Category: Reviews

Artistic timbres in second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

 

Slayton Drake: A Palette of Timbres, Cape Able Art Gallery
Slatan Dryke: A Palette of Timbres, Cape Able Art Gallery

Saturday, June 20th saw the opening of a new exhibition featuring the art of Second Life photographer and sculptor, Slatan Dryke.

A Palette of Timbres, hosted at Virtual Ability’s Cape Able Art Gallery, presents 27 images captured by Slatan together with a number of his still and animated sculptures. As might be taken from the title of the exhibition, each of the images on display features strong tonal colours which mark them as much as – if not more so – than their subject matter.

Slayton Drake: A Palette of Timbres, Cape Able Art Gallery
Slatan Dryke: A Palette of Timbres, Cape Able Art Gallery

The result is a series of pictures, many of them of familiar places across Second Life, presented in the most striking of ways, where the choice of colour both projects a sense of texture and tone of mood – much as musical timbre is used to describe the deeper sense of tone and quality evidenced in the sound of music – light, dark, warm, bright, cool, and so on.

Of course, we’re all familiar with seeing colour in art, responding to its use and the way in which the artist makes use of his or her palette; but within several of the pieces here, there is the deliberate over-emphasis of certain colours and shades to present the subject matter in such a way as to almost give it a voice, a sound; perhaps even a harmony. Thus, the observer is offered a glimpse into the world of psychoacoustics which is in many respects, entirely in keeping with the place in which the exhibition is being hosted.

Which is also not to say that one needs to be deeply immersed in the theory of timbre and sound or the use of colour in order to appreciate the pieces on display. Slatan has a fine eye for composition – as fine a composer’s ear for music, one might be tempted to say –  and his images are exquisite in their detail and beauty, which makes them tempting additions for any collection or home.

Should you be interested in owning a copy of any of the pieces displayed, please keep in mind that Virtual Ability is a non-profit 501(c)3 organisation, and is prevented from allowing third parties such as artists from selling directly on their regions; so please contact Slatan directly.

Slayton Drake: A Palette of Timbres, Cape Able Art Gallery
Slatan Dryke: A Palette of Timbres, Cape Able Art Gallery

While visiting Cape Able, do make sure you visit the resource centre there, and learn more about Virtual Ability’s work with the hearing impaired, including their Deaf Chat Coffee house – see iSke’s comments following this article on the work there. Also be sure to visit the Fenimore Art Museum, which is currently hosting an exhibition of the work of American artist and illustrator, Maxfield Parrish.

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LEA announce AIR 9 selection

Posted on by Inara Pey

LEA_square_logo_60On Friday, June 19th, 2015 the Linden Endowment for the Arts announced the successful applicants for the 9th round of the LEA’s Artist-in-Residence (AIR) programme.

They are: Kiesta Aljon, Cica Ghost, Thoth Jantzen, Livio Korobase, FreeWee Ling, Katharine McGinnis, MiaSnow Myriam, Fuschia Nightfire, Artistik Oluja, Caliandris Pendragon, Seafore Perl, Czechoslovakian Resident, Edie1943 Resident, Lacocinelle Resident, Storm Septimus, Pixels Sideways, Surreal Skytower, Misprint Thursday, Lorin Tone and  Michael Wexhome.

Cocytus: the 9th circle of Hell - Frankx Lefavre, AIR round 8
Cocytus: the 9th circle of Hell – Frankx Lefavre, AIR round 8

The LEA received over 40 applications, and those selected were viewed as presenting “truly outstanding proposals that represent a diverse range of virtual art” – and it is pleasing to note some new names within the list of awardees.

The successful applicants will each be allocated a full region within the LEA for a 6-month period commencing on July 1st, 2015. They will then have up to four months to prepare their projects, which range from full-sim immersions, to innovative builds geared specifically for multimedia works such as sound and machinima.

Each installation must be open for a minimum of two months of the 6-month allocation, and it is expected that some will be open in advance of the four-month build deadline. All exhibits must be open to the public by the end of October 2015 at the latest.

City Inside Out Phase II: "Stories" - Haveit Neox, AIR round 8
City Inside Out Phase II: “Stories” – Haveit Neox, AIR round 8

All openings will be announced in the LEA blog.

Reaching the end of a rainbow in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

L'Arc-en-Ciel, WinterFall; Inara Pey, Juune 2015, on FlickrL’Arc-en-Ciel, June 2015 (Flickr)

Asa Vordun has announced that her beautiful and atmospheric region, L’arc en Ciel (“rainbow”) is to close at the end of June 2015.

For anyone who has visited the region through its various iterations, this is indeed sad news; it has been a consistent output of creative vision since it’s original inception in July 2014. For many, it has become a regular destination, with people keen to see and enjoy each redesign Asa has undertaken; all of which have brought forth new delights – some light, some dark, for people to immerse themselves in.

L'Arc-en-Ciel, WinterFall; Inara Pey, June 2015, on FlickrL’Arc-en-Ciel, June 2015 (Flickr)

The reason for the closure is given alongside the announcement. In short: dealing with the muppets of this virtual world and their inability to abide by even the simplest of requests, behaviour-wise, finally took it toll on Asa’s patience.

It’s always sad when something like this happens; doubly so with a place as notable as L’arc. However, Asa’s decision isn’t hard to understand and support; I just hope she’ll find a way to continue give release to her creative flair, even on a smaller, more controlled scale.

L'Arc-en-Ciel, WinterFall; Inara Pey, July 2014, on FlickrL’Arc-en-Ciel, June 2015 (Flickr)

I say this because I’ve been a fan of her creativity for almost two years now, having first encountered it in November 2013, when I first visited her wonderful Caprice and Easy A builds, which offered two truly delightful designs, with whimsy in one and a rich Christmas spirit in the other.

I returned to them again in April 2014, after Asa had completed a springtime redesign, one which still leaves me wondering if it acted as the springboard for her seeking to work on something larger, and thus leading her to create L’arc en Ciel. The latter was utterly breathtaking when it first appeared in July 2014 – as I noted at the time – and as noted here, remained so ever since.

L'Arc-en-Ciel, WinterFall; Inara Pey, July 2014, on FlickrL’Arc-en-Ciel, July 2014 (Flickr)

L’arc is due to close on June 28th, so there is still time to visit – and I really recommend that if you have does so recently or before, that you do so before it vanishes.  In its current iteration, it offers a hauntingly beautiful blend of rural and run-down urban settings caught in a forever dusk as shooting stars streak the sky overhead. A place where the westering  Sun casts shadow long enough to encourage lamps and lanterns to be lit, even as the converted chapel out on the headland beckons one on a pilgrimage along road and over bridge.

At the chapel, one can find a place of sanctuary and peace which, while perhaps not quite in keeping with the religious intent with which it may have originally been built, is still nonetheless soothing to the soul and encourages one to terry for a time.

L'Arc-en-Ciel, WinterFall; Inara Pey, July 2014, on FlickrL’Arc-en-Ciel, July 2014 (Flickr)

Be sure not to miss it.

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A Carnival of the Arts: celebrating 2 years in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

Jasmine's Hollow; Inara Pey, June 2015, on Flickr Jasmine’s Hollow (Flickr) – click an image for full size

Two years ago I visited Jasmine’s Hollow and the Dirty Grind for the first time (you can read about my visit here). Back then it was relatively new to Second Life, offering a community environment blending a mix of styles – rural, small town, steampunk – presenting a mix of residential accommodation, music and entertainment and photographic opportunities, all of which came together to present a rich environment, pleasing to the eye and pleasant to visit.

Since that time, Jasmine’s Hollow and the Dirty Grind have grown into an arts-centric community run by Lisa Witterdoodlesteinbeauchamp (aka (jasmine0alaya) and her partner, Ian Witterdoodlesteinbeauchamp (Ian McConach), offering a unique environment in which live music and the arts are actively encouraged and promoted.

Jasmine's Hollow; Inara Pey, June 2015, on Flickr Jasmine’s Hollow (Flickr) 

To mark the community’s second anniversary, Jasmine’s Hollow and the Dirty Grind is hosting a special 4-day celebration between Thursday, June 18th, and Sunday, June 21st. A Carnival of the Arts will kick-off at The Dirty Grind at 16:00 SLT on Thursday, June 18th, and features live music throughout the weekend, and the work of featured artist, Sina Souza.

While there may be further changes to the schedule (so please check with the official website), at the time of writing the music line-up for the celebrations was as follows (all times SLT):

Thurs 18 June Fri 19 June Sat 20 June Sun 21 June
16:00: KatRose 15:00: Suzen JueL 15:00: Kiesta Aljon 14:00: The Matthew Show
17:00: David Csiszer 16:00: Gypsy Dhrua 16:00: Bat Masters 15:00: Frytown Toughs
18:00: Phemie Alcott 17:00: Neomaximus Brandenburg 17:00: Wald Schridde 16:00: Effinjay
19:00: Anidi Huet 18:00: Winston Ackland 18:00: Shannon Oherlihy 17:00: Beth Odets
20:00: Senjata Witt 19:00: Grace McDunnough 19:00: DJ Chry 18:00: Kinagree Smith
21:00: Gweeb 20:00: Ren & Quai  19:00: Reggie Sunset

Jasmine's Hollow; Inara Pey, June 2015, on Flickr Jasmine’s Hollow (Flickr)

Much has changed in Jasmine’s Hollow since my original post. The rental properties are still there, including the delightful LAQ cottage sitting on a tree platform, but the little town has seen various changes over the years, and there is now a wonderful airship “tram” plying between the ground and aerial locations (The Dirty Grind itself and a quaint old wooden roller coaster). An armoured train appears to be guarding the tram station at ground level, but don’t let it intimidate you! 🙂 .

Radio Grind has a warehouse-like HQ in the region, and you can tune-in to broadcasts via Shoutcast,  or pop inside and use the listening booths to catch the singers and musicians within the community singing through a variety of websites.

Jasmine’s Hollow remains a great place to visit, steeped as it is in music, and with a strong support for art. As a photogenic location, it has a lot to offer visitors, and makes for an enjoyable (and entertaining) visit. So why not find a little time over the weekend to hop over to wish Lisa, Ian and the team a happy anniversary?

Jasmine's Hollow; Inara Pey, June 2015, on Flickr Jasmine’s Hollow (Flickr)

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A small pilgrimage in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
The Tabard Inn, Second Life - your starting point for your very own Canterbury Tales pilgrimage
The Tabard Inn, Second Life – your starting point for your very own Canterbury Tales pilgrimage

One of the books I genuinely fell in love with whilst studying literature at school was Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, the story of a group of pilgrims en route to Canterbury Cathedral and the tomb of Saint Thomas Becket, and the tales they tell one another in order to pass the time on their journey.

Now, courtesy of Desideria Stockton and Royce Sommer, Second Life residents can go on a pilgrimage of their own and enjoy an introduction to the Canterbury Tales and the life and times of Geoffrey Chaucer through their Canterbury Tales Virtual Pilgrimage.

A part of the non-profit Literature Alive! project run by Desideria and Royce, Canterbury Tales Virtual Pilgrimage is a modest, but engrossing activity using point-and-click to inform people about Chaucer, the society of his day, religious views, science, justice, the social classes and so on. Most of this can be obtained within the walls of the Tabard Inn, where in the book, the teller of the best tale will be rewarded with a free meal. It is also at the Inn that one can learn something of Thomas Becket, the 12th Century Archbishop of Canterbury, the reason for the pilgrims’ journey.

Find the crosses to read about 12 of the Tales, then reward yourself with a little prize from a treasure chest for each tale
Find the crosses to read about 12 of the Tales, then reward yourself with a little prize from a treasure chest for each tale

It is in the tavern that the Prologue to The Canterbury Tales can be read (in Middle English, if you like!), which acts as a good lead-in to the rest of the activity. Scattered around the grounds of the Inn are 12 wooden crosses, each one with its own treasure chest nearby. Touch the cross, and you’ll receive a synopsis of one of the Tales. Then, touch the chest if you like, and correctly answer the question it asks about the tale you’ve just read, and you can gain a little prize.

While it may sound simple, Canterbury Tales Virtual Pilgrimage is a great introduction to Chaucer’s book, the synopsis of each tale perfectly capturing its essence and, where appropriate, its humour – many of Chaucer’s pilgrims were a bawdy lot!  I confess to experiencing a flashback to classroom sniggering in reading the outline of The Millers Tale, the humour is so well captured. Also, the mix of tales presented through the virtual pilgrimage captures some of  Chaucer’s ironic finger poking at the social strata of his day.

This is the first of two new projects under the Literature Alive! banner, and I admit to enjoying my meandering through the tall grass of a summer’s field and reading the synopses. Their second is set to be The House of Usher at the SL12B Community Celebration, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for it!

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A sail boat in a bag offers fun in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey
The Shield 1.2 by Burt Artis in my custom red / white finish, and named "Imladris"
The Shields 1.2 by Burt Artis in my custom red / white finish, and named “Imladris”

For those starting-out with sailing – which I enjoy simply for the pleasure, rather than for racing or anything – there are numerous little freebie boats available to help, of which the veritable little Nemo, which can be found in rezzers all over the waterfront in Second Life, is perhaps the most famous.

However, my attention was recently drawn to a relative newcomer to the freebie sailing market by a comment left by ZZ Pearl Bottom concerning the work of Burt Artis. My interest grew following a visit to the Three Pines Sailing School and Resource Centre, where I found a vendor for the boat, and decided to grab a copy and have a look.  And even to my untutored sailor’s eye, the boat is a heck of a lot of fun, and great introduction to sailing in SL.

My Shields boat by Burt Artis in default colours & me sitting in the default boarding pose
My Shields boat by Burt Artis in default colours & me sitting in the default boarding pose

The boat in question is a Shields sloop-rigged keeled racing boat, and is offered in a size pretty close to the physical world boat on which it is based (that has an overall length of 9.19 metres, and Burt’s is 11.29 metres). It’s a mesh build, with a land impact of 27 and is quite packed with features – including two versions of the boat itself: the original 1.0a and the more recent 1.2, which is the one I took out on the water.

For those with an technical inclination, I’m reliably informed via Maiti Yenni that the the sailing engine is based on the original Tako scripts that Kanker Greenacre published, with the WWCmod from Mothgirl. The wind system used by the boat is Zephi Boat Weather, developed by Burt and JoyofRLC Acker. Also included with the package are a set of texture and UV maps (the boat is mod when rezzed, allowing you to customise it). The whole thing is delivered in a neat little sailor’s knapsack when purchased.

Getting underway
Getting under way

On the water, the boat looks good – although barefoot sailing (or in a pair of wellingtons / galoshes!) is recommended, as the floor of the boat can get a little wet 🙂 ). The skipper should board first via the usual right-click and sit, which will place you sitting on the boat with legs dangling over the side, and displays the initial set-up menu, with instructions in the board’s note card manual.

From here, everything is more-or-less operated by keyboard and chat commands. To start sailing, simply type “raise” – this both hoists the sails and rotates you into a position inboard the boat and handling the tiller. If you’re sailing with friend, you my need to issue the “crews” or “crewp” command to get them seated correctly.

Handling-wise, the LEFT / RIGHT keys turn the boat, and the UP / DOWN keys let the sails out or take them in. Colour codes help to understand the sail settings: green – good; cyan is tight and blue is much too tight (so let the sails out); yellow is loose and red much too loose (so bring the sails in). You can also go “in irons” (steering into a headwind), indicated by the wind colour turning orange, which can happen rather quickly, killing your momentum and requiring some careful manoeuvring.

Under full sail
Under full sail

Crew and helm positions can be altered in chat to suit the sail position, using the “hp” (helm port) and “hs” (helm starboard) commands and “crewp” and “crews” (crew can move themselves using the LEFT / RIGHT arrow keys). There are also keyboard commands for setting the angle of the sails, etc., and to “wing” the jib in place of a spinnaker when downwind.

If all this sounds complicated, it’s not – a little practice gets you sailing along nicely and the commands give a good feel for sailing more complicated boats.

Texturing-wise, the maps that are provided are basic, but sufficient to nicely customise the boat for personal tastes. It took me less than 10 minutes to have my Shields 1.2 repainted and named.

My familiar red / white colour scheme applied to the shield 1.2
My familiar red / white colour scheme applied to the shield 1.2

Sailing on my own, I found the Shields 1.2 to be a delight: smooth and easy on region crossings and fast enough when “in the green” without being stupid fast and feeling like it has a secret V8 powering it. The wind system keeps you very honest, and encourages more thought on sail management than simple “raise and go” and manually changing the wind to suit needs. Region crossing with crew did result in us ending up in some odd seating positions, but these were easily corrected via chat / with the arrow keys, and didn’t interrupt sailing.

All told, this is a great boat – one couldn’t ask for more from a freebie; so if you’ve been looking for something to try that offers a little leg room and gives a good feel for SL sailing, why not give the Shields a go? Vendors are available around SL, including at the Three Pines Sailing School – just follow the link towards the top of this article, and wander down to the quayside.