Category: Reviews

Yasminia: pastoral peace in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

Yasminia; Inara Pey, September 2016, on Flickr Yasminia – click any image for full size

“The plan was to close it, but I don’t mind people coming to see it really,” Busta (BadboyHi) says of Yasminia, his homestead region. He’d originally opened it to public access for a limited time, the original intention being to close at the end of August. However, When I dropped in recently, it was still accesible and Busta indicated there was no immediate plan to close. “So yes, you are welcome to come see :)”, he told me.

I’d actually come across Yasimina via Loverdag’s fabulous photos of the region back in August, and dropped in shortly before the end of the month to have a look around for myself. I didn’t blog then because of the word it would be closing. However, Following Busta’s confirmation, I jumped back for another explore and a round of picture-taking.

Yasminia; Inara Pey, September 2016, on Flickr Yasminia

This is a simple pastoral region, offering a landscape idea for wandering and escaping the world and which rolls from rocky hills to low-lying pastures cut by waterlogged land and channels spanned by wooden bridges; a place where trees offer shade from the sun and rutted tracks lead the visitor onwards and the air is vibrant with nature’s many sounds.

A farmhouse sits on a ledge of rocky land on the east side of the region, where the sails of a windmill turn in a gentle breeze, and ducks, geese and chickens wander the grassy yard. Down a path and a track from here – visitors have a choice of routes – fields sit alongside the calm waters, horses grazing contentedly. A tractor is parked to one side of the tracks, speaking to this being very much a working farm.

Yasminia; Inara Pey, September 2016, on Flickr Yasminia

A footpath to one side of the tractor offers the way down between fences and onward over a small bridge to where apples are being plucked from their trees. A second bridge – this one of stone – then provides the means to reach a little gathering of chairs and sofas at the water’s edge – a place, perhaps, where those from the farm come to sit at the end of a long day’s work. It is one of several little posts visitors might find in their wanderings where they might sit and rest, and if so minded, enjoy a little cuddle.

The beauty of Yasminia is in its simplicity; beyond the farm, the region lies uncluttered with signs of living, yet has enough to offer the curious or those seeking a place to relax with a friend. The trees grow tall, the cuddle spots are widely separated to ensure some privacy, and the footpaths and tracks make for an amiable walk, accompanied by the region’s soft, natural sound scape as the surrounding hills beyond the region give it a feeling of intimacy.

Yasminia; Inara Pey, September 2016, on Flickr Yasminia

The region has a neutral windlight, but the design is such that it offers itself to most settings with equal beauty, making it an ideal location for photography, as I hope my efforts here show, all of which were intentionally taken using a different preset, suitably adjusted.

Many thanks to Busta for offering his creation for us all to enjoy – and a belated happy rezday as well!

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All Is Quiet Now, in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
All is Quiet Now – Dathúil Gallery
All is Quiet Now – Dathúil Gallery

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

These opening words from Desiderata by Max Ehrmann, a prose poem possessed of a mythical history of its own, are the thematic foundation upon which Joslyn Benson  (Jolivea Tyran) for her exhibition at Dathúil Gallery, which is open now, and runs through until the end of September 2016.

All is Quiet Now – Dathúil Gallery
All is Quiet Now – Dathúil Gallery

All Is Quiet Now presents eighteen avatar studies, all but one of which are monochrome in nature. Many of these are nude, so may not be suitable for viewing at work. All are finely nuanced pieces, subtle in form and tone, powerful in emotional expression.

“Silence: the absence of sound; silence: the placidity of mind; silence: the sense of being,” Joslyn says of the collection, “Moments of stillness where all that’s left is our own thoughts … and to find comfort in unspoken words.”  it’s a beautiful summation of a series of pieces which perfectly frame the power of silence and expression to convey so much, whether we are with a loved one or friend, or caught in a moment of personal reflection or thought.

All is Quiet Now – Dathúil Gallery
All is Quiet Now – Dathúil Gallery

I frequently refer to narratives and stories when reviewing art; it is something I tend to seek, as it often has as much influence on my response it a piece as either my admiration of the artist’s skill (which, particularly in reference to the artists invited to display at Dathúil, tends to be considerable), or the initial emotional response I feel towards it. With All Is Now Quiet, I found this idea of narrative given additional depth in some of the studies offered.

On the one hand, there is the story we immediately perceive in looking on them for the first time. But on returning to these particular images, a second narrative is so often suggested. Take Once Was, for example, or The Way We Were. Each is suggestive, by title and pose, of regret or sadness; the apparent loss of something between two people. But look away, spend time with the other studies and then return. You many find each of these pieces now  suggests something else: rather than regret or sadness, they represent a moment of pause as those depicted within them reflect on their love for one another and what the other person means to them.

All is Quiet Now – Dathúil Gallery
All is Quiet Now – Dathúil Gallery

Suddenly, we are witnessing not the recognition of something lost, but of something which still very much alive between the subjects of these pieces; with comes the suggestion that. shortly after the image was captured it is acknowledged as figures come together once more in a kiss or a warm embrace. With other images, the shift in narrative comes when we alter our own perspective from that of observer of an image in a gallery, to that of participant in the scene depicted. All of which make these studies, as noted, marvellously nuanced in tone and subject.

Once again, Lucy and Max have brought another extraordinary talent to Dathúil. All Is Quiet Now is an exquisite collection of images, which are individually compelling as well as perfectly evoking the emotional power of silence.  Stunning.

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A frosted Vintage Romance in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

Vintage Romance; Inara Pey, September 2016, on Flickr Vintage Romance – click any image for full size

Vintage Romance, designed by Britain Leigh Knave (Britain Knave), her partner, Marcus Knave (Marcus688) and Nïc Bour  (NicBor), is a place almost literally caught in time, a reflection of the moment at which the coming together of two hearts in love is forever frozen in Timeless Love.

At first glance a near-monochrome, frosted world, Vintage Romance presents visitors with a land of rocky islets sitting over freezing waters and beneath cloud-laden skies. Trees stand with boughs glistening in hoar-frost and wooden bridges span the cold, still waters. However, despite the cold look, this is a place with much to attract the eye and the camera and offers a romantic warmth.

Vintage Romance; Inara Pey, September 2016, on Flickr Vintage Romance

The region has a distinctly west-east orientation, offering something of a narrative around the idea of love and marriage. Visitors arrive on the west side, where the bride’s limousine is parked. From here, the route points eastwards, passing a frozen fountain and under arches of frosted boughs to a small table on which sit bouquets, candles, what might be an order of ceremony book, a camera and photos of a newly wed couple.

Beyond this little tableau, reminding us of the wedding act, the path splits, leftward, across a wooden bridge, lies a reception area with set ready for music, guests and dancing, and completed by a place of honour for the bride and groom. Meanwhile, the remaining path, also spanning the waters on a trestle bridge, leads to the place where the wedding ceremony itself is held.

Vintage Romance; Inara Pey, September 2016, on Flickr Vintage Romance

Open to the sky, wooden doors guard the entrance, a further arched tunnel of trees beyond leading to guest seating and the altar. More trees, trunks bent as with time, line either side of this rocky place, standing as sentinels watching over proceedings – or perhaps as the columns of nature’s church, delicate net curtains draped from their boughs.

Linking these two  – place of ceremony and place of celebration – are further wooden bridges suspended beneath white balloons, the waters between the two islets and the suspending bridges home to Mistero Hifeng’s che ci importa del mondo (we care about the world), a very visual expression of love and cherishing another.

Vintage Romance; Inara Pey, September 2016, on Flickr Vintage Romance

Around these major locations there is much more to be seen. A (tracked) steam train sits to one side of the region, the cab plushly arranged, a “just married” sign hanging from its safety rail, all suggestive of happy couples heading off to honeymoons in romantic locations (in this case, Paris). Also to be found are places to sit and vignettes telling other aspects of that special day.

Whether you’re a romantic at heart or looking for a location just that little bit different from other places you may have visited, whether for photographs or simply to enjoy, Vintage Romance has much to offer visitors. Those who do visit and take photos are asked to share them in the Vintage romance Flickr group.

Vintage Romance; Inara Pey, September 2016, on Flickr Vintage Romance

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The Mask Collection in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
The Mask Collection
The Dirty Grind: The Mask Collection

Now open at The Dirty Grind is an exhibition by John Brianna (Johnannes1977 Resident) entitled The Mask Collection. While it may at first seem to be a modest collection of nine images, it is  nevertheless a nuanced, eye-catching display, mixing the physical and the virtual which challenges us to consider what may or may not lie behind the mask we may wear at any given time.

The images, seven of which can be found within the main room at Dirty Grind Theatre and the remaining two in the foyer area, feature studies of both avatars and people wearing a variety of masquerade and other masks. All have been marvellous finished is style suggesting they are either either painted or drawn, and such is the skill with which this has been achieved, I leave it to you to decide for yourselves which are taken from Second Life and which from the physical world.

The Mask Collection
The Dirty Grind: The Mask Collection

“I wanted a collection that fits the theme of the Dirty Grind,” John told me as we discussed the display. “And to reflect the idea that we can wear masks in Second Life which can both conceal and reveal.”

The idea that we all wear masks, whether in the virtual realm or the physical, is an old one, subject to many debates and discussions on the nature of self, identity and how we project ourselves in different circumstances. Within Second Life, such debates can often become far more philosophical, simply because we have a much greater freedom to project an appearance through an avatar, or to play a role within an environment  without revealing much of ourselves beyond that role. Or equally, through the very act of “concealing” ourselves within an avatar /role, we can gain the security which allows us to project far more of our personality and nature among strangers and acquaintances than we would were we in the physical world.

The Mask Collection
The Dirty Grind: The Mask Collection

It’s an engrossing subject, but truth to tell, even without being drawn into such philosophical ruminations, this is a superb exhibition which should be seen to be appreciated. The images – as noted above, and which are offered for sale at L$400 each – are exquisitely produced; each one has a unique look and style, coupled with a very individual use of texture and colour, which makes it instantly captivating, drawing the visitor into it.

The Mask Collection will remain at The Dirty Grind through until the end of September 2016 – not to be missed.

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Previewing Pandora Resort in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

Pandora Resort; Inara Pey, August 2016, on Flickr Opening September 16th, 2016: Pandora Resort – click any image for full size

Note: this vision of Pandora Box of Dreams has closed.

I’ve admired the region designs by Lokhe Angel Verlack (Jackson Verlack) ever since first encountering Pandora’s Box of Dreams, an evolving series of designs he created, intended to encourage visitors to relax, free their minds, and simply dream. Towards the end of 2015, I was invited by Lokhe’s partner, Miza, to preview their role-playing environment Château Village, which drew inspiration from the World of Darkness universe.

On September 16th, Lokhe and Miza will be opening their latest venture in Second Life called Pandora Resort, which they’ve been working on for the past few months. In their preparations for this, Miza kindly extended another invitation for Caitlyn and I to pay a visit in the run up to the doors opening – and I can honestly say that what we found completely blew us away, presenting visitors with one of the most exquisitely designed regions in Second Life. So much so, that I’ve hopped back daily ever since.

Pandora Resort; Inara Pey, August 2016, on Flickr Opening September 16th, 2016: Pandora Resort

As the region won’t be open to everyone until mid-month, I’m not going to offer an in-depth look here, as that would pre-empt things too much. Instead, I’ll leave my more usual travelogue post for around the time the gates are opened for everyone, and use this article – with Miza’s and Lokhe’s permission – as something of a sneak peek of Pandora Resort, which I hope will whet appetites.

“We really wanted to create something different. Well mostly Lokhe! He really got a wide scope of ideas,” Miza said to me during one of my visits. “He really went out of his way this time to bring something unique.”

Pandora Resort; Inara Pey, August 2016, on Flickr Opening September 16th, 2016: Pandora Resort

“Unique” is certainly a fitting adjective for Pandora Resort, as is “stunning”,  the word which immediately entered my head as I first flycammed around the region. I can say without any exaggeration that over the years I’ve visited many regions in my Exploring Second Life series, and Pandora Resort offers one of the most impressive landscapes and use of ground space, both horizontally and vertically, I’ve ever witnessed. As your explorations take you from paved streets with boutique shops, public gardens and café seating, to rugged paths passing  through clefts and alongside deep gorges, it is genuinely hard to believe everything is contained within the space of a single region.

Pordora Resort is, to use a final adjective, breathtaking. So do make a note in your diaries / calendars for the weekend of Friday, September 16th, and get yourself ready to take a trip and see for yourself? You will not be disappointed.

Pandora Resort; Inara Pey, August 2016, on Flickr Opening September 16th, 2016: Pandora Resort

For those interested, my articles on Pandora’s Box of Dreams can be found here, here and here, and my review of Château Village can be found here.

A Surreal Cube lands in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Surreal Cube - Molly Bloom
Surreal Cube – Molly Bloom

Surreal Cube is a complex art installation conceived by art archivist Art Blue, known for his celebrations of virtual world art and artists, including The Surreal Tower (of which Surreal Cube could be considered a direct descendent), Art Walk on the Moon (which you can read about here) and A Room for Ferrisquito (which you can read about here).

As with many of Art’s installations, Surreal Cube is enmeshed within a lengthy narrative (provided in note card form at the landing point), involving an attempt to save Earth’s art heritage (in this case, works by Molly Bloom) by building a gigantic space ship – the Surreal Cube – in which the art should be preserved. Those familiar with science-fiction and / or Art’s previous works and activities elsewhere may recognise some of the references within the story, such as Vulcanicus and the passing mention of billionaire SR Hadden – who featured in the late Carl Sagan’s seminal (and only) science-fiction novel, Contact.

Surreal Cube - Mistero Hifeng (with the Cube by Gem Preiz as the backdrop)
Surreal Cube – Mistero Hifeng (with the Cube by Gem Preiz as the backdrop)

While the central focus of the exhibit is Moll’s work, the installation includes contributions by Juliette SurrealDreaming (who is also the exhibit curator), Hyde Hackl, Mistero Hifeng, Gem Preiz, and Moewe Winkler., some of which are placed one inside the next, matryoshka doll style. Mistero’s  sculptures are to be found around the perimeter of the region – perhaps those who came together to witness the landing of the great cube ship before it was frozen in time by Dr. Kawoom, who can be found in one corner of the sculpture parade.

The ship itself sits slightly canted over the dark waters of the region, caught in the moment of landing by Dr. Kawoom when it was realised it was too big for it’s intended landing space. The surface of this vehicle, designed by Gem Preiz, features his trademark fractal designs, which periodically change across the cube’s faces.

Surrel Cube - The Cube: Gem Preiz
Surreal Cube – The Cube: Gem Preiz

Within the vessel lies an aquatic environment designed by Moewe Winkler, occupied by alien life forms and over which a ghostly pirate ship stands-to. Here, also, is a short story by Juliette SurrealDreaming, and an LM giver to visit the Second Life Surreal Tower exhibit. At the very centre of the cube lies an enormous egg designed by Hyde Hackl, within which lies a garden and the gallery of some two dozen pieces of Molly’s art (part of which can be seen in the banner image at the top of this article).

If all this sounds a little confusing, visitors are offered a choice of ways to find their way around. The first is to take the Meta Harper chair, available at the landing point. This takes control of your camera, carrying you a visual tour through the exhibit. The second is to use the network of teleport discs found throughout the installation and which offers the best way to examine each element of the exhibit in turn. In addition, there are various interactive elements – poses, a ridable flying horse – to be found and enjoyed.

Surreal Cube - The Egg: Hyde Hackl (with ghost ship in the foreground, added by Juliette SurrealDreaming)
Surreal Cube – The Egg: Hyde Hackl (with ghost ship in the foreground, added by Juliette SurrealDreaming)

The Surreal Cube has a twin available in OpenSim, and the installation will also feature at the Santorini Biennale, running from September 1st through to October 15th, through a video of the exhibit filmed by Wizardoz Chrome. After October 15th, the core of the Surreal Cube will be cleared away, remaining only in OpenSim, and the cube in Second Life used to house further installations curated by Juliette SurrealDreaming.

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