The eye of the beholder

Now I try to be reasonably open-minded about art in general, and SL-generated art even moreso, but two recently-hyped projects make me take pause.

First, the RMB City project by Cao Fei that is well-hyped on a number of other blogs.  As I understand, it’s the artistic interpretation of the many aspects of Chinese urban life.

I’ve been wandering around it for over an hour now, and I see a rough concept that might be worth pursuing.  The quality of the builds, however, well….I could build this well in my second month in SL.  I’m presuming that the “clutter” approach to building is supposed to be symbolic of the density of Chinese cities, but it just comes off as junky to me.  The topper was the rather novel lighted tunnel through a mountain…that crashed my browser due to the overabundance of glow, full bright and WAY too many light emitters.

The photo here pretty much tells you what you need to know.  If this is art, it’s lost on me.  What really surprises me about RMB is that so many SL bloggers, people whose opinions I generally respect if not agree with, have been sucked in and suggest that this is some incredible artistic achievement.

Next up is “Broken-Fixed,” a stop-motion machinima by ColeMarie Soleil:

It comes off as strange to me that the creator of this animation would turn their back on the tools that allow the likes of Dizzy Banjo and Lainy Voom to create works of such incredible artistic depth and instead go with a choppy format like stop-motion.  It even surprises me more, again, that SL artisans and bloggers are so impressed with this.  It’s not the mess that RMB City is, but it’s not what it could be.

I’ve had this blog for some time, and there’s a LOT to celebrate in the Second Life arts world.  I wouldn’t make a big deal out of these two examples except that so many others have wildly praised them…and I just don’t get it.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder in the virtual world, too, I suppose.

The Energy of Bay City

One of the main reasons that I moved to this particular plot of land in Bay City was the opportunity to have a parcel that overloooked the North Channel on Route 66. My new place is literally the first stop off the bridge. It called for a landmark, a welcome, an inspiration. I commisisoned Ub Yifu to create “The Energy of Bay City,” a sculpted masterpiece that speaks to the vibrant community we have. Please come by and enjoy!
posted by Morris Vig on Bay City – Molesworth using a blogHUD : [blogHUD permalink]

Farewell, Arthole

Another sad statement about the impermanence that is Second Life:

It is with regret we announce the closure of Arthole on September 30th 2009.

We are unfortunately unable to dedicate the necessary time to the gallery anymore, and for a number of other reasons feel it is time to move on and go our separate ways.

Get your last looks in soon.

Winter Wardhani inworld photo exhibit at XPTO

Another GREAT collection of works from Winter, whose work often reminds me more of oil or watercolor paintings than inworld photography. It’s not a big show, but it’s one that’s worth checking out.

Daily Kos’ Markos Moulitsas in SL

[Pardon this digression from the world of the arts…] Virtually Speaking’s Jimbo Hoyer (left) interviews Markos live at the Netroots Nation convention in Pittsburgh, streamed inworld while Markos’ avatar sits with Jimbo onstage. Nice work and BIG crowd!
posted by Morris Vig on Virtually Speaking using a blogHUD : [blogHUD permalink]

Twilight’s Peace Art Gallery & Park – New space, new exhibits

Just received from Jonah Zenovka:

Shiki, Second Life – August 11, 2009 – Twilight’s Peace Art Gallery & Park is pleased to announce the opening of our newly redesigned and expanded arts center featuring works by seven amazing visiting artists. We invite you to enjoy the exhibit spaces, lounge by the river, and join us for many exciting live music events that celebrate art, including a special grand opening celebration to be announced.

In the main building you’ll discover the photography of Carabella Babii as well as colorful pieces by Juliete3d Quinzet and a fabulous collection of pour and drip paintings by Gracie Kendal. The second floor features an evocative collection of Second Life photography by Sapphoria Shilova.

In the courtyard, Em Larsson displays selections from her new Scotland series, and across the water in our brand new art pavillions we welcome Krissy Sinclair with brand new figural pieces, and Dane Fride takes us to Morocco with his latest photos.

Be sure to watch the events calendar as we welcome to the Twilight’s Peace Riverside Stage a quality mix of some of SL’s favorite performers, exciting new voices, and fun dj personalities.

Twilight’s Peace is a group committed to the following charter: There comes a time when people – after growing weary of intolerance, violence and oppression –  must band together in an effort to bring peace to our communities.  Twilight’s Peace is an interfaith group dedicated to bringing people together from all religions, races and cultures to advance peace worldwide.  Members employ art, music and discussion as tools for working toward this goal.

Twilight’s Peace is an open enrollment group, so please join and invite your friends.  If you have suggestions regarding art, programming, or philanthropies please contact either Jonah Zenovka or Alexxa Laval.

The L$25,000 inworld photo

You’re looking at it!

"The Willow Weeps" by Morgana Nagorski

Morgana Nagorski’s “The Willow Weeps” sold at an auction organized by Mariposa Upshaw, who had this to say:

I was recently given the opportunity to become curator of the gallery at the opera house on the sim of Australia by owners Pants Lilliehook and Mahala Peccable.
This happily coincided with the Jamm for Genes charity weekend being organized by australian rl and sl musician, Ohmy Kidd.
From OhMy Kidd about Jamm for Genes:  “Jamm for Genes” is part of the annual “Jeans for Genes” fundraiser for the Childrens  Medical Research Institute, an Australian charity with global benefits. “Jamm for Genes” is all about live music raising money, for research into cell biology that helps with both prevention and cure of childhood, congenital and genetic diseases.
(See:  http://www.cmri.org.au/ and http://www.jeansforgenes.org.au/)

“I am so thrilled and it IS a great charaity and it IS Australian . . .as am I,” Morgana added.  “It is a nice feeling on 2 levels…1. That someone liked my work THAT MUCH and 2. Indirectly I contributed.”

You sure did!  Congratulations, Morgana!

Sacred Lion Gallery enters portrait book in RL photo contest – Vote for it!

RL books of Second Life-generated artwork and photography are an interest of mine, so this was of particular interest.  One has to give credit to Indigo Mougin for not just making the book but entering it in a photo book contest against RL photography!  I looked at the online preview of the piece, and it’s very impressive.  Definitely worth your time to check out – and vote for it in the contest.

From Indigo:

This 86 page book contains portraits taken by the SL artist and RL photographer FigBash Snook in 2007 in Second Life. The stunning portraits capture many  personal qualities of the models who are mostly close friends of the artist. The book was compiled by Indigo Mougin for Figbash Snook as a RL birthday present using his work and giving him all the credits in the publication of this Blurb book. I believe it is the only book based on Second Life images to be entered into the Blurb.com photographic competition. The People’s  Choice competition is open until August 20.

the link to go to vote is:

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/330622

This 86 page book contains portraits taken by the SL artist and RL photographer FigBash Snook in 2007 in Second Life. The stunning portraits capture many  personal qualities of the models who are mostly close friends of the artist. The book was compiled by Indigo Mougin for Figbash Snook as a RL birthday present using his work and giving him all the credits in the publication of this Blurb book. I believe it is the only book based on Second Life images to be entered into the Blurb.com photographic competition. The People’s  Choice competition is open until August 20.

Here’s the link to view the book and vote.

What are your “go-to” Second Life art blogs?

I’m slowly getting back into the swing of things Second Life-wise.  Part of that is cleaning up the blogroll to reflect the current world of Second Life-related art and artisans.

I’ve pared back the dead/inactive blogs and sites…now it’s time to populate it with the newer entries. For that, I need your help.

What blogs do you look to in order to keep abreast of the Second Life art scene?  Whose artisan blogs do you enjoy reading?  Let me know in the comments (with links, please!), and I’ll add them to the lists on the left-hand-column!

Prims gone wild!

OMG – get a load of this bracelet! Well constructed, indeed, to but such heinous ends!! (My eyes!!)
posted by Morris Vig on Stupendous using a blogHUD : [blogHUD permalink]