Rasmuson Gallery of Alaskan Artists

A few days ago I visited the Rasmuson Gallery of Alaskan Artists, located at Rhetorica (203, 235, 86).  The SL Rasmuson Gallery eliminates the miles and miles that separate us in RL and lets us experience the people and their art that we might otherwise never get to see.  In RL it is located at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.   In SL, a quick teleport takes you to an open-air, multi-story gallery filled with light and connected by a virtual flowing river.       

The current exhibit highlights the winners of the 2012 Individual Artists Awards.   There was a simultaneous event held in RL and SL on June 5 when the Rasmuson Foundation announced the winners.   This was the sixth year that they have held the event in both RL and SL.    According to their press release, the SL location was projected on a big screen at the RL event located in Anchorage, Alaska.  

 The 2012 Distinguished Artist Award was presented to Kes Woodward from Fairbanks for Visual Arts.  He received a $25,000 Award.  He was born in South Carolina and moved to Alaska in 1977.  He is a Professor of Art Emeritus at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he taught for twenty years.  In October 2004 he received the first Alaska Governor's Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts.

Fellowship Awards of $12,000 each were presented to   Da-ka-xeen Mehner, Visual Arts; Jack Dalton, Presentation Interpretation; Tommy Joseph, Visual Arts; Karina Moeller, Music Composition; Kat Tomka, Visual Arts; Brendan Harrington, Visual Arts; Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Visual Arts’; Philip Munger, Music Composition; Morris Palter, Presentation Interpretation; and Laura Bliss Spaan, Media Arts.

As you walk through the gallery, there are photos and notecards of the featured artists and exhibits of their work.  The art is beautiful, and the artists are a very diverse group.  Da-ka-xeen Mehner, who was born in Fairbanks, describes his parents as Tlingit/N'ishga (mother) and Hippy/American (father).  His work examines his multicultural heritage as an urban Native American in Anchorage and as a rural Hippy in Fairbanks living without electricity, running water or phones.  He is an Assistant Professor of Native Arts at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the director of the UAF Native Arts Center.

Tommy Joseph, of the Eagle Moiety, Kaagwaantaan Clan, has been a Northwest Coast carver for over twenty years.   He carves totem poles, masks, bentwood boxes, and more.  He is now working on Tlingit battle dress and armor.

Karina Moeller is an Inuit performer from Greenland, but has lived in Alaska for 16 years with her three children.  She has toured all over the world with the Greenlandic Theater Silamiut and with the Alaskan group, Pamyua.

Philip Munger debuted as conductor in 1963, and he also helped start the South Seattle Youth Symphony.  Currently he is Interim Director of the Anchorage Civic Orchestra.  He has been on the faculty of the University of Alaska Anchorage since 1995, and he has also been named to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Bugler Hall of Fame. 

Laura Bliss Spaan is a visual storyteller, journalist, and independent filmmaker whose work has been nominated for Emmy awards.    She frequently focuses on the Eyak people.  “More Than Words” tells about the last Native speaker of the Eyak language while “Parlez-Vous, Eyak?”, her most recent film, follows the Eyaks and a young man from France who is helping them to learn their language.  She is currently working with the Eyaks to create new stories in their own language using archival audio and film.

Kat Tomka is a Professor of Art and the Program Director for the Painting program at the University of Alaska Anchorage.  Her art work has been exhibited in West Africa, London, Germany, Canada, the Czech Republic, and throughout the U.S.   

Brendan Harrington was born in Massachusetts and raised in Kodiak and Juneau, Alaska.  Throughout most of his life he has combined working as an artist and as a commercial fisherman.   He lives in Kodiak, Alaska now, but he lived in Germany for a while.  In addition to exhibits in the U.S., his drawings and paintings have also been exhibited in Europe.

Mavis Muller is a "story weaver" from Homer, Alaska, who combines basketry, poetry, and storytelling. As she weaves baskets, she tells about the plants, trees and landscapes and how they are carriers of messages and blessings.  Her baskets have also been exhibited in museums, art galleries, and juried art shows. 

Rosemary McGuire is a writer from Cordova who focuses on contemporary Alaskan life.  Her work has appeared in Quarterly West, River Teeth and ISLE. She has been recognized by Association of Writers and Publishers and The Atlantic Monthly. She has written two books which have been excerpted in literary reviews.

Last year's event was filmed and will be part of a film being produced by Pooky Media, a SL company.  The film is expected to debut this month and will show how the Rasmuson Foundation is using SL to promote Alaskan art to a world-wide audience. 

Grey Lupindo

Behind the Scenes of SL9B

(June 3, 2012) The big bash for the SL9B that is set on 20 sims is almost ready to open the plots to building.

Since I have been involved in training on how  to help exhibitors get settled on their plots I have a tiny peek inside. Crap Mariner has done a wonderful job of manicuring the lawns and all the missing roads are back in place (not sure how they became missing).  There is some dust in the air from the building of a stage for the DJ and their music. I hope the wind is low next week. 

The main stage is spectacular.  I cannot imagine how the choice of exhibitors is going. I think there were over 480 applicants and only 300 plots!! Scary job to choose. The last I knew there were so many people who applied for something: 200 greeters, 200 DJs, 250 live performers, and more.  Training is going on daily for all volunteers to help us know how to make this the best party ever! There is an electric feeling when we get together with the other volunteers .

Though as you can see from some of the pictures the instructors tried to make us comfortable and happy, plying us with food and drink as we lounged on the empty plot. Monday the building will begin and I cannot wait to see it as the sims fill up. There will be many other things going on for the SL9B and there is to be a hub where other events will be displayed. You wont have to miss anything going on anywhere. 

Get Ready to Party! 

For more information, check out the SL9B website: http://sl9b.wordpress.com/ 

Gemma Cleanslate

50's Drive-in Build-Off Winners

The Virtual Museum of Architecture celebrated the fun of 1950’s drive-ins at its Spring Build-off this year.   The two winning designs can be seen at Purdue University, Virtual Museum of Architecture (208, 113,26).  Mickey Wizardly won First Place in the Pro Division with “Betsy’s Drive-in”, and Toxic Darkmatter won First Place in the Novice Division for “Double T Drive-in.”   

     Both designs featured colorful neon signs and the popular 50’s colors of turquoise, hot pink and black and white checked floors.  Cars and motorcycles are parked outside, and “Betsy’s Drive-in” includes some “squawk-boxes”, too.   Signs from the 50’s, tempting malts on the counter, and a rock-n-roll tune playing inside the “Double T Drive-in” added extra fun and authenticity.
 

      In front of each drive-in is the winner’s trophy, which was created by Doe Silverspar.  The trophy, entitled “Skating”, was the winning design in a mini-contest held about a month before the drive-in build-off.   I chatted briefly with Silverspar about designing and building in Second Life.  She has been involved with this activity since she joined SL in September, 2007.   She suggested that residents who are interested in building join Builder’s Brewery.  “They offer top notch classes constantly, and the classes are free,” she said. 

      Builder’s Brewery, as well as over a dozen other SL businesses, sponsored this year’s event.   Djinn Dasmijn was the Build-off Coordinator.  

Grey Lupindo

Reader Submitted: Vitabela Dubrovna Celebrating Four Years in Second Life

Fashion Designer Vitabela Dubrovna will on 17^th July 2012 be celebrating four years as an SL Designer and yesterday (May 17^th) saw the release of a stunning new Hollywood Glamour style ball gown which you can view here exclusively for this first time:

 

Image courtesy of The Best Of SL

This brand new design shows just how far she’s come and how she’s moved on as both a designer and an artist within the realm of Second Life. In the four years she’s been with SL she’s built up a large following mostly due to the strength of her design skills and the fact that her work is timeless, yet still very modern. Her boutique “Vita’s Boudoir”, set up when she joined in 2008 features an array of fashions and accessories – and one thing is clear; her ideology is all about glamour, sexuality and high femininity.

It’s all here among Vitabela’s collection from the beautiful, bold burlesque through to seductive lacy dresses with intricate detailing and clever contrasting. She even caters for those amongst you who wish to have ultra fluttery, floaty eyelashes or flowing hair extensions in her accessory boudoir. Her hair extensions mirror her notions about fashion, creating a “wild” unkempt look, which matches really well with the lace on her clothes and also provides a wonderful background to the severity of her catsuits and jumpsuits. This is serious Catwalk style fashion for SL.

Vitabela’s Ethos and Ideas

This really isn’t fashion for the faint hearted; throughout her career in SL Vitabela’s designs have proved that she’s all about the sex kitten within. Crisp, neat lines are, for the most part, out in favour of layers of gauzy lace, feathers and leather, often forming elaborate headdresses and accessories. Monochrome pieces play out in stark contrast to flashes of vibrant primary colours and delicate designs such as her Rose’s Thorn bikini/fascinator combination:

 

Image courtesy of Second Life Marketplace

Her clothes always seem to have an element of the theatrical about them – a contrast to other SL Fashion designers such as the house of Modavia, which cater strongly for the “everyday” wearer, with contemporary designs and muted colours in slouchy styles. Vitabela’s love of burlesque is clear to see, particularly in her catsuits and jumpsuits which (as she says herself) show off more than they cover up, not for the more conservative amongst you! Though for anyone wanting to branch out and try something completely different, her work might be just the thing to tempt you into a new area of experimentation.

Her fashion can also be viewed as high art, with the emphasis on intricate detailing and solid patterning which represents nature and wildlife and an intrinsically animalistic feeling. Her piece “Uprooted” is a good example of this, with neutral shades of burnt umbers and delicate browns used to create an “earthy” feeling. You can see that piece here (image Not Safe For Work).

One of her most daring recent artistic creations is without doubt “Ride” which you can view on her own blog here. (suggestive image) A highly sexy, polished and severe look which lies in contrast some of her lacier, floatier designs yet still exudes sexiness and glamour to the maximum. There are elements of her previous works in there, with subtle touches of leather and a loose fitting neck tie, there’s a strong feel of Art Deco to it as well, as while it retains an eminent femininity, there is an inherent sense of the masculine there – strong lines, nipped in waist, the neck tie and jacket.

Not All About Fashion Now!

Vitabela has now also diversified and has her own “Home And Garden” section, which can also be found in her “Vita’s Boudoir” shop. Again, the emphasis with a strong bent on high art; she uses muted colours contrasted with bright splashes of vivid greens to create landscaping trends that are really different, very up to the minute and on trend yet classic and able to mix with a variety of other styles. Her “White Winter Tree”, a beautifully stark and impressive garden design (which is the sort of thing that provides a beautiful backdrop for photos) sits delightfully juxtaposed with her “Spring Grass” collection – a wonderfully bright, floral work which is uplifting and inspiring, yet also similarly impressive for photographic work.

Here’s to another exceptional four years of outstanding fashion and inspirational design from one of SL’s most competent and highly sought after fashionistas, Vitabela Dubrovna.

By "Imogen" (Elizabeth Heartland)

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Elizabeth Heartland is a freelance writer from England who writes primarily for technology and gaming blogs as well as an SEO company. Virtual worlds intrigue her particularly and the amazing fashion 'industry' that is developing online is surely a sign of things to come.

Byngo is Booming Again

After several weeks of angst among the byngo fanatics, it looks like the game is flourishing again. There was a period of withdrawal that had some lovers of the game panting for its return. To satisfy the Linden Lab, the creator of the game, Dazzo Staheli, has redesigned the Super B Bonus game so that there is a decision making element. I watched as some of the players tried out the new game, and learned how to play it properly. After several days of trial it looks like the nearly finished product is back on line at all the byngo places in Second Life. 

Dazzo is hoping that this is the end of the changes. I talked to two of the byngo place owners. Both seem to like it. Bold Baddingham said, ”It's going good, Super B bonus plays a lot differently. But once people of gotten used to it, I’d say feedback is great, players like it. It`s more of a challenge to play. There a sense of achievement even if you don’t win in a lot of cases.” Felgood812 Solo remarked, “Well they seem to like it. ... just one I talked to don’t like it. .... too hard for her but everyone else does. ... just a little slow getting them back here to play.” 

I also talked to several players.  Alyssa Darwinian told me, “Yes I have played it, but only once. And I was confused. I did not know about the changes and when my game was over after only 1 line I was bummed. I have since read the new rules, which I should have done before playing the game, and it looks like it is going to be fun.  I see myself back to playing the game as much as ever. And I used to play all the time, which means everyday (laughter).” and Cassie  Broadfoot told me she loved it and likes that it “requires more concentration and strategy,” and has already won quite a few times. 

If you like to play bingo in real-life try byngo in SL. Check out the Byngo Bonus group for more information and places to play. 

Editor's note: Be sure to check out Gemma's earlier article about the Byngo controversy Here. 

Gemma Cleanslate

Stepping Large in Second Life

It seems like there’s a large variety of avatars in second life besides human avatars like we are in the real world. Furries have a wide range of real life and mythical animals to anthromorphize as. There are robots around as well like transformers or maybe an android or two. For the more spiritual I have seen some avatars as angels.

When I met with Ceri Quixote at her shop Quixote’s Dream at the landmark of the same name she showed me there are still ways to make your avatar unique in SL.  Her shop sold skins for women as different colors but that’s not what was different about her. When I warped to her shop my avatar at max height was maybe less than half her height or maybe a third.

Ceri Quixote makes Colossus avatars in Second Life. She told me she wanted to push the envelope in Second Life to what she could make with mesh which has been incorporated in SL recently with viewers like Phoenix and Firestorm. Her current avatar was just the tip of the iceberg.

Ceri and I ported to a sandbox to see the main course. When she put on her avatar, she was a giant like perhaps a giant from jack and the beanstalk. My griffin self was a mere speck compared to her massive or gargantuan avatar. I was sure to take a couple photos.

I joked with Ceri that in addition to invading Tokyo like Godzilla she could easily pick up guys. She laughed at the joke. Also Ceri will make the large avatar for not only women, but men as well.

Sadly the massive avatar was not for sale. However the regular Colossus avatar will be on sale at the end of May. Ceri said she was still fine tuning the scripts and outfits for men and women.

I asked Ceri being a furry myself, does she have any furry avatars she would want to incorporate into her colossal avatar?

Ceri Quixote: I've always been partial to bunnies - the Kani avatar is one of the first I bought in SL. So bunny fans in the furry community will have an XL option soon.

I asked, if I wanted to buy one what the price would it be? "1,500L" I said, that’s a good price. I paid more for a popular feral avatar.

I asked Ceri, what if she was tall like her super-sized avatar, what she would do?

Ceri Quixote: If I were that tall in real life? I'd probably travel as much as possible.

An easy feat if she was the 50 foot woman, like the B movie.

So if want to impress your friends with a cool new avatar and you’re tired of the same old furry or human or robot options. Be on the lookout for Ceri’s new look so you can step large in Second Life.

By Grease Coakes

Editor's Note, Hamlet Au found this Youtube of the Colussus, by Deceptions Digital. There's also another by "OldMountainWizard."

Lindens Launch 100 Pathfinding Sims

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has gone viral on Second Life's main grid. A new technology called pathfinding embeds AI in SL servers. On over 100 sims, AI characters can navigate intelligently among avatars, terrain, walkways, and obstacles, with behaviors such as pursuit, wander, evade, patrol, and navigate to location.

Any of these behaviors can be invoked with 2 lines of Linden Scripting Language (LSL)… to automatically move mesh or classic prim objects… possibly replacing hundreds of lines of vehicle animation code. Is this just a reduction in user code or something more? Yes, much more.

Pathfinding is a new mobility ecosystem. Pathfinding can calculate all feasible pathways across land and prims (e.g. bridges), generating a navimesh (picture 1). Pathfinding characters (aka Non Player Characters or NPC) use AI searches to find navigable pathways to their target avatar, object, or location. Throw up a roadblock? No problem, they will find another way round. There is enough randomness and simulated nervousness in the solution, that NPCs have distinctively organic motions.

Yeah, but what about lag? Everyone asks. Okies. I ran stress tests with my animated NPCs on the Snack Sandbox regions. Kitty is a 4 legged animated critter that walks. Funky Munky is a humanoid NPC that strides and does a funny skit. I took baseline performance stats, then starting rezzing wandering NPCs simwide; hundreds of them.

As I watched the lag numbers; a startling result! At first, only 2 numbers trended with added NPCs, Physics Time went up and Spare Time went down. All other numbers flatlined... no effect. Just over 100 NPCs and Spare Time hit zero; the first noticeable lag. Amp that up to 200 NPCs, and yes, we are driving frame time up as well, but linearly, not aggressively. Even more surprising, virtually no NPCs crashed. After rezzing 200 kitties, I only lost 2 and the population held steady for several hours. Conclusion: multiply your Spare Time by 5 and that's how many animated NPCs you could rez on your sim without any noticeable lag.

That means, Lindens created a very reliable and efficient infrastructure, but only for NPCs. Of course, all this AI is beta test, and sim crashes happen often outside the sandbox. You know this when you can't move or chat… you've got crash! The sim does an auto-rollback, including your inventory; and sometimes you relog to a place you left hours ago! Time Warp! Coolies!

The Lindens should be congratulated for these achievements... but that's not enough. User generated NPCs should support animations, in other words, NPCs with moving limbs that walk and gesture. I used the very popular prim animation script by Ferd for my NPCs. My teaching NPCs worked for weeks… umm… until Wednesday, when Lindens rolled out a new server beta that broke all my prim animations and everyone else's. Ugh! Fix that bug!

To date, Lindens test pathfinding with the default cubes that you rez when you start building (Picture 2). This testing scales to other non-articulated NPCs such as rubber duckies, plastic bunny toys, and snails. Clever use of flexiprims gives you a few more options (Picture 3). Let's see, hmmm, NPC can only travel on land and float but not animate… maybe ghosts? daleks? spaghetti monsters?

To fill the vast depopulated regions of SL with engaging content, citizens of SL need animated NPCs… i.e. NPC people and realistic, animated NPC critters. I'm just saying... pathfinding has tremendous potential. Linden Prayers that it lives up to expectations!

Picture 4: Any, Lorca Linden, Maestro Linden, and Falcon Linden, "the genius behind pathfinding AI. Dude! ... You ROCK!" 

The Pathfinder Users Group (PUG) meets Thursdays at 4pm SL time on Aditi test grid at the PathTest megaregions (use the Map to find us!). Chat log from this meeting: http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Pathfinding_in_Second_Life/2012-05-03


Any1 Gynoid

Original published on CNN