Category: Art in Second Life

TerpsiCorps ARTWerks: performance art in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
TerpsiCorps ARTWerks: the muse Terpsichore, presiding over the entrance to the Theatre of the Nine Muses
TerpsiCorps ARTWerks: the muse Terpsichore, presiding over the entrance to the Theatre of the Nine Muses

Caitlyn and I recently received an invitation to visit the new home TerpsiCorp ARTWerks, a relatively new art and performance company in Second Life. The invitation was extended by the company’s founder and director, Cassie Parker (nanki Hendes), and we were more than delighted to accept.

TerpsiCorpsARTWerks has been established with an ambitious vision to become a major force for performance art in Second Life, offering the potential to forge connections between performance art in the physical and virtual worlds whilst also supporting the arts in Second Life.

TerpsiCorps ARTWerks: looking towards the Belly Dance Pit
TerpsiCorps ARTWerks: looking towards the Belly Dance Pit

“From the very beginning, we wanted to create art that actually meant something … art that was more than simple entertainment,” Cassie Parker says of the company in an article she penned for Rez Magazine’s February 2016 edition. “I sought out artists that could bring a unique perspective to their performances, artists that were not only highly sensitive (as most artists are), but that could also bring a sense of intimacy to their performances on stage.”

It a fascinating piece to read, tracing the creative process that led Cassie from a casual introduction to in-world performance art and the SL art scene as a whole, through the formation of TerpsiCorps ARTWerks to their first in-world performance in September 2015, and onwards to the founding of their new base of operations at TerpsiCorps Isle.

TerpsiCorps ARTWerks: Dionysus Workshop Pavilion
TerpsiCorps ARTWerks: Dionysus Workshop Pavilion

The forcal point for this new home is a magnificent sky platform which officially opened on Sunday, February 21st. Designed by TerpsiCorp’s Artistic Director, Chrissy Rhiano, assisted by Cordelia Cerise, it is largely built along the lines of classical Greek architecture and is a work of art in itself, offering a range of public facilities in celebration of the arts.

Visitors to the centre arrive on a stone-paved avenue lined with olive trees and alcoves featuring the nine muses. This is bookended by two stunning theatres, one of which, The Theatre of the Nine Muses, continues the classic Greek theme, its entrance presided over by Terpsichore, one of the nine muses of dance, and from whom the company takes its name. At the other end of the avenue is the Belly Dance Pit, a structure of distinctly Arabian influence, offering an intimate theatre in the round design and which hosts performances of conventional and other styles of belly dance.

TerpsiCorps ARTWerks: Molly Bloom
TerpsiCorps ARTWerks: Molly Bloom

Between the theatres, and set back within lush wooded groves, lie three gallery spaces. Two of these are respectively dedicated to the work of Molly Bloom and Bryn Oh, while the third is offered to emerging artists within Second Life. Most recently (at the time of writing) this housed an exhibition by Lantana Silverweb, who is also the company’s official photographer. Also accessible from the central avenue is the Dionysus Workshop Pavilion, offering both a workshop space and room to host music events.

Nor does it end there. Reached via two flagstone paths flanking the entrance plaza to the  Theatre of the Nine Muses, lies the Trail of the Muses: a walk designed by Cordelia Cercise which takes you around the theatre through eight shrines dedicated to each of the remaining muses. Within the lush wooded gardens there is more so discover: wildlife in the form of giraffe, elephant, caribou, and deer, as well as glades and water features.

TerpsiCorps ARTWerks: the garden wildlife
TerpsiCorps ARTWerks: the garden wildlife

The official opening of these facilities was marked by a performance of the company’s Gothic Opera at the Theatre of the Nine Muses. Such was the interest in the event that some 80 people were in attendance, with more wishing to see it. To this end, an encore performance is to be staged on Sunday, February 28th at the theatre, with curtain up at 19;00 SLT. However, if you do plan to attend, an earlier arrival might well be in order to secure a seat.

There is still some work to be done in support of the company’s activities; as I mentioned to Cassie (although she was already aware), the platform could benefit from some discrete information boards, or have gallery name boards and production advertising offer information note cards. These, I gather will be added. There are also plans for an associated website, but for now the best place to find out more on the company is via its Facebook page.

TerpsiCorps ARTWerks: Theatre of the Nine Muses
TerpsiCorps ARTWerks: Theatre of the Nine Muses

All told, this is a fabulous and fascinating venture, and I genuinely look forward to both witnessing more of TerpsiCorps ARTWerks activities as they continue to develop both their productions and the region, and to reporting more about their activities through the pages of this blog.

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Holly Kai Art at the Park: February – March 2016

Posted on by Inara Pey
Art at the Park, February – March 2016

The second ensemble exhibition in the Holly Kai Art at the Park series commences on Sunday, February 21st 2016, and runs through until Sunday, April 10th.

For this exhibition, we are both pleased and privileged to be featuring the work of five talented artists, who between them offer a rich diversity of art and styles. They are: Goodcross, Hana Hoo, Io Bechir, Sisse Singh and our 3D artist for this exhibition: Mistero Hifeng.

The exhibition will open with a special gala event at the Holly Kai Pavilion – see below for more details.

About the Artists

Goodcross

GoodcrossAnyone encountering images by Goodcross cannot help but be stunned by their richness of imagery and narrative. Covering a broad spectrum of landscapes, images of SL art, avatar studies, and composed pieces, his work is never anything like than utterly compelling.

I first encountered his work at the ever excellent Dathúil Gallery, operated by Max Butoh and Lυcy (LucyDiam0nd), and on seeing it, knew I had to see him display his work at Holly Kai Park.

“I love creativity,” Goodcross says. “The process, the people and the whole gamut of ideation. I’m utterly passionate about it. When I came to SL, I was gob-smacked by the rich graphics. As time passed by, I learnt a lot about not just photography but so many different aspects that you could use your creativity for: building, texturing, making poses, creating lights, flirting (hell yeah that’s creative too! 🙂 ), and finally making strong, enduring bonds with real people. I have been very lucky.”

Hana Hoo

HanaHana Hoo is a woman of many talents: artist, writer, traveller, roleplayer, storyteller and more. Her blogs, The Runes of the Gatekeeper’s Daughter and Desert Mice and Dreams, which focuses on her story writing, are a joy to read.

Hana’s art is often a wonderful mix of the physical and the virtual, the two enticingly mixed to present not so much an image, but a tale; a place where the line between our perception of what is real and what is a dream becomes blurred,the two fading seamlessly into one another.

“I am a storyteller, but at the same time I am very visual because a good image will tell a story of its own,” Hana says of herself. “I love to explore the mystery of light and shadow at play and I’m fond of both woodland and old stones. In SL I began to see some of my own stories reflected in fantasy landscapes, so I began to use some of the images I photographed here with my stories.”

In this, Hana’s work serves as something of a reflection of our own relationship with virtual environments as well; for most of us, the “divide” between our physical and virtual selves is also blurred, a space where we can ebb and flow from one to another.

On first encountering Hana’s work, I was amazed by its ethereal power and beauty, and I’m absolutely delighted that she agreed to be a part of things at Holly Kai Park.

Io Bechir

Io Bechir“My hope is to communicate my impressions with regard to my experiences here over the past three years,” Io says of her display at Holly Kai Park.

“During this time period I fell in love. I met some amazing and wonderful friends. I suffered a broken heart. I came to realise my own strength. I took up sailing. I found my voice as an artist, and discovered new ways to express my Self in this limitless space of ethereal light and imagination. Probably, many of the same experiences you have had.”

The result is an evocative and highly personal series of images, rich in colour, context and narrative, each one very much a story – a chapter, perhaps – in its own right. Thus Io’s display becomes an autobiography in images, embodying each of them with a power to reach deeper into us than had then been merely posed for an audience. Through them we are offered the opportunity to join with Io’s exploration of Self and share in her discoveries.

Io’s work amazed me when I first encountered it, and I’m very pleased she accepted an invitation to participate in Art at the Park.

Sisse Singh

sisseAn established Danish artist working in watercolours, gouache, powder and ink, Sisse has seen work displayed in the physical world in public and private art galleries, culture centres, government offices, banks and offices.

Inspiration for her art comes from many sources: her surrounding, nature, the people she meets and her own imagination, and at Holly Kai she presents two aspects of her work. On one deck is a series of her floral watercolours, each beautiful reproduced; on the other is a display of abstracts, portraits and landscapes. Together, the two decks allow us to witness the rich diversity of Sisse’s work.

All of the pieces are offered for sale, and in a special way: not only can you buy an in-world copy of one of Sisse’s paintings, you can also – if it is available – acquire the original in the physical world. Simply e-mail Sisse at her website, or IM her in-world, with the details of the piece you would be interested in acquiring, and she will inform you of its availability and price.

Mistero Hifeng

MisteroI’ve been an avid admirer of Mistero Hifeng’s sculptures ever since I first encountered them almost two years ago. His gallery space and his exhibitions have been a regular feature in my coverage of SL arts because they are so beautifully evocative and captivating.

Indeed, even if you are not familiar with his name, you’ve very probably come across at least one of his pieces if you are an SL explorer; his work has captured the eyes of many region holders across the grid, and as a consequence, his work graces many public and private spaces.

Mistero’s work presents a subtle blending of realities: very human figures often in very extraordinary – you might say surreal – situations, driven from deep within the imagination. Little wonder, then, that he takes a Tom Watts quote for his profile description:

I can almost always rode both the reality and the imagination. My reality needs imagination like a bulb needs a socket . My imagination needs reality like a blind man needs a cane.

The results of this blending of reality and imagination are frequently extraordinary in look and appeal, richly evocative and perfectly suited to either indoor out outdoor display, and I hope his selected pieces at Holly Kai Park will amply demonstrate the latter.

Gala Opening

Erin68 Frog
Erin68 Frog

The February – March Art at the Park exhibition will officially open at 2:00pm SLT on Sunday, February 21st with a special gala event at The Pavilion, Holly Kai Park (just walk across the bridge from the landing point).

Erin68 Frog and Satin will be providing the music for the first hour, which will be followed by a live stream thereafter for those wishing to continue in the party spirit. Formal dress is requested.

Should you wish to sail to the park rather than teleport, mooring slips are available on the east side of the park, with auto-return set to one hour and re-rezzing possible from the piers.

We look forward to seeing you at Holly Kai Park!

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This post also appears on the Holly Kai blog.

Within the Shadows of a Dream in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Shadows of a Dream - Nitroglobus Hall
Shadows of a Dream – Nitroglobus Hall

Shadows of a Dream is the title of the latest exhibition at Nitroglobus Hall, curated by Dido Haas,  which has a soft opening on Friday, February 19th, and a formal opening on Sunday, February 21st at 12:30 SLT.

The exhibition features the work of two artists, Angelika Corral and SheldonBr, who together present a series of mostly nude, black-and-white avatar studies. These are offered in two contrasting styles, charcoal sketches (by Sheldonbr) and digital images (by Angelika), all of which are presented the very large format familiar to Nitroglobus exhibitions.

Shadows of a Dream
Shadows of a Dream – Nitroglobus Hall

“Charcoal drawings can be seen in the earliest primitive caves of early humans. Digital images are a clear sign of the evolution of the species – the use of computers,” the artists note of the exhibition. They continue, “However, art remains the same; an idea, an attitude; the vital expression of oneself and art isn’t dependent on a specific medium.”

The result is a stunning sequence of images around the walls of the hall which invite the observer, “to question the value of the arts in its more pure essence; the art of representation, using only light and dark,” as they embark on “a poetic journey through the depiction of the figure gesture. It is a representation of the duality between real life and the digital world (the artists prefer this term instead of second life), and the contrast between light and shadow.”

Shadows of a Dream - Nitroglobus Hall
Shadows of a Dream – Nitroglobus Hall

To try to describe the images with dry words is something of a futile effort; they all speak eloquently and clearly for themselves. Each one, whether charcoal or digital, has its own vital essence which is best experienced first-hand.

The gallery space itself also adds significantly to the pieces, further encouraging the need to see them first-hand. Divided in to two distinct spaces by a translucent awash in an animated mist or smoke, the gallery space allows the images on display to be “reflected” in the floor by the use of duplicate images mounted in the space below. This, coupled with the presence of sculptures by the late Nitro Fireguard which are not similarly “reflected” in the floor, adds to the dream-like aspect of the exhibit in keeping with its title.

Shadows of a Dream - Nitroglobus Hall
Shadows of a Dream – Nitroglobus Hall

Shadows of a Dream is a superb offering from two talented artists, and an exhibition not to be missed. Should you wish to attend the formal opening, please be advised that attendees are asked to wear something black and/or white, in keeping with the theme of the exhibition.

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Getting some Funky Junk in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Funky Junk
Funky Junk

Officially opening its doors on Saturday, February 27th,but available to visit now, is Funky Junk, a collaborative environment t between Carmsie Melodie, FreeWee Ling, ElizabethWallington Resident and Dusty Canning at LEA 22.

Described as “a whimsical, post apocalyptic mini-world where trash, waste, bent and broken stuff are truly treasured.  Everything at Funky Junk is made of, or contains, remnant ‘artyfacts’ from the human species that once lived there,” Funky Junk presents a strange environment wherein the stranger creatures have come up with some ingenious methods of farming and manufacturing goods based on the civilisation which preceded them. They also have some decidedly questionable approaches to construction, as visitors will note when touring!

FJ-4_001
Funky Junk

As might be guessed from the description, this is a place where humour very much plays a role in things; it’s also a place where touch and listen is very much the order of the day, as interactive elements are to be found everywhere. The humour can be found at various locations, such as in the toilet paper orchard, where trees blossom with loo rolls, nurtured by grey water obtained by recycling used loo rolls, or in the garden centre, where efforts to grow household plants seem to have been strongly influenced by The Little Shop of Horrors.

This is also a place with a bewildering number of points of interest, So much so that the local blogger, Rusty Steele, keeper of the records at Funky Junk, hit upon the idea of producing a map to help visitors find their way around. Copies of this can also be obtained from the billboard not far from the tunnel arrivals must walk through from the landing point.

Funky Junk
Funky Junk

Funky Junk will be hosting events and entertainment throughout its run, including weekly dances (Wednesdays and Saturdays) at the club located atop a high rocky plateau towards the middle of the installation. There will also be light shows, sim tours, and hunts. Right now, the creative team are seeking performers, DJs; if you’re interested, you can apply via the website.

All told, this is a curious installation; quirky, with a lopsided charm about it, supported by a light-hearted website / blog. If you’re interested in joining in with events held there after the official opening, keep an eye on the Funky Junk events page.

Funky Junk
Funky Junk

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Exploring the City in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
The City
The City

The City is a sprawling 4-region build designed by Betty Tureaud at the LEA. It is a place which at first might seem a little baffling to the casual visitor and those familiar with Betty’s work, which is generally hallmarked by the use of bright, usually shifting, colours and interactive elements.

Here, however, one arrives on a vast desert plain, vast and flat, with only a poem by Betty, delivered via note card, and a whispered instruction to follow the footprints for guidance. Do as the latter instructs, and you’ll come (by way of a skeleton, which has a story of its own to tell when touched) to a DC3 belonging to Adventure Airlines. This will, by the magic of teleporting, carry you away from the desert and to the edge of a city, rising like Las Vegas from a flat plain, albeit this one  covered by the first signs of Betty’s familiar vivid colours.

The City - transport
The City – transport

The City sits at the centre of the four regions, surrounded by the multi hued flat plain. To see this at its best, you will at least need to run your viewer with Advanced Lighting Model (ALM – Preferences > Graphics) enabled. This shouldn’t place too much of a performance load on older / less powerful systems, and it is necessary to have on in order to appreciate The City fully, with colours washing over the tall buildings and across the airships flying overhead.

Some of the buildings in The City may have various degrees of familiarity about them. The western edge is dominated by the instantly recognisable form of  La Grande Arche de la Fraternité, located in the La Défense business district of Paris. Amidst the taller buildings one can also find New York’s Empire State Building, Toronto’s CNN Tower, Malmö’s Turning (or Twisting) Tower, Tapei 101, the tallest environmentally green building in the world and London’s Swiss Re building (often referred to as “the Gherkin” due to its distinctive shape), whilst the Guggenheim Museum, Copenhagen’s Opera House and more and be found as one wanders the streets (do beware of the trains!).

The City
The City

The building can all be touched, offering links to their respective Wikipedia pages in return. The CNN Tower also provides an elevator ride to it top. Other interactive elements can also be found as one tours – a football can be kicked around a stadium, seats in the parks can be sat on, and  pink boxes scattered around the edge of The City offer a neat helicar designed by Betty which can be piloted and carry up to two people. As you travel back and forth between the regions straddled by the build, so to does the time of day change, allowing you to see it under different lighting conditions.

The City is very much an interactive installation, touching and clicking and having local sounds fully enabled is very much required when exploring. It offers an interesting way of discovering more about modern architecture and some of the world’s most famous buildings.

The City
The City

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Windlight moves location in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Windlight Gallery in its new home
Windlight Gallery in its new home

Windlight Magazine and Art Gallery has relocated in-world. Now located in its own region, the gallery remains the centrepiece of Windlight Magazine in-world activities and the home to the Windlight Art Fellowship Programme.

As well as the gallery, the region is home to the Ristorante Ivanna, Chromatic Gallery, featuring the art of Windlight founder and owner, Johannes1977 Resident, office space for magazine staff, and the Tribute and Crown pub, which is conveniently located a short walk from the offices (hey! writing for a magazine is thirsty work, OK?!).

Ristorante Ivanna
Ristorante Ivanna

The region has yet to formally open, but work is progressing apace, with the gallery almost completely set-up, and members of the Windlight Staff gradually moving into the new office accommodation.

As the gallery now occupies its own region, there are a limited number of rental units which will be made available as the region opens. These will be available at L$200 per week, with a 100 LI allowance, and are placed in a prime spot facing the gallery building. Artists wishing to have a studio shop will get initial preference on the units when rentals open.

The Tribute and Crown pub - handy for after office hours - with the boathouse through the trees, where visitors can enjoy 7 seas fishing and other pastimes
The Tribute and Crown pub – handy for after office hours – with the boathouse through the trees, where visitors can enjoy 7 seas fishing and other pastimes

“We’ve decided to make the move so we can house larger art shows,” John told me as we discussed the relocation. “It also means we can support 3D projects as well.” Having a full region certainly gives an added sense of space to the Windlight facilities, and as a member of the staff, I have to admit the new staff offices causes me to get a little creative in setting out my workspace 🙂 .

So, if you have a landmark for the Windlight Gallery, do be sure to hop over to the new location and update it; and while you’re there, why not have a wander around?

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