Category: Art in Second Life

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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Thea and CioTToLiNa at The Living Room

Posted on by Inara Pey
CioTToLiNa Xue at The Living Room
CioTToLiNa Xue at The Living Room

Now open at The Living Room, the delightful art and music venue operated by Owl, Daallee and Nora, is a new double-header exhibition, one I’m particularly please to see take place, featuring as it does the work of sculptress CioTToLiNa Xue, who is displaying her work alongside the equally eye-catching 2D art of Thea Maiman.

Regular readers here will know of my appreciation of CioTToLiNa’s art, which I first encountered whilst visiting an exhibition of Mistro Hifeng’s work. I was immediately struck by her emerging ability to present emotive studies; so much so, that I was determined to have her display her work at my 2015 LEA installation, Impressions – and remain pleased that she accepted my invitation to so do.

CioTToLiNa Xue at The Living Room
CioTToLiNa Xue at The Living Room

Entirely self-taught, CioTToLiNa has been learning 3D and 2D techniques over the course of the last year, between intensive university studies in veterinary medicine. Extremely shy, she believes she still has a lot to learn and is hoping to further refine her skills. This may be true – creativity as always an evolving process after all; but I think it fair to say her abilities are already self-evident, as the pieces displayed at The Living Room demonstrate. For me, it’s an absolute pleasure to see more people taking an interest in her work and offering her opportunities to exhibit – long may it continue!

I am a little ashamed to admit that prior to visiting the Living Room I was nowhere near as well acquainted with Thea Maiman’s work as I am with CioTToLiNa’s – however, my visit has certainly rectified that! Thea’s work focuses on avatar studies, with those presented in this exhibition richly textured and evocative in both style and study.

Thea
Thea Maiman at The Living Room

Thea says of her work that she finds her inspiration in melancholy and darkness, although light and colours can also move her as well. All of these are evident in the works on display at The Living Room, where the idea of darkness can be interpreted through the use of her subject’s eyes being obscured by dark make-up or covered by a blindfold, while  other images contrast this in the use of colour, whilst sometimes simultaneously conveying a sense of the subject being on their own, which pushes slightly at the idea of melancholy.

None of the above should be taken to mean the images are in any way depressing – far from it. There is a vibrancy and life within Thea’s work which contrasts strongly with her stated sources of inspiration, and which makes them a delight to see.

Thea
Thea Maiman at The Living Room

CioTToLiNa and Thea will remain at The Living Room through until Tuesday, February 23rd, depressing; when a closing party will be held, featuring the music of Lazarus Doghouse. And don’t forget the Thursday Music Party at The Living Room, which this month takes place on Thursday, February 18th, and features Agusto Napoli at 17:00 SLT, followed by The Vinnie Show! at 18:0 SLT.

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Terrygold’s visions in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Onirica - +Black Label Exhibitions Corner+
Onirica – +Black Label Exhibitions Corner+

Onirica, literally meaning “dream”, is the latest exhibition to be hosted at the +Black Label Exhibition Corner+. It features the work of Italian artist Terrygold, who also curates the Art on Roofs exhibition space at Solo Donna.

It was at Solo Donna that I first became acquainted with Terrygold’s remarkable images, during her exhibition Ceramic Dolls, which I reviewed here. At the time I was struck by the exquisite beauty of her avatar studies, and I’m pleased to say that Onirica continues in a similar vein, further illustrating her skill and artistry with design, composition and imagery.

Onirica - +Black Label Exhibitions Corner+
Onirica – +Black Label Exhibitions Corner+

The majority of art is displayed with two rooms of an exhibit space which itself forms an overall part of Onirica, and which perhaps suggests different states of vision.

In the first – which forms the arrival point – is bathed in turquoise light and features 11 pieces arranged along two walls of a room bearing a subtle hint of science-fiction about it.  Most of the pieces here are in colour, and feature Terrygold herself as the model. Two of the pieces, locating among the six lining one wall, carry an echo of Ceramic Dolls, offering something of a link between the two exhibitions, whilst two others have clearly been composed within the Onirica spaces, as is one of the pieces on the facing wall.

Onirica - +Black Label Exhibitions Corner+
Onirica – +Black Label Exhibitions Corner+

This room also features a sixth image, framed and hanging at the far end, relative to the landing point. This presents a dramatic study of a nude Terrygold standing within a room pock-marked with dimples in the floor, into which frozen drops of liquid appear to be falling, trailing long strands behind them, which disappear into the darkness overhead.

An arrow on the floor invites you to step through the picture. Doing so leads you into this room of drops, the turquoise space you have just left now framed on the wall behind you, suggesting a move from one state of dreaming to another. A single framed image lies in front of you, a further arrow inviting you to step through it. But before you do, be sure to try the poseball floating amidst the frozen drops, and become a part of Terrygold’s art yourself.

Onirica - +Black Label Exhibitions Corner+
Onirica – +Black Label Exhibitions Corner+

The third room contains a large colourful mobile surrounded by 16 further images spaced around the walls, the majority in black and white.  Some of these images again carry faint echoes of Ceramic Dolls, featuring as they a porcelain-like Terrygold. At the same time the images here are all quite individual, standing distinct from her earlier exhibition, each of them an evocative study guaranteed to capture and hold one’s attention.

Terrygold describes herself as “a builder, interested in art”. I think she is being too modest. Onirica demonstrates that in both her images and her designs, Terrygold is very much an artist first and foremost; the blending of setting and pictures within this exhibition is simply exquisite.

Onirica - +Black Label Exhibitions Corner+
Onirica – +Black Label Exhibitions Corner+

Onirica remains open through until Friday, February 12th, and is not to be missed.

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