Tag: LEA News

LEA announces restructure

Posted on by Inara Pey

On Thursday, November 29th, 2018, the serving committee of the Linden Endowment for the Arts gave notices that the LEA will be undergoing restructuring, which will include – for the initial part of 2019 – the closure of the 20 Artist In Residence (AIR) regions currently held by the LEA (LEA 10 through 29).

The core part of the announcement reads as follows:

Come January 1st 2019, the Linden Endowment for the Arts, known as the LEA, will be temporarily closing its Artists in Residence regions (LEA 10 – 29) to allow for a major restructuring.

Over the last seven years, these regions have been open for artists who apply to build their dreams, each for a six month grant. We have seen many great installations here – and some that have attracted controversy.

The nine Core regions (which include the Theatre, the Sandbox and Photohunt) will remain for the present, and short-term grants will still be available in these regions for community-inspired arts projects.

Discussions between the present Committee and Linden Lab about the future form of the LEA are ongoing, but it is anticipated that there will be a new organising committee when the AiR regions re-open.

KÖMA – LEA 22, November 2018 – read here for more

While it is undeniable the LEA has done a huge amount of good for art and artists in Second Life, particularly those who would not otherwise be able to amount large-scale events, it has also not been without its own controversy and for – in some circles – gaining a reputation for being something of a “star chamber” in terms of the committee’s method of operation.

For example, in 2013, just 18 months after the LEA was formed under the tenure of Mark Kingdon as the Lab’s CEO, the former Community Manager, Mark Viale, was forced to step-in after public concerns and reported irregularities with how the LEA was being run. That resulted in the formation of the LEA Committee bylaws. Intended to offer transparency, the bylaws perhaps resulted in the opposite by allowing what were effectively closed-door meetings, few of which generated public transcripts or notes. The bylaws themselves became in part a subject of controversy in 2015, when they were quietly removed from the LEA website when the committee of the time was challenged under them, after a committee member griefed an art gallery (for the record, the bylaws can still be seen via  the Wayback machine).

Second Life 1999 / 2017 – The Story – LEA 25, 2017 – read more here

Given this, some might feel reviewing and revitalising the LEA is something that is well overdue; a view I would share. I would certainly hope that any new committee – allowing for any ideas Linden Lab may have – that may be formed, should the LEA continue, would seek to better engage with the broader arts communities across Second Life, and seek to go about its work with greater transparency with meetings and through the keeping of public records.

In the meantime, those wishing to apply to use one of the core regions, which are available for 3-month grants (longer by arrangement) can do so via the LEA Core Sim application page.

Impressions: a personal view of Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

Impressions; Inara Pey, August 2015, on FlickrImpressions, LEA 6 – (Flickr) – click any image for full size

When Secret Rage approached me in mid-July and asked me to consider producing a full region installation in which to display my images from around Second Life, my first reaction was to refuse. Not out of stuffiness or false modesty, but because I genuinely don’t regard myself as an SL photographer, and am far from convinced the images I produce for blogging purposes are of interest as an exhibit.

However, Secret is a very persistent (and persuasive!) person; so I’m now pleased – and more than a little nervous – to say that my first ever art-focused installation in Second Life is now open, and I’m calling it Impressions. It can be found at LEA 6.

Impressions; Inara Pey, August 2015, on FlickrImpressions, LEA 6 – (Flickr)

So what is this all about? Well, three things, all summed up in the word “Impressions”.

  • The first is a display of my more recent images and videos of places I’ve visited around Second Life – the impressions they’ve given me, if you will.
  • The second is the 2D and (particularly) 3D work of a talented Italian student, CioTToLiNa Xue – work that made quiet an impression on me when I happened across it.
  • The third is the setting itself, an interpretation of and iconic American house of the 20th century, which has long made an impression upon me.

Impressions; Inara Pey, August 2015, on FlickrImpressions, LEA 6 August 2015 (Flickr)

I’m particularly pleased about the second of these bullet points. CioTToLiNa is an extremely modest woman who only started teaching herself 2D and 3D design six months ago, and I think what she is already producing speaks volumes about her developing talent. I came across her sculptures by chance whilst visiting Art on Roofs in July, and was really delighted when she agreed to display her work as a part of Impressions: they add a further depth to the house, the original of which features a range of sculptures and art pieces scattered around the buildings.

The house is a personal interpretation of a place I have yet to visit in the physical world, but have grown to love. I have attempted to be reasonably accurate in my interpretation ot the house and river over which it sits, but the rest of the region is purely made from my imagination, and offers places to sit in the sun or under moon, listing to the music, have a picnic, laze in a hammock, and so on.

Information givers at the landing point and in the great room of the house provide information on the art and images on display. So, I hope you’ll visit and enjoy! Impressions will be open through until the end of September – you’ll probably find me pottering around tweaking things here and there!

Impressions; Inara Pey, August 2015, on FlickrImpressions, LEA 6 August 2015 (Flickr)

There is no preferred windlight for the region – the sounds and lighting are designed to change with the SL day. However, if you wish to use a windlight yourself, I recommend the following for daytime lighting:

  • [NB]-MistyDay-5pm – set the Sun to around 11:00am-3:00 pm.
  • [TOR] MIDDAY – Baskaholic.

In closing, I would like to extend sincere and warm thanks to the following people, without their support, this installation would never have seen the light of day: Secret Rage, CioTToLiNa Xue, Jodi Serenity, Whirly Fizzle, Frankx LeFarve, and John.

With a very special and deep thank you to Cube Republic, whose generosity and support has been truly inspiring.

SLurl Details

 

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.

LEA open AIR 9 land grant applications

Posted on by Inara Pey

LEA_square_logo_60Applications are now open for round 9 of the Artist in Residence (AIR) programme operated by Linden Endowment for the Arts.

Twenty regions (LEA10 through LEA29), donated by Linden Lab and managed by the LEA, are offered under the AIR programme, and successful applicants will be given the use of one full region for a period of five months. The region may then be used on an individual or group basis for such diverse activities as:

  • Full sim exhibitions and / or immersive installations
  • Curated projects, especially those which have a connection to physical exhibitions and events (mixed reality).
Borderlines, LEA24
AIR 8: Lemonodo Oh – Borderlines, LEA 27 – review

Artists are asked to take no more than 3 months to execute their build, so that their installation is open to the public for at least the last 2 months of their grant. However, artists may also open their installation ahead of the three-month build deadline, and many artists in the past have used their land to have multiple exhibits.

The timeline for application as it currently stands is:

  • Application deadline: May 30th, 2015
  • Notification by: June 14th, 2015
  • Sim handover and public announcement: July 1st, 2015
  • End of round: December 31st, 2015.
AIR 8: Haveit Neox - City Inside Out, LEA 20; review
AIR 8: Haveit Neox – City Inside Out, LEA 20; review

The application form can be found at the end of the official announcement for AIR round 9. Those needing assistance in completing the form can refer to some guidelines provided by Honour McMillan.

Moving islands: the movie

Posted on by Inara Pey

Moving Islands [Rafts], a round 5 AIR entrant, 2013/14, curated by Eupalinos Ugajin
Moving Islands [Rafts], a round 5 AIR entrant,conceived and curated by Eupalinos Ugajin, 2013/14
From late 2013 through early 2014, LEA 20 played host to Moving Islands [Rafts], a collaborative art installation, conceived and organised by Eupalinos Ugajin, and which involved more than than 24 artists from across SL.

The task set for each participating artist was to create a piece that freely interprets the central theme of moving islands or rafts.  Derek Michelson provided assistance with scripting and Takio Ra with sounds. The result was a collection of remarkable pieces which were eclectic, quirky, fun, different, provocative, interactive, and more, and which grew and changed through the run of the installation, as Eupa invited different artists to add works, swapped things around, and so on.

Moving Islands [Rafts], a round 5 AIR entrant in 2013/14, curated by Eupalinos Ugajin; seen here: Maya Paris' contribution
Moving Islands [Rafts], a round 5 AIR entrant, conceived and curated by Eupalinos Ugajin, 2013/14
Indeed such was the depth of the installation,  which also enfolded a further collaboration between Eupa and Ole Etzel entitled In The Belly of The Whale, I don’t think my coverage of Moving Islands [Rafts] really did justice to it.

This being the case, I was delighted when Eupa tapped me in-world to let me know there’s now an official video of the project available. I’ve taken the liberty of embedding it here – but do be sure to watch it in all it glory of Eupa’s channel as well. At just under 22.5 minutes in length, it is not short, but like the installation itself, it is an absolute delight to watch, complete with quirky sound track and sound effects which perfectly match to tone and feel of the actual installation.

LEA announce AIR 8 selection

Posted on by Inara Pey

LEA_square_logo_60On Tuesday, December 16th, 2014 the Linden Endowment for the Arts announced the successful applicants for the 8th round of the LEA’s Artist-in-Residence (AIR) programme.

They are: Solkide Auer, Art Blue, Giovanna Cerise, Asmita Duranjaya and Sable, Mario2 Helstein, Mistero Hifeng,  NaTaS Janus, Gracie Kendal, frankx lefavre,  FreeWee Ling, mediciprincess, Whiskey Monday, Haveit Neox, Lemonodo Oh, Krystali Rabeni, Searby, Sniper Siemens , Misprint Thursday, Lorin Tone and Mary Wickentower.

Qualia: The Sentience of Being - frankx lefavre, December 2014
Qualia: The Sentience of Being – Frankx Lefavre, December 2014

The LEA received over 40 applications, and those selected were viewed as presenting “truly outstanding proposals that represent a diverse range of virtual art.”

The successful applicants will each be allocated a full region within the LEA for a 6-month period. They 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 April 2015 at the latest.

Chaos, Kosmos - Giovanna Cerise, December 2014
Chaos, Kosmos – Giovanna Cerise, November 2014

All openings will be announced in the LEA blog.