Category: Art in Second Life

Pursue Impossible: celebrating art and machinima in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Image courtesy of UWA
Image courtesy of UWA / Eliza Wierwight

 

On Sunday, December 13th, 2015, the Grand Finale of the University Of Western Australia’s (UWA) Pursue Impossible was held at the impressive UWA-BOSL Grand Amphitheatre. During the event, over L$500,000 was awarded in prizes to artists, machinima makers and those who took part in the audience participation competitions. The last in an impressive line of grand challenges organised under the umbrella of the UWA, the event was a very special celebration of artistic expression in Second Life.

Pursue Impossible took its theme from the UWA’s clarion call to students in the physical world to achieve their fullest possible potential by studying with the university. For artists and machinima makers it sought to have them consider what their “impossible” might be – personal, part of their lives or those they know, or a consideration of the things we deem to be impossible, but which yet be overcome, or illustrations of how the virtual encourages us to reach beyond the possible, etc.

The Grand Finale was hosted by the UWA’s Jayjay Zifanwe, with the UWA’s art curator, FreeWee Ling also on hand to announce the special Curator’s awards in both the art and machinima categories.

Opening the event, Jayjay said:

Today brings to an end the 6th year of the major art challenges at UWA, with 59 artworks by 61 different artists (2 entries were collaborations) in the running for the 3D Art Challenge and 43 machinima for MachinimUWA VIII: PURSUE IMPOSSIBLE.

As announced on the web previously, this winners ceremony also marks the end of the yearly cycles of major art and film challenges at UWA. UWA still remains, the UWA Art Gallery still remains, and is in fact renewed, as FreeWee will take the helm fully when it comes to art, without me meddling, and we have a new partner for art as well, as the Main UWA Gallery will be renamed the Windlight-UWA Gallery as Windlight Magazine will be providing support for the art initiatives that FreeWee will run in 2016. Much thanks to Johannes1977 for helping to make this happen.

It’s been an absolute pleasure for me to work with all of you over the course of these challenges, and over the years, and especially to those who went above and beyond the call of duty to make all of this a success. Thank you FreeWee Ling, curator of art at UWA & RL Honorary Fellow at UWA. Thank you LaPiscean Liberty, co-host for MachinimUWA VIII, champion of machinima of Second Life. Also much thanks to those who have provided support and sponsorship which sees the overall prize pool standing at more than L$500,000 across both art and machinima.

Audience Participation Awards

There was a total prize pool of L$82,000 for the audience participation challenge, split equally between the 3D art and machinima categories. This saw members of the public invited to submit invited to what they thought the top 10 items in either or both of the categories would be, as decided by the Pursue Impossible adjudicating panel. In all 5 cash prizes were on offer, ranging from L$5,000 to L$12,000 in each category.

Prize 3D Art Audience Participation Machinima Audience Participation
1st Prize L$12,000 Lalie Sorbet Karima Hoisan
2nd Prize L$10,000 Elle Thorkveld Lalie Sorbet
3rd Prize L$8,000 Morituna Watanabe Pearl Grey
4th Prize L$6,000 Pearl Grey Zakali
5th Prize L$6,000 Lira Savira / Vivian Shan (L$2,500 ea) MAagicfairy Merlin

Art Awards

Note that SLurls are given with the titles of all winning pieces, and all the entries into the Pursue Impossible 3D art challenge can still be viewed at the UWA art gallery.

There were no fewer than four 10th places winners, all tied on a total of 16 points from the judge’s selections. The four winners each received a L$1,250 prize and were:

Mistero Hifeng: "Dream", one of the 10th place winners in the UWA's Grand Art Challenge Pursue Impossible
Mistero Hifeng: “Dream“, one of the 10th place winners in the UWA’s Grand Art Challenge Pursue Impossible

The ninth through seventh place prizes, all of L$5,000 each, were awarded to:

Due to a 5th place tie, there was no award for sixth place.

Sharni Azalee 0 PLANET: Earth; RACE: Human
Sharni Azalee: “RACE: Human – PLANET: Earth“, 9th place winner, in the UWA’s Grand Art Challenge Pursue Impossible

The top five winners were::

The Bridge by Alpha Auer - the 1st place winner in the UWA's Pursue Impossible Grand Art Challenge
The Bridge by Alpha Auer – the 1st place winner in the UWA’s Pursue Impossible Grand Art Challenge

UWA Special Prize and UWA Curator’s Choice Prize

In addition to the prizes above, the Pursue Impossible 3D Art Challenge featured three additional awards: the UWA Special Prize and the UWA Curator’s Choice Prize, and Jayjay’s Personal Choice prize, which was awarded to mark the conclusion of the Grand Art Challenges and the fact that since they were conceived in 2009, Jayjay has never had the opportunity to vote on any entries other than as a member of the adjudicating panel. These were awarded as follows:

Continue reading “Pursue Impossible: celebrating art and machinima in Second Life” →

UWA Pursue Impossible Grand Finale: the end of an era in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
The UWA-BOSL Grand Amphitheatre
The UWA-BOSL Grand Amphitheatre

The Grand Finale of the University of Western Australia’s Pursue Impossible 3D art and machinima challenge will take place on Sunday, December 13th, 2015 – and you can be a part of the audience.

The event will be held at the UWA-BOSL Grand Amphitheatre, starting at 06:00 SLT, when the winners, as determined by the judges, in both the 3D art and the machinima categories will be announced.

The challenge took its theme from the UWA’s clarion call to students in the physical world to achieve their fullest possible potential by studying with the university. For artists and machinima makers it sought to have them consider what their “impossible” might be – personal, part of their lives or those they know, or a consideration of the things we deem to be impossible, but which yet be overcome, or illustrations of how the virtual encourages us to reach beyond the possible….

Pursue Impossible - Frankx Lefarve: Child of Light
Pursue Impossible – Frankx Lefarve: Child of Light

There have been some amazing entries in both the art and machinima elements of the challenge, as I hope my coverage of Pursue Impossible n these pages demonstrates.

The awards are open to public attendance, with 59  artworks and 45 machinima in the running for a share of the L$500,000+ prize pool, as well as L$41,000 in prizes available to those who entered the Audience participation Challenge to try to match the top 10 entries as defined by the adjudicating panel (of which I am a member).

However, this will also be a grand finale in another way as well, as it signals the end of the international 3D art & film challenges which have been run in Second Life by the UWA since 2009.  While the UWA will continue within Second Life, and Freewee Ling will continue to run art events as she has over the years, major UWA events in the future will be dependent upon funding being made available.

So, please help make this a very special set of awards, and come along to the UWA-BOSL Grand Amphitheatre.

If you’d like to tour the 3D art pieces entered into Pursue Impossible, you can find a complete list of entries with landmarks on the UWA blog. Similarly, links to all of the machinima entries can also be found on the UWA blog.

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Ceramic Dolls in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Art on Roofs - Ceramic Dolls
Art on Roofs – Ceramic Dolls

Having opened on December 4th, the latest exhibition at Solodonna Land’s Art on Roofs gallery space sees gallery curator Terrygold display some 28 pieces of her own artwork to form Ceramic Dolls.

The art, most of which is black-and-white, and all of which are beautifully posed and lit, presents the female nude, so the exhibition should be regarded as NSFW, although none of the images can be considered overtly sexual; “sensual” might be a more appropriate description.

Art on Roofs - Ceramic Dolls
Art on Roofs – Ceramic Dolls

Featuring (I believe) Terrygold herself as the model, the images utilise colour, shading, lighting and environment in such as way that the model is presented as less a living, nude exhibit, and more a part of the overall “sculpture” – hence the “ceramic dolls” of the title. That said, the finish on some of the images can present a more human appearance, while at least one has a subtle wood-grain effect apparent on the model’s skin, suggestive of her having been carved.

The combined effect of all this to draw the eye away from the nude figure and observe each image as a whole. In doing so, and with some of the images at least, a dichotomy might be created in the observer’s mind. On the one hand, the composition of the images and the appearance of the model as a ceramic lessens the purely sexual response that might otherwise occur on seeing a nude; on the other, the manner in which props are used – pins running through the model, boxes isolating breasts, hands, feet, etc.  – might suggest something of a subtle commentary on how elements of the female anatomy might be seen as purely sexual objects, or the focus of sexual desire.

Art on Roofs - Ceramic Dolls
Art on Roofs – Ceramic Dolls

Even without the more subtle possible connotations, this is a remarkable set of images, exhibiting a level of composition which is breathtaking and very real. So much so, that while I often find in visiting an exhibition I may get drawn back and re-visit one or two images in particular, Ceramic Dolls had me walking camming around and around the rooftops at Solodonna Land, visiting and re-visiting all of the images time and again.

This is a truly exquisite and evocative exhibit, one which runs through until Sunday, December 20th, and is recommended viewing.

Art on Roofs - Ceramic Dolls
Art on Roofs – Ceramic Dolls

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A Slow Reveal in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
A Slow Reveal – Dathúil Gallery
A Slow Reveal – Dathúil Gallery

Running from December 3rd through until December 30th, 2015 is the latest exhibition at Dathúil Gallery, operated by Max Butoh and Lυcy (LucyDiam0nd), and once again it is something to capture the eye and stir the mind.

“Certain moments in our lives become epiphanies,” says artist Goodcross of his exhibition, A Slow Reveal, “I tend to recreate these moments even if they are not from my own personal life. I combine a picture with a song so that they collectively can set a mood for my audience and for that moment they might be connected to me.”

A Slow Reveal – Dathúil Gallery
A Slow Reveal – Dathúil Gallery

The result is some 32 evocative moments captured in time,  each beautifully crafted, and which collectively present images richly diverse in content, but which all exhibit a powerful emotional expression. Featuring shots of art installations, individual pieces of art, painstakingly composed scenes, and intimate moments, the breadth of the content on offer is amazing.

When writing about art in SL, I often refer to narrative in images and works, as that is particularly what appeals to me when visiting installations and galleries – seeking possible threads and stories. A Slow Reveal provides them aplenty; what’s more as you walk through the gallery, visiting and re-visiting the images, you may well find that the story – the very mood – of each image changes as your subconscious is influenced by the mood and tone of the other images. It’s an impact which perfect suits the title of the exhibition.

A Slow Reveal – Dathúil Gallery
A Slow Reveal – Dathúil Gallery

The narrative power of the pieces is evident from the moment one arrives at Dathúil: suspended over the whiskey stills at the back of the hall is a breathtaking piece Leave Their Light On. Such is the power of this piece, it draws one directly to it, and into a semi-circle of five images on easels below, which encapsulate the rich diversity of Goodcross’s work even before one has really consciously acknowledged the images on the walls and upper gallery catwalks.

Each month I’m overwhelmed by the creative talent Max and Lucy bring to Dathúil; the richness of the exhibitions at the gallery have never failed to impress – it’s why I personally rate Dathúil Gallery as my personal favourite in Second Life, and genuinely look forward to the start of each month to see what Lucy, Max and their chosen artist will unveil. However, while every exhibition to date has been a gem, I have to say A Slow Reveal is for me, the most evocative exhibition of an artist’s work I’ve yet seen at the gallery.

A Slow Reveal – Dathúil Gallery
A Slow Reveal – Dathúil Gallery

It is something which definitely should not be missed by anyone with a discerning eye for art. And be sure to check Goodcross’s Flickr stream as well.

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Sky Fire in pictures at The Living Room

Posted on by Inara Pey
Sky Fire at The Living Room
Sky Fire at The Living Room

Now open through until December 29th at The Living Room Gallery is an exhibition focusing on the work of Lexi Marshdevil and Particle Tom, known together as Sky Fire, and who are responsible for some of the most stunning particle shows in second Life.

On display are a series of images taken from the duo’s shows Legend of the White Rock and On Tour with Jed Luckless, which offer insight into the work of Sky Fire in the use of particle shows to both tell stories and provide an immersive visual experience to accompany live music events.

Sky Fire at The Living Room
Sky Fire at The Living Room

The storytelling element of Sky Fire’s work is very much evident in Legend if the White Rock, a tale of young love (albeit that of the son of a sea-god and the princess of a tribe of indians), which as Lexi explains proved inspirational:

Having grown up in White Rock, Canada, the Legend has always been an integral part of my life. Living near the beach, the Semiahmoo reservation, and hanging  out  at the famous white rock itself meant that it was a constant reminder of a wonderful story. As I happened to read the Legend again one night I realised how perfect the concept would fit into a beautiful particle show interpretation. The angst of young lovers, the Native American princess and her life amongst her tribe,  her suitor,  Neptune’s son,  who lived beneath the ocean , and how love would set them free eventually to start a whole new world of their own, that would continue through time.

Sky Fire at The Living Room
Sky Fire at The Living Room

The images from On Tour with Jed Luckless obviously illustrate how music and particle shows can be combined to present a visual and aural extravaganza.

As a part of the exhibition, Jed Luckless will be singing at The Living Room in a 2-hour special mid-month musical event on Thursday, December 17th, starting at 17:00 SLT.

The Sky Fire exhibition will, as noted, run through until December 29th, when there will be a closing party featuring Boney Mosey, starting at 18:00 SLT. Those who have seen The Legend of the White Rock may wish to avail themselves of the opportunity to buy a copy of a book featuring images from the show.

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Signs and portents in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Escenas / Scenes: El Miedo /The Fear
Escenas / Scenes: El Miedo / The Fear

Now open at MetaLES is the third instalment of Ux Hax and Romy Nayar’s 4-part series of scenes entitled Escenas / Scenes. Taken together, all four parts are apparently intended to tell a story, although they are not necessarily being presented in chronological sequence.

While I missed the first in the series,  EL Tiempo / The Time, which ran from November 1st through to the 14th, I did catch the second element, Decisiones / Decisions, which I wrote about here. This has now been replaced by El Miedo /The Fear, which opened on November 28th, and will remain at MetaLES for the next two weeks. And like the first two in the series, it is an installation on a gigantic scale.

Escenas / Scenes: El Miedo /The Fear
Escenas / Scenes: El Miedo / The Fear

Central to the piece is a woman standing in a room. A tall clock sides to one side, a sideboard to the other alongside an open window. Behind her, the door to the room stands slightly ajar, almost beckoning. Towering over all of this is a truly enormous figure of a crouching man, arms wrapped in a straitjacket, while before the woman – who is arrayed in black – a baby’s crib fades repeatedly in and out of view.

The first thing which tends to spring to mind on seeing the main scene – the woman and crib in the room – is that it reflects the loss of an infant child; but what then of the looming figure of the straitjacketed man? What role does he play? The husband / father, perhaps, driven mad over the loss of the child? The cause of the baby’s death? Or something else entirely?

Both Decisiones / Decisions and EL Tiempo / The Time seemed to me to resonate with elements of the Major Arcana from the tarot – The Hermit appearing in EL Tiempo / The Time; with  Justice, The Chariot and The Hanged Man in Decisiones / Decisions. Within El Miedo /The Fear there is what appears to be at least one reference to the tarot; supported in the woman’s cupped hands is a stone tower, perhaps representative of The Tower from the Major Arcana.

Escenas / Scenes: El Miedo /The Fear
Escenas / Scenes: El Miedo / The Fear

If this indeed the intended symbolism, it fits the broader part of the story: The Tower is associated with sudden, disruptive, and potentially destructive change – and what could be more destructive and disruptive than the death of an infant child? But there is potentially more here as well.

The Fool is another card from the Major Arcana, and is more archaically known as  Le Mat or Il Matto, which as well as meaning “vagabond” – the usual depiction of The Fool in tarot decks -, can also mean “the madman.”   Thus, it’s very hard not to see a degree of further symbolism linking this scene with the tarot through the (mad?) man in the straitjacket.

There are two other symbols event in the piece which also appear in the previous parts: time and the crow. Quite how they fit into things is unclear; but in EL Tiempo / The Time, the clock suggested the subject of death to me – and the wheel of fortune elements of Decisiones / Decisions focused around The Hanged Man may have carried similar connotations; so again, it might be a further thematic flow evident here as well, through the grandfather clock as it presides over the woman’s apparent mourning and the fading crib. The crow’s presence, as he stands upon a table might present a two-fold role: that of our narrator or communicator through the scenes, or possibly as The Trickster.

Escenas / Scenes: El Miedo /The Fear
Escenas / Scenes: El Miedo / The Fear

Once again, I offer no attempt to present a complete interpretation of the story – or even this particular scene. With one more piece still to appear in December, it would be presumptuous to offer commentary on the story as a whole, while the notes I give on this scene are more thoughts rather than any attempt at interpretation. If, like me you have been intrigued by the first two parts of  Escenas / Scenes, then I do urge you to see Part III.

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