We received an invitation from Chic Aeon to visit her new Fortuna Hills Art Gallery, which is not your usual gallery, offering as a does an interesting take on the concept of supporting others.
Currently featuring some 42 pieces of art – Second Life landscapes, close-up studies, pieces processed to present faux art finishes, etc., – the gallery’s display is a rich selection of art by Chic hat she is offering free to anyone who would like to add to their collections / have some at for their SL home.
Fortuna Hills Art Gallery
As a long-time Second Life resident and creator (as well as being active on platforms such as OpenSim and Sansar, Chic explains making the art free as follows:
I have just opened a gallery of free art. There are currently forty works of various styles … hopefully, a range of 2D items with something for everyone.
I plan to add to the gallery regularly and soon have over a hundred works for people to choose from. This is part of a “Pay It Forward” movement that I started years ago in Opensim. I am revisiting the theme and hope others do as well.
– Chic Aeon of the Fortuna Art Gallery
Fortuna Hills Art Gallery
All of the pieces are provided with a resizer script, and the mix of art presented is rich, although I found myself particularly drawn to the SL landscape photographs and her monochrome close-up shots of items, which make for a particularly eye-catching collection of pieces.
Those interested in doing something similar to Chic and paying forward to help others, should best contact her should they need advice (I believe she also has a logo she can offer people).
Currently open on the adult (and BDSM-oriented) region of El Desvan, is an exhibition of photography by Velvetsdreams. I’ll say up front that the subject matter might be considered NSFW by some, but it is nevertheless enticing. I’d also note that for those who may be a little put-off by the idea of visiting a BDSM region, the exhibition space sits on its own, surrounded on three sides by raised terrain and / or curtain walls of rocks, so there is little risk of seeing anything untoward beyond the gallery area.
Open through until February 14th, the exhibition is also BDSM-oriented, although all of the images – whilst some do include nudity – are not overly explicit. Rather, many offer moments in time that emphasis the more sensual element of D/s, while even those that do stray more to the B/D aspect of things are rendered in a manner that leans far more towards sensuality rather than the more physical aspects of this form of activity.
Velvetsdream, January 2020
In this respect, it is the strength of storytelling that makes these images pieces that push aside possible thoughts of voyeurism in looking at them, leading one to consider each piece in terms of the tale into which it provides a glimpse. At the same time, many of the pieces offer a peek into the many themes that can cross through many of the subjects people often associate with the BDSM / D/s lifestyle, including latex, bondage, worship, and pony play.
Throughout all 20 pieces, there is a richness of style from framing through lighting to cropping, that adds a depth of life to them, presenting them less as posed pieces, but as instants in the lifestyles of those depicted within each photograph.
Velvetsdream, January 2020
Provocative, erotic, sensuous and captivating, this is an unmistakably eye-catching and engaging exhibition.
Currently open on the upper floor of Ani’s Gallery is an untitled exhibition by Therese Carfagno that offers a intriguing mix of images and styles, and which runs through until early February.
I say “intriguing” because the art on offer spans everything from SL-focused photography – landscapes and those with something of an avatar-focus – to more sensual pieces that appear routed in the physical world, to more abstracted pieces mindful of Jackson Pollack and pieces that carry a strong surrealist element. All of which makes this a creatively diverse exhibition well worth taking the time to witness, one that also includes a hint of Second Life history.
Ani’s Gallery: Therese Carfagno
The latter is most noticeable in Sunrise, Midday, Sunset, Midnight, a four-panel image on the left wall of the the gallery space, relative to the top of the stairs. The four images in the piece show AM Radio’s The Far Away, now co-curated by Ziki Questi and Kinn Kinnaird, all of which appear to include AM himself (at least going by the top hat) as one of the two figures standing in the wheat field.
A further reminder of AM Radio can be found within the poster facing the top of the stairs, featuring as it does AM’s Mary Poppins outfit. Next to this are two pieces, Sita 1 and Sita 2 that are richly surreal in their presentation of their subject.
Ani’s Gallery: Therese Carfagno
The more sensual pieces appear to mix both physical world and SL studies that offer nudity without crossing the line into outright NSFW. Two sets of of abstract pieces are to be found, both amidst the more sensual pieces – nicely breaking them up – and with the SL-centric images. Three are predominantly monochrome in nature, three in colour. Together they form two sets that re almost triptych in nature, the images in each set following neatly from one to the next.
I’ve not previously witnessed Therese’s art prior to this exhibition, but on the strength of it, I will be looking out for more exhibition of her work.
Monique “Moni” Beebe makes a further return to Dido Haas’ Nitroglobus Roof Gallery to mark the start of the year, with her latest exhibition Forbidden Fruit.
Moni is one of the most sensuous, evocative artist and – given she is generally the subject of her own work – models in Second Life, somthing I’ve noted in the past, as such I’ve been looking forward to seeing her latest exhibition since Dido tipped me the wink that Moni would be making a further return to Nitroglobus. She has the ability to present studies that are rich in mood, sensuality, nuance, story and sexuality – the latter without relying on being blatant provocation. Rather, they are genuine works of art that would be fully at home in any physical world gallery as they would in a virtual setting.
Nitroglobus Roof Gallery: Forbidden Fruit
This latter point is very much proven with the selection of work forming Forbidden Fruit, which marks something of a departure from Moni’s previous exhibitions at Nitroglobus – Hidden Faces , Sensuality, and Changing Moods – in that for some of the pieces here, Moni has found inspiration in the work of a another artist, as Dido explains:
Moni got inspired by a RL exhibition of famous Dutch photographer Erwin Olaf, which she visited last Spring in the Gemeente Museum The Hague. Especially the mood of the early series Squares and Chessmen by Mr Olaf you will notice are reflected in some of the images of this present exhibition.
Such is Moni’s compositional eye that she presents a unique perspective on Olaf’s work (take Stone as an example) which is far from derivative – but which would nevertheless be completely at home in an exhibition such as Chessmen.
Nitroglobus Roof Gallery: Forbidden Fruit
For me, the power of Moni’s work is her ability to offer a tale of sensuality through pose and / or focus on bodily curve without necessarily utilising exposing nudity or full facial expression (which is not to say nudity is not present in some of the pieces here). Take the titular Forbidden Fruit, for example. It carries a rich sensuality that evokes feelings of desire bordering on lust, heightened by the use of clothing and the hiding of Moni’s eyes under the wrap. This particular piece also highlights another maturing aspect of Moni’s work: her ability to layer narrative and images; in this case the pairing of a woman with prominently placed apples offers a suggestiveness of story that reaches all the way back to Eve, the apple and a certain serpent – and what form the knowledge may have taken.
There is also a richness of self about Moni’s work that I again find attractive perhaps more than other artists who produce images using their avatars as models; Moni offers subtle insights into her personality and nature – with the emphasis on subtle. This heightens the response to her work that can reach beyond examining any single image or selection of images, to tickle the desire to know her personally.
Nitroglobus Roof Gallery: Forbidden Fruit
Rounded-out with lounge, a sculpture by Kaiju Kohime that sits perfectly with Moni’s images, this is again a marvellous exhibition by an exceptionally talented artist and visualist.
Fiona’s Reflection, as featured in Art Made in Second Life
FionaFei is a relative newcomer to Second Life and its art world, but she is someone who has made an enormous impression on those who have witnessed her art. I’ve personally had the delight in discovering it, and in writing about it on two occasions (see: Captivated by FionaFei’s art in Second Life (May 2019) and FionaFei’s shuǐmò Reflection in Second Life from November 2019).
As such, it was a joy to see that Fiona and her work are the subject of the first video (embedded below) in the Second Life series Art Made in Second Life (itself a further branching of the Made In Second Life video collection).
FionaFei (via Art Made in Second Life)
Fiona specialises in reproducing shuǐmò ink wash painting as 3D sculptures and setting within her appropriately-named Shui Mo gallery space in Second Life.
Also called shuǐmòhuà (suiboku-ga in Japanese) shuǐmò, uses different concentrations of black ink to create an image. Found throughout East Asia, it first emerged in Tang dynasty China (618–907), before spreading to Japan (14th century), Korea and to India. Beside the use of black ink in place of colours, it is also marked by the emphasis of the brushwork being on the perceived spirit or essence of the subject, rather than directly imitating its appearance.
Through her installations, Fiona marvellously brings the entire essence of shuǐmò to virtual life. In doing so, she allows the spirit of this ancient art form directly inhabit us, by making our avatars part of her work by virtue of our presence within it, whether we participate through direct interaction (as with the umbrellas in the “foyer” area that sits between the pieces referenced in the video (Reflection and Rising) or through our entry into, and exploration of, Reflection itself.
Within pieces like Reflection and Umbrella Landscape, and before them Wo Men Dakai (about which I wrote in Captivated by FionaFei’s art in Second Life), Fiona offers a combined celebration of this ancient form of art, a means of reflecting on her heritage, and an opportunity to present her own philosophy on life, as she notes both through the video and in her own writings.
As a Chinese American who immigrated from China at a young age, I created the Shui Mo series as a way of connecting with my ancestry and celebrate centuries of art from old masters who painted using traditional Chinese ink brush style….
…I see life and my journey as a painting. It can be forever an evolving piece … At any given time, you think you’ve reached the end of it, but you can always add to it, layer it, and change it. In a sense, each brush stroke is like a footprint.
– Fiona discussing her art and her world view
Three of Fiona’s traditional Chinese scroll painting – which are actually 3D sculptures, the centre on animated
What is particularly attractive about this short video (running to just under 2 minutes) is the manner in which it reflects the emphasis of shuǐmò. Rather than dwelling at length upon Fiona’s art, or presenting an in-depth look at her life and how she came to Second Life, it provides broader – dare I say – brush strokes of both. Thus, and like shuǐmò, it captures the spirit of her work and presence hear, rather than more directly presenting the appearance of both, leaving us with the opportunity to discover more by visiting Shui Mo and Fiona’s Flickr gallery.
For my part, I cannot emphasise the sheet beauty and alluring appeal and depth to Fiona’s work, and urge anyone who has yet to witness it to both watch the video and take the time to visit her gallery in-world and fully immerse themselves in her art and vision.
Officially opening on Wednesday, January 8th, 2020, is a new ensemble exhibition at The Phoenix Artists Collaboration (PAC), featuring individual art displays by some 42 artists – making it quite the stop for any lovers of art from both the physical world and the virtual, with the exhibition area offering additional spaces for exhibitions and events.
We share a simple dream and goal, to support and display artists work, so they may flourish and encourage others to do the same, Along this path we hope to make life long friends that form a collaboration to support each other and encourage us all to be the best we can.
– from the Phoenix Artists Collaboration group description
The Phoenix Artists Collaboration: Flamered
Those participating in the exhibition are: Dhyzel, Flamered, Giselleseeker, Lampithaler, Lyric, PatrickofIreland, Ragingbellls, ViktorSavior, Akim Alonzo, Tara Aers, Michiel Bechir, Klaus Bereznyak, Sisi Biedermann, Sheba Blitz, Zia Branner, Ilyra Chardin, Rage Darkstone, Slatan Dryke, Sophie Dunn, Elin Egoyan, Anders Franizzi, Eta Goldsmith, Pearl Grey, Layachi Ihnen, Mcpol Kamachi, Moora McMillan, Mistero Hifeng, Kayly Ilali, Moya Janus, Anibrm Jung (PAC curator), Silas Merlin, JolieElle Parfort, Melusina Parkin, Tom Prospero, Vroum Short, Ambre Singh, Sisi Singh, Tim Timaru, Maloe Vansant, Talullah Winterwolf, Cullum Writer, and yours truly.
The artists have all either been allocated space on the upper floor of the Concourse landing point, or in one of the surrounding suites. The latter are arranged in a 2-level square to provide a total of 36 gallery spaces, some of which are shared between two artists.
Phoenix Artists Collaboration: Mistero Hifeng
To facilitate easier location of individual artists, the lower floor of the Concourse building includes teleport portraits of all the artists displaying their work; just touch one to go to their gallery suite. Casual browsing of the individual suites can be achieved by stepping outside and wandering the streets (the upper and lower levels of which are connected via a spiral stairway in the south-east corner of the square) and dropping into any that catch your eye.
Given the number of artists participating in the exhibition, the breadth of art on offer is as broad as it can possibly get: Second Life landscapes, physical world art (mandalas, abstracts, digital media, paintings, drawings), themed avatar studies, Second Life vehicles, 3D pieces, reflections on SL art installations, images and words, and more.
Phoenix Artists Collaboration: Cullum Writer
Many of the pieces displayed are offered for sale, presenting an excellent opportunity for adding to collections, while (again) the number of artists exhibiting means there are opportunities to catch up with some well-known names and perhaps discover the work of some you may not have previously come across.
When visiting PAC, note that the teleport mat at the landing point provides access to further PAC spaces, not all of which may be in use at a given time (such as the events area). Chief among these is the PAC 3D Gallery, which at the time of writing featured Dressing the Decades, an “historical fashion outfits expo”, with paintings by ViktorSavior (and lists photo by Richard de Grataine Suoh and words by Alena Pit, although only Viktor’s painting were on display at the time of my visit).
Phoenix Artists Collaboration: Yours Truly
The core event at PAC officially opens between 12:00 noon and 14:00 SLT on Wednesday, January 8th, 2020.
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 