SLEA3 - A Dark Star

 

 By Bixyl Shuftan

At the Second Life Endowment for the Arts regions, there's an exhibit named "A Dark Star." It was designed by Gem Preiz, and is listed in the Destinations Guide.

A DARK STAR by Gem Preiz will be the third of 3 installations exhibited on SLEA 3 full region grant during the first half of 2023. It synthesizes the colors of "LINES OF LIGHTS" and the shape of the structures of "COLOR & GLOW", both still on display on the same Sim (see landmarks below). After an enclosed maze of lines and lights, and glowing colors open to sky and horizons, A DARK STAR concludes the series with a construction in 3 dimensions, surrounded by orbiters, and nested in an isotropic 3D universe of glowing lines, the boundaries of which are unreachable.

 

I, along with Charlee, headed to the listed location at SLEA3 (80/66/319). And the place was quite stunning, a little like stepping into a "Tron" scene. It was dark with neon-like lines of colored light, with small pyramid-shapes on the ground and larger crystals. Hearing some sound, I looked around, and there was some cluster of objects made up partially of white, blue, and purplish light and partially of black spheres, the latter which were moving in and out of the cluster. There was also a "throne" of amber crystal and shapes. We also found a spaceship, and were able to fly around see most of the place from above.

It wasn't long before I got contacted by someone, the artist of the exhibit, Gem Preiz. He told me this wasn't the only place in the sim, but the latest one of three, the two others being "Color and Glow" and "Lines of Light." "If you see the two first ones, you will see that this third one, the dark Star is a bit the synthesis of the others," he described.

"I have been exhibiting fractals in SL for years, then started to build environment to display them, and then the builds became predominant, and nowadays I show mostly constructions if this kind, using much reflections, lights and highlighting of this kind. (It is) purely conceptual, not aiming at meaning anything special, else than pleasure for the eyes. And I like minerals, crystals, and geometries. I like repetitive patterns and try to create some nice ones to look at. ... as recommendation, advanced lighting model , shared environment, and long drawing distance to see everything as I created it.

 

"I like to build sim wide environments, almost always going off sim as much as I can,  to maximize (for me at least) the immersion I like to be overwhelmed by the environment. 

When I asked what he had made before, Gem answered, "... in summary, many fractals exhibition, several LEA grants in the past, and sim wide builds : skyscrapers, a short model of a modern city, arcadia, a neoclassical city, a space station, a space base on exoplanet. You can see some pictures of everything in my flickr if you are interested:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/187894176@N07/albums ."

Charlee and I would visit the other two places. "Color and Glow" was just as impressive and striking in its own right. The landscape and some objects would change color every several minutes. Over time, we would see it go from red, to green, to orange and yellow, to blue. So would a "couch" that we saw. There were also large dark spheres that would roll down inclines at some places. 

After some time, we checked out "Lines of Light" next. While interesting, it wasn't quite as good as the other two places, lacking the up and down movement of the other two. Sill, it was worth a look with it's lit blue and reddish passageways.

 

To get to A Dark Star, head to http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLEA3/80/66/3199 

 

Bixyl Shuftan

 

Interview With Ina Garnier, Producer at The Déjà vu Ballet Troupe

 
By:  Michael (Bubblesort Triskaidekaphobia)

On Sunday, the Déjà vu ballet dance troupe performed the Tempest.  The set design, costuming, choreography, effects, and music all came together beautifully, to tell the story of Shakespeare’s last play.

After the show, I caught up with Déjà vu’s producer, Ina Garnier, for an interview, where she shared with me her process for creating ballet in Second Life, her thoughts on how ballet is best experienced, and how the Déjà vu ballet troupe is directly effected by the war in Ukraine.

Prospero summons a storm

(Note:  This interview has been edited for length, grammar, and clarity)

Michael (Bubblesort Triskaidekaphobia):  Thank you, for talking to me on such short notice!  Just so our readers know, English is a second language for you.  Your profile says you are from Gdansk, in Poland?

Ina Garnier (lna carpaccio):  Poland, right.

Michael:  Oh yes, Poland is right next to Ukraine.  I love the Ukraine support at your show!  I noticed the flag giver on the stage and the t-shirts at the front doors.  One detail I noticed was that during the show, when firestorm showed me stream title notifications, every track was named Deja Vu - Glory to Ukraine!

Ina Garnier:  Yes, I announced at the opera house at the beginning of this war that Deja Vu would be playing in honor of Ukraine.  That's why I changed the titles.  One of our dancers is now in Ukraine.  She is not with us, but this is not the only reason why we support Ukraine.

Michael:  I hope she will be ok.  We are all hoping for the best in Ukraine.

Ina Garnier:  The issue is very close to me.  Ukraine is our neighbor.

Michael:  That must be difficult.  Do you meet a lot of Ukranian refugees where you are?

Ina Garnier:  Yes, there are a lot of them in Gdansk

Michael:  I hope things work out in the end.

Ina Garnier:  I hope too

Top: T-Shirt Giver at Royal Theater front Steps.  Bottom: Ukraine flag giver, front and center, on the stage.

Michael:  What is your title at Deja Vu?  Producer?

Ina Garnier:  I am a woman-orchestra, that's what we say.  That is, I deal with everything:  producer, director, choreographer.  I also do decorations and some costumes.

Michael:  That sounds like a lot of work.  How did you get involved with dance?  Were you a dancer and choreographer before you came to Second Life?

Ina Garnier:  In real life, I used to run a neighborhood theater for children.  It was called the Cheese Keyhole Theatre.  I have long been passionate about ballet, music and theater.

Michael:  Tell me a little bit about your process.  When you decide what play to put on, what is the next step?  Recruiting dancers?  Choreography?  Costuming?  Set design?

Ina Garnier: The first step is always an idea.  Then I make set design, and costumes, and I choose the music.  Then I devise a choreography.  These are not always adaptations of ballets that exist in real life, I often make up my own stories.

Michael:  That is interesting!  So, you begin with the set and costumes and then do the choreography.  That makes sense, because it's probably easier to choreograph things as they will look with full costume and set design.

Ina Garnier:  Exactly.

Michael:  What tools do you use to choreograph?  Do you make your own animations?

Ina Garnier:  I am using the animations available in Second Life.

Michael:  Do you use any in world tools to put the animations together?

Ina Garnier:  I also use Spot On Choreography tools, so that I can set precise paths, on which the dancers can move, and match time the animations.

The full cast takes a final bow

Michael:  Are your dancers all actual people, or bots, or mannequins?

Ina Garnier:  Sometimes I use alts, if I need more people than there are in the troupe.  There are 14 people in the troupe.  Alts are also a reserve in case someone breaks down, so I don't have to cancel the show.

Michael:  Most of your dancers are actual people, then.  I'm surprised all the dance and theater companies use so many real people.  It seems to me like alts, or mannequins, would be easier.

Ina Garnier:  For sure, the alts do not argue, and are extremely disciplined.  They always obey my will.  It is different with people.

Michael:  Tell me, when you block the scenes out, as a choreographer, do you block them out with the idea that the audience will see the stage the same way we would see it in real life?  I mean, in Second Life we can violate the proscenium arch.  In other words, we can move our camera to extreme angles and zoom in on dancers and things like that.  Do you think your audiences would get more from your performances by keeping a straight angle, looking directly at the stage?  Or maybe you would prefer we move our cameras around during the show?

Ina Garnier:  It would be best if the people watched my performances as they would in real life, but one of the special qualities of Second Life is that you can see from everywhere, without any problems.  It is up to the people where to look, and what to see.  If someone is curious, they can watch us stand behind the scenes, between acts.  I often see photos taken from the back of the stage, that kind of spoil the fun a bit.

Michael:  I can understand how that would be annoying, if you choreograph as you would in real life, and then the audience does unexpected things that can't be done in the real world.

Ina Garnier:  Yes, but I understand people.  They want to know what it looks like from the back when I'm in a real theater, as well, so that curiosity is not that much different than in the real world.  I'm also interested in how it really works, when I see a performance.

Michael violated the proscenium arch to get a more dramatic angle, and get closer to the performers.  You can’t get angles like this in real life.

Michael:  How far in advance do you usually announce your next show?  Do you usually put it on the google calendar a week before the show, or a month?

Ina Garnier:  Sometimes, I manage to plan for a month in advance, but sometimes at the last minute.  There are different situations, and it is not always possible to plan far in advance.  Sometimes, I just don't have time to do something, and then I have to change my plans.

Trailer, from when the Polish National Ballet’s 2017 performance of Chopiniana & Bolero

Michael:  Tell me a little bit about your show next week:  Chopiniana & Bolero.

Ina Garnier:  This double ballet is an unusual performance.  The first part to the music of Fryderyk Chopin, the second is Bolero by Ravel.  The first part is calm, romantic, and the second part is growing, and dynamic.

Michael: That sounds wonderful!  I’m looking forward to seeing it.  Also, I noticed on your Facebook group that you repeat shows now and then.  That's really nice, because if I miss a show, I can wait for it to come back around.  How often do shows rotate?  I mean, if I missed the Tempest yesterday, how long do you think I might have to wait, before you perform it again?

Ina Garnier: I don't repeat them systematically.  I just sit down and think about what to repeat. I have a total of 24 ready-made performances, so there is a lot that can be repeated throughout the year. But I also do new ones.  It only takes a bit longer than a week to put a new show together.  Sometimes it can take several months to put together one new performance.

Michael:  Oh yeah, I can imagine it would probably be impossible to do a new play every week.  I hope you do Prometheus again some time, though.  That's my favorite play.

Ina Garnier:  Prometheus is difficult, because there are as many as 30 avatars in it, so I don't repeat it too often.

Display found in the Royal Theater’s basement, displaying fliers from previous performances.

Michael:  Let’s talk about dance groups in Second Life.  Your Deja Vu group is wonderful, and I think everybody should join it, but if somebody is new to ballet in Second Life, are there any other groups they should look for, to connect with the theater and dance communities in Second Life, to learn about new shows?

Ina Garnier:  There are a lot of dance groups and theaters in SL.  If you are interested in this topic, there are a few places you can look for more information.  One group is called Keep Performance Alive, and another is called Dance Queens.  Both of them advertise a lot of shows.  Dance Queens also has an online calendar of dance shows.

Michael:  One last question:  If somebody wants to become a Deja Vu ballerina, is there an application process for that?  How would somebody get involved with joining Deja Vu?

Ina Garnier:  Just write to me, I will talk to any one candidate

Michael:  Thank you so much for a wonderful interview!  Is there anything else you would like our readers to know before we finish?

Ina Garnier:  I cordially invite everyone to our shows!

Michael
 

SLEA Bridge Project And Steve Who

 
By Gemma Cleanslate

The Creative Arts in Second Life are so extensive. There are so many venues for performances, galleries, museums, it is almost impossible to get to all or even know they exist. SLEA Bridge Project does so much for all of us to at least have a clue. I used to use the Gallery Hud to get to some of them at times over the years. But Now,

 “The Bridge Project Phase 1 Completed!

We, those of us involved in The SLEA Bridge Project, aspire to shorten that distance between YOU and an immersive arts experience in SL. As a bridge between the SLEA and the multitude of painters, sculptors, musicians, writers, performers, photographers, television and radio presenters, conceptual artists and so many more.  Come view and learn more about our vast SL Art Community across the grid.  https://slendowmentforthearts.wordpress “ came from Tansee a couple weeks ago.  So I went to take a look. 

It is amazing. Click any board on the bridge and the information and location are all there... so many people , so many locations. And the bridge itself is a work of art. Go take a look for yourself. If you love the arts join the group so you can get notices for  marvelous shows and projects going on all the time. Join at the Hub.

SLEA has so much going on all the time one could be occupied there 24/7 if one had time. I made time to get over to the Street Cafe for a live performance the other day and it was a marvelous experience.

Steve Who (Steve Yiwama) brought his Saxaphone to entertain. When I arrived there were about 6 avatars in attendance while many watched on Youtube where you could see him playing live . By the time I left there were at least 30 listening to his sweet sounds. Steve is Steve Nelson, a professional musician or over 30 years in real-life.

This was his second appearance at the PopUP street artists cafe . Of himself he says, “....shouldn't really say this as I genuinely HATE self promotion.....but was the founding member of a well known signed rock band, and many tours and tv/radio appearances.....I never wanted to become an OLD rock guitarist so decided many years ago to learn saxophone-have played in many big bands and for some famous people too....oh shutup Seve!.....when are you going to grow up.“  

It is not hard to see why his work is so popular . You can check him out at https://www.facebook.com/totalpaininthebuttcreative/ or look at his profile for other ways to hear his music. 

Entrance to SLEA  Hub where you can pick up a hud , accept the experience or use a teleport to the regions or venues.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLEA7/30/35/56

Gemma Cleanslate

Reader Submitted: "Cheap Thrills" by La Performance

By Isabel (Alysabelle Resident)

La Performance started in 2007 by Jie Loon . She is by far the creative inspiration and their mentor. "La Performance" the show is two to three times a year depending. The following people were instrumental to me in writing this article and a special thank you to Jie Loon , Aspen Wrigglesworth , Alazi Sautereau,  without them it wouldn't have been possible.   .

'The opening of dance-show 'CHEAP THRILLS' was held on Sunday ... December 4th 2016 Started at 2.30 pm PST at the Tai Location. Once you arrived at 'La Performance'  you notice a few petal baths  for petite and as well regular avatar size.There is also a bee lounger and also a balcony swing slightly in midair and the countless sofa and sofa chairs .I was privileged to attend a couple of dress rehearsals and the final one Friday before the show on Sunday  . As an audience member the last three years I clearly had no idea how much work was involved behind the scene in preparation of La Performance . The backdrop scenes are extremely creative and visually appealing.  Aspen Wrigglesworth is the producer of "Cheap  thrills" and choreographed at least two dances with the collaboration and input by all the dancers for this particular show. The dancers don't use pose balls they learn how to move and memorize their specific placement, each dancer has their own choreography. It truly takes skills and the dancers rehearse three months before each show approximately three nights a week for two hours.

The music this time is by Demi Lovato, Barei, The Weekend, Saint Motel, ZZ Ward, Sergio Mendez, Sia, Toni Bennett/Lady Gaga, Giacinto Scelsi . Each dancer as their own choreography to learn individually.

These are dancers this year Alazi Sautereau, Aminata Potez, Aspen Wrigglesworth, Bia Nikitin, EchoDancer, Eva Bohemian, Falkon Wickentower, Feli Ibanez,  Janie Broome, JenniferMay Carlucci,  Kenny McDee, Lausard Wildcat, Lulee Babenco, Marili, Randy Thor, Sue Trallis,  and Zimp Rexie) . .

At the start of the show  Alazi Sautereau who is the MC narrates in local  welcoming everyone and mentions as well that its the 18th show by la performance . For that particular show 'Cheap Thrills" is directed by Aspen Wrigglesworth choreographed by her and the teams of dancers. Then she explains camera maneuver for best viewing:) and other technical issues and of course she thanks everyone for showing up and to enjoy the show. . I personally would as well recommend arriving twenty minutes before the show begins for a choice of seating .There is a 30 second delay to regroup between performances to change outfits and the scenery .The show itself " La Performance last approximately one hour."

 There is no tip jar they don't ask for any Lindens they dance for the passion of dancing and for the ' Thrill ' of those who are watching in the audience.

At the end of the show it's important to note that once again the wonderful  Alazi Sautereau thanks everyone for supporting ' La performance' and ask to remain in their seat for a special performance dedicating the last dance to dancer Line Rayna who touched the hearts of many and the dancers dance to Ave Maria by Scelsi. It was one of her favorite dances.  And a very beautiful dance it was indeed. At the very end of the season they have ask the audience if they would like to join the dancers to dance a sort of after party event:) It last approximately an hour . I did so personally the last few years and its fun , one of the dancers will send you a dance hud for you to accept . I think it runs about an hour the after party  . Next year 2017 is their 10th anniversary as well. .I personally can't wait to see what the next ' La Performance' will offer.

Bravo!  Aspen Wrigglesworth and all the dancers and the MC a job well done:). I have attended 'La Performance' for approximately three years now. I personally love dancing and it takes everything out of me not to jump out of the chair and dance on stage with the dancers each time I attend and there is no exception this time around.  And once again I have been transported to a time that I knew someone that use to dance modern and classical ballet passionately as you all do . And each time I am there I can't help but smile of pure joy ,  Its extremely creative and fun to watch ' La Performance' It doesn't matter what age you are , its worth seeing . On a personal note : Jie Loon I will never forget three years ago you invited me on stage alone as we danced you explain the details that go into a show for “ La Performance” . It was  a moment in time I will never forget . Thank you:)Pick up a Playbill at the show. 

The following dates 12/4/16 till the 12/11/16  at the same timeline , 2:30 Pm PST  will be held as well at the Tai Location  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tai/228/126/3547

 The second location will be from the 12/18/16  1/15/17  and  1/22/17  at 2:30 PST -- at the  Mediterraneo Location . http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Mediterraneo%20OC/209/150/3652

 And the last show on the 1/29/17 at 2:30 PST  will be back to the Tai Location.

Below is the“ La Performance ' website

http://www.la-performance.org/show/569/cheap-thrill

 ÎsaЪeĻ (Alysabelle Resident)

The LEA 3 Entrance

By Gemma Cleanslate

You know that I visit the LEA sims often to check out the installations in each of the artist regions. Sunday I got a notice that Eupalinos Ugajin installed a bar near the entrance . Knowing his fun loving ways I went over to take a look. Though  looking like a normal drink serving one  it gives some interesting items when you click.  I say go see and collect. The ‘drinks’ are from friends of Eupalinos.  He also dropped some of his other pieces in the area that are interactive so click away. He always has fun items where ever he builds. I had fun opening the gifts and using them. 

I love his artist statement “My work explores the relationship between postmodern discourse and skateboard ethics. With influences as diverse as Kafka and Joni Mitchell, new insights are synthesised from both simple and complex layers. Ever since I was a student I have been fascinated by the traditional understanding of the human condition. What starts out as triumph soon becomes corroded into a carnival of futility, leaving only a sense of unreality and the inevitability of a new reality. As shimmering forms become frozen through diligent and diverse practice, the viewer is left with an insight into the darkness of our world.” Food for thought. 

 

I took a picture of the entrance to the LEA welcome area that shows most of the regions that are complete and  are open for visiting and this is how it looks when you start from the entrance . I enjoy doing that because you can tp right from the posters for each sim by clicking to get the slurl. You can choose your site to visit.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA3/130/117/22

Gemma Cleanslate

What's New at the LEA

By Gemma Cleanslate

The  Linden Endowment of the Arts  have granted their regions to the artists for the next three months. Most builds are almost ready and you can actually get to visit some now. Bixyl did write about  Pinwheels LEA 26 a few weeks back (link). I took a look at several and recommend visiting them all.  

One that I loved was the region called Black Elk. It is a tribute to the lovely prophetic words of Black Elk, a native American medicine man or shamen. It is a beautiful display on LEA1. You will see his words in the air amid horses and other symbols of the spirit of nature.  Livio Oak Korobase (Livio Korobase) is the creator in this region. Above in the air is a stunning collection of symbols in a hovering tiny planet like build overseen by flying doves. Sit and enjoy.

On LEA16 Dave Searby Mason had created a three level interactive experience you don’t want to miss. Use the notecard you will find there to help you enjoy each level to the fullest. The ground level is restful. The tp at the entrance will take you up to the sound spheres where headphones will enhance the visit. Wander and listen. Another tp will take you to the third level of which David says, "is also designed to walk through like the spheres but here the visual aim is different.  I wanted to create a ghostly feel to add another dimension to the sounds."  It is an experience not to be missed. 

Another that I enjoyed very much is LEA 10, La Palma Sculpture Garden by Peli Dieterle, still a work in progress. There are lovely sculpts in the area near the water now. However the setting is so restful I brought out my horse and took a long ride up the winding road to the top and back down again. The build around the interesting sculptures is delightful. Take a tp over there. While you are at the welcome area cam out and take a look at the pieces of art that are in the sky.
 
This is just a sample of the regions you can visit. There are other TPs from the welcome area to take and you can save the LM to come back many times over. Some of the regions will be holding events at various times during their stay and there is a calendar on the website .I will do another article on more of the exhibits. There are many! You can start at the Welcome area http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA3/126/126/22 . Here you will find posters for the various regions with their teleport slurl by clicking on the poster. This will take you to the sim.  Connect to the blog or website from the welcome area poster that lists it. 

Gemma Cleanslate

LEA13 – The Work of Xineohp Guisse

By DrFran Babcock

I was amazed and entranced from the first day I came into Second Life™. I have never lost my enthusiasm for this virtual world, and its ability to continue to surprise and delight. The thing I like to do most after socializing with friends and creating content is to explore in hopes of finding magic. Thus it was, that I stumbled upon Xineohp Guisse’s ethereal and wonderful build.

I was with my friend Brick, exploring the soon-to-be-opened Linden Endowment for the Arts (LEA) builds. He had shown me the gigantic Dragon Curves fractal installation by Mac Kanashimi on LEA 26, covered by Inara Pey here: http://modemworld.wordpress.com/2014/02/02/enter-the-dragon-curves/ . After spending some time there, I began to sim hop, and upon landing on LEA13 I stopped, drew my camera back and smiled.

Whenever I find something I like—clothing, furniture, landscaping, hair—I immediately inspect it to see who is responsible, and the creator of this green and intricate sim was Xineohp Guisse. Even better, he showed up on the sim as a green dot. Thinking of nothing more than complimenting him on his work, I IMed him, and said: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this build! Thus began an hour long exploration and visit with one of the LEA’s artists.

Xineohp was modest: “I’m still building, sorry about the mess (smile),” he replied. He is also a great jokester. After I told him I thought the build was gorgeous, and hardly a mess, he responded with what I later realized was an out and out pun: “Nope. Not mess; old-school build (smile)," by which he meant that he had used not one sculpt or mesh object, but used prims for the entire construction!

The build is in two folds, and contains an interactive piece. Xineohp, a cello player, used cello notes that sound as you collide with the flexi glass on many parts of the build. “So you can make your own music,” kids Xineohp.

On the main tower, there are two creatures, that to me looked acquatic. They moved around on the grass creating tones as well, and because they are random in their movements, the sounds evolve and change. When two notes are struck, it creates a third resounding note. I walked around and loved the experience of the sounds, and the cello notes were just perfect with the swaying grass. Xineohp was working on a pod chair when I finally joined him on one of the towers. He asked me to test it out, and I ended up with my camera trained on one of the two wriggly creatures. The two creatures on the main towers are named: Connie and Blyde (a spoonerism reference my older readers may get).

The LEA grant runs for five months, and Xineohp plans to do a different chapter of a story each month, starting with the current build: The Lost Garden of Sundarya. Chapter Two will be under water, and tell the story of Connie and Blyde, focusing on how creatures come into being, and how they end up being a symbiotic musical link. Chapter Three will take you to the middle sky and deal with wind and birds, and flying “stuff.” Chapter Four will go higher, and be in the spirit world, but Chapter Five will be a secret.

Xineohp was still debating some of the details of the build, set to open on Saturday, February 8^th, but he was still willing to talk about it. He also told me he is the alt of an older resident, so watch for an Oldbie Project from him in the future.

We went on to look at an old THiNC Book that had pictures of older avatars, and quotes about their relationship with their avatar. We poured over it for a while, and I was pleased that he was so willing to spend time. He reminisced about his early days: "I remember when I first came into SL, and started building. I was a total massive crap at it! I built a swimming pool, which even I wouldn't want to swim in!"

"You remember free 512 land when you signed up as a premium member? I went from owning my first 512 to buying an entire island. That was fun.

"I did a charity art thingy on my island for World AIDS Day that ran non-stop for an entire weekend, and we raised just over 500USD. Then I kinda gave it up … Real Life, work, yada yada. Then I came back and lived in a rock, after killing my first avie in a big swan song. I burnt the entire island, and reinvented myself as Xineohp Guisse. Xineohp is Phoenix backwards, by the way."

Cube Project posted by Bix: http://slnewser.blogspot.com/2012/09/sl-video-cube-project-lea-2012-second.html

<-- About the build --->

For the SecondLife LEA round 6 2014, I present to you Chapter One of my 5-month long build - The {Lost} Garden Of Sundarya Lahari.

The build is based on live sampling of my cello "plucking". Each "reed" in the build, upon collision, produces a specific note. The build is made up of two chambers - An interactive chamber where avatars can move around, collide with the reeds and make their own music. And a second chamber, where the musical notes are produced in total random fashion by the collision of the creatures "the pentapuss" - Thus creating a musical score that is ever-changing and evolving.

Resonant sounds/notes are produced when two notes are simultaneously struck.

I hope you'll enjoy this build...... Just as much as I have building it.

Xineohp Guisse xxo

P.S. This build would not have been possible without the help of my dear friend (and darling sweetheart) Nava Muni, and the generosity of Linden Lab with the LEA initiatives.

 

So, you absolutely must come see this build at the Linden Endowment for the Arts. Here’s the information from the notecard for the event:

SLurl to installation: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA13/125/82/29

DrFran Babcock

Toy's Art Gallery

A grand re-opening of Toys Art Gallery was held July 17 and 18 at its location on Grojnowski (33, 19, 1001). The show is titled “Mirages of Art”. I wasn’t able to attend the reception, but I went over early to check out the new gallery.

Toysoldier Thor is the multi-talented artist, builder, and designer who created the work. The gallery, which is said to have taken 5 weeks to design and build, is a unique, circular structure with a colorful walkway that winds around the 5 levels of gallery space. The top floor opens onto the Starfield Patio. Throughout the gallery, subdued lighting highlights the art work.

Unlike real-life galleries where touching is forbidden, Toy encourages residents to touch his art. He has created a notecard for each piece that explains his creative thought process, often provides the Second Life location of the photo, and shares other helpful or creative information. For example, his “Farm Falls Frost” was taken on the Alirium sim, located at Alirium (204,119, 22). He stated, “This is a place I strongly recommend my fellow SL'er must visit and explore. I wanted to express a peaceful abandonment of a home long since vacated and the view from a window of this home as the land around it overgrows. The arrival of winter is hinted with the frost on the few remaining panes of glass as well as no leaves left on the trees.”

In contrast to this pastoral scene, one of his other works is “Stormy Streets”, an urban street scape from the sim Sin City – Hard Rock Park. He added layers of additional color and elements to the Second Life photo, including some elements taken from real-life. The result is a vibrant scene, with symbolism and danger lurking everywhere in this city.

One of my favorites, shown in the second photo, is “Black Mamba Floral Delights”. Toy created this as a collage from photos he had taken of the many flowers found on the Black Mamba sim and which he enhanced with Photoshop.

The last photo shows another of my favorites, “Morning Meadow Hunt.” Toy found his inspiration for this work of art at the Gulf of Loon. On his notecard, Toy wrote, “I ended up bumping into this amazing Crane (at least that’s what I think he is) that was hiding in the cattails actually hunting for fish - and even caught one right in front of me. I had to capture his morning meadows hunt onto digital canvas! After several photos of different angles and a lot of photo manipulation to set the tone of the day, this is what I came up with.”

Toysoldier’s other works are equally varied and complex. Some of them, like “Magi’s Realm,” depict the mystical side of SL. Other of his works, such as “Barren Harvest” and “Floral Fox” include images from his real life that he brings into Second Life. Toys Art Gallery brings such a wonderful variety of colorful, unique art to SL that you will want to visit it often.

Grey Lupindo