Some Current Art Exhibits in Second Life

Tags

Gallery 23, interstellART, Klaus, La Maison d'Aneli, Melusina Parkin, Montara Bridge Works Gallery, Nitroglobus Roof Gallery, Pearl Grey, Pepper Chaffe, Second Life, virtual art, Virtual Chelsea Hotel, Vonniethefox, Wintergeist

Early last week I viewed several current gallery exhibits which I’m going to share the landmarks to so you can enjoy them as well. At Gallery 23 at Virtual Chelsea Hotel six artists are showing work through August. On the left in the photo above is shown work by Pepper Chaffe. On the right are Decayed Maps by Klaus. Other exhibitors are Jim Garand, Gjo Bing, Pi and John B.

At La Maison d’Aneli in Virtual Holland through August are works by Kicca Igaly, Red Bikcin, Vonniethefox, Terra Merhyem and Rage Darkstone. The photo above shows art by Vonniethefox with a glimpse of Kicca Igaly’s in the background to the right.

The colorful pieces by Vonniethefox are animated and I find them delightful.

‘Absences’, a photo exhibit by Melusina Parkin is at Nitroglobus Roof Gallery. The sculptures are by Nitro Fireguard.

You can pick up an intro notecard written by Melusina which begins in part: “Absence is a negative concept: it means that something should be there and it doesn’t. So, when we look at an empty place – a room, a seashore, a road or even a chair – we can’t avoid thinking of something or somebody who has been or will be there. That’s even more true when a world, including nature and landscape, is entirely made by humans, like Second Life does.”

At the AiR Gallery of InterstellART is Pieces of a Whole by Wintergeist. There are colorful pieces exhibiting too, not shown in my photo above.

Last but not least in my mind, are six of my works (plus blackboard texture) at Montara Bridge Works Gallery. Expressing different moods and strategies of my First and Second Lives during this summer, the exhibit is titled ‘Subtle Maneuvers’ inspired by a line in a letter Franz Kafka wrote in 1912: “Time is short, my strength is limited, the office is a horror, the apartment is noisy and if a pleasant, straightforward life is not possible then one must try to wiggle through by subtle maneuvers.”

With the Living

Tags

exhibit, graphic narrative, Klaus Bereznyak, Pearl Grey, Second Life, With the Living, Writing

The graphic narrative exhibit, With the Living, will continue on past the original closing date.

Written by Klaus Bereznyak and illustrated by myself, (SL photos edited in software), the story is based loosely on a soldier returning from the Crimea.

There was an opening event and we were very pleased that the work viewed with interest and discussed with intelligent questions asked.

Most of the photos were taken at Binemust, which has a wonderful variety of scenes that worked for this narrative.

It was an enjoyable collaboration and learning experience. Klaus made a book out of it and I filmed a slideshow. There are gifts available at the exhibit.

With the Living might best be viewed on night setting.

Haunted Summer

Tags

Entertainment, Halloween, houses, Pearl Grey, Photos, virtual destinations

While looking through the destination guide I was a little surprised to see that some frightful places that I looked at last Halloween are available year round. This place is Dark Dharma Haunted Manor. It was nice to be the only resident exploring when I went and I always like to see what folks have done with the Hackberry Hall house.

In this particular picture I was experimenting with the new “Clouds” textures in picmonkey. “Water” is a new texture set with the basic free set-up and “Clouds” is with subscription only. Most of the photos I’ve experimented on don’t look quite right to me but I really love how the above picture turned out.     Pearl took a nap while I was working in another window. She didn’t do any of the hunt or game things, just looked around. Later while she was wandering around in the backyard I wasn’t watching out for her and she was “killed” and teleported home.

This visit happened before she got her three dogs.

SL10B Mesmerize

Tags

behavior, creativity, Pearl Grey, SL10B, time

I visited the SL10B areas of Mesmerize and Exhilarate on Sunday evening with my alt. There were so many photos of Exhilarate that I like so it will get a separate post.

It’s challenging to photograph some of the places because of the surrounding view. I can’t imagine the time and effort that goes into putting these exhibits together; I know I certainly don’t have the skills.

That being said…..many of us want to do so much more than we actually have time and energy for. And life happens. In my head I can plan all sorts of projects but getting them into the physical world….well we all know what that’s like. This is the first SL birthday celebration I’ve been to so I have nothing to compare it to really. I find some of the exhibits rather odd. That’s all I’m going to say.

This evening I took photos in Electrify. Pearl wore Victorian clothes. Later while I was working in another window, she did hang around the Pandamonium 1850 London exhibit at Magnificent #15 like I mentioned yesterday I wanted to do.

Yesterday evening as a bear alt I saw lots of fabulous avatars. This evening, when I was sort of in character at the rp exhibit, it was only very new residents who approached me with questions. They were lacking in manners, patience, appreciation and social graces.  Now I’m back-pedaling from offering to make myself available in that way.  It soured me to the point where I’m unwilling to label where the above pics were taken in Mesmerize.

But I’m learning how to master this particular first life. I didn’t plan on feeling like or finding the time to even attend SL’s tenth birthday. I’m learning to be a lot more careful with what I say I’m going to do. I don’t like rushing and frantically playing catch-up. And I certainly don’t like being involved in things that make me work too hard at hiding irritability. While I sometimes envy those who are very creative in Second Life I’m also relieved that I’m learning not to pressure myself and compare.

It’s worth the lag and sifting through the tacky, ugly to experience this event.

SL10B ~ Day One

Tags

Kicca Igaly, Nessuno Myoo, Pandemonium 1850 London, Pearl Grey, Photos, RolePlay, SL10B, virtual destinations, Wren Alcyone

About an hour after SL10B opened I teleported in and wandered around for two and a half hours taking some pictures. Already having too many commitments, I hadn’t signed up for the press tour or greeter training.  Other bloggers and photographers are doing an excellent sharing of this celebration but I read on Daniel Voyager’s blog that more SL birthday party blogging is welcome.

I love taking photos but find it difficult at events like this. None of the settings on my viewer were changed; I did do some simple post processing in picmonkey, mostly cropping. Logging into SL on a Sunday afternoon after not being online much for a while got me a flurry of IMs but I was able to focus well enough on exploring.

I landed in the welcome area and noticed that there were greeters available if I wished to ask for help. The lag wasn’t bad at all for the first hour but things were rezzing slowly so I didn’t take many pictures.

Spectacular Auditorium

Saffia Widdershins was shouting for people to join her in the auditorium so I headed in that direction. While moving forward I hit a key that caused Pearl to leap high into the air and land on the stage. When I tried to run away I sank into the floor and got stuck. /me laughs. I soon moved on, not knowing how much time I’d have to look around.

I picked up a few free gifts here and there, most notably for me a sailboat, bike, glider and train all in one location along with maps and landmarks showing where to rez and use them. (Maybe I’ve somehow acquired better skills than my usual crashing and sinking that I’ve experienced in the past?)

Things were still rezzing slowly for me; I used my flight feather and it was a great help. Mostly I randomly moved around Enchant and Spectacular. There’s so much to see that many residents might want to plan their visit; checking the slurls, photos and information on the blogs of the organized.

!Pandemonium

All the bright colors and intricate objects around me–then I noticed a mausoleum and old cemetery. I felt more at home in the creepy architecture of !Pandemonium.

It reminded me that the sim I rp on, Pandemonium 1850s London has a place on SL10B Magnificent. Luke Templar, the owner and builder, has partially recreated Fleet Street. I didn’t attend the planning meeting for participating in SL10B–there’s to be para roleplay information made available–but I’m welcome to hang out wearing IC costuming. One of the display shops is Ye Olde Cock Tavern, of which I’m the manager (slacker lately) on the roleplay sim.

SL10B Pandemonium 1850s London

That’s the SLurl under the photo. I’ve blogged about setting up my flat above the Tavern. Without causing myself lack-of-follow-through angst, I hope to make time to spend in the SL10B installation.  You’re very welcome to say hello; maybe I’ll see you there.

Artists Nessuno Myoo and Kicca Igaly; Pearl gazing on in awe.

I enjoyed exploring Magnificent and want to go back. I saw Kicca Igaly’s art installation; the soothing colors and ambient sounds of the camping display in back were much appreciated.

Resting by a fountain in Magnificent before going home.

Tableau ~ part three

Tags

Pearl Grey, Photos, photos, shopping, Tableau, virtual destinations

This is my final post of Tableau photos.

Pearl is usually open-minded about creating the future. 

It was fun playing tourist.

I wonder why I haven’t noticed more fashion bloggers using Tableau as a setting.

When you visit, be careful to follow the caution signs or you may find yourself in an environment like this. This is a raw shot with a frame added.
There were interesting dances and since no one else was around, Pearl played on the stage. And so went her visit to Tableau.

Black and White

Tags

films, Frances Ha, Pearl Grey, Photos

This past weekend I watched the film Frances Ha. I really liked it and am not going to explain why.

It inspired these Second Life photos of Pearl.

Burying My Head in the Sand

Tags

Baja Norte, Pearl Grey, Photos, photos, virtual destinations

Salt Water, Baja Norte is a gorgeous little place to visit. Lately I’ve noticed several bloggers have posted about it and included slurls so I teleported over, explored and took some photos. The top photo is a raw shot and the other three were post processed in picmonkey–just simple clicks without much fuss at all.

For most of last week I posted some photos I snapped at the Home and Garden Expo. It had been a while since I was out and about in Second Life; I visited the Expo when I had insomnia in the wee hours one morning. No one else was around.

Almost all of my SL information is obtained first hand or from reading WordPress blogs. I had no idea there was big drama regarding the Expo until this weekend. I read that many boycotted it and that many opinions had been flung about.

I continue to be very responsible in my first life and go inworld for recreation and relaxation.

Pearl sighed, turned away from the drama reports, went to Baja Norte and buried her head in the sand.  

It Started With an Outfit

Tags

art, houses, Pearl Grey, Photos, Placebo Gallery

Whatever it’s like for anyone else, I’m affected by my physical world environment, by the energy of things and also by what I experience in virtual reality. I’ve mentioned that since I live in a high desert region, I feel better when my avatar stands in the pouring rain at Grey November Gallery.

When it was bitterly cold a few months ago, my avatar was spending time in an old Victorian tavern near the sea. The doors were open and there were fresh breezes unlike what I was experiencing with the indoor heating and shut windows in physical reality.

Then spring arrived in first life, although it’s been too windy for my liking, and the tavern began to feel dark and splintery. Also scary Orcs moved in next door. (Not a problem, really.)

Anyway, I did some shopping at the Buddy Walk and really, really liked the outfit I’m wearing in the above photo. It inspired me and somehow led to my renting a Paris Apartment skybox on impulse and I was quite pleased with it in the short time I lived there. Then I liked the London Apartment, which is similar, even better and that’s where I’ve been living. The white walls are filled with art I’ve picked out and this virtual home is uplifting to my mood and outlook on life.    For a while I’ll have a home without spiders, splinters, and rats; here the chickens and geese can’t wander in. 

The painting in the background is by first life artist Chris Attwell and was purchased from the Placebo Gallery in Second Life, which is curated by Seraphim Placebo.

My Photo Shoot

Tags

Pearl Grey, Photos, Pics By Peep, portraits

A few weeks ago I followed through on my wish to have a photo shoot for my profile picture and several picks for my roleplay sims. I thought Strawberry Singh did an awesome job on the photos of Canary Beck and of Yordie Sands but I figured she would be too busy. She has a list of recommended photographers on her blog but I was too tired to research and choose. Once again, the way was made easy by my reading blogs, which gives me shopping ideas and lets me know of destinations I wouldn’t want to miss.

I noticed the Pics By Peep blog and contacted Peep Sideshow. The whole experience was excellent for me. She responded in a timely manner, was clear about what I needed to do and listened to what it was that I had in mind. She followed through on what she said she would do. She was patient, focused and while most of it was very easy for me, she kindly helped me with something I had difficulty with.  

She took lots of photos and it was difficult to pick out the ones I wanted to use. My photo shoot happened on a sky platform thing and she now has a studio on the ground. You can find all the information on her blog.

She posted some of the photos she took of me in her portraits section and I think Pearl looks gorgeous. I’m using the profile photo for my Gravatar as well; I’ve received a lot of compliments on the pictures that Peep took.