Tag: Art 2020

Currently open at Sisi Biedermann’s Gallery and Garden, where it will remain through most of January, is an exhibition of art and words by the Second Life partnership of Ladmilla and Eli Medier, who between them also curate and manage THE EDGE Gallery.

On display are nine images by Ladmilla, each accompanied by a poem by Eli – part of a growing portfolio of joint pieces by the couple, who complement one another perfectly in brining words and images together to create a story from both.

A photographer in the physical world, Ladmilla admits to initially finding it hard to adapt to taking photographs in Second Life. However, with time and practice she has developed a style of her own, one that is notable in two major ways. The first is in the post-processing of images, in which she often layers-in textures, most of which she has made herself, to give special emphasis to her work, focusing the eye on specific aspects of a piece. The second is the way in which she uses such post-processing, together with the original image, to paint a story rather than just creating a scene; to set the stage our imaginations and emotions are invited to explore.

Eli is a gifted poet who writes mainly in a form of unstressed blank verse to cast a story of its own, allowing each poem to exist independently from the image with which it is presented as well as partnering it. In this way, the poems stand as their own artistic statement, whilst also adding to the narratives to be found within the images – or indeed, having their own meaning caught in time and illuminated by the images. Thus, within the combination of words and art we are effectively given two exhibitions for the price of one, so to speak.

Ladmilla and Eli are presented on the lower floor of Sisi’s gallery, sharing the December January exhibition time with a collection of Silas Merlin’s utterly superb pastel paintings of children in period costume (see: The pastel world of Silas Merlin in Second Life for more on Silas’ pastel work), which can be found in the hall facing Ladmilla’s and Eli’s exhibit. And, as always, the upper floors of the gallery offer an opportunity to share in Sisi’s own art (see: Dropping into Sisi’s gallery in Second Life for an introduction to her work, if needed).

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• Sisi Biedermann, Gallery and Garden (Caisteal Maol, rated Moderate)

Now open in the sky gallery at Monocle Man (take the teleport disk to the gallery if delivered to the ground) is a joint exhibition by Sorcha Tyles and Ninna Dazy, with each artist split between the lower and upper floors of the gallery, allowing visitors to enjoy a natural mix of their art.

Sorcha is both a Second Life photographer and a gallery owner – she runs the Artful Expressions Gallery – and so she might be more familiar to some in hosting exhibitions by other photographers, particularly those who may just be starting to exhibit their work or have been overlooked by “established” galleries.

Ninna joined Second Life some 13 years ago, enjoying the platform for its creativity. As a result, she discovered photography and started taking picture of herself and friends before moving on to capturing the places she visited – although maintaining a focus on her avatar.

For this exhibition, Sorcha and Ninna present what is very much a linked exhibition – they are both close friends – with images provided by each of them that complement one another’s selected portfolio. Both demonstrate extensive skill with the SL camera capabilities and with post-processing techniques to produce images that are rich in detail, tone and with a strong ribbon of narrative running throughout all of them. In particular, soft focus, depth of field, angle and colour.

These are photos that are at once – by virtue of being on display – public statements of Ninna’s and Sorcha’s time in Second Life, and also personal in tone and content. Through them, we’re given insight into their Second Lives.

Each has what might be a defining element in her photos that also sets the two apart, making their respective exhibits individual as well as linked. With Sorcha, this is perhaps her use of camera angle, with notable and effective use of both overhead and low angle shots that add both depth and a certain about of intimacy: through her use of a particular angle, we’re being invited to share in her thoughts and actions. With Ninna is is the use of soft focus and depth of field. Both encourage us to focus on the avatar(s) present in a shot, but also suggest a broader story through what is intentionally only partially revealed beyond the avatar.

Having opened on the 15th December 2019, this joint exhibition will remain in place until around January 3rd or 4th, 2020. Recommended.

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• Monocle Man Sky Gallery (Flying Fortress, rated Adult)

All4Art is a relatively new project set up by Carelyna Resident, intended to encourage the exhibition of art beyond galleries in-world and to make it more accessible to SL residents; a goal the group’s description describes thus:

The vision of this group is to make art inclusive and not limit them to the galleries in SL. This is a group of artists who are driven by the need to express themselves and create art for art’s sake. The artists will show their artworks in public places other than galleries in successive itinerant exhibitions.

– from the All4Art group description

In keeping with this ideal, the group’s latest exhibition opened on December 18th, 2019 in The Whale, a region described as “an urban town set in the English 1970s”, and apparently available for free-form roll-play and photography whilst embracing new age, hippy and biker group elements.

The art is featured across the region, both indoors and out, and so sits as a natural extension of the region’s environment. As a landing point is set, sign posts have been set up to help those interested in the art to find their way around- and thus offer something of a semi-guided tour of the region. The artists participating in the exhibition comprise: CliveDinngham, Katverde, Vivena, Black Rose, Mareena Farrasco, PatrickofIreland, Haveit Neox, Black Rose and Thus Yootz.

The art itself is predominant 2D in nature, and richly varied in content. Katverde and her SL partner CliveDinngham between them present an intriguing set of SL landscapes, some of which offer interesting finishes: looking as though they have been painted on brick or scratched glass or corrugated surfaces. Black Rose, occupying a garden square not far from Katverde and CliveDinngham’s displays, shares more of her physical world paintings, while PatrickofIreland takes up residence in what might be an old industrial yard, his monochrome pieces imaginatively presented as large video advertising boards.

The industrial theme continues with Mareena Farrasco’s urban setting work, mounted on the side of a large warehouse, while across the alley and within a large factory building, Haveit Neox presents Neighbourhoods, a series of 3D models of city and townscapes. Rounding-out the exhibition, Vivena offers a selection of stunning landscape and Thus Yootz a series focused on sea and river craft that is wonderfully evocative.

With much of the art available for sale, All4Art offers an excellent opportunity for collectors and appreciators of art alike to purchase and / or enjoy the art on display whilst exploring The Whale’s urban setting.

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• All4Art at The Whale (Jubilee, rated Adult)

Open now through until December 29th is an ensemble exhibition organised by ViktorSavior. Entitled Out of Mind – Inner Galaxy, it features the work of a dozen Second Life artists.

The art is offered alongside the poetry of Alena Witt, who is also one of the artists, alongside of ViktorSavior. The remaining ten artists are: Amethystreignn, AngelinkaNega, jessamine2108, OrpheusofDarkness, RichardGrataineSuoh, Sleksanas, TaraAers, Ava Jhamin, Lanka Milligan and Vita Theas.

The setting is somewhat ethereal: a temple-like structure with columns of which hold aloft a sky of blinking star-like lights over which clouds pass, mirroring the mist the issues from the base of the columns and above a marble floor, two sides of which are limned with tear drops of light.

The art is set between the columns, alternating on each of the “walls” with poems by Alena. The latter are presented in Russian, but touch a poem to receive a note card with the poem in both Russian and English. The art – up to three pieces per artist, is displayed vertically – again, touch a picture for a note card on the artist responsible.

With the images focused on avatar studies, the exhibition offers an interesting insight into different styles and approaches to avatar art, with fantasy perhaps taking centre stage among the majority of the images presented. The theme stands as a excellent companion to the idea of expression of how we perceive ourselves and projection that inner self outwards and create a world around us we project through this virtual realm.

Small, rich with colour and presentation, this is an interesting and expressive exhibition.

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• Out of Mind – Inner Galaxy (Dragon Sanctuary, rated Adult)

Now open at Club LA and Gallery, curated by Wintergeist are two very contrasting exhibitions of art; the first in 2D and the other in 3D. Both will remain open through into the new year, and make for an interesting demonstration of art and creativity in Second Life.

The 2D art is presented by Reesla Chau, a Second Life photographer from Japan, who offers a portfolio of 16 avatar portraits focused on her own avatar in various locations around the grid. It’s a fascinating series of images richly showcasing Reesla’s eye for creating a scene and her use of angle and soft focus / depth of field.

In terms of the latter, I’d particularly draw attention to Summer Visit, on the wall immediately to the left on entering her exhibition space. But for one or two giveaways around the trees and leaves. it could so easily have been taken in a park in the physical world. Way Back is similarly engrossing due the the sheer realism folded within it.

Others in the series offer a digital take on classical portraiture-as-paintings – notably Windmill, The Moonlit Night and Country Road During Summer Vacation, the latter two of which again demonstrate Reesla’s marvellous use of depth of field. However, what is most engaging about Reesla’s work is her ability to tell a story with her photographs; every one of the 16 here whispers and entire story to those who stand before them.

The 3D art is presented by Moki Yuitza is entitled Rainbow Flakes. It’s a piece best seen with the viewer set to midday, rather than the region’s default time, and with local sounds enabled in order to hear the specially composed music by Daddio Dow.

Describing this piece isn’t easy; perhaps the best means of doing so is to refer to it as a coloured mobile of geometric forms set within a rainbow grid and turning slowly, it’s motion seemingly driven by the the gentle tones and vibrations of the music.

It’s a fascinating piece, potentially hypnotic in form, colour and tone, and should be seen equally from both inside and outside of the surrounding grid in order to be full appreciated. However, fully quantifying it is something that’s very much an individual task. If not a mobile, I’d personally view Rainbow Flakes as a living kaleidoscope, free to change form and colour at will.

Two excellent exhibitions, both not to be missed.

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• Club LA and Gallery (Amano, rated Moderate)