What's New at the Linden Endowment for the Arts

By Gemma Cleanslate

The Linden Endowment for the Arts has many very exciting new installations in both the Visiting Artists sims and the Core sims. I had invites to three openings on Sunday but was involved in the Kickoff of the Relay for Life and missed all three. I went over to explore  the exhibits in two of the sims Monday . Landing at the welcome area was an experience too since it has been remodeled since I last was there . It is worth a visit to check out the new textures and look into the distance at pieces of art that are placed around the area. Here you can see the posters for the new artists in resident and if you stand close to the poster and click you will have a slurl in your chat that will take you right to the region. Be aware that some are still a work in progress. The core sims can be reached in the same fashion and the posters are there next to the artists area. Go take a look.   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA3/130/116/21

I then went over to LEA 19 to see the exhibit of my friend iSkye Silverweb. At first sight I was stunned by the desolate landscape but by the time I left I understood and realized it was not desolate at all. Since the sim was empty I had time to explore and see all the components that iskye has placed there. There is a story behind the creations. Read them. She also has her poetry at some of the segments to read and absorb with the story.  Most people have experienced what she did in one way or another ,

Loss
“Chaos. Disorder. Nothing makes sense.
Lost my place in a blink, like that.
Reality sinks in, just a bit. “

and will understand why it is set in the way it is. I will let you walk , and look, read and form your own impressions from your own memories.  Visit the “Colors of Loss and Healing “,  art by iSkye Silverweb, music by Ahnue Heartlight, creative support from Dubhna Thiadra,   http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA6/128/128/22

My next trip took me to the installation “The Art Rocket” by Betty Tureaud.

When I see a rocket by Betty Turead I know I am going for a ride! On landing I grabbed the notecard to give me her ideas of enjoying the exhibit . I took the rocket for a wild ride through the region getting just a glimpse of color and what is to come. When I landed at the base again I put on the hud for a more sedate visit through the levels. At the Planet level I found myself finally believing that spring is really coming. The masses of colors are uplifting! Each level is discrete and has its own flair, but some have connections to another .

Watch for interactive fun.  My favorite was swimming with the fish in the ‘Pond’. The ‘Black Hole’ actually is not as empty as you think. Have fun as you tour using the hud. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA19/128/129/22

I will be touring more of the builds as they are completed. 

Gemma Cleanslate

The Portuguese Way

By Gemma Cleanslate

Often when I get an invitation to a LEA sim I encounter spectacular  installations that are really busy, show the art of one builder, and sometimes send one spiraling into the space or depths. There is a new installation on LEA19 to which I received an opening party invitation and, for once was able to attend. It was wonderful to sit at a picnic table and listen to a tribute to the popular Portuguese Fado singer, Mariza. I sat among some of the famous artists of Second Life and enjoyed it all. There was even a very famous performance artist who is banned by  LEA, but attended, incognito, almost, and actually sort of behaved. The party was fun, but to enjoy the sim I had to go back several times. 

The installation is quiet and lovely. It is called The Portuguese Way. It was created by Winter Wardhani and a team including Chagal Campestre, FlorCampestre, Janjii Rugani and Wan Laryukov. The scenes depict the beauty of the land of Portugal and tries to incorporate the history of  the past 900 years since its beginning. I took Qwark, a native of Portugal, on my second visit and he said so easily “Oh, there is the famous bridge into Lisboa”... “Oh! There is the castle of Sao Jorge” and on seeing a windmill on a hill said those are very common in Portugal. 

Along the way you can learn of the  history culture of this lovely land by picking up notecards at all the interesting stops. We visited a charming farm village typical of ones you will find in the Portuguese countryside. In a quaint shop there we saw the wares you might find in such a tiny town. Outside you will find pens with pigs and other animals roaming. As Winter said she thinks she went a it overboard on the contents of the notecards.  As you roam the sim you will find delightful views and places to sit and enjoy. I collected a shield and sword at the castle, a costume cap outside the chapel, and a few other items, so watch for them. 

There are teleports in many locales that will take you around to the interesting spots. I like to walk this type of sim after teleporting to the important places  because there are many quaint spots I will miss if I don’t. I found a paddleboat rezzer and took a ride along the river to a lighthouse , passing by the experience called blindness. This is described as “This totally dark maze was build based on the book "Blindness" by the Portuguese Nobel Prize winner José Saramago. Do you dare to feel all the emotions arising from being blind? To feel the despair of not seeing? To struggle to see the light again?” 

I went back the other way along the river, which passed a charming cozy spot to sit, and went to the base of a great waterfall where the fish are jumping all around. These are the points you might miss by just taking the teleports so take time to wander. I recommend beginning at the balloon ride, taking the TPs to various spots of interest and then ending with the paddle boat ride so you will not miss much in the region. The river winds under bridges and finally leads back to the beginning spot where you will find a fisherman’s camp . Grab a pole or just sit by the fire and relax. Savor the time you spend here. It should be here until December. 

Begin at the balloon ride. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA19/155/200/21

Gemma Cleanslate