Category: Art in Second Life

Tarot scenes and unfolding stories in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Escenas or Scenes
Escenas / Scenes: Decisiones / Decisions

Currently on display at MetaLES through until the 28th of November, is the second part of a four-part series by Ux Hax and Romy Nayar entitled Escenas / Scenes. Each of the four installations offers a specific scene, potentially all from the same story, but not necessarily presented in chronological order.

I confess to having missed the first scene – entitled EL Tiempo / The Time, which ran from November 1st through 14th, although Ziki’s Questi’s coverage was enough to pique my curiosity. Subtitled  I do not look, do not find you, that we would have mattered while ago…, the piece was at once suggestive of a story in and of itself, albeit on a gigantic scale, possibly influenced by  the classic Major Arcana of the occult Tarot in the form of The Hermit, who appeared within the tableau, together with a clock which appeared to be representing death and standing as a backdrop for the struggles of an old woman who seemed to be losing her fight to escape a sandy mire.

Escenas or Scenes
Escenas / Scenes: Decisiones / Decisions

Now, the second scene, Decisiones / Decisions, brings the tarot and occult influences more to the fore. Subtitled The crow pointed  the way, but the fortune get me away, the installation is once again on a gigantic scale, and features within it several more of the Major Arcana: Justice, The Chariot, The Hanged Man and The Devil.

Together these form what seems to be the outline of a narrative as Justice, her scales sitting on the Chariot, attempts to reach The Hanged Man, surrounded by the wheel of fortune, repeated several times over. Nearby, The Devil rises from the depths, a hand outstretched, possibly intent on stopping her.

All are additionally watched over by a crow, itself a symbol of witchcraft, mysticism and the occult, being variously seen as harbingers and communicators, and various associated with death, mystery, and magic (and The Magician is another of the Major Arcana), as well as being regarded as embodiment of The Trickster. Which capacity this crow fulfils is impossible to tell. Perhaps, as the subtitle suggests, it is telling / pointing the way. Or perhaps it is The Trickster, warning us that all is not quite as it seems.

Escenas or Scenes
Escenas / Scenes: Decisiones / Decisions

I offer absolutely no attempt at interpretation of the scene – I leave that to you when you visit, or for the remaining scenes to unfold and bring their own narratives. What I will say, however, is that when I refer to these installations being on gigantic scale, I mean just that. The figures within them are huge, as the image of me standing alongside the chariot / cart bearing the scales of justice (above) will hopefully show.

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Art in the Park: progress to date

Posted on by Inara Pey
The new pavilion at Holly Kai Park
The new pavilion at Holly Kai Park

In the latter half of October, I blogged about taking on a new role in Second Life as curator of the Holly Kai art park. Since then things have been progressing slowly, as I’ve been contacting artists I’d like to see participate in the park’s re-lunch exhibition, and have been working out how best to change things around at the park without undoing all the hard work already put into it.

That said, things have now reached a point where I’m comfortable in revealing progress to date, and to say that all things being equal, the first exhibition will be launching in early December. I’ll be contacting the artists who participating with details on arranges a little later this week, so they’ll have plenty of time to prepare.

For those used to mooring at the park, you’ll find things have changed a lot; there are new slips on both the east and west sides of the park to accommodate more boats coming alongside. Auto-return is set to 60 minutes to allow people time to explore the park, and re-rezzing of boats is allowed.

The moorings on both the east and west sides of the park have been revised to offer more room for boats
The moorings on both the east and west sides of the park have been revised to offer more room for boats

In addition, some tweaks have been made to the beach area behind the west side slips to give a little more room for those simply wishing to spend time on the beach; there’s still more work to be done with this, but it’s not an immediate priority.

Within the park itself, new wooden decks have been installed to offer artists more formal spaces for displaying their work. Most of these are up on the hill in the centre of the park. The park walls connecting the east and west sides have new lighting which should provide soft illumination during the SL night. There’s also a new stone pavilion where visitors are welcome to rest for a while.

The biggest change, however, is on the west side of the park. As well as altering the moorings here, and at Caitlyn’s excellent suggestion, I’ve added a small venue, the Caitinara bar. Over time, this will hopefully become a place for regular music and dancing for smaller groups.

Some of the new deck spaces where artists can more readily display their work, complete with easels for showing their photo / giving their bio
Some of the new deck spaces where artists can more readily display their work, complete with easels for showing their photo / giving their biography and notes on their work

In talking things through, Nber and I have also decided to add a further arts venue to Holly Kai, which will probably be up and running ready for the 2016. Borrowing a leaf from Windlight Magazine’s book, the new Holly Kai Art Garden will be available free of charge for periods of 25 days to any artist who wishes to use it, with both indoor and outdoor display spaces. In addition, those apply to use it will also be able to book either the Pavilion or the Piano Bar for any associated opening / closing events they might wish to hold.

To help manage everything, there will be a new website launching at the time of the first exhibition in the park, and this will include application forms for those wishing to join in the group exhibitions in the park, or who wish to apply to use the new Art Garden.

Caitinara, the bar at Holly Kai
Caitinara, the bar at Holly Kai Park

I’ll have a further update as the work progresses through the rest of November!

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Windlight Gallery winter exhibition in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
The Windlight Gallery
Windlight Gallery

The Windlight Gallery winter show for November – December 2015 will be opening its doors on Sunday, November 15th, 2015. Taking place in the gallery’s new building, the show features the work of 13 artists and photographers from across Second Life.

The core of the exhibition is focused on the Windlight Artist Fellows for November and December: Bamboo Barnes, Honey Bender, Van Caerndow, Kaijah Chrome, Dawnbeam Dreamscape, Valium Lavender, Wicca Merlin, Benivinudo Moskalev, Twotone Rhiano and Dean Yao. They are joined by Windlight staff and contributors Ilyra Chardin, Inara Pey and Saoirseheart Resident.

Windlight Gallery November-December 2015 show
Windlight Gallery November-December 2015 show

The new gallery building offers alcoved display spaces arranged on either side of a glass-roofed atrium offering plenty of room for visitors to wander and enjoy the art, while the pieces on display for the show cover a broad range of subject matter. Landscape photography and art, avatar portraiture, fantasy and surrealist art and a touch of abstract work are all offered, making this exhibition an ideal visit for those with an interest in still art in Second Life.

The exhibition will officially open at 16:00 SLT on Sunday, November 15th, with a special live performance by Don Devore. This will take place across the road from the gallery at the Ristorante Ivanna, the self-service restaurant and music venue, and run through until 17:00 SLT. Thereafter, the opening event focus will switch to the gallery.  A formal dress code is to be observed.

Ristortante Ivanna will host a live performance by Don during the November-December show opening
Ristortante Ivanna will host a live performance by Don Devore during the November-December show opening

The Windlight Artist Fellowship Programme

As a part of the magazine’s desire to help promote and support artists and photographers, Windlight Magazine and the Windlight Gallery operates the  Windlight Artist Fellowship Programme. This allows artists to apply for free exhibition space at the Windlight gallery for a period of 30 days. Applications are open to artists from across Second Life, and the criteria for acceptance can be found in the Artist Fellowship Programme application form.

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Enjoy nostalgic radio days in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Radio Days at The Far Away (image: Ziki Questi)
Radio Days at The Far Away (image: Ziki Questi)

On Saturday, November 21st friend and fellow blogger Ziki Questi and her partner Kinn will be hosting Radio Days at The Far Away, and are cordially inviting people to pop along.

For those unfamiliar with it, The Far Away is the last remaining build in Second Life by the legendary AM Radio. In their time, his builds were regarded as some of the most striking in Second Life, and rightly so. Constructed in 2007, it is smaller than many of the other installations AM Radio built whilst in-world, occupying as it does just a quarter of a region, but it is beautifully TARDIS-like in execution, the surround bordering the build perfectly scaled to give a depth surpassing the parcel’s size.

The Far Away
The Far Away

With AM Radio increasingly less active in Second Life, It might have been that The Far Away would have passed into history had Ziki not stepped in during 2013 to take over caring for the installation for as long as AM Radio is happy to see it remain in Second Life. Since that time, she has kept the region open to visitors, even allowing those who wish to set their home there so as to have a place to log-in to.

Radio Days is a special celebration of The Far Away, and marks the beginning of what Ziki and Kinn hope might be a regular series of events at the installation. Music will be provided by Gabrielle Riel (of Radio Riel), and will be in keeping with the informal 1930s theme – people are invited to come dressed in 30’s period clothing if they wish.

The Far Away
The Far Away

Commenting on the event, Ziki states, “Since taking on care of The Far Away in 2013, I’ve been gratified by the many people who have contributed toward its support (especially Gardakan Mortlock and Boojum (libtc65)). Donations are very welcome at Radio Days on the 21st but not required. We hope you’ll visit, enjoy the space, open your ears to the music, and see new and old friends.”

Those attending might even get to meet AM Radio himself, who is hoping to drop in, although he is travelling in the physical world.

UWA Pursue Impossible machinima: L$41K in prizes for audience participation

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

Saturday, October 31st marked the closing date for submission to this year’s combined 5th University of Western Australia’s (UWA) Grand Art Challenge and MachinimUWA challenge, Pursue Impossible.

The challenge takes 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. Within the challenge, it calls on entrants to consider what their “impossible” might be. Perhaps it might be something personal, a goal achieved individually or by a loved one or friend. Or perhaps it is consideration of those things we deem to be impossible, but which we may still pursue and conquer as individuals or collectively. Perhaps it is itself a clarion call for us all to face the things we consider impossible and rise above them; or maybe it is an illustration of how virtual environments empower people to visualise, create and push the boundaries of the possible. There are many options and opportunities to consider.

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. With the closing date having passed, the task of judging the entries begins, and with it the opportunity for all residents in Second Life to share in the prizes on offer.

On Thursday, November 5th, the UWA announced the launch of the Pursue Impossible MachnimUWA audience participation challenge, with a prize pool of L$41,000. All you have to do to have an opportunity to win one of the five prizes on offer, which range from L$12,000 to L$5,000, is to watch the 45 machinima entries to the competition, then list those videos you think will finish in the TOP 10 in order 1st – 10th, as decided by the official judging panel.

Entries should be made via note card in-world, passed to Jayjay Zifanwe with your name in the title of the card, together with “MachinimUWA VIII Audience Event”. Alternatively, you can e-mail your list to jayjayaustralia-at-hotmail.com. All entries must be submitted no later than midnight SLT on Sunday, December 6th, 2015.

The full list of machinima entries can be found in the UWA’s Audience Event announcement linked to above. Remember, this is not a popularity vote. Your top 10 entry / entries should be your prediction of who the actual top 10 will be according to the official judging panel.

Winners will be announced at the Grand Finale for the challenge, which will be held 06:00 SLT on Sunday, December 13th 2015.

Love is … at the Living Room in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Gidgy Buckshot (Gidgy Adagio) - The Living Room
Gidgy Buckshot (Gidgy Adagio) – The Living Room

November sees Gidgy Buckshot (Gidgette Adagio) arrive at The Living Room Gallery and music venue with an exhibition of work entitled Love Is…  – and it is a sheer joy.

Many may be familiar with the title, Love Is…, as being used in the cartoon series by the late Kim Casali. This is no accident, as Gidgy explains, “When I was a little girl, my Great Grandmother used to collect a comic strip called “love is”. She’d cut out the comics and tape them into an album. I spent hours looking through her scrapbook. This series is dedicated to my Great Grams. How I miss those moments with her.”

Gidgy Buckshot (Gidgy Adagio) - The Living Room
Gidgy Buckshot (Gidgy Adagio) – The Living Room

Taking their lead from the original cartoons, Gidgy’s pictures present a whimsical and delightful set of scenes shoot with her partner, Wilberforce Buckshot (WilberforceBuckshot). Some of these, like the originals, have been taken with the couple naked, while all of them express the joys of being in love, be it when greeting your partner as they return from a trip, caring for them whilst they are ill, sharing a daring pastime together, missing them when they are absent – even discovering one of their naughty secrets (the Interwebz have a lot to answer for, above right!).

In all, 13 images are presented, all of them for sale, and together they give a charming and touching insight into the lives of Gidy and Wilburforce as an older couple still very much full of the youthful joys of love.

As well as the Love Is… series, and located on the floors above and below it, are further examples of Gidy’s photography which reveal more of her talent, offering a set of visually stunning studies of avatars.

Gidgy Buckshot (Gidgy Adagio) - The Living Room
Gidgy Buckshot (Gidgy Adagio) – The Living Room

Love Is … is a wonderful display of art which captures the essence of the original comic series and offers it through the lens of Second Life in a way that cannot fail to bring a smile to the lips. Alongside of it,  the display of Gidgy’s more formal work present a powerful contrast in styles and approach, and which demonstrate a formidable eye for composition and artistic statement. Together, the two aspects of this exhibition make it one not to be missed.

November will also see Owl, Daallee and Nora hosting musics events at The Living Room, featuring Billy Thunders at 17:00 SLT on Thursday, November 12th, followed by The Vinnie Show at 18:00 SLT. Then, on Tuesday, November 24th, Wald Schridde will be closing out Gidgy’s exhibition with a live show at 18:00 SLT.

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