The MaMachinima International Festival (MMIF) is upon is once again, infact it kicks off this coming Saturday Feb. 20th – One of the key orgainizers is Second Life’s Chantal Harvey. Chantal, who is herself a keen machinima maker and has devoted many hours to this creative art form both as a promoter and as a dedicated artist. Chantal was able to take time out from her busy schedule to answer a few questions here for metanopsis.
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Showing posts with label SecondLife©. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SecondLife©. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
10 Dresses for the Holidays
The holidays are quickly approaching.. what most ladies like to wear is something fantastic, something beautiful, something sparkling, something classy. Whether it be a cocktail Christmas party, a Hanukkah gathering, a Kwanza celebration, or a New Year’s Eve fete.
First the fantastic:
Raven Pennyfeather’s dress is a wonder of airiness and beauty, especially this version, which includes an incredible silver bodice.
Hair: Large bun(white) by Eshi Otawara (no longer available) *
Skin: Raven/Pulse Skin – Frost by Lorac Farella for Pulse Skins *
Dress: SPECIAL EDITION – RFyre Snow Queen, Womens, Ice Silver by Raven Pennyfeather for House of RFyre *
With it’s exquisite textures backless bodice, Nicky Ree’s absolutely stunning snowflake-embroidered dress crosses over from Ice Queen to a warm and sexy queen. The headpiece almost looks like an ushanka, made of snowflakes instead of fur. The glorious cape completes the look.
Hair: LH_hair13_rabi _white_f_L by Falastar Aeon for Little Heaven
Skin: [PXL] July LT SpringRose DEB by Hart Larsson for [PXL Creations]
Dress: *DNR* Snow Dream Collection in Snow Blue by Nicky Ree for Designing Nicky Ree *
Jewelry: (WW by RC) Ice Queen by Random Calliope for Worthwhile
Or you can go for truly elegant:
Nardya Rousselot’s gorgeous dress, suitable for tango or flamenco, will take you from Christmas to New Year’s with it’s full filigreed skirt complete with train, slit up one side, and beautifully embroidered bodice, all in a deep red.
Hair: >TRUTH< Eva – cranberry by Truth Hawks for >Truth< *
Skin: []::Tuli::[] Eva (tone 4/br) dec VIP gift by Tuli Asturius for Tuli (given to group members)
Dress: NX-Nardcotix Frank’s Jazz Crimson by Nardya Rousselot for Nardcotix
Choker: ~Muse~ Silver Bells and Satin RIbbon (black) by Caliah Lyon for ~Muse~
Bracelet: Calla Pearl Wrap Bracelet (Blood) by Haedon Quine for Calla
Shoes: NX-Nardcotix Kurvy Ruby Slippers -Exclusive Gift- by Nardya Rousselot for Nardcotix
Elettra Gausman’s elegant and theatrical tiger-striped gown will suit the provocateur. With it’s tight slim skirt leading to a flounced, silver-hemmed skirt and its dangerous back with provocative end point, this dress oozes sensuality.
Hair: PE Portia Kohl by Aemilia Case for Philotic Energy *
Skin: []::Tuli::[] Bella (fair/br) F.Y.L.O. red by Tuli Asturius for []::Tuli::[] *
Dress: *OC* Silver Sexy Tiger by Elettra Gausman for Orage Creations
Necklace and Earrings: Alienbear Design (Ambroisa II black Pearl set) by Alienbear Gupte for Alienbear Design
Ring: P.C; Black Pearl Ring by Cora Lu for Paper Couture
Shoes: * Baiastice__stiletto black by Sissy Pessoa for Baiastice
Shiryu Musashi’s brocaded midnight blue evening gown is, then, a perfect choice for me. With its rich draping fabric, carefully constructed prim skirt, elegant wrapped sash, and opera gloves, it’s an evening gown for a lady of mystery.
Hair: >TRUTH< Eva – driftwood by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *
Skin: []::Tuli::[] Bella (fair/li) F.Y.E.O. dusk (PU1) by Tuli Asturias for []::Tuli::[] *
Dress: (Musashi-Do) Brocade Princess Blue by Shiryu Musashi for Musashi-Do *
Choker: :rama’s Noel gray by Rama Anatine for R.A. Crystal
This long, elegant dress from Sparkle Skye is perfect for the princess off to a night of magic and wonder on New Year’s Eve. This particular gown comes with a short option, a semi-sheer and a non-sparkling or sparkling skirt. With its understated elegant lines, it suits a woman of sophistication.
Hair: ETD Loraine 2 – Crimson by Elikapeka Tiramisu for ETD
Skin: Pulse Skin-Life/Tone 4 Warm m1 by Lorac Farella for Pulse Skins *
Dress: *SS* Madame X – Snow by Sparkle Skye for Sparkle Skye Designs
Jewelry: !Alienbear Designs-Azuena Queen & Princess Antique Gold Set by Alienbear Gupte for Alienbear Designs *
What about the woman who wants a something a little less formal? We don’t all go to balls for the holidays. I have flirty, fun, and sophisticated for you….
This dress from Ivey Deschanel would be ideal for more informal parties. With its full and flirty blue satin skirt and sequined spaghetti strap top, it fits the bill. What really pushes it from girly dress to a more elegant look, however, is the scarf and fishnet tights Ivey includes.
Hair: >TRUTH< Cameron – auburn by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *
Skin: Pulse Skin-Life Freckled/Tone 5 Warm m7 by Lorac Farella for Pulse Skins *
Dress: :::Sn@tch Tango (Clothing Layers Only)::: by Ivey Deschanel for Sn@tch
Earrings: ~SIGMA~Jewels/ Nepheli earrings~ by Sofi Trenkins for ~SIGMA~Jewels
Shoes: (Shiny Things) Belles – black by Fallingwater Cellardoor for Shiny Things
This dress from Vitabela Dubrovna is another great choice. Based on her real life designs, Vita’s dresses are beautiful, imaginative, and couture. This lovely dress will take me to several parties, both day and night, with its lovely laces and beading on the bodice and full graceful skirt.
Hair: >TRUTH< Grace – burgundy by Truth Hawks for >TRUTH< *
Skin: Pulse Skin-Life/Tone5 m4 by Lorac Farella for Pulse Skins *
Dress: Black Lace by Vitabela Dubrovna for Vita’s Boudoir
Jewelry: (WW by RC) Wish Set by Random Calliope for Worthwhile *
Shoes: Jada Humby Couture Stilettos *Marie Clair* SILVER by Jada Humby for Jada Humby Couture
Running along a more vintage line is this sleek couture dress from Raven Pennyfeather. With its feathered decolletage, tweed pattern and three-quarter length cuffed sleeves, it’s sophistication unparalleled. A tortured prim collar surrounds the neck like a piece of constructed fluffery with a well-chosen sculpty belt around the waist. A dramatic (but not overdone) feather hat tops the ensemble. The system skirt is tight and sexy with a brilliant pleated flexi attached, and Raven’s characteristic textured stockings complete the outfit. This truly is high fashion—unique, artistic, designed well. It shows how Raven continues to push herself artistically and technically.
Hair: Ingenue ~ Lamour ~ Cinnamon by Betty Doyle for Ingenue
Skin: Pulse Skin – Honey/Oh My!-Radiance blk brows by Lorac Farella for Pulse Skins *
Dress: ! RP Couture Fury Womens Black by Raven Pennyfeather for RP Couture *
Shoes: Maitreya Verve Pumps – Black by Onyx LeShelle for Maitreya
Finally we have a short little number from Kuranosuke Kamachi. A marvelous fluff of stiff satin, this dress is understated enough to stand with more elaborate accessories (such as the shoes I am wearing from 2408 Alekseev. This is formality with a bit of fun.
Hair: [V] Vignette Sophia Charcoal by Rachel Boram for Vignette
Skin: *YS & YS* Zara 02 Smoke Black EB HairBase by Monicuzza Babenco for YS & YS *
Dress: =DeLa*= Dress “Leona” Black by Kuranosuke Kamachi for =DeLa*=
Necklace and Earrings: Eclectica Deco Pearl Strands Choker and Earrings by Tiffy Vella for Eclectica
Shoes: 24 wow 18 gold by 2408 Alekseev for 24 Shoo-Shoes and Haute Couture
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Off the Top of My Head: All About Hair
Hair brings one's self-image into focus; it is vanity's proving ground. Hair is terribly personal, a tangle of mysterious prejudices.
~Shana Alexander
Every morning when I wake up in SL, I am faced with the prospect of what my hair will look like. In my real life, I am pretty much limited to the hair I have, as messy or incalcitrant as it will be. In SL or IMVU, I have the choice of just about any hair I would want.
As Shana Alexander suggests, hair is the headliner, the opening statement, the engine to the whole train wreck.
What is amazing is that it is one of the least expensive ways to completely change one’s look in either world. Both mediums offer a variety of hairstyles for women (though the complaint in SL is that not enough are offered for men).
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Monday, December 7, 2009
Best Foot Forward
For fashionistas across the worlds, seemingly trivial things become incredibly important. Like where to get the very best shoes.
Why shoes? They are the punctuation on an ensemble. They set the tone for the entire outfit and show the wearer’s expertise with the finer details of accoutrement. The shoes alone can tell a whole story—are they scuffed boots, fresh from role playing in a gritty urban scene, or pristine stilettos on long legs, full of sex appeal and class or sweet flats, perfect for a “day off”?
Both Second Life and IMVU offer users the ability to enjoy their shoe fetish and secretly indulge in Imelda Marcos’ extravagances without breaking the bank or building a new closet on to the house.
Shoes are also incredibly important in both words because the feet in both are dreadfully unattractive.
Feet from IMVU (L) and Second Life (R).
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Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Skin Deep
Across the virtual worlds--especially in Second Life and IMVU—the avatar is made in a way that layers of graphics go over a computer-calculated mesh. Both worlds allow residents to create skins and bring them in world.
This is all a fancy way of saying we can make our faces and bodies kind of look the way we want. However, if we are not pros in Photoshop or 3ds Max, we need to live with the skins given us or purchase them from content creators in our respective worlds. Imagine me without a skin. This photo could not exist…
The skins are the most human elements of the avatar, besides the mesh shapes and animations, for avatars. They mark the difference between being a generic body and an individual persona and skin makers do fine business in both worlds. The skins create the base of the being that we inhibit in avatars and bring the poignancy of our humanness to our interactions. They make the 3D we engage in much more meaningful.
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Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Adam Nash (aka Adam Ramona) Selected Second Life Works 2007-2009
Adam Nash (aka Adam Ramona) just opened his first "solo retrospective" collection of selected Second Life Works dated 2007-2009. It’s a varied and random set of installations scattered high up on a flat suspended platform; his works comprising primarily of 2 main competent s, one being sound and the other movement – you see solid walls out colour, some more transparent, some moving, some not. These simple shapes hold an audio/ visual experience which draws you into a state of contemplation – I felt many times as if I was trying to unlock a puzzle of sorts. Adam’s work is engaging on a deep level, and its best experienced in person. Each installation has its own ‘personality’ if you will –and I found it to be truly captivating, and indeed before I had noticed, an hour or so had passed me by– I felt as if each individual experience pained a story in my mind and took me on a journey. As with all such moments in time, each of us with see it and feel it in our own way; and its meaning will of course vary to each of us – what is important here is that it evokes a response. Few Artists transcend, Adam is one of those, and he takes this creative platform of Second Life beyond the screen in front of you. Please go and see Adam’s work for yourself via this direct link and be sure to pick up the additional information made available about the background on both Adam and his work. Adam's "solo retrospective" was curated by the experienced White Lebed and hosted on sim generously donated by Kolor Fall.
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Selavy Oh - Irregularity - The Art Of Burning Life Part 4 on metanopsis
Selavy Oh brings together something truly interactive with her build ‘Irregularity’ at Burning Life this year – ''Initially, the structure is completely symmetric and regular, but becomes more and more irregular over time. Each visitor actively participates in this transformation: When avatars fly through the structure and collide with it, the edges touched fall down and the structure temporarily becomes damaged. After a certain time, which depends on how many visitors are present, the edges will start to rise and slowly move back towards their original position. However, they never end up in exact the same position, thus resulting in an accumulative disarrangement of the structure'' – She writes in her note card by way of an explanation.
Her work to me, on this particular occasion, makes me feel like I am playing and interacting with a maths formula, and an almost childlike feeling came over me – as I felt myself regress to that simple childhood state and I recalled the same curiosity of seeing what would happen when playing with building blocks – It’s great fun, and a great example of the how scripting in combination with a beautiful artist form, works on both a visual and technical level. Interactive art in this virtual world of ours provides an added immersive experience and this to me is a key factor.
I think that it’s a very important than even though Burning Life is trying to aesthetically mirror aspects of Burning Man, that it still retains and explores the added dynamic of the virtual creative possibility which reaches beyond the day to day dynamic of a physical earth world. It’s very much a natural creative evolution – and I would like to see it come full circle – perhaps with virtual art being part of the real life playa – that opens in return a door and adds a cross connectivity that portals in both directions – maybe, say in the form of a Burning Life art work being displayed on a giant screen at Burning Man, showing the virtual playa or maybe bring a virtually created art piece to the playa and tackle the limitations that a non virtual world imposes – let’s see how this unfolds ...
You can find a camp directory to Burning Life by using this link You can also find a list of Burning Life events by using this one Also if you so wish take a direct TP to Selavy’s art plot by clicking here
Q1. Tell us in 6 words what best describes you best of all.
Seven spheres inside a single head
Q2. Tell us in 11 words what best describes your Art best of all.
Here we go: if that would work, I would be done
Q3. What brought you to the Metaverse and how did you get here?
Just as every other avatar, I was created. You never know for what reason. You may be created just because of ennui, or you may be there to act as representation of your creator. You may even be an art project. But take your chance; get your own life, your own identity!
Q4. You have an Art Project at Burning Life this year, what challenges if any did you have to overcome or consider whilst building at this particular event? Would you like to tell us a little more about your build?
The challenge is always to build within the given boundaries. Since I had applied with a specific project in mind, the space and size restrictions actually posed a problem. But the most difficult challenge was the restriction on script load: my scripts take more time just because of their number, but I hope that white lebed continues to back me!
Briefly, my build called "irregularity" is a structure consisting of 1872 poles arranged in a three-dimensional grid and forming a hollow sphere. Initially, the structure is completely regular, but over time each intruding visitor participates in making it more and more irregular. At the end of burning life, I hope that the structure will have evolved to assuming a new unique shape, which is formed by the behaviour of the visitors.
Q5. What is your personal favourite art plot or camp or indeed both at Burning Life this year and why?
Well, I didn't really see much of the other work; just what's next to mine, and therefore I can't give an informed answer here. I’ve visited the plots of friends such as those of alpha auer, bryn oh, and dekka raymaker, I’ve seen the build of adam ramona, and I can recommend them all! and of course I’m looking forward to what others like am radio will show.
Q6. What would you recommend changes in Second Life to facilitate the arts in a better way?
An alternate user interface that could be used in the setting of a gallery or a museum. Presenting art that uses second life as medium in an exhibition is currently very difficult, and in my opinion an easy interface which allows not much more than moving and touching, not even teleporting, would help. and then a possibility to possess artworks, not just inside second life. you can possess a photograph, a video tape, even a CD containing the executable of a piece of computer art. but art made with second life will always remain on the servers of linden labs. at the moment, i'm afraid that this doesn't really help collectors and museums in recognizing virtual-world art as a serious art form.
Q7. How important do you think the creative arts plays a role within the Second Life community?
My guess, without being able to verify it, would be that it plays a similar role as in everyday life. Just as an example: the MoMa, which is open the whole year and makes 20 to 30 different exhibitions, has about 2 million visitors per year. The Munich beer fest, the Oktoberfest, which lasts for just two weeks every year, has about 6 million visitors.
At least we have an advantage: while you can enjoy art in second life, drinking beer isn't really fun.
Q8. What is your next project going to be? Are you mulling over anything?
The next project is a terrain composition for several prims.
Q9. In what way do you like to document your work in Second Life best? Which form would you personally recommend?
How do you document a performance? Or graffiti on a subway door? Is a photograph or a video sufficient to document it? My work involves participation, and you cannot really document that, you have to experience it. But is an accurate documentation what we really need? What we need is an audience, and if we're lucky, we'll be remembered.
Q10. We all tend to have an influence that inspires us when creating - whom has this effect on you?
Taking a shower or reading the LSL (linden script language) wiki inspires me a lot. More seriously, and concerning the 'whom' in your question: art as I see it is always also about art. And therefore it's obvious that you certainly can find references to contemporary art and artists in my work; you may call that inspiration, but in fact it means placing my work in a context.
Now Selavy - yo have a chance to ask yourself 3 questions it can be about anything you like ANYTHING!
Q1. How frequently do you take showers?
Q2. Why do you participate in interviews like this?
Q3. How is Rrose doing?
Ok well that will teach me to say ask questions - I didn't mention about answering them 0_o *note to self ha
Until next time on metanopsis
Poid
Poid Mahovlich on Koinup
Poid Mahovlich - blog spot
Her work to me, on this particular occasion, makes me feel like I am playing and interacting with a maths formula, and an almost childlike feeling came over me – as I felt myself regress to that simple childhood state and I recalled the same curiosity of seeing what would happen when playing with building blocks – It’s great fun, and a great example of the how scripting in combination with a beautiful artist form, works on both a visual and technical level. Interactive art in this virtual world of ours provides an added immersive experience and this to me is a key factor.
I think that it’s a very important than even though Burning Life is trying to aesthetically mirror aspects of Burning Man, that it still retains and explores the added dynamic of the virtual creative possibility which reaches beyond the day to day dynamic of a physical earth world. It’s very much a natural creative evolution – and I would like to see it come full circle – perhaps with virtual art being part of the real life playa – that opens in return a door and adds a cross connectivity that portals in both directions – maybe, say in the form of a Burning Life art work being displayed on a giant screen at Burning Man, showing the virtual playa or maybe bring a virtually created art piece to the playa and tackle the limitations that a non virtual world imposes – let’s see how this unfolds ...
You can find a camp directory to Burning Life by using this link You can also find a list of Burning Life events by using this one Also if you so wish take a direct TP to Selavy’s art plot by clicking here
Q1. Tell us in 6 words what best describes you best of all.
Seven spheres inside a single head
Q2. Tell us in 11 words what best describes your Art best of all.
Here we go: if that would work, I would be done
Q3. What brought you to the Metaverse and how did you get here?
Just as every other avatar, I was created. You never know for what reason. You may be created just because of ennui, or you may be there to act as representation of your creator. You may even be an art project. But take your chance; get your own life, your own identity!
Q4. You have an Art Project at Burning Life this year, what challenges if any did you have to overcome or consider whilst building at this particular event? Would you like to tell us a little more about your build?
The challenge is always to build within the given boundaries. Since I had applied with a specific project in mind, the space and size restrictions actually posed a problem. But the most difficult challenge was the restriction on script load: my scripts take more time just because of their number, but I hope that white lebed continues to back me!
Briefly, my build called "irregularity" is a structure consisting of 1872 poles arranged in a three-dimensional grid and forming a hollow sphere. Initially, the structure is completely regular, but over time each intruding visitor participates in making it more and more irregular. At the end of burning life, I hope that the structure will have evolved to assuming a new unique shape, which is formed by the behaviour of the visitors.
Q5. What is your personal favourite art plot or camp or indeed both at Burning Life this year and why?
Well, I didn't really see much of the other work; just what's next to mine, and therefore I can't give an informed answer here. I’ve visited the plots of friends such as those of alpha auer, bryn oh, and dekka raymaker, I’ve seen the build of adam ramona, and I can recommend them all! and of course I’m looking forward to what others like am radio will show.
Q6. What would you recommend changes in Second Life to facilitate the arts in a better way?
An alternate user interface that could be used in the setting of a gallery or a museum. Presenting art that uses second life as medium in an exhibition is currently very difficult, and in my opinion an easy interface which allows not much more than moving and touching, not even teleporting, would help. and then a possibility to possess artworks, not just inside second life. you can possess a photograph, a video tape, even a CD containing the executable of a piece of computer art. but art made with second life will always remain on the servers of linden labs. at the moment, i'm afraid that this doesn't really help collectors and museums in recognizing virtual-world art as a serious art form.
Q7. How important do you think the creative arts plays a role within the Second Life community?
My guess, without being able to verify it, would be that it plays a similar role as in everyday life. Just as an example: the MoMa, which is open the whole year and makes 20 to 30 different exhibitions, has about 2 million visitors per year. The Munich beer fest, the Oktoberfest, which lasts for just two weeks every year, has about 6 million visitors.
At least we have an advantage: while you can enjoy art in second life, drinking beer isn't really fun.
Q8. What is your next project going to be? Are you mulling over anything?
The next project is a terrain composition for several prims.
Q9. In what way do you like to document your work in Second Life best? Which form would you personally recommend?
How do you document a performance? Or graffiti on a subway door? Is a photograph or a video sufficient to document it? My work involves participation, and you cannot really document that, you have to experience it. But is an accurate documentation what we really need? What we need is an audience, and if we're lucky, we'll be remembered.
Q10. We all tend to have an influence that inspires us when creating - whom has this effect on you?
Taking a shower or reading the LSL (linden script language) wiki inspires me a lot. More seriously, and concerning the 'whom' in your question: art as I see it is always also about art. And therefore it's obvious that you certainly can find references to contemporary art and artists in my work; you may call that inspiration, but in fact it means placing my work in a context.
Now Selavy - yo have a chance to ask yourself 3 questions it can be about anything you like ANYTHING!
Q1. How frequently do you take showers?
Q2. Why do you participate in interviews like this?
Q3. How is Rrose doing?
Ok well that will teach me to say ask questions - I didn't mention about answering them 0_o *note to self ha
Until next time on metanopsis
Poid
Poid Mahovlich on Koinup
Poid Mahovlich - blog spot
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Emcee Widget The DMV -The Art Of Burning Life 2009 Part 2 on metanopsis
The gate road entry to Burning Life is thrown open today, Saturday 17th October at 12Noon SLT – there is so much to see and do there its breath taking, it’s the biggest art event in the metaverse – so I urge you to take some time out from your day and take a peak, no rush to stampede it you got a week! Reduce lag by lowering your draw distance, remove any attachments and embrace the lag! I decided to take a peek at one of the volunteers working hard to get this show on the road – so introducing to you Emcee Widget, who works in the DMV – Department of Mutant Vehicles - building art cars; he in fact leads that builders group. The DMV have a very cool hang out diner where you can also grab an art car via the rezzer – TP direct from here and grab yourself a fun vehicle and start your adventures on the virtual playa! Art comes in many forms this being another of them .... ZZZZzzzzzzzzoooomm - Alright over to Emcee ...
Q1. Tell us in 6 words what best describes you.
Seeking better questions, rather than answers.
Q2. What brought you to the Metaverse and how did you get here?
That is so lost in the mists of time and happenstance, but I think it may have had to do with an article in Wired or in the Economist, which says a lot about me and it made reference to Neal Stephenson's Cyberpunk novel Snow Crash. Being a big Stephenson fan, I had to see this place! If you know Snow Crash, the first thing I bought in world after getting off Orientation Island was a Katana sword from Hiro Pendragon. I also experienced a resident "giving back," as Hiro Pendragon taught me how to unpack a box to get to my Katana. I thought that was amazingly cool and kind to do, and that Second Life was different. Thanks Hiro! You set me on a course of giving back to others in SL through that kindness! Rest assured I've progressed a bit since then buddy! Day two saw me in a sandbox making simple things, ironically enough the first thing I made was an Avatar accessory - a simple Halo. /me laughs. I have gotten a bit more expressive since then.
Q3. You’re involved in Burning Life again this year, working in the DMV (department of Mutant Vehicles) how did this come to pass?
Woody Allen says that 99% of success is showing up. I showed up last year for BL08 fully engaged with the principles of Burning Man and I was ready to DO something...our 2008 DMV lead's computer crashed and he couldn't get on. Well push came to shove and Gypsy Paz and I practiced radical self reliance and we started...leading and we took over as Leads for the DMV! We were caught a little short on time and we both agreed when we were done with building vehicles non-stop that we loved the experience, but we thought that Burning Life Vehicles and the DMV could really represent the Burning Man experience of Community far more than they did. Gypsy and I, friends forged from the fires of Burning Life 08 stayed close through the year. We stood up pretty early and volunteered for BL09 Lead positions again. I guess we had everyone snookered last year and so off we went with the blessings of everyone to get 'er done at the DMV and have a good time doing it. My goal was to create an atmosphere of creativity and community for DMV builders. We practiced Radical inclusion - accepting near all the volunteers that wanted to be a part of the DMV, and we saw the results - radical self expression from our DMV team. Dang they rock.
Q4. You have created a number of art cars for Burning Life - what is your personal favourite and why?
So that is like asking someone to pick their favourite child Poid! C'mon! Out of the works that I have done personally, (so I don't have to pick from somebody else's builds that are ALL better than mine!) my great labour of love was building Dusty and Danger Ranger’s 1963 Plymouth Valiant last year http://www.flickr.com/photos/10111/sets/72157619086192579/with/2878845719/ . This was literally my first ground vehicle ever and it challenged me. I mean ... I normally work in nanoprims. I now know way too much about Plymouth valiant’s...but the car came out nicely and was a lot of fun to gift over. This year I have passed the gift of this build on to someone else and the DMV is rebuilding the Red Death with Sculptys.
Q5. Other members of the DMV have also been very busy building, can you tell us a bit about the type of art cars they have been working on?
First of all I LOVE the work that our team has done. Period, hands down there are truly AMAZING Artworks that are vehicles that White Lebed (who is far more of a real artist than I) says stand up against some of the best non-moving art that she has seen in SL. We have highly participatory vehicles that are used by individuals, groups for touring, and we have bikes for just gettin' around like the yellow bike program. We also have reused all the 2008 vehicles and we have one of the first BL vehicles, the Cupcake car. A number of the vehicles are clearly evolved..Like riding snails and a giant tick (eww! *grins*). We have alternative energy vehicles that run on everything from honey to passion. Hows that for Evolution?! We have giant touring snails, Water trucks, cars that are "absurd" that will make you laugh, vehicles that will make you think, vehicles you can dance on, vehicles that you can cuddle on. If you have ever wanted to ride a spermatozoa...this is your chance at BL09! It’s amazing what the DMV has come up with in a radical participation. We have made some amazing friends during this journey prior to the burn, and we will be seeing everyone at the DMV diners for CRUISE NIGHT events. I want to give special thanks to our Diner team for creating an amazing place to hang out or pick up a Mutant Vehicle. Check out the menu at the DMV diner!
Q6. When scripting for an event such as Burning Life - what are the challenges you come up against when utilizing vehicle scripts? Do you have any recommendations or words of wisdom to give? We all know crossing a sim boarder is a tough one - any tips at all?
First of all our Scripting Gods in the form of Gypsy Paz and Waya Sion have crafted some amazing vehicle scripts. Me, I do a good job adjusting Jopsy's particle scripts. hehe. Our vehicles rez out of our gas pumps at DMV DINER camps and around SL at DMV kiosks. There are somewhere around 30 different DMV vehicles! You just walk up to one and DRIVE. We have some good default views setup, but you may want use camera controls to change the view. When you are done driving stand up and the vehicle won’t eject you like most do thanks to Waya's script wizardry. The vehicle sits for a few minutes waiting for a new driver and then if nobody takes it...*poof* it’s gone! Most of the large vehicles accommodate a driver and passenger. Very large ones will accommodate up to six avatars and our tour vehicles accommodate 8 avatars.
As far as tips go - Ride any physical vehicle in Second life with a light hand and a sense of humour. Consider others experience when you drive out onto the playa. Clearly you can't hurt yourself or anyone like at Burning Man, but you can impact their experience. Be Civil! Drive slowly as the Sims may be laggy despite our best efforts. Plan your route and drive with the minimap open. Stay away from sim borders and turn on land borders in your client. Some roads straddle sim borders. CUIDADO CHICA! Cross slow and with care if you do have to cross a sim border. Weird stuff will graphically happen, and it will go on and maybe on longer than you expect. Be patient and give it all a chance to settle out. Some parcels of land around stages will cause the vehicle to stop working. They are set to a different group. You may find that out soon enough if you drive into them. Let a Ranger know that you have abandoned ship and they will get the vehicle off the playa. Stay on roads as much as possible, and stop if a Ranger, staff, or Linden hails you (just like Burning Man). Heck, it might be me with a gift for ya!
Q7. What aspect of creating art cars do you enjoy the most?
The very very first time you drop the scripts in and do a sit. There is absolutely nothing like that first movement forward EVER for your creation. It’s very cool. Now, most people laugh at what I make, so I usually look forward to that too...at least I think I do! *Grins*
Q8. Where does the inspiration come when building these art cars? Or is it all from the depths of your imagination?
So setting me aside, our group did a lot of thinking about the theme of Evolution and they also scoured the Burning Man site and Danger Rangers site: for inspiration. Then..They got together and started building. Some built their own cars and others formed groups. There was a lot of interaction and cross fertilization of ideas and general hubbub. Some had been waiting all year to put forward their designs. Some started out with moderate skills and as a result of the experience they learned a lot. Others gave the gift of mentoring and didn't build much at all, or simply helped in a small way here or there. Some were inspiration themselves for the vehicle. There is a certain BlackWolf Brand matchbox out there made into a vehicle!
Q9. Other residents working outside the DMV also have traditionally created art cars. What have you seen? What caught your eye at Burning Life?
One of the things we chose to limit ourselves to, and it was just a choice to keep things simple, was to not do flying vehicles in the DMV. Now with that said I have seen some amazing touring blimps with fantastic textures that would be right at home in Black Rock City. I have also seen a BRC water truck that people who go to Burning Man IRL will recognize as where they take their showers...Camp Builders have come into the DMV looking for scripts and help with their vehicles, and like the borg they have been assimilated into the DMV without much fuss..So a lot of the vehicles you may see in DMV rezzers started out from the Camps.
Q10. What would you personally recommend to a first time visitor to go see at Burning Life 2009?
I've been waiting for this trick question....! Go see? Go SEE? What?? No! NO NO! Participate! Go PARTICIPATE. You don't see Burning Life. You DO Burning Life! Wade in! Get Messy! (Didn't Miss Frizzle say that?) And participate with whoever is there with whatever is there in an honest unmediated straightforward exchange. Bring gifts! Accept them too! Talk, laugh, Dance with fire! Become part of the community! I really don't give a hoot if you never get out of one sim. Just do THAT, and you will be a Burner.
OK Emcee you now have the opportunity to ask yourself 3 questions - it can be on any topic that you like - so please knock yourself out!
Q1. So, you've been living the Burn for over a month now with the DMV. Are you burned out yet? Going to do it again in 2010?
You know, I sit here writing this on the eve of opening of BL09 so ready, so in the groove of the 10 principles of Burning Man that I want to just get out on the playa and GO! Hehe. I will be Rangering (look me up! I have goodies!) And leading some of our Cruise Nights and sock hops. You will probably see me around next year too, as this is my favourite event in SL. Who knows what I'll do next year!
Q2. So what do you realllly do..No not in Real Life,(who cares about that!?) but in SL?
*Grins* It’s really funny because people do ask me if I do vehicles, can I do a custom vehicle, etc. I typically do jewellery, and I have taught jewellery making and founded the Master Jeweller’s Guild of Second Life. This is a community self-managed group that sets standards for excellence and training as well as business ethics. Sounds kinda Burning Man like, eh? I am also a Browncoat if you know what that is. Browncoats are Burners, they just don't know it.
My Links to Koinup and flickr
Q3. Give us your best parting shot and then shut up. This has run waaaayyy too long!:
Danger Ranger drew a line in the sand and told us all that everything would be different...I would be different...and we held hands and stepped across that line together, as one. The wind whipped up and I looked back to see that bare etching in the Playa blown away, erased from earth and memory. I could never find that line again to cross back. And I didn't care. Hand in hand we walked forward into the best Burn ever - Burning Life 09!
Until Next Time on metanopsis
Poid
Poid Mahovlich on Koinup
Poid Mahovlich - blog spot
Q1. Tell us in 6 words what best describes you.
Seeking better questions, rather than answers.
Q2. What brought you to the Metaverse and how did you get here?
That is so lost in the mists of time and happenstance, but I think it may have had to do with an article in Wired or in the Economist, which says a lot about me and it made reference to Neal Stephenson's Cyberpunk novel Snow Crash. Being a big Stephenson fan, I had to see this place! If you know Snow Crash, the first thing I bought in world after getting off Orientation Island was a Katana sword from Hiro Pendragon. I also experienced a resident "giving back," as Hiro Pendragon taught me how to unpack a box to get to my Katana. I thought that was amazingly cool and kind to do, and that Second Life was different. Thanks Hiro! You set me on a course of giving back to others in SL through that kindness! Rest assured I've progressed a bit since then buddy! Day two saw me in a sandbox making simple things, ironically enough the first thing I made was an Avatar accessory - a simple Halo. /me laughs. I have gotten a bit more expressive since then.
Q3. You’re involved in Burning Life again this year, working in the DMV (department of Mutant Vehicles) how did this come to pass?
Woody Allen says that 99% of success is showing up. I showed up last year for BL08 fully engaged with the principles of Burning Man and I was ready to DO something...our 2008 DMV lead's computer crashed and he couldn't get on. Well push came to shove and Gypsy Paz and I practiced radical self reliance and we started...leading and we took over as Leads for the DMV! We were caught a little short on time and we both agreed when we were done with building vehicles non-stop that we loved the experience, but we thought that Burning Life Vehicles and the DMV could really represent the Burning Man experience of Community far more than they did. Gypsy and I, friends forged from the fires of Burning Life 08 stayed close through the year. We stood up pretty early and volunteered for BL09 Lead positions again. I guess we had everyone snookered last year and so off we went with the blessings of everyone to get 'er done at the DMV and have a good time doing it. My goal was to create an atmosphere of creativity and community for DMV builders. We practiced Radical inclusion - accepting near all the volunteers that wanted to be a part of the DMV, and we saw the results - radical self expression from our DMV team. Dang they rock.
Q4. You have created a number of art cars for Burning Life - what is your personal favourite and why?
So that is like asking someone to pick their favourite child Poid! C'mon! Out of the works that I have done personally, (so I don't have to pick from somebody else's builds that are ALL better than mine!) my great labour of love was building Dusty and Danger Ranger’s 1963 Plymouth Valiant last year http://www.flickr.com/photos/10111/sets/72157619086192579/with/2878845719/ . This was literally my first ground vehicle ever and it challenged me. I mean ... I normally work in nanoprims. I now know way too much about Plymouth valiant’s...but the car came out nicely and was a lot of fun to gift over. This year I have passed the gift of this build on to someone else and the DMV is rebuilding the Red Death with Sculptys.
Q5. Other members of the DMV have also been very busy building, can you tell us a bit about the type of art cars they have been working on?
First of all I LOVE the work that our team has done. Period, hands down there are truly AMAZING Artworks that are vehicles that White Lebed (who is far more of a real artist than I) says stand up against some of the best non-moving art that she has seen in SL. We have highly participatory vehicles that are used by individuals, groups for touring, and we have bikes for just gettin' around like the yellow bike program. We also have reused all the 2008 vehicles and we have one of the first BL vehicles, the Cupcake car. A number of the vehicles are clearly evolved..Like riding snails and a giant tick (eww! *grins*). We have alternative energy vehicles that run on everything from honey to passion. Hows that for Evolution?! We have giant touring snails, Water trucks, cars that are "absurd" that will make you laugh, vehicles that will make you think, vehicles you can dance on, vehicles that you can cuddle on. If you have ever wanted to ride a spermatozoa...this is your chance at BL09! It’s amazing what the DMV has come up with in a radical participation. We have made some amazing friends during this journey prior to the burn, and we will be seeing everyone at the DMV diners for CRUISE NIGHT events. I want to give special thanks to our Diner team for creating an amazing place to hang out or pick up a Mutant Vehicle. Check out the menu at the DMV diner!
Q6. When scripting for an event such as Burning Life - what are the challenges you come up against when utilizing vehicle scripts? Do you have any recommendations or words of wisdom to give? We all know crossing a sim boarder is a tough one - any tips at all?
First of all our Scripting Gods in the form of Gypsy Paz and Waya Sion have crafted some amazing vehicle scripts. Me, I do a good job adjusting Jopsy's particle scripts. hehe. Our vehicles rez out of our gas pumps at DMV DINER camps and around SL at DMV kiosks. There are somewhere around 30 different DMV vehicles! You just walk up to one and DRIVE. We have some good default views setup, but you may want use camera controls to change the view. When you are done driving stand up and the vehicle won’t eject you like most do thanks to Waya's script wizardry. The vehicle sits for a few minutes waiting for a new driver and then if nobody takes it...*poof* it’s gone! Most of the large vehicles accommodate a driver and passenger. Very large ones will accommodate up to six avatars and our tour vehicles accommodate 8 avatars.
As far as tips go - Ride any physical vehicle in Second life with a light hand and a sense of humour. Consider others experience when you drive out onto the playa. Clearly you can't hurt yourself or anyone like at Burning Man, but you can impact their experience. Be Civil! Drive slowly as the Sims may be laggy despite our best efforts. Plan your route and drive with the minimap open. Stay away from sim borders and turn on land borders in your client. Some roads straddle sim borders. CUIDADO CHICA! Cross slow and with care if you do have to cross a sim border. Weird stuff will graphically happen, and it will go on and maybe on longer than you expect. Be patient and give it all a chance to settle out. Some parcels of land around stages will cause the vehicle to stop working. They are set to a different group. You may find that out soon enough if you drive into them. Let a Ranger know that you have abandoned ship and they will get the vehicle off the playa. Stay on roads as much as possible, and stop if a Ranger, staff, or Linden hails you (just like Burning Man). Heck, it might be me with a gift for ya!
Q7. What aspect of creating art cars do you enjoy the most?
The very very first time you drop the scripts in and do a sit. There is absolutely nothing like that first movement forward EVER for your creation. It’s very cool. Now, most people laugh at what I make, so I usually look forward to that too...at least I think I do! *Grins*
Q8. Where does the inspiration come when building these art cars? Or is it all from the depths of your imagination?
So setting me aside, our group did a lot of thinking about the theme of Evolution and they also scoured the Burning Man site and Danger Rangers site: for inspiration. Then..They got together and started building. Some built their own cars and others formed groups. There was a lot of interaction and cross fertilization of ideas and general hubbub. Some had been waiting all year to put forward their designs. Some started out with moderate skills and as a result of the experience they learned a lot. Others gave the gift of mentoring and didn't build much at all, or simply helped in a small way here or there. Some were inspiration themselves for the vehicle. There is a certain BlackWolf Brand matchbox out there made into a vehicle!
Q9. Other residents working outside the DMV also have traditionally created art cars. What have you seen? What caught your eye at Burning Life?
One of the things we chose to limit ourselves to, and it was just a choice to keep things simple, was to not do flying vehicles in the DMV. Now with that said I have seen some amazing touring blimps with fantastic textures that would be right at home in Black Rock City. I have also seen a BRC water truck that people who go to Burning Man IRL will recognize as where they take their showers...Camp Builders have come into the DMV looking for scripts and help with their vehicles, and like the borg they have been assimilated into the DMV without much fuss..So a lot of the vehicles you may see in DMV rezzers started out from the Camps.
Q10. What would you personally recommend to a first time visitor to go see at Burning Life 2009?
I've been waiting for this trick question....! Go see? Go SEE? What?? No! NO NO! Participate! Go PARTICIPATE. You don't see Burning Life. You DO Burning Life! Wade in! Get Messy! (Didn't Miss Frizzle say that?) And participate with whoever is there with whatever is there in an honest unmediated straightforward exchange. Bring gifts! Accept them too! Talk, laugh, Dance with fire! Become part of the community! I really don't give a hoot if you never get out of one sim. Just do THAT, and you will be a Burner.
OK Emcee you now have the opportunity to ask yourself 3 questions - it can be on any topic that you like - so please knock yourself out!
Q1. So, you've been living the Burn for over a month now with the DMV. Are you burned out yet? Going to do it again in 2010?
You know, I sit here writing this on the eve of opening of BL09 so ready, so in the groove of the 10 principles of Burning Man that I want to just get out on the playa and GO! Hehe. I will be Rangering (look me up! I have goodies!) And leading some of our Cruise Nights and sock hops. You will probably see me around next year too, as this is my favourite event in SL. Who knows what I'll do next year!
Q2. So what do you realllly do..No not in Real Life,(who cares about that!?) but in SL?
*Grins* It’s really funny because people do ask me if I do vehicles, can I do a custom vehicle, etc. I typically do jewellery, and I have taught jewellery making and founded the Master Jeweller’s Guild of Second Life. This is a community self-managed group that sets standards for excellence and training as well as business ethics. Sounds kinda Burning Man like, eh? I am also a Browncoat if you know what that is. Browncoats are Burners, they just don't know it.
My Links to Koinup and flickr
Q3. Give us your best parting shot and then shut up. This has run waaaayyy too long!:
Danger Ranger drew a line in the sand and told us all that everything would be different...I would be different...and we held hands and stepped across that line together, as one. The wind whipped up and I looked back to see that bare etching in the Playa blown away, erased from earth and memory. I could never find that line again to cross back. And I didn't care. Hand in hand we walked forward into the best Burn ever - Burning Life 09!
Until Next Time on metanopsis
Poid
Poid Mahovlich on Koinup
Poid Mahovlich - blog spot
Monday, October 5, 2009
White Lebed - A woman with Vision
White Lebed works as a gallery curator in Second Life which sometimes can be a thankless task as we both agreed, added to the fact that you can never please everyone – so doing what you think best is the compromise often taken. White is Russian born and ‘Lebed’ means swan, so we have White Swan, which in Russia has great mycological history behind it – history in the form of who and how art was seeded in Second Life seems a subject close to White’s heart as she enthusiastically throws her efforts and time in this directional pursuit. White is Lead of the Art Department this year for Burning Life , which is the virtual equivalent to the Burning Man event of Art, Fire and Community, which she herself admits is not been an easy task but White has taken it on with great style and humour – the role encompasses a broad spectrum of skills and I personally applaud her efforts. White has also been working with the Angelgate Gallery, and has curated some wonderful collections including 'Primavera' and 'Soleil' which have been hugely successful art events. White is also an artist herself, a sculpt maker in her own right, and is extreamly gifted in this area, she has a rare thing - 'a good eye' and an understanding of what that is and how to use it. So that was a little bit of background from me, now lets move on.
White was able to take some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions, but this time we skipped the 3 questions she could have asked of herself had she wanted to – each to their own say I.
If you would like to see more images from Burning Life check out the Koinup group here and you can also peruse what has gone on before in the various Burning Life Sims by clicking here
White also has her own Koinup area which you can see here
So now to continue onwards to the questions.
Q1. What brought you to the metaverse?
It was a pure accident. I never played any video or computer games and I hardly watch TV. But one day I caught a Discovery channel program that mentioned how video games have reached the next stage where it is not considered a game anymore since now they are a place where people can make things like art and fashion. They mentioned Second Life, a name I had not heard before. But what they said and showed made me interested enough to download the program.
Q2. Please tell us in 5 words what best describes you.
Constantly searching for the excellence
Q3. What aspect of the metaverse interests you the most and why?
I love the "zero-resistance" nature of the metaverse. It is easy to get used to amazing freedoms when we get here and stop noticing them. But think about the easiness with which we can make anything we want, share it with the world immediately by completion, talk to anybody, learn from people, spread the knowledge, discover your own creative abilities, start performing etc Yes, the technology is not perfect yet - we wish things were less laggy, less buggy, more predictable. Yes, some people take advantage of the still vague laws and low protection from breaking them. Metaverse is not going anywhere - it will grow larger, more powerful, and more complicated. And it is exciting to be at the very beginning of it and watch what is basically a natural for anything new a "trail and error" process.
Q4. Burning Life is upon us any advice to first time visitors?
The festival will be over by the time you realize how many interesting things are there. It attracts the best artists and performers from all over the grid. Examining only the 12 featured art plots and the 52 themed art camps might take a day or two. And those are only the beginning. You can find something amazingly creative and original anywhere on 34 Sims. To help all the viewers, and particularly first-timers, we are going to try a new program - Art Pathfinders. We will invite people who love SL art, good at finding things, and willing to share their finds with others. They will preview the BL grid and create specifically art related tours. Since this is a new program, we are not sure yet about the details and the process. You should visit the Art Department plot right away by arrival to BL - we should have a schedule and a lot of useful information about what and where you can see. Plus a huge green tent full of presents from artists and designers :)
when the Sims are open to the public you will be able to TP directly from this link The Sims open to Burning Life on October 17th 2009.
Q5. Which aspects about being involved in Burning Life did you enjoy the most?
Meeting new people. I made so many friends during last year’s BL. And the friendships we formed lasted a whole year. I hope for the same in 2009.
Q6. If you could change or improve anything to access the virtual world better what would you do?
I believe virtual worlds generally and SL particularly can benefit from more creative and active marketing/advertising. As I mentioned I came to SL by accident after seeing a 10 minute long segment about it on TV. I haven't seen any mentioning of SL in mass publications ever since. Even in the Bay Area, were I live - quite close to the actual LL office - very few people know what I am talking about when I try to explain virtual art. And even if people find SL, register, download and rez it for the first time, it is questionable if they will stay. I invited a few rl friends to join and their first experience wasn't that good. If I didn't ask them to come back and explore it under my guidance they would never have relogged again. I think it would be great to advertise SL in special art related media sources and direct them to more specific places from the first minutes of their existence in SL.
Q7. You have been actively involved within the arts community in Second Life - how did this come to pass?
As I see it now, I got very lucky. By accident I met the right people from the beginning and landed right in a middle of the active sl art life. I was lucky to find very creative supportive friends and as a result, within first months I was making art, exhibiting in places like Crescent Moon museum, Garden of NPIRL, Angelgate and working on Rezzables projects. But I know many people who were not in such a favourable environment wasted a lot of time struggling to find places to work, to exhibit. So when I was told that the very first gallery that invited me to participate, Angelgate, was looking for a curator, I decided to join it and attempt to create a friendly place for looking at art, showing art, learning about techniques, meeting each other, etc The first multi-artist show, Primavera, was so well accepted by visitors and press it gave me a lot of confidence to continue. I was particularly happy about the fact that most of the visitors considered the show to be at the level of "who is who in SL" and didn't notice that 9 out of 24 participants were debutantes. One of the best things that happened to me during my first months in SL was participation in the Artropolis art talks. Filthy Fluno kindly invited me to join his weekly art talks featuring successful artists and I met a lot of good friends there. Plus, I loved building art workshops around SL. So that’s how my Master class Seminars started - inviting accomplished successful artists to give a workshop. It proved to be a very successful idea, the classes are always full.
Q8. If you could improve access to the arts across the metaverse what would you suggest?
I think it is time to have a kind of docent group and art tours. Virtual exploring doesn't come easy for everybody. Some people are not that good at learning how to navigate metaverse and need help and guidance. I am not sure I would learn and discover as much as I did in such a short time if I didn't have people like that helping me.
Q9. If you could have unlimited space to host an exhibition of art what would you be inclined to do with it?
Oh this is the easiest question! Given resources, I absolutely would make a well organized comprehensive art museum. We are witnessing the birth of a very exciting new, never seen before art form. And it would be great to preserve the history of how it developed. As far as I know there is nothing like that. I would try to hunt down the very first art objects while it is still possible and make a chronological exhibition of important art creations. It would require not only unlimited space, but a lot of time and energy. But I think it would be worth it.
Q10. I know you have background with arts - would you like to tell us a little more about this?
SL helped me to actually do what I was taught to do. Despite taking all possible sculpture classes, I never made anything 3D aside from the class projects. I was painting in oil because doing anything sculptural would involve conditions I didn't have - a studio, materials, tools... Then I developed allergies and had to switch to acrylic. The closest thing to making sculptures while using acrylic would be painting murals, so that is what I was doing. When I found SL I realized how many 3D things were sitting in my head and I was almost addicted to watching them to realize in at least some form.
Until next time here on metanopsis!
Poid
Poid Mahovlich on Koinup
Poid Mahovlich Blog Area
White was able to take some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions, but this time we skipped the 3 questions she could have asked of herself had she wanted to – each to their own say I.
If you would like to see more images from Burning Life check out the Koinup group here and you can also peruse what has gone on before in the various Burning Life Sims by clicking here
White also has her own Koinup area which you can see here
So now to continue onwards to the questions.
Q1. What brought you to the metaverse?
It was a pure accident. I never played any video or computer games and I hardly watch TV. But one day I caught a Discovery channel program that mentioned how video games have reached the next stage where it is not considered a game anymore since now they are a place where people can make things like art and fashion. They mentioned Second Life, a name I had not heard before. But what they said and showed made me interested enough to download the program.
Q2. Please tell us in 5 words what best describes you.
Constantly searching for the excellence
Q3. What aspect of the metaverse interests you the most and why?
I love the "zero-resistance" nature of the metaverse. It is easy to get used to amazing freedoms when we get here and stop noticing them. But think about the easiness with which we can make anything we want, share it with the world immediately by completion, talk to anybody, learn from people, spread the knowledge, discover your own creative abilities, start performing etc Yes, the technology is not perfect yet - we wish things were less laggy, less buggy, more predictable. Yes, some people take advantage of the still vague laws and low protection from breaking them. Metaverse is not going anywhere - it will grow larger, more powerful, and more complicated. And it is exciting to be at the very beginning of it and watch what is basically a natural for anything new a "trail and error" process.
Q4. Burning Life is upon us any advice to first time visitors?
The festival will be over by the time you realize how many interesting things are there. It attracts the best artists and performers from all over the grid. Examining only the 12 featured art plots and the 52 themed art camps might take a day or two. And those are only the beginning. You can find something amazingly creative and original anywhere on 34 Sims. To help all the viewers, and particularly first-timers, we are going to try a new program - Art Pathfinders. We will invite people who love SL art, good at finding things, and willing to share their finds with others. They will preview the BL grid and create specifically art related tours. Since this is a new program, we are not sure yet about the details and the process. You should visit the Art Department plot right away by arrival to BL - we should have a schedule and a lot of useful information about what and where you can see. Plus a huge green tent full of presents from artists and designers :)
when the Sims are open to the public you will be able to TP directly from this link The Sims open to Burning Life on October 17th 2009.
Q5. Which aspects about being involved in Burning Life did you enjoy the most?
Meeting new people. I made so many friends during last year’s BL. And the friendships we formed lasted a whole year. I hope for the same in 2009.
Q6. If you could change or improve anything to access the virtual world better what would you do?
I believe virtual worlds generally and SL particularly can benefit from more creative and active marketing/advertising. As I mentioned I came to SL by accident after seeing a 10 minute long segment about it on TV. I haven't seen any mentioning of SL in mass publications ever since. Even in the Bay Area, were I live - quite close to the actual LL office - very few people know what I am talking about when I try to explain virtual art. And even if people find SL, register, download and rez it for the first time, it is questionable if they will stay. I invited a few rl friends to join and their first experience wasn't that good. If I didn't ask them to come back and explore it under my guidance they would never have relogged again. I think it would be great to advertise SL in special art related media sources and direct them to more specific places from the first minutes of their existence in SL.
Q7. You have been actively involved within the arts community in Second Life - how did this come to pass?
As I see it now, I got very lucky. By accident I met the right people from the beginning and landed right in a middle of the active sl art life. I was lucky to find very creative supportive friends and as a result, within first months I was making art, exhibiting in places like Crescent Moon museum, Garden of NPIRL, Angelgate and working on Rezzables projects. But I know many people who were not in such a favourable environment wasted a lot of time struggling to find places to work, to exhibit. So when I was told that the very first gallery that invited me to participate, Angelgate, was looking for a curator, I decided to join it and attempt to create a friendly place for looking at art, showing art, learning about techniques, meeting each other, etc The first multi-artist show, Primavera, was so well accepted by visitors and press it gave me a lot of confidence to continue. I was particularly happy about the fact that most of the visitors considered the show to be at the level of "who is who in SL" and didn't notice that 9 out of 24 participants were debutantes. One of the best things that happened to me during my first months in SL was participation in the Artropolis art talks. Filthy Fluno kindly invited me to join his weekly art talks featuring successful artists and I met a lot of good friends there. Plus, I loved building art workshops around SL. So that’s how my Master class Seminars started - inviting accomplished successful artists to give a workshop. It proved to be a very successful idea, the classes are always full.
Q8. If you could improve access to the arts across the metaverse what would you suggest?
I think it is time to have a kind of docent group and art tours. Virtual exploring doesn't come easy for everybody. Some people are not that good at learning how to navigate metaverse and need help and guidance. I am not sure I would learn and discover as much as I did in such a short time if I didn't have people like that helping me.
Q9. If you could have unlimited space to host an exhibition of art what would you be inclined to do with it?
Oh this is the easiest question! Given resources, I absolutely would make a well organized comprehensive art museum. We are witnessing the birth of a very exciting new, never seen before art form. And it would be great to preserve the history of how it developed. As far as I know there is nothing like that. I would try to hunt down the very first art objects while it is still possible and make a chronological exhibition of important art creations. It would require not only unlimited space, but a lot of time and energy. But I think it would be worth it.
Q10. I know you have background with arts - would you like to tell us a little more about this?
SL helped me to actually do what I was taught to do. Despite taking all possible sculpture classes, I never made anything 3D aside from the class projects. I was painting in oil because doing anything sculptural would involve conditions I didn't have - a studio, materials, tools... Then I developed allergies and had to switch to acrylic. The closest thing to making sculptures while using acrylic would be painting murals, so that is what I was doing. When I found SL I realized how many 3D things were sitting in my head and I was almost addicted to watching them to realize in at least some form.
Until next time here on metanopsis!
Poid
Poid Mahovlich on Koinup
Poid Mahovlich Blog Area
Thursday, September 24, 2009
The Art Of Burning Life 2009
Coming soon right here from the Koinup team! - a review of some the art from Burning Life 2009 - held from October 17th to 25th. Joining writing forces with Fiona Hayworth, Soror Nishi and myself Poid Mahovlich to bring you a unique and entertaining guide to what's out there on the virtual playa!
Burning Life is the real-life counterpart of the Fire, Arts and Community festival known as Burning Man . This is the 7th such event under the heading of Burning Life, which has both a very colourful & historical past.
This year 34 mature marked Sims have been dedicated to this years event. they are buzzing with activity and the community is growing daily as the influx of burners expands - let's see where this takes us this time round, after all it's all about the art, the fire and the community!
'metanopsis' will also be in the thick of it interviewing a very fine selection of burners who are working away hard to show you a diverse selection of art from the virtual playa.
Feel free to add your Burning Life images right here and show us through your eyes how you see this event.
Gates open at Burning Life on October 17th as we will kick off right then and there!
See you guys on the playa!
Poid
Poid Mahovlich
Poid Mahovlich - blog spot
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Lainy Voom and the Art of Machinima
The Virtual World is a hybrid place and each person is presented with the same tools and platform base from which to work from, each virtual environment presents a new challenge, each has its own nuance and ways to interact within its own community – the journey is an exciting pioneering opportunity to create, with pockets of truly unique and diverse work being cultivated. Limitations can be overcome; imagination and ingenuity are key factors in this process. What is fascinating to me is to watch the evolution in each creative area unfold in the most interesting of ways. I would like you to consider this notion however - as you make and experiment your way through to the other side of your computer screen ; remember that aspects of virtual worlds are ephemeral and documenting the process is an important part of our Virtual History. In a blink of a virtual eye it can and does vanish, so take the time to record it in a way that suits you best & share it with those who share your passion and maybe those who frown upon this virtual culture of ours will be compelled in some way to think again? We each play our part and the history making is for us all. We are a community collective after all.
'Push' Machinima by Lainy Voom
The Machinima work of Lainy Voom is exceptional and a great example of evolution within this particular creative field; showing both great skill and vision; the attention to detail and timing is truly captivating – the flow when watching draws you deeply into a seamless but ether real world, which feels to me like watching a visualisation of a dream recalled, at times it's almost haunting. Lainy has definitively set a new bench mark in the virtual world of Machinima. I am curious by nature and wanted to know a little more .... Trace Sanderson aka Lainy Vroom is an independent visual artist based in the UK, whose is focused on animation captured in real time within virtual worlds and also game engines. She started creating “Machinima” in 2004. I have long been fascinated by her work - If your curiosity is twitching then go here to see some more or her work and have your fill, and oh of course yes, please read on!
Stills Image from 'Push' by Lainy Voom
Q1. Tell us in 6 words what best describes you.
1. Down to earth
2. Direct
3. Opinionated
4. Stubborn
5. Loyal
6. Idealist
Q2. What brought you to the Metaverse and how did you get here?'
A. A friend had asked me mid 2006 but my computer spec at the time would not run SL, then when I bought a new computer in February 2007 she asked me again and I jumped right in. I wandered around for 2-3 days, not really thinking Second Life was up to much. A couple of weeks later I tried again and decided to film something, that is when it really "clicked" into place and I began to realise I could literally do anything I wanted, create anything. That kind of freedom I wasn't getting from using game engines, which is what I was doing before. Game engines have so many rules, they box in creativity (at least for me).
Q3. Push' made a huge impact on the Machinima community recently, visually it has an immediate & dynamic appeal - what is the story behind this ? Is it more than an amazing eclectic visual collection - Does it tell a story?
A. It began as an experiment, what would happen if I just started filming something, not analysing anything and just making the first thing that sprang to mind. I tried to let the film grow organically by itself. It's more a stream of consciousness exercise than anything with hidden deeper meaning. Towards the end of the filming process it began to become more contrived, I ended up scrapping all the later footage in order to bring it back to the initial experiment.
Q4. If you could change or improve anything to access the virtual world better what would you say or do ?
A. I would improve beginner access to Second Life. I've explored as many virtual worlds as I can get my hands on and all of them have better designed noob access than SL. One of the best I think is VSide, where the player learns how to use the avatar, the menu, how to purchase items, change the way the avatar looks, use emotes/animations all in a private space before being let free on the world proper. This really helps to build up confidence and something I think SL lacks on the starter island. It does not surprise me that so many people drop out at the initial stage with Second Life.
Q5. What or whom do you think has been your biggest influence in the Metaverse and why?
A. The content creators are my biggest influence, I would not be creating machinima without their work inspiring films or enabling the films to be made in the way that they are. It is the biggest reason I use SL to make films, and not other machinima specific engines out there.
Q6. How do you see the progress of visualization in the Metaverse?
A. Quality and realism will continue to rise as long as hardware/software/engines keep up with each other.
Stills Image from 'Push' by Lainy Voom
Q7. What are you working on right now?
A. I have some commisions I'm working on right now, but after that I'm working on another poem.
Q8. What tools do you use when making Machinima and what would you personally recommend?
A. I rarely use any tools other than Fraps to record, I would recommend learning how to frame and use avatars before learning how to move the camera around. At least that is how I began doing it, it will not be the same for everyone.
Q9. In your minds eye if you close your eyes right now, what do you see?
A.I see a huge stack of books I haven't managed to read yet!
Now Lainy you have the opportunity to ask yourself 3 questions ... anything you like
Q1 & A - Lainy, will you ever get round to hoovering the house this week?
Q2 & A - Lainy, do you fancy another cup of tea?
Q3 & A - only two questioins asked ! ack to control your own destiny if only for a brief period (Poid)
Stills Image from 'Push' by Lainy Voom
If Machinima interests you then please check out the various groups hosted on Koinup by clicking here.
Until next time here on Metanopsis!
Poid
Poid Mahovlich
Poid Mahovlich - blog spot
'Push' Machinima by Lainy Voom
The Machinima work of Lainy Voom is exceptional and a great example of evolution within this particular creative field; showing both great skill and vision; the attention to detail and timing is truly captivating – the flow when watching draws you deeply into a seamless but ether real world, which feels to me like watching a visualisation of a dream recalled, at times it's almost haunting. Lainy has definitively set a new bench mark in the virtual world of Machinima. I am curious by nature and wanted to know a little more .... Trace Sanderson aka Lainy Vroom is an independent visual artist based in the UK, whose is focused on animation captured in real time within virtual worlds and also game engines. She started creating “Machinima” in 2004. I have long been fascinated by her work - If your curiosity is twitching then go here to see some more or her work and have your fill, and oh of course yes, please read on!
Stills Image from 'Push' by Lainy Voom
Q1. Tell us in 6 words what best describes you.
1. Down to earth
2. Direct
3. Opinionated
4. Stubborn
5. Loyal
6. Idealist
Q2. What brought you to the Metaverse and how did you get here?'
A. A friend had asked me mid 2006 but my computer spec at the time would not run SL, then when I bought a new computer in February 2007 she asked me again and I jumped right in. I wandered around for 2-3 days, not really thinking Second Life was up to much. A couple of weeks later I tried again and decided to film something, that is when it really "clicked" into place and I began to realise I could literally do anything I wanted, create anything. That kind of freedom I wasn't getting from using game engines, which is what I was doing before. Game engines have so many rules, they box in creativity (at least for me).
Q3. Push' made a huge impact on the Machinima community recently, visually it has an immediate & dynamic appeal - what is the story behind this ? Is it more than an amazing eclectic visual collection - Does it tell a story?
A. It began as an experiment, what would happen if I just started filming something, not analysing anything and just making the first thing that sprang to mind. I tried to let the film grow organically by itself. It's more a stream of consciousness exercise than anything with hidden deeper meaning. Towards the end of the filming process it began to become more contrived, I ended up scrapping all the later footage in order to bring it back to the initial experiment.
Q4. If you could change or improve anything to access the virtual world better what would you say or do ?
A. I would improve beginner access to Second Life. I've explored as many virtual worlds as I can get my hands on and all of them have better designed noob access than SL. One of the best I think is VSide, where the player learns how to use the avatar, the menu, how to purchase items, change the way the avatar looks, use emotes/animations all in a private space before being let free on the world proper. This really helps to build up confidence and something I think SL lacks on the starter island. It does not surprise me that so many people drop out at the initial stage with Second Life.
Q5. What or whom do you think has been your biggest influence in the Metaverse and why?
A. The content creators are my biggest influence, I would not be creating machinima without their work inspiring films or enabling the films to be made in the way that they are. It is the biggest reason I use SL to make films, and not other machinima specific engines out there.
Q6. How do you see the progress of visualization in the Metaverse?
A. Quality and realism will continue to rise as long as hardware/software/engines keep up with each other.
Stills Image from 'Push' by Lainy Voom
Q7. What are you working on right now?
A. I have some commisions I'm working on right now, but after that I'm working on another poem.
Q8. What tools do you use when making Machinima and what would you personally recommend?
A. I rarely use any tools other than Fraps to record, I would recommend learning how to frame and use avatars before learning how to move the camera around. At least that is how I began doing it, it will not be the same for everyone.
Q9. In your minds eye if you close your eyes right now, what do you see?
A.I see a huge stack of books I haven't managed to read yet!
Now Lainy you have the opportunity to ask yourself 3 questions ... anything you like
Q1 & A - Lainy, will you ever get round to hoovering the house this week?
Q2 & A - Lainy, do you fancy another cup of tea?
Q3 & A - only two questioins asked ! ack to control your own destiny if only for a brief period (Poid)
Stills Image from 'Push' by Lainy Voom
If Machinima interests you then please check out the various groups hosted on Koinup by clicking here.
Until next time here on Metanopsis!
Poid
Poid Mahovlich
Poid Mahovlich - blog spot
Monday, August 3, 2009
Introducing metanopsis with Poid Mahovlich
My name is Poid and over the coming weeks & months to come, I will be conducting a series of interviews across the metaverse featuring various artists and their work. The objective is to gain a mirror to the minds eye & to peak an interest and inspire a spark which will evoke & promote creativity across the many dimensional spaces that we call the metaverse. Images to portray will naturally be involved & featured and we will show you by way of multi visual stimulus what is going on.
What will also make this interviewing process more immersive is the fact that each person interviewed on metanopsis will be given the opportunity to also ask themselves 3 of their own questions - which direction this will go, in I know not - but it will be interesting to see where it collectively leads us & what journeys it takes us on:)
I thank Pier @koinup who kindly asked me if I would be interested in such a project. The time frame will eb and flow depending on my RL commitments; a regimental output will not be forth coming, but it will be with some regularity. Time is many times elusive and restraints upon it can sometime stifle a process. Think of it as sand blowing in the wind.
So lets see what's out there! The metaverse is a big place with many worlds to explore, each having the same baseline to start from, namely, the creative mind of an artist.
Poid Mahovlich
we each have faces many.
Poid Mahovlich- blog spot
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Help Improve Live Performance in Second Life
A call from the very heart of Grace McDunnough; will you answer? It would take only a few moments from your day and could help pioneer a new direction for music in Second Life. These are the words Grace has to say.
''Live performance is Second Life is one of my passions, and if you are reading this blog it's probably important to you too. And that's why we need your help.
Linden Lab has asked the live performance community for our suggestions, ideas, complaints and genius bits about how to improve the overall experience for everyone - from performers to venue owners and event planners to residents.
As part of the SLCC Music Track, we will be having a discussion Saturday at 3PM SL/PDT on the panel: Looking to the Future of Live Performance in SL with Colossus Linden.
You can help make that track powerfully meaningful- just add your ideas and insights using the embedded form found here:
http://bit.ly/SLCCideas
Everyone's input will be collected, we'll organize the information, and we'll talk about as much as we possibly can at SLCC. We'll also make sure that the information is accessible to anyone that is interested.
Please spread the word and thanks in advance.
If you have questions, just drop me a notecard in Second Life.''
Peace ~ Grace McDunnough
Image Credit MUSIMMERSION - Grace McDunnough by Poid Mahovlich
To upload more Live Music images directly to Koinup check out these groups here
''Live performance is Second Life is one of my passions, and if you are reading this blog it's probably important to you too. And that's why we need your help.
Linden Lab has asked the live performance community for our suggestions, ideas, complaints and genius bits about how to improve the overall experience for everyone - from performers to venue owners and event planners to residents.
As part of the SLCC Music Track, we will be having a discussion Saturday at 3PM SL/PDT on the panel: Looking to the Future of Live Performance in SL with Colossus Linden.
You can help make that track powerfully meaningful- just add your ideas and insights using the embedded form found here:
http://bit.ly/SLCCideas
Everyone's input will be collected, we'll organize the information, and we'll talk about as much as we possibly can at SLCC. We'll also make sure that the information is accessible to anyone that is interested.
Please spread the word and thanks in advance.
If you have questions, just drop me a notecard in Second Life.''
Peace ~ Grace McDunnough
Image Credit MUSIMMERSION - Grace McDunnough by Poid Mahovlich
To upload more Live Music images directly to Koinup check out these groups here
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