Category: Art in Second Life

Beguiled by a walk in a park

Posted on by Inara Pey

I was alerted to the Beguiled Art Gallery and Studio on the mainland region of Kakapo by Mona Eberhardt. Never one to miss a recommendation, even if Second Life decided not to play nice with me during the afternoon, I hopped over to take a look.

The Beguiled Art Gallery and Studio
The Beguiled Art Gallery and Studio

The parcel, occupying the greater part of the region, is operated by the Wanted Dead or Alive group / Jilla Lamar, and features the Beguiled Studio (somewhat in need of repair) and the Beguilded Gallery. Between and around them sit the most verdant of gardens, with paths, cobbled trails, gazebos, water, butterflies and more, populated by nymphs, children and Victorian gentlefolk out for a stroll or fiddling with those new-fangled photographical devices.

Be-2_001
The Beguiled Art Gallery and Studio

At the moment, and running through until May 4th, The Beguiled is featuring a Spring Art Walk, offering visitors the chance to follow the paths around the gardens and take-in artwork on display – and for sale – by a number of SL artists and photographers, with a stroll along the paths and trails allowing you to witness work by Skye Donardson, Alles Klaar, partners AugustaMary and WhisperAtNight, Sabbian Paine,  Aelin Quan and Stephen Venkman. At the same time you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the gardens themselves, and the incredible wealth of detail Jilla has incorporated into The Beguiled.

And I do mean “wealth of detail”. This is not a place to be rushed; doing so means that while you may well catch all of the artwork on display along the sides of the paths, you’ll still miss out on a lot – such as the wonderful little scenes Jilla herself has put together and which are reached by short climbs up convenient ladders (although in most cases, I’d recommend camming up to them to fully appreciate them).

The Beguiled Art Gallery and Studio
The Beguiled Art Gallery and Studio

Jilla encourages people to not only visit the garden, but also to use it as a backdrop for their own photography. For those who do so – indeed, for any visitors –  I would pass on a couple of words of advice. Unless you have a graphics card with serious Oomph, you might want to both ramp-down your draw distance (particularly if it is well up into the hundreds) and also think about not running in deferred and / or with shadows active (just turn them on to grab your photos). I found my Ge9800 GT (with a Gb of memory) was tossing textures out of its pram as fast as I could walk around the paths when in deferred.

The Beguiled Art Gallery and Studio
The Beguiled Art Gallery and Studio

Also, should you visit, make sure you take a little time to visit the Beguiled Gallery, where more of Jilla’s own work is on display.

The Beguiled is one of those wonderful mainland discoveries which can be hard to come by, but once found are always treasured. Very highly recommended, and my thanks to Mona for dropping me a line about it.

Related Links

Be-3_001

Raglan Shire puts out a call for artists

Posted on by Inara Pey

artwalk-2013May 5th through May 26th will see the annual Raglan Shire Artwalk take place across the regions of the Shire, allowing visitors to wander along leafy roads and paths, taking-in the builds and in particular discovering and admiring the pictures, painting, sculptures and models on display.

Every year, around 100 exhibitors participate in the Artwalk, and the organisers hope that this year will be no different.

Applications for participation as an artist opened on April 8th, and will remain open through until April 28th, at 21:00 SLT. Artists of all shapes and sizes are warmly invited to participate, and submission of reproductions of RL artwork (painting, drawing, digital fine art, printmaking that can be imported and put on a prim) are welcomed, along with SL photography, manipulated photography and sculpture.

There are a full set of guidelines and requirements for participation in the event, but in brief:

  • The event is a non-juried show
  • Artists can display more than one piece if they wish
      • 2D (“flat” art pieces will be awarded a maximum of 15 prims, and individual pictures should be 1 prim, including the frame
      • 3D art (sculptures, etc.), will be awarded a maximum of 500 prims for up to three pieces of work. Artists are requested to state the number of prims per piece in their application
  • All the above art forms are welcome, but should be rated PG / G – so no nudity, please!
  • Sales of works are allowed
  • Group membership will be required in order to display work
  • Questions should be addressed to Teal Freenote or Liandras Jameson in-world.
The arrival point for Artwalk 2012
The arrival point for Artwalk 2012

Key Dates

  • Sunday April 28th: Applications close at 21:00 SLT
  • Thursday, May 2nd: Notification of exhibit space location issued to artists
  • Friday, May 3rd / Saturday May 4th: Artist set-up days
  • Sunday, May 5th: ARTWALK OPENS
  • Sunday, May 26th: Artwalk closes
  • Sunday, May 26th (after 18:00 slt) / Monday, May 27th: Takedown of works.

All artists wishing to participate can register on-line now!

Related Links

Catharsis once more

Posted on by Inara Pey
Tyrehl Byk
Tyrehl Byk

Update: If you missed the April 6th show, there will be a further performance on Saturday April 13th and 14:30 SLT, same SLurl as below.

Ziki Questi keeps her finger on the pulse of SL art and performances far more closely than I; so I was delighted to drop by her blog and read that Tyrehl Byk will be presenting a special performance of his outstanding Catharsis at 13:00 SLT at Eden Celebration on Saturday April 6th.

Tyrehl’s immersive work has featured is this blog over the years, his work never fails to engaging and enthrall, whether it is an installation piece or performance art – at which he is one of the great exponents.

I first witnessed Catharsis back in October 2011, when Tyrehl was sharing facilities at LEA 6 with Quadrapop Lane, and found myself dawn to watch it several times over. As I described it at the time, Catharsis  is, “Emotional, cleansing and utterly superb” – and it is not to be missed.

Cath-1

This is a fully immersive show performed in a special theatre in which Tyrehl takes control of your camera and takes you on a journey of music, light, particles and images designed to instill the very definition of the word itself, and which lasts for around 20-25 minutes.

As an immersive, interactive piece, there are a few points worth noting in advance – notably that you attend as lightly scripted as possible; there is a lot going on between the server and people’s viewers, so the less personal load either has to deal with the better it is for everyone.

fri-13

Also, and assuming Tyrehl’s two “assistants” may not be on-hand to guide you prior to the performance starting, make sure you sit in one of the chairs provided (they all provide the best view in the house), close any open floaters in your viewer, crank particles to maximum and ramp draw distance to around 250 metres.  Then tap the ESC key a couple of times to free-up your camera ready for Tyrehl to take control when the show starts.

After that, it’s a question of sitting back and just taking in the show (although I also tend to turn the light off in my little home office as well!).

If you’ve never seen this show before, I honestly cannot recommend it enough. See you there!

fri-12_001

Related Links

Down the rabbit hole for Easter

Posted on by Inara Pey

I first came across Ginger Lorakeet’s work at SL9B in 2011, where she had an exhibit on the region of Nove. I find the concept of 3D art in an immersive 3D environment fascinating – so was intrigue to discover Ginger had been selected as one of Artists in Residence for the 4th round of the Linden Endowment for the Arts season of that name – and have been awaiting the opening of her installation.

Putting yo in the frame - Inside Art at LEA23
Putting you in the frame – Inside Art at LEA23

Inside Art opened recently, and is more than worth a visit – not only does the installation feature some of Ginger’s Inside Art pieces for you to enjoy – and be a part of -, it also invites you to follow in Alice’s footsteps, and visit interpretations of scenes from Lewis Caroll’s famous works featuring her adventures. By combining the two, Ginger presents an engaging view of art in Second Life while also allowing visitors to visit some unique takes on Alice’s adventures.

You start standing outside a piece of art which demonstrates a clever use of 3D forced perspective. Nearby is a large magnifying glass – step through it and start your journey!

Inside Art / Alice in Wonderland - LEA23
Inside Art and scenes from Alice’s adventures – LEA23

Rather than presenting “traditional” views of Alice’s tales, however, Ginger has largely opted to go for more unusual interpretations – some of which put you firmly in the role of Alice, particularly after you take a drink from a bottle found along the way, or lick a waiting mushrooms.

Here there is no waiting Queen of Hearts or sleepy attendants at any tea-party (which is not to say the tea party is absent the piece!). However, many of the characters from the stories do appear, if in an unusual guise.

Inside Art - Alice's adventures
Inside Art – a tea party awaits

Scenes are presented to you as you follow a trail through the region, starting with a maze where each turn is worth looking around before you find the exit and move on. Along the way, signs, presented with Carroll-like arrowed hints (“that way”, “wrong way”), ensure you keep to the path (not that it is hard!). As mentioned above, there are also familiar things to pick-up along the way, and which “help” you into the next scene or two. Drink from the bottle before entering one part of the installation, for example, and you’ll appear to share Alice’s experience of shrinking…

Inside Art
Inside Art

This really is a wonderful and whimsical installation which offers those visiting a lot to enjoy as they follow the path to Ginger’s gallery and at the gallery itself, where she presents a number of her works – including some for petites to share – which very firmly put you in the frame of things…

Absolutely worth a visit or two.

Related Links

 

In sight at Insight

Posted on by Inara Pey

Insight Forest is a region that’s bound to attract me – it is largely water, and I love paddling around in water, as many of the destinations featured in the blog demonstrate. It is also the home to a beautiful exhibition featuring works by some of SL’s top photographers, including Whiskey Monday  – whose work i the reason I paid a visit over the weekend.

The other artists featured in the exhibition are Annushi, Sare Ethaniel, Jordan Giant, Kean Kelly, Amelie Knelstorm, Rodriguez Munro and Citta Wiskee, together with the exhibit’s curators, Maclane Mills and Kamelia Snowfield.

Insight Forest
Insight Forest

The exhibition space is beautiful in its simplicity: a grove of bare trees in ankle-deep water with the artists’ work framed and hanging from branches. A sign at the entrance to the exhibit offers an introduction to the works and artists, then it is down to you to walk down the short avenue of trees and then follow the directions to take a clockwise tour. Each artist is announced by a frame bearing their name, and touching the pictures reveals the name of each piece.

Insight Forest
Insight Forest

At the centre of the exhibit is a piece by Maclane Mills, which combines a moving image with sculpture to present a bird rising up from its nest to fly around a tree.

If I have any niggles at all with the exhibit, it is that the pictures themselves are a tad on the small side to be fully appreciated, and zooming in on them in-world doesn’t entirely do them justice. Also, the bounding boxes on the trees can be a tad close together such that you can find yourself bouncing off of them at times. But I stress: these are very minor niggles.

Insight Forest
Insight Forest

For those so-minded, there is a visitor’s book following close to the entrance / exit of the exhibition space, and comments are encouraged.

A short distance from the copse of trees is a little island, offering a quiet haven within a quiet haven and which is itself a work of art, featuring an LP player, a chair, some books and a short ladder.

Insight Forest
Insight Forest

All-in-all, this is a simple, uncluttered and graceful exhibition of art which is well-worth going and seeing. Yes, the pictures could potentially be larger in order to be fully appreciated, as I’ve mentioned – but on the other hand, they are of a scale that matches most avatars, and can thus give a feeling of really being within a unique, open-air gallery.

But rather than take my word for it, why don’t you go see for yourself?

Related Links

Insight Forest
Insight Forest

A Potpourri of art awaiting your consideration

Posted on by Inara Pey

potpourriPotpourri Markets, founded by Taylor Flanagan and Chloe Seljan, today launches a new art series which is both exhibition and contest. It sees twelve artists from across SL who will compete in a series of “rounds”, each round comprising one or two themes.

Each week, throughout the competition, a panel of judges will vote on entries and eliminate one artist from the contests, allowing the rest to pass on to the next round, with the Grand Finalist being announced on May 24th. At the same time, members of the public can vote each week for their personal favourite on the pieces on offer, the winner being the “Designated Public Artist” for the following week.

The competition kicks-off on Sunday March 10th, with a party at the exhibition space starting at 12:00 midday SLT, which includes the opportunity to see the participating artists’ first round entries on the theme of either “skeletons and red fruit” or “rain and hats”.

Potpourri Markets Art Contest
Potpourri Markets Art Contest

The display area is open-plan, covering most of the region, with each artist designated a display area (labelled A through L) bounded by hedges, with green avenues in between. There are also areas offering setting and various (non-contest) sculptures for public viewing.

The twelve artists taking part are: Anthora Toxx (area A), Megan Prumier (area B), Celestine Ghiardie (area C), Mary Kalil (area D), Derry McMahon (area E), Cherry Manga (area F), Oursinette Brunn (area G), Bunyolafun (area H), Sisi Biedermann (area I), Claude Belgar (area J), Domitalia Jinx (area K) and Monroe Snook (area L).

Potpourri
Potpourri Markets Art Contest

Members  of the public can vote for pieces in the exhibition by clicking on the prominent white signs located with each pieces, or by visiting the voting page on the Potpourri Markets blog. Upcoming themes for pieces include pirates, space, Asian, food, gold and silver, Halloween and circuses, so for those who enjoy visiting SL art installations, the event will certainly be worth adding to your places to visit.

The contest will be running from March 10th through May 24th, as noted above – so even if you can’t make it to see every week’s theme, there is plenty of time to explore the installation and enjoy any of the events Tay and Chloe have planned.

Potpourri Markets Art Contest - public space
Potpourri Markets Art Contest – public space

Related Links