Category: Art in Second Life

Light Reflections in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Light Reflections
Light Reflections

Light Reflections is the name of a full region installation in Second Life by Venus Adored. Spanning six levels, it is, as the name suggests, an experiment in light and reflections.

Visitors start at the top of the installation, where sit instructions on how to set the viewer to best enjoy the experience. Unfortunately, the most important instruction is absent: visitors must have Advanced Lighting Model (ALM) enabled via Graphics > Preferences in order to see the installation correctly. Failing to do this will leave some of the levels apparently devoid of detail.

Light Reflections
Light Reflections

Each of the levels below the instructions provides an environment in which lighting and projected lights are used in different ways. In the first level, for example, visitors can fly around in soap bubbles (use the WASD / arrow keys for movement, and PAGE UP / PAGE DOWN to change height), and project lighting pattens on to the walls and floors of the room as they approach them.

Another level offers a set of different scenes, each within its own cube, where light and particles are again used to add ambience to the environment. Another offers an entirely monochrome setting, while the final (ground level) presents a landscape enhanced by projects lighting. Through the entire piece are interactive elements – the soap bubbles mentioned above, a paper boat visitor can rez and sail at the ground levels, and diamonds offering which will animate an avatar when touched in others.

Light Reflections
Light Reflections

Light Reflections is an interesting piece offering a good demonstration of projected lights in use, although I couldn’t help be feel some of the levels might have been combined (particularly the three introductory levels of instructions). However this doesn’t detract of the installation; if you enjoy seeing or an curious about projected lighting effects, Light Reflections is a worthwhile visit and will remain open though until the end of June.

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February at The Edge in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
The Edge
The Edge

Saturday, January 28th, 2017 marks the formal opening of the latest exhibition at The Edge gallery, curated by Eleseren Brianna. The Edge is the fashion division of Kultivate Magazine, with a focus on the artistic and cultural side of fashion in both Second Life and the physical world.

Taking part in the exhibition are:  Delypop Cresci, Calima Dufaux, Hikaru Enimo, Algezares Magic, Ruby Ornamental, Apocketfullofbutterflies Resident, Khronoz Resident, Beatrice Serendipity, and Catalina Staheli. Layka63 Resident had also been scheduled to exhibit, but having been absent for more than a week, Eleseren has had to offer a selection of her own work for display.

The Edge
The Edge

The majority of the pieces on display across the gallery’s three levels are avatar studies, although some are given an added twist in that they are by some recognisable names from the world of Second Life modelling. The range of styles within the exhibition is varied, and the contrasts between approaches to subject matter and framing making for an interesting point of examination of the pictures and artists as one progresses through the gallery.

However, that said, I admit to being somewhat biased when it come to art; I much prefer images which suggest a narrative or offer the imagination licence to take flight. Static poses bereft of a deeper connection tend to have me passing over them perhaps a little too quickly, and I did find this to be the case at times with this exhibit.

The Edge
The Edge

But where I did find that narrative / challenge to the imagination, I found it to be strongly evoked, to the extent that I was drawn back, and into, to the work of some of the artists over and again, making this a rewarding visit that had my camera – and eyes – lingering as grey cell cogitated and reflected.

The February exhibition officially opens at 14:00 SLT on Saturday, January 28th, with a live music performance by Dimivan Ludwig. Formal dress is requested.

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Life Is A Journey in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Life Is A Journey
Life Is A Journey

“I always find that life is like a certain road. A path you walk on from birth to death. While walking that path you constantly can choose which direction you go,” Elin Egoyan states when introducing her exhibition Life Is A Journey, now open at the Paris METRO Art Gallery. “But also you are sometimes forced to go a certain direction, if you like it or not. Because of things that happen with or around you your path can suddenly make curves or slips into a total different direction then you ever could have imagined.”

It’s a thoughtful and somewhat philosophical statement, leading into a somewhat introspective piece, revealing some of Elin’s physical world while throwing open the doors to those broader questions we all tend to ask ourselves from time to time on the subjects of life, purpose, progression, growth  – or as Elin succinctly puts it, “what for (bleep) sake is the purpose of this stroll through life?”

Life Is A Journey
Life Is A Journey

At first glance, the introduction and notes given under the title of the exhibition might seem as odds with the exhibition itself. Displayed within the gallery are 24 pieces of Elin’s physical world art, together with a number of supporting in-world creations. The paintings are all bold statements, some decidedly abstract in nature, others more pictorial. Some stand alone, others carry a theme, existing as both individual pieces or joined forming natural sets of images – this being most notable in the selection of Dreamtree paintings, linked as they are to one another and the poem A Tree, A Dream.

However, the link between exhibition title and musings on life can be found on a number of levels. All of the paintings, all of the in-world creations by Elin reflect her own journey in life, her travels in self-discovery, learning and finding those things which bring her joy. Similarly, several of the pieces reflect the idea of life’s journey directly and through their titles. Then there is the rich use of colour and form, reflective of the richness of life and the fact that our journey is rarely straight, and at times choices must be made.

Life Is A Journey
Life Is A Journey

All of this makes Life Is A Journey something of a thought-provoking exhibit for those willing to look beyond initial impressions. But so to does it reinforce the simple pleasures life can bring us: the use of line, colour and abstraction in these paintings make each of them a genuine pleasure to appreciate.

Some hold that “real life” art doesn’t translate well into the virtual medium of Second Life. I tend to disagree. There is no reason why the full richness of an artist’s talent and intent cannot translate into the virtual medium any less well than a post-processed or cropped image originally captured in Second Life, and Elin’s pieces more than exemplify this simple fact.

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Elo’s Ray of Light in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Ray of Light
Ray of Light

I first encountered the art of Elo (Elorac Paule) at the Nitroglobus Roof Gallery in an intriguing and key-catching display entitled Always Closer (see here for more). I was therefore delighted to learn from friend (and arts) Owl Dragonash, that Elo would be exhibiting Ray of Light, a selection of her work at Commune Utopia.

For those not familiar with it, Commune Utopia is a Bohemian community within Second Life with over 1800 group members. Founded by Sedi (Seductive Dreamscape), the commune celebrates creativity, passion, laughter, music and art, and fosters a caring, inclusive environment all are welcome to visit and enjoy – and join, if they wish. Owl handles a lot of the music aspects of the commune, and details on events can be found both on her blog, and on the official Commune Utopia blog.

Ray of Light
Ray of Light

With Ray of Light, Elo presents fourteen of her captivating studies, most of which should be considered NSFW, and all of which contain considerable expression. One or two among them may be familiar from Elo’s other exhibitions, but this doesn’t in any way reduce them experience of seeing them here. These are emotive, seductive and physical pieces, rich in their allure and perfectly suited to being displayed together.

Offered in a large format and in an outdoor environment, these are very much personal studies, focused on Elo herself. As such they reveal a number of facets of her personality, and dip into some of her explorations of sensuality in Second Life. Coupled with the fact many of the images have nudity (hence the NSFW note), this personal, sensual aspect to the pieces might be taken to mean the visitor is perhaps cast into the role of voyeur.

Ray of Light
Ray of Light

However, I’d suggest this is not the case. For the majority of the pieces, whether colour or monochrome there is far more of an invitation for us to become partners within the  scenes set by the pictures, rather than the suggestion that we are furtive observers. This adds a layer of emotional response: the desire to reach into these pictures, caress and share is powerful.

Ray of Light is an excellent exhibition, offered in a setting which invites wider exploration as well – be it the small art studios perched around the exhibition area, or the rest of the region as a whole.  Recommended.

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Illogism at MetaLES in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
MetaLES: Illogism
MetaLES: Illogism

Now open at MetaLES, curated by Ux Hax and Romy Nayar, is Illogism (from the French Illogisme, or illogicality), an exhibition of 55 images by Chimkami. These are presented in large format within a bizarre environment visualised by Romy Nayar, designed to represent disproportionate, or diform, doll’s houses of enormous size, and which are themselves contained within a large doll’s house.

“At all heights, outside as inside the houses, “Chimkami notes in her introduction to the setting, “you can discover the photos in this universe freed from any constraint, exposed with [the] nonsensical. Each corner and nook will reveal photos and rest places. Will you have nerves to find them ? Walk, fly, use your camera, relax, laugh, observe, discuss, as you want. Only one thing matters: take pleasure in it!”

MetaLES: Illogism
MetaLES: Illogism

It is a curious, bewildering environment where gravity plays no part: a dance floor is located on a ceiling, objects occupy roof tops and floors, images hang from walls or occupy the clefts and cuts through objects. Houses stand and float or sit at the end of disembodied stairs and plank-like walks, their shapes twisted, squeezed or bent, the photos in them, on them and around them.

The best way to get around is to join the MetaLES group at the installation’s landing point. This will give you local rezzing rights, so you can grab a Walker from the neighbouring board, rez it, and then sit on it. This will allow you to freely explore the space – use the standard WASD keys of arrow keys for navigation – and will also allow your to walk up walls, cross ceilings and along the various twisted paths through the exhibition. Along the way, there are various points where you might also enjoy rides, take a seat, and so on.

MetaLES: Illogism
MetaLES: Illogism

The images themselves are an eclectic mix, focusing on avatar studies, but not exclusive human in nature. Some are stylised, others more direct, others lean towards monochrome, others in bright, bold colours. All are subject to individual interpretation and appreciation. Such is the size of things, that getting around to everything can take time.

Illogism is an interesting piece. Quirky, a little out of the ordinary, a space where we are presented as tiny explorers, and where everything is being close examined from “outside” – look out for the eyes staring through the windows of the enclosing doll’s house. It will remain open through until February 28th, 2017.

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A dream within a dream: celebrating Poe in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
DaphneArts: Edgar Allan Poe Tribute
DaphneArts: Edgar Allan Poe Tribute

January 19th, 2017 marks the 208th anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe’s birth. A literary critic, writer and poet, Poe is perhaps best remembered for his tales and poems of the macabre, although he is seen as the creator of detective fiction, and a leading figure of the Romantic movement in the United States.

Down through the decades, his work has been the inspiration for many in literature, art, radio, film and television. To mark his anniversary, DaphneArts Gallery curated by  Angelika Corral and SheldonBR, is mounting a special exhibition entitled, appropriately enough, Edgar Allan Poe Tribute.

DaphneArts: Edgar Allan Poe Tribute
DaphneArts: Edgar Allan Poe Tribute

A mixed media event, the exhibition features images eight photographers: Edie Horngold, Kate Bergdorf, Mi, Nevereux, Noirran Marx, Jason (fitFanatic), Dr. Strangelove and Sunset Teas. These can be found in two halls of the DaphneArts Gallery 1 space, whilst accompanying them in the remaining two halls is an installation by Angelika and Sheldon. In the first of these rooms visitors can hear Angelika reciting A Dream Within A Dream and in the second stands a micro universe based on the story of the Fall of the house of Usher.

“Our main interest here is in the bizarre and surreal, and Poe has always been one of our favourites,” Sheldon told me, when I dropped in on him and Angelika as they were finalising set-up for the exhibition. “We have always wanted to do something inspired by his works, and decided that being part of the celebration of his 208th birthday would be a good chance to do it.”

DaphneArts: Edgar Allan Poe Tribute - Fall of the House of Usher display
DaphneArts: Edgar Allan Poe Tribute – Fall of the House of Usher display

“His dark, Gothic style is really inspiring,” Angelika added. “It seems our invited photographers like it as well, because their photos came out really strong.”

This is certainly true. Each of the images on display (some of which are seen in the top two images of this article) carries a resonance of Poe’s writing. Some of them do so directly, bearing clear motifs associated with his work, such as the presence of a raven. Others more subtle in their approach – such as with Berenice by Mi.

A Dream Within A Dream offers an immersive environment featuring visual elements and music, together with Angelika’s recital of the poem. In a dark room, dust motes swirl gently on an unfelt twist of air; gentle music and vocals slowly fill the space as Angelika reads this, one of Poe’s most famous poems, in which he laments our inability to prevent the passage of time and asking if can we really distinguish between reality and fantasy?

DaphneArts: Edgar Allan Poe Tribute - Sheldon and Angelika show me Dream Within A Dream
DaphneArts: Edgar Allan Poe Tribute – Sheldon and Angelika show me Dream Within A Dream

“Angelika and I have been working with this idea of 3D exhibitions,” Sheldon said, aftar we had listened to Angelika’s recital. “We like to explore all the possibilities that SL offers us, so we added our contribution to the exhibition in this way.”

It’s an approach that certainly works, the scripts geared to synchronize music and voice as the matching words appear floating in the darkness. What’s more, the poem is a fitting piece for this exhibition, staged as it is in the “unreal” world of bits, bytes, pixels and and packets. Alongside of of the recital space, the model of the House of Usher stands as tribute to another of Poe’s enduring works.

The official opening for Edgar Allan Poe Tribute will take place at 12:00 noon SLT on Thursday, January 19th. Thereafter, the exhibition will remain open for around two months.

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