Category: Reviews

When art and stories combine in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Stories at the Park - Holly Kai Park
Stories at the Park – Holly Kai Park

Sunday, June 5th saw the second of Holly Kai Park’s series Stories at the Park, which is run in partnership with Seanchai Library.

Presented by Seanchai Library, Stories at the Park is held alongside each of our Art at the Park exhibitions, and offers writers and poets the opportunity to produce stories and / or poems based on any of the art on display by our Visiting Artists at Holly Kai Park.

Writes are invited to produce a 100-word story (known as a “drabble”), or a poem of up to 100 words on any of the displayed art which inspires them. The collected stories and poems are then read, either by the original author or a member of the Seanchai Library team (if you prefer not to speak on voice) during the Stories at the Park exhibition, which is generally run mid-way through the current Art at the Park exhibition.

The event on June 5th featured Caledonia Skytower, Trolley Trollop and Kayden Oconnell reading stories and poems they and Rosedrop Rust (who was unable to attend the reading due to work commitments) had written to the works of our Invited Artists for the May / June exhibition, Ceakay Ballyhoo, Eleseren Brianna, JudiLynn India, Lantana Silverweb, Slatan Dryke and SisterButta.

The authors  have graciously given us permission to reprint their works in the Holly Kai blog for those unable to attend the event, and this post is to encourage readers of this blog to follow the links below to have a read.

To make things easier, the stories and poems have been split by artist, and each piece is presented with an image of the painting or work which inspired it. In addition, some of the works include an audio recording of the reading for your additional enjoyment:

Holly Kai Park - Stories at the Park and Art at the Park
Holly Kai Park – Stories at the Park and Art at the Park

As things got a little delayed with this session of Stories at the Park, the current exhibition will remain open at Holly Kai Park through until Sunday June 19th – so please do visit and see all of the works displayed by our visiting artists and see the images which inspired these stories and poems first-hand.

Calling writers and storytellers

If you would like to participate in Stories at the Park by submitting one (or more!) stories and / or poems for the next session in July, Please contain either myself or Caledonia Skytower in world for information on what to do. You don’t have to read your finished works yourself if you don’t want to – the folk at Seanchai Library can do that for you – but of course, you’re also more than welcome to read your works if you enjoy doing so.

Our next exhibition at Holly Kai Park will not be starting until early July, so as not to clash with events like SL13B and the RFL of SL weekend (and to allow us to complete some further renovations at the Park!). We’ll of course let those participating in the next Stories at the Park know both the date of the event and when the next exhibition is available for viewing as soon as our artists have set-up.

In the meantime, please enjoy the stories and poems linked to above!

La Vie in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

La Vie; Inara Pey, June 2016, on Flickr La Vie – click any image for full size

“This is actually one I did over a year ago now; I’ve made changes, and decided to reopen it,” Krys Vita informed me when I dropped in to see La Vie, a long-standing region she recently opened to public access, albeit on a temporary basis. “Tre [TreMeldazis] and I did this one together,” she continued, “It’s just too pretty not to share for a while :)”.

“Pretty” is actually too small a term for this beautifully landscaped and presented homestead region. I’d actually be inclined towards “idyllic”. The sandy landscape rises gently from waters which appear to have done much to sculpt its shape, dunes gently inclined across the centre of the landscape from the flat western beach to slightly higher, rocky eastern side, two bays cutting deeply into the land on the north and south sides, wasping the land’s midriff whilst presenting tongues of sandy headlands waiting to be wandered along and enjoyed.

La Vie; Inara Pey, June 2016, on Flickr La Vie

This is a place for lovers and couples; swings and hammocks and love seats hang from bent trees, while coves and dunes shelter snuggle spots which range from upturns rowing boats through tents to little treehouses given a new lease of life as they sit out over the crystal blue waters.

There is an exquisite sense of peace and tranquillity about La Vie which is captivating; everything has been placed and the landscape sculpted to present an incredibly natural setting, one which might be found along any temperature coastline on a fine summer’s day. Breakwaters and fences give the region a sense of order; tall logs arranged as piles prevent dunes collapsing into a bay – and stop the waters of the bay from encouraging them to do so. Up on the east side of the land a small summer-house sits, luggage by the door suggesting that for someone it might be time to leave the sanctuary of beach, tree and sand; the lyrics of Birdy’s Wings on the typewriter adding a sense of regret that they have to do so.

La Vie; Inara Pey, June 2016, on Flickr La Vie

Quite how long La Vie will remain open to the public is unclear, “I’m not sure yet,” Krys told me when I asked her. “I’m debating some changes ;).” However, if you love beauty spots in Second Life, this is one I really do recommend you hop along to sooner rather than later, just in case.

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La Vie; Inara Pey, June 2016, on Flickr La Vie

Cica’s Keys in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
Cica Ghost - Keys
Cica Ghost – Keys

Sunday, June 12th saw the cobwebs dusted away as Cica brought a new installation – Keys – to Second Life, which replaced Arachnid (see my review of the latter for more). It’s another delight from Cica, and also one of her little enigmas which always draw one into riddling what might be represented.

Across an undulating landscape, its services looking not unlike the rough ground of a construction site, Ranged across this is a gigantic network of pipes, steel frames, drums, huge iron grids and container-like cages which either sit on slender poles or are suspended from the steel frames. And then there are the keys – dozens of them, huge and differently styled, hanging from steel frames on great chains.

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Cica Ghost – Keys

“Keys and locks,” Cica confided in me as she, Caitlyn and I discussed the installation. “Answers and questions. “A key is like answer or solution we all look for sometimes.”

And like questions and answers, often finding the right answer might mean seeking it out from many possibilities – hence the single lock and multiple keys. A further reflection of this idea can be found in the keys themselves, many of which are emblazoned with an initial; thus they encourage visitors to seek out “their” answer – the key bearing their initial.

Sometimes, as Cica also noted to Caitlyn and I, the answer doesn’t seem obvious; we simply cannot see it among the many possibilities. “It’s like we’re trapped in a room,” Cica said, “Just a feeling of being locked in.”

Cica Ghost - Keys
Cica Ghost – Keys

This idea is reflected through the presence of the giant containers. Within each one stands or sits a lone figure, lost in contemplation. They are anonymous in look and dress; they could be the same person, or they could be anyone.

Here also lies the suggestion that sometimes the answers to our questions are a lot closer than we might think, as symbolised by the keys already being in the doors of the containers; all that is required is a gentle push against the door, and all will be revealed. Elsewhere, a figure trapped under the gridwork covering some of the ground stares helplessly skyward to the keys overhead, reminding us of that sensation of having the answer we seek so tantalisingly close, at the very edge of out thoughts, but remaining just beyond our mental grasp.

Cica Ghost - Keys
Cica Ghost – Keys

Keys is another marvellous, layered installation from Cica set within a Windlight environment ideal for the photographer and videographer. When exploring, keep an eye out for places to sit and the various moving parts which bring this landscape to life, and please do consider a donation towards this and Cica’s future work.

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  • Keys (Rated: Moderate)

Journeying through The Looking Glass in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

The Looking Glass; Inara Pey, June 2016, on Flickr The Looking Glass – click any image for full size

One of the most eye-catching fantasy realms in Second Life has always been The Looking Glass, by Marcus Inkpen and Sharni Azalee. The home to their store, the region has always offered a warm welcome to guests, and an opportunity to explore and discover. Hence why I have a habit of hopping back to it and re-visiting (although the last time I actually blogged on it was back in 2013).

Recently Marcus and Sharni completely redesigned the region, and what was once something stunning to the eye and wonderful to explore has become something absolutely enchanting.

The Looking Glass; Inara Pey, June 2016, on Flickr The Looking Glass

The new build retains many echoes of the old, whilst also being entirely original and distinct, carrying within it many reflections of the marvellous builds Sharni and Marcus have provided for recent Fantasy Faire events. The great bridge is still there, for example, with huge arches spanning the landscape below and reaching out across the region. Only now it has been made whole, and its once heavy stone pillars re-wrought in iron and stone. Nearby, islands still float serenely in the sky, offering sanctuaries of solitude for visitors.

On the ground, the land looks as if it has been shaken as if it were a blanket, falling into new wrinkles and folds through which waters meander. The old town with its modern stores and wider streets is gone. Instead, and reached via a stony path across bridges and through trees, which leads the visitor to it from the dockside landing, sits a smaller town. This is really a gateway, wrapping about itself echoes of Lucentia (Fantasy Faire 2016), as it climbs upwards to merge into the Great Tower, which in turn ascends into the sky, dominating the landscape like a benevolent Barad-dûr.

The Looking Glass; Inara Pey, June 2016, on Flickr The Looking Glass

Within this mighty tower can be found the Looking Glass store, and above it, the magnificent Flying Eye Gallery, with all the memories of Fantasy Faire as captured by Alisaundra Andel. Also hidden within its lofty heights lay the Library and its courtyard, a bedroom / workplace and eyrie-like perches  where people might sit and cuddle.

Remain outside of the tower, and you might find your way to the ground-level ballroom, within which sits the memory of Ichi-Go, Ichi-E (Fantasy Faire 2015). Across the water from this, and nestled beneath the great tower lies the familiar sweep and rise of The Dark Tower, one of the commercial buildings offered for sale by The looking Glass. It sits perfectly within the new landscape, and in doing so it also harkens back to the previous incarnation of the region, where it also once stood. Close by sits a house which in turn carries a reminder of Blackwater Glenn (Fantasy Faire 2014), further giving the region that feeling of familiarity – and perhaps a smile – to the seasoned explorer.

The Looking Glass; Inara Pey, June 2016, on Flickr The Looking Glass

To help visitors get around, there is a system of teleport boards which highlight the major locations in the region. But exploring The looking Glass really is best done on foot, with the odd bit of flying. I did this by following the path from the docks to the great tower, then up through the tower to cross the great span of the bridge, and thence back to ground level.

This route has the virtue of keeping your feet dry and minimising flying, while offering some superb views out over the region. It also brings the floating islands within easy reach, as well as directing the visitor on their way to the little coves along the coast with their secluded beaches, and also towards the open-air ballroom. The loop can then be completed up winding path and back to the town clustered at the foot of the great tower, then around and through the streets there.

The Looking Glass; Inara Pey, June 2016, on Flickr The Looking Glass

The Looking Glass has always been a marvellous place to visit, full of visual riches and a special hint of magic. This new design for the region beautifully enhances everything which has always made it a place to visit and re-visit, and added to it a depth of memory for anyone who has loved Sharni’s and Macus’ designs for Fantasy Faire which makes it simply irresistible.

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Galerie 17 re-opens in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
June-5_001
Galerie 17 – Rage Darkstone

Thursday, June 9th saw the re-opening of Galerie 17 in Second Life after a three-year gap, featuring an ensemble exhibition with works  by Angelika Corral, SheldonBR,  Rage Darkstone, Christy Underwood and Flor Nachtigal, the gallery’s owner / curator.

Located in a modern 2-storey structure from the Fanatik range, the gallery offers for main display areas split two to a floor, with the lower level also providing a large, airy lobby space which is also used for displaying art, with the upper level also providing a lounge area.

Rage Darkstone’s vivid abstracts (top image) occupy the lobby area, together two of her very striking portraits. Naturally lit by windlight, these are superb pieces well suited to the display space, enticing the visitor to step forward and explore.

Gallerie 17 - Angelika and SheldonBR
Galerie 17 – Angelika and SheldonBR

The two gallery spaces on the ground floor are given over to a shared exhibition by Angelika Corral and SheldonBR – two artists I greatly admire. One again, Sheldon’s penmanship and Angelika’s photography powerfully contrast and perfectly complement one another, presenting a series of monochrome studies of the female form, which have been beautifully set against the gallery’s lighting, and to a quote from Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida.

Upstairs, the two display spaces are split between Christy Underwood and Flor Nachtigal. Christy presents a set of her entirely computer-generated paintings, which she produces with pen tablet and painter software, much as an artist may use paints and canvas. The results, abstract in nature are striking to both the eye and wall.

Gallerie 17 - Christy Underwood
Galerie 17 – Christy Underwood

Flor’s images comprise two sets of nude or semi-nude monochrome avatar studies. The firs comprises two images taken from a series entitled Adriana, which I assume refers to the model’s name.   These stand on either side of the entrance to the display room, and are quite distinct from the remaining four images, drawn (or forming) a set called Odalisque.

This is a term generally taken to mean a chambermaid or a female attendant in a Turkish harem, particularly the court ladies in the household of the Ottoman sultan, but who were not themselves concubines. However, it can also mean, “an exotic, sexually attractive woman”, and it is perhaps into this latter category that the four images offered here would fall, offering a hint of submission within them, together with an echo of the days of Ottoman.

Gallerie 17 - Flor Nachtigal
Galerie 17 – Flor Nachtigal

Taken individually, each of the displays at Galerie 17 offers excellent viewing; taken as a whole, and as indicated by the positioning of Rage’s images in the lobby area, they form a complementary theme of avatar studies and abstracts which carries the visitor through the gallery.  My congratulations to Flor on the re-opening, and on such a superb exhibition to mark it!

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Visiting an eternal corner of Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

Khaled; Inara Pey, June 2016, on Flickr Khaled – click any image for full size

Not so long ago – March 2016 to be precise – I wrote about my visit to [G]aio, the charming homestead region designed by cambiamento Radikal which beautifully lived up to its name (“cheerful”).

Now Cambiamento is finishing a new region to showcase – Khaled (Arabic for “eternal”) – and he graciously invited me to hop over and take a look. “For me, it’s better that [G]aio!” he informed me as we chatted about the new region, and I have to say, there is an elegance and rugged beauty to Khaled which does make it as memorable as [G]aio – although I would suggest the landing point needs slight adjustment! 🙂 .

Khaled; Inara Pey, June 2016, on Flickr Khaled

Surrounded by tall, steep peaks partially hidden in the misty windlight, Khaled is broadly split into two. The landing point places new arrivals towards (or perhaps on, if the landing point is adjusted!) a rugged tongue of an island.

A single ribbon of beach on one side of the island faces the rest of the region, a curved set of stone steps providing a gentle ascent up the rocky shoulder of the isle to its flat top. Here, a sandy, rugged path cuts west to eat, connecting a small cabin house close to one end of the island with a sturdy stone bridge at the other. Tall and slender Scots pines point skyward across the island, and surround the old Victorian folly standing on the highest point of the island – just a scant couple of metes about the main track.

Khaled; Inara Pey, June 2016, on Flickr Khaled

Across the bridge, the landscape is seamlessly blended with the region surround to present a low-lowing headland thrusting gently out into the water of a lake. This is the home of a small farmstead and a rural railway station. A freight train is passing through, emerging briefly from one tunnel before dipping into the next as it makes its way through the tall mountains. Facing the station, at the water’s edge, sits a landing stage, a rideable motor boat alongside. The dirt road between landing stage and station passes an oval of market stalls.

Rural and serene, with a perfect ambient sound scape, Khaled is also a place with a secret – one that might easily be missed without proper exploration. I’m not going to say too much more on this, as it’s worth discovering for yourself. All I will do is offer a photo and say a trip out on the water is required to reveal it.

Khaled; Inara Pey, June 2016, on Flickr Khaled

I visited Khaled at a time when Cambiamento was still working on the region; he was considering adding further Wildlife and one or two other nips and tucks in order to finish things off.  Event so, at the time of my visit, the region was already eye-catching and suited to a wide range of Windlight settings. I can definitely say that anyone who enjoyed visiting [G]aio is bound to enjoy and appreciate Khaled. Should you do so, please consider making a donation towards the upkeep of the region so that others might enjoy it also.

My thanks to Cambiamento for inviting me to visit 🙂 .

Khaled; Inara Pey, June 2016, on Flickr Khaled

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