, focusing the eye on specific aspects of a piece. The second is the way in which she uses such post-processing, together with the original image, to paint a story rather than just creating a scene; to set the stage our imaginations and emotions are invited to explore.

Eli is a gifted poet who writes mainly in a form of unstressed blank verse to cast a story of its own, allowing each poem to exist independently from the image with which it is presented as well as partnering it. In this way, the poems stand as their own artistic statement, whilst also adding to the narratives to be found within the images – or indeed, having their own meaning caught in time and illuminated by the images. Thus, within the combination of words and art we are effectively given two exhibitions for the price of one, so to speak.

Ladmilla and Eli are presented on the lower floor of Sisi’s gallery, sharing the December January exhibition time with a collection of Silas Merlin’s utterly superb pastel paintings of children in period costume (see: The pastel world of Silas Merlin in Second Life for more on Silas’ pastel work), which can be found in the hall facing Ladmilla’s and Eli’s exhibit. And, as always, the upper floors of the gallery offer an opportunity to share in Sisi’s own art (see: Dropping into Sisi’s gallery in Second Life for an introduction to her work, if needed).

SLurl Details

• Sisi Biedermann, Gallery and Garden (Caisteal Maol, rated Moderate)

Now open in the sky gallery at Monocle Man (take the teleport disk to the gallery if delivered to the ground) is a joint exhibition by Sorcha Tyles and Ninna Dazy, with each artist split between the lower and upper floors of the gallery, allowing visitors to enjoy a natural mix of their art.

Sorcha is both a Second Life photographer and a gallery owner – she runs the Artful Expressions Gallery – and so she might be more familiar to some in hosting exhibitions by other photographers, particularly those who may just be starting to exhibit their work or have been overlooked by “established” galleries.

Ninna joined Second Life some 13 years ago, enjoying the platform for its creativity. As a result, she discovered photography and started taking picture of herself and friends before moving on to capturing the places she visited – although maintaining a focus on her avatar.

For this exhibition, Sorcha and Ninna present what is very much a linked exhibition – they are both close friends – with images provided by each of them that complement one another’s selected portfolio. Both demonstrate extensive skill with the SL camera capabilities and with post-processing techniques to produce images that are rich in detail, tone and with a strong ribbon of narrative running throughout all of them. In particular, soft focus, depth of field, angle and colour.

These are photos that are at once – by virtue of being on display – public statements of Ninna’s and Sorcha’s time in Second Life, and also personal in tone and content. Through them, we’re given insight into their Second Lives.

Each has what might be a defining element in her photos that also sets the two apart, making their respective exhibits individual as well as linked. With Sorcha, this is perhaps her use of camera angle, with notable and effective use of both overhead and low angle shots that add both depth and a certain about of intimacy: through her use of a particular angle, we’re being invited to share in her thoughts and actions. With Ninna is is the use of soft focus and depth of field. Both encourage us to focus on the avatar(s) present in a shot, but also suggest a broader story through what is intentionally only partially revealed beyond the avatar.

Having opened on the 15th December 2019, this joint exhibition will remain in place until around January 3rd or 4th, 2020. Recommended.

SLurl Details

• Monocle Man Sky Gallery (Flying Fortress, rated Adult)

All4Art is a relatively new project set up by Carelyna Resident, intended to encourage the exhibition of art beyond galleries in-world and to make it more accessible to SL residents; a goal the group’s description describes thus:

The vision of this group is to make art inclusive and not limit them to the galleries in SL. This is a group of artists who are driven by the need to express themselves and create art for art’s sake. The artists will show their artworks in public places other than galleries in successive itinerant exhibitions.

– from the All4Art group description

In keeping with this ideal, the group’s latest exhibition opened on December 18th, 2019 in The Whale, a region described as “an urban town set in the English 1970s”, and apparently available for free-form roll-play and photography whilst embracing new age, hippy and biker group elements.

The art is featured across the region, both indoors and out, and so sits as a natural extension of the region’s environment. As a landing point is set, sign posts have been set up to help those interested in the art to find their way around- and thus offer something of a semi-guided tour of the region. The artists participating in the exhibition comprise: CliveDinngham, Katverde, Vivena, Black Rose, Mareena Farrasco, PatrickofIreland, Haveit Neox, Black Rose and Thus Yootz.

The art itself is predominant 2D in nature, and richly varied in content. Katverde and her SL partner CliveDinngham between them present an intriguing set of SL landscapes, some of which offer interesting finishes: looking as though they have been painted on brick or scratched glass or corrugated surfaces. Black Rose, occupying a garden square not far from Katverde and CliveDinngham’s displays, shares more of her physical world paintings, while PatrickofIreland takes up residence in what might be an old industrial yard, his monochrome pieces imaginatively presented as large video advertising boards.

The industrial theme continues with Mareena Farrasco’s urban setting work, mounted on the side of a large warehouse, while across the alley and within a large factory building, Haveit Neox presents Neighbourhoods, a series of 3D models of city and townscapes. Rounding-out the exhibition, Vivena offers a selection of stunning landscape and Thus Yootz a series focused on sea and river craft that is wonderfully evocative.

With much of the art available for sale, All4Art offers an excellent opportunity for collectors and appreciators of art alike to purchase and / or enjoy the art on display whilst exploring The Whale’s urban setting.

SLurl Details

• All4Art at The Whale (Jubilee, rated Adult)