Category: Art in Second Life

The Lost Unicorn Gallery, curated by Natalie (Natalie Montagne)  forms a part of a trio of regions I visited in September 2018 (see Within a Lost Unicorn Forest in Second Life and Opening a Storybook in Second Life). As I noted in those articles, all three regions are utterly magnificent in design, with The Lost Unicorn Gallery offering one of the most stunning settings in which art can be exhibited – as any view from outside the gallery will more than demonstrate.

I was drawn back to the gallery for three reasons: the first is that Natalie routinely hosts engaging ensemble exhibitions of art; the second is that the featured artist for February 2019 is Cybele Moon (Hana Hoobinoo); and the third is purely personal: as a part of the current ensemble exhibition, Natalie has selected some of my own images.

Cybele Moon’s work really needs no introduction to regular readers of this blog. Her art is beautifully ethereal and rich in narrative. This is fully exemplified with Forests Were Made For the Hunter of Dreams. Located on the main floor of the gallery, this is an extensive exhibition of Cybele’s photography and art, each piece offered and ready to tell a story of its own. However, for those who prefer, Cybele offers a touch panel which will supply a short story snippet to accompany each piece.

Also to be found on the ground floor of the gallery are avatar studies by Razor Cure (sch511), and Aquatic Arugula (Sugarfairy88), who offer very contrasting styles. Razor is additionally the first prize winner of a recent photography competition held within the regions, his entry with the other prize winners also being displayed on the ground floor of the gallery.

On the upper floors of the gallery is a veritable host of artists: Lia Swahn, Gassamer Star, Luke Henuskai, Meriluu, Pan Aeon, Poly Elan, Awesome Fallen, SelenLily Galicia, Efinyn Jinx, Iruki Levee, Babydoll Tracy Colt, Antarctica Slade, Pretty Rexen, Aleriah, Roxi Firanelli, Duchess Flux, and myself.

The majority of the images from these artists are focused on avatar studies, the only major exception being my pieces, which Natalie gathered from my visits to Lost Unicorn Forest and Storybook. My sincere thanks go to her for including me in such august company; I’m both flattered and honoured.

For those who enjoy photography competitions, the Lost Unicorn Gallery is currently hold another with the theme of Lord of the Rings.

Participants are invited to submit up to two images (raw or post-processed) representing any part of the Lord of the Rings novels (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King). Submissions should be made to the Lord of the Rings Flickr Group and labelled “Contest Entry”, no later than March 3rd, 2019. A L$9,000 prize pool is on offer, with L$5,000 to the first place entry. Full details on entry can be found via the contest information givers at the gallery.

SLurl Details

• The Lost Unicorn Gallery (Faerie Tale, rated: Moderate)

Currently on display at Diotima Art Gallery curated by Redi (Red Bikcin), is a shared exhibition of art by Isadora Alaya (Otcoc) and Morlita Quan. While very different in form, the two exhibitions are perhaps drawn together through something of an abstract edge to each of them.

Located in the front part of the gallery space, Isadora present 14 images under the title Light in the Labyrinth. These offer a mix of themes – landscapes, images of art in SL, avatar studies – all of which are joined by a use of colour that tend to set them apart from the more “usual” style of landscape or avatar study we’re all perhaps familiar with. This gives some of them the “abstract” edge to which I refer.

It really is this use of colour that makes these pieces striking. I particularly found myself drawn to Savannah Flow and Tell You What’s Lost. The former is a glorious piece in tone, lighting and depth that brings the elephant to life in a most fascinating way. The latter, meanwhile, presents in both image and title a perfect reflection of one of SL’s most original regions,  Whats Lost Spirits (about which you can read more here).

With pieces like these and the stunning monochrome Powder Drift (Night Before Zazenkai), Isadora’s Light in the Labyrinth is an absorbing display of art.

For Dissonances, Morlita Quan contrasts her images to those of Isadora by presenting them within a white space that sits opposite of the dark setting for Light in the Labyrinth. In doing so, she draws a subtle link of connection between the  two exhibits.

I’ve long been an admirer of Mori’s beautifully fluid and organic abstracts, and the twelve pieces offered here fully demonstrate both the organic and abstract look and texture to her work. Abstract the images may be, but the influence and inspiration of nature is evident within each piece presented here, the majority of which lean towards monochrome, while those incorporating colour do so in a soft, subtle and – dare I repeat it again – organic manner. The fluidity of the pieces is largely self-evident; several of the pieces are liquid in their form, and this is further added to by the wave-like animation evident in the floor.

The choice of title for this exhibit is interesting. Dissonance means a discordant combination of sounds or a lack of agreement. Yet within these pieces there is a harmony waiting to be found. Yes, on first look, the pieces – particularly the two laying on the end wall of the hall – may seem jarring; however, the very nature of these pieces, the intricate curves and patterns of circles tends to wash any sense of discord to one side.

Together, Light in the Labyrinth and Dissonances made for a worthwhile shared exhibition and visit.

SLurl Details

• Diotima Art Gallery (Gigli Waves, rated: Moderate)

Currently open through until the end of the month at the Lin C Art Gallery is an extensive exhibition of art by Barbara Borromeo (barbaraborromeo), an artist I have admired for her work and style for some time now.

On display are around 27 images by Barbara, some of which have appeared at previous exhibitions (see Barbara Borromeo at Serena Arts, for example), while others appear to be newer pieces – or at least pieces I’ve personally not seen previously. Together, they offer an engrossing display of Babara’s visual styles, from portraiture through fantasy to pieces that offer abstract art or which feature a blending of physical and digital images.

There are so many aspects of Barbara’s work that makes it so captivating that singling out an individual piece from her portfolio can be counter productive; he images need to be seen as appreciated individually to fully understand the breath of her work and the canvas of her imagination.

That said, there are some elements of Barbara’s work that are beautifully exemplified in this exhibition, such as her collage pieces that blend together a number of elements into a single image: a portrait, a background (something themed), as with Enchanted Forest LN, Alter, and Cosmic Woman, which can so often weave a story in the mind.

But even her more “normal” (in terms of capturing a scene) images such as Tuscany Byker OK, present such a rich depth and narrative, its is hard not to become completely bound up in them. I was also pleased to see  Words Never Said, a piece I first encountered in August 2018, which is magnificently powerful in its emotional content.

If you have not witnessed Barbara’s work first-hand, then I strongly urge you to go along to the Lin C Art Gallery and witness the power of her work for yourself; I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Awed, yes; but not disappointed.

Slurl Details

• Lin C Art Gallery (Hana Aloha, rated: Moderate)