'!DA! DIGITAL ART' on Museo del Metaverso!

'!DA! DIGITAL ART' on Museo del Metaverso! opens on Tuesday, October 5th, and goes through Sunday, October 10th. The opening will begin at 6 pm local time at CreatiCityGate Avenue Pasubio 14, Milano and in Second Life at Odyssey. The exhibit will feature artists:

Gianluca Beccari
Paul Brenzini
Maria Luisa Grimani
Luce Laval
Luke Smoothy

For the duration of the exhibition will be held live performances and guided tours on the following dates:

Tuesday, October 5 opening at 18.00
Misprint Thursday at 19.00, Indent (live performance). Misprint Thursday's performance will be followed in the room CreatiCityGate. For those who wish to attend, see you in Second Life Odyssey.

FIRST LOCATION:
1. NE Odyssey, Odyssey (205, 159, 403)
All event information is available here.

Thursday, October 7 at 19.00 sightseeing places for art in Second Life and on the web by 2Lifecast - Paul leads Brenzini performance at 20.00 Pirats Art Network

Friday, October 8 at 18.00 sightseeing places for art in Second Life and on the web by 2Lifecast - Federica Peruzzo leads: "The Museum of the Metaverse, the discovery of a project." There will be Rosanna Galvani (AKA Roxelo Babenco), owner of the Museum, and Mario Savini, a professor of Net Art at the Academy of Fine Arts Macerata

Sunday, October 10 16:30 Finishing with a tour to places of art in Second Life and on the web by 2Lifecast - leads Stefano Lazzari

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 16:00 to 20:30
Saturday: closed (the event is moved to the Loggia dei Mercanti, beginning at 17:30)
Sunday: 10:00-18:00

Any visits at times other than those specified may be agreed with the organizers, by phone at 02-87394285 (in office hours)

The performance will be followed live via web at: http://ping.fm/CHBin


Anyone wishing to participate in guided tours with your own avatar, you can reach us at this SLURL: http://ping.fm/8lh6X

An Interview with Claus Uriza the CEO of Pop Art Lab

It's early on a Saturday afternoon and I'm in-world for a special event. A major exhibition has opened and I port over shortly after my avatar rezzes. Upon arrival, I quickly realized that while I'm close, I'd missed the location of the event by several hundred meters. Fortunately, one of the Pop Art Lab's staff saw my arrival and ported me over to join in the festivities. The mini map was awash with green and yellow dots when I did finally arrive. As I found a spot to park my virtual self to watch and listen, while I exchanged pleasantries with several friends in the crowd. On stage and speaking in voice was good friend Persia Bravin, the MC for the daylong festivities. She thanked the assembled crowd and then introduced Claus Uriza (Flickr Photo), the CEO of Pop Art Lab, who delivered the welcome address to the assembled avatars.

The event that day not only marked the opening of the exhibit, but also the anniversary of the company that Mr. Uriza had founded in 2008. Pop Art Lab provides support to musicians and singers who wish to break into the virtual world of Second Life. Besides organizing concerts, Pop Art Lab, "regularly hosts in-world concerts, inviting performers to play in front of a virtual audience". Pop Art Lab also hosts TV shows that have included artists like Greg Hawkes of "The Cars" and Max Morgan.

Shortly after he'd delivered his address, I left an instant message for him to both introduce myself and ask if he would be interested in an interview. He replied that he was and we met several days later in-world at the Pop Art Lab site. He sent me a TP and when I arrived, my virtual self was suspended in midair, flailing madly just outside of the facility.

"Oh shit sorry. I have to TP you out here." He said and when his offered TP request arrived, I clicked on it and soon stood next to him inside the lounge area of the main performance venues. While I rezzed, he added with a chuckle. "Hiya sorry."

"No problem, I'm used to the vagaries of a virtual existence." I paused and pulled back the camera view to take in the location before I asked. "How's it going?"

"Fine thank you … Where do you want us to be?" He asked.

I suggested here was good as I had spotted several comfy looking sofas nearby to where we stood. We both maneuvered our avatars and I waited for him to point click and sit before I sat across from him on an adjoining black leather chair. As I did he commented that our mutual friend Persia had given him some of my back ground as a journalist and that he'd also visited my blog.

"I just had a quick overview ... but you find cool spots all over Second Life right?" He asked

"A nice lady, Persia … she's been both a good friend and a good source for me. I said and then answered his question with; "I try … I'm looking to expand to other virtual worlds as well."

"Nice, any cool ones you like?" He asked.

"They're pretty much the same really. Second Life is where most of the people are right now. But others I think will grow. Inworldz seems to be drawing a decent crowd and there are a fair number of artists out there now." I replied.

"Ah yes, I've heard about it but have not tried yet. I might try new worlds to but now I want to be where the people are."

"What was it that brought you into Second Life?" I asked him.

"It was just curiosity. People at the office told me … and then I've been here 3½ years." He replied with a grin.

"Are you in the entertainment field in real life?" I asked.

"Kind of, I help public libraries ... well I select the best music albums and work as music editor where I recommend albums each week." He replied and then added; "I can find you a video a guy did recently … he interviewed me. It will tell you lot about the history and thoughts behind what I do in here."

"So what you do in real life then carried over easily into Second Life?"

"It wasn't easy at the beginning ... but I tried to find out how I could develop music offerings in here … but yes it is and it was kind of a transfer of what I do real life into Second Life, partly sponsored by the real life company where I work."

"So some early challenges ... what was the most difficult one to overcome?"

"Beside all the technical knowhow to get stable streams, it was and has been ... to face that avatars and people in general act a whole other way than they do real life. I mean designing builds in here ain't like real life. So it's interesting to see and experiment with immersive designs and see what works. For instance I had a restaurant here once. I realized it was fabulous for meetings. People relaxed more in there … felt close but that I think is one of the hardest tasks in here. It's a balance … some explore others TP away if there are no people." He replied.

"It can be a challenge to hold attention spans here." I commented.

"Well I've studied communication … to communicate in here is another issue to. People don't read group messages ... well not all do. Also, just to keep a tight organization differs from real life. Marketing differs a lot."

"How so?" I asked

"If you have an event in real life, you can do your PR one to three weeks upfront. In here it's like more fragile. You have to post many times and it's like people only remember or have the next 24 hours in their head. So often it's actually the PR that goes out in the last 24 hours that matters … it's a much faster medium. So for instance, on communication I've started to update my staff by email instead of notecards. I usually post updates to my staff one or two times a month, this way all are informed and I save time tell all in IMs."
"Instant communications … that's been the case in other social media as well, twitter comes to mind with mostly trending topics rapidly changing hour by hour." I commented.

"Yes exactly. I spend a lot time finding out what music to stream … what people like. I'm in Europe. So it kind of reflects my selections, but also its nice then people from the USA or anywhere can come here broaden their taste and vice versa ... I do stream lots of US artists to … so lots to be learned!"
"Have you worked with Second Life musical talent as well, to stream them?" I asked.

"Not specifically ... I've done it a few times upon events where the artists would then do a live set. So it's mostly live that I do. I do like to stream real life artists most … it's hard to find great talent in here. Maybe I'm just spoiled from real life work I don't know." He replied.

"Have any real life bands or performers crossed over to give Second Life a try?"

"Yes sure that's what our Pop Vox Music Show is all about. We have had like five pretty established real life artists in our shows."

"What has been their reaction to performing 'virtually'?" I asked.

"Good question. Generally I think the younger generation finds it much cooler. They're more familiar with this … all have been very excited … a few actually got hooked and stayed in Second Life. Most of them have never been in a virtual world before we helped them in." He replied.

"Going back to what you had mentioned earlier about people's attention span, have you had a high turnover of staff?"

"Nope it's pretty much the same guys in my team as when we opened except we've expanded. I think only a few have left our team … primarily due to real life and lack of time."

"What would you attribute then to those staying as part of the team?" I asked.

"I'm not sure i understand ... how I'll keep them?"

"Yes, basically … what has kept them as part of the team?"

"I think they like the whole spirit here ... they see we grow they don't get pushed they get freedom they feel ownership. It's hard for me to say." He replied and then added; "I'm pretty open … new guys feel its anarchy here … no management. They soon find out it's all is organized chaos. It's all about they must feel it's fun. I'm very organized and we are here … but before you get to know our guidelines, it might feel like chaos and a boss … me … who rarely bosses or creates any drama at all. We have zero drama … you cause drama and you are out of here. It's like creativity is header, no one can be creative in their participation if they don't get freedom."

"Creativity in serving your clients?" I asked.

"No it's more targeted into my way of leading all this. It's a bit hard to explain … it's about each of us has a talent. It's about making the best surroundings to get that talent out. Let's take builders as an example. They are individuals … have egos and all want their own stuff but you have to say … hey you are best at making real life replicas or hey you are best at making designs out of your own fantasy … and most important you have to be very careful in leaving feedback to the work. People are very sensitive to their creations. But you can't just say to three designers do this and that ... it's a creative process."

"I think it all could be a result of your recognizing the fluidity and dynamics of how to operate here in a virtual world. What motivates people ... to shape the desired results."

"Yes exactly, everyone needs to be happy."

"You'd mentioned earlier wanting to explore other virtual worlds, what other kinds of things do you see Pop Art Lab wanting to do here in SL or other worlds?" I asked.

"Our target is to create top quality events that are stable and in a way of doing that through our experience we are better set for the masses when they enter coming years. We operate in many directions create magic designs that we can open in other worlds too if they go big. Also we want sell commercial mp3s."

"Sell within Second Life?"

"Yes, help more real life artists in … grow community, we have a ton of ideas … somehow we just await the markets to grow and meanwhile we tweak all the details."

"Is that the way you see Pop Art Lab, as more of a community then a traditional business?"

"It's both ... I see it as a great marketing tool to reach out broadly. It's hard to tell … the community is max important to … we have lot to do on that and it hasn't been our main target. But we are a brand so it's easy for companies to benefit." He replied

"I know it's getting late for you. Are there any closing thoughts or comments you'd like to share with my readers?

"I think people must keep in mind ... we are some people in here who put lots of effort into making it a good experience to be here … and innovation doesn't just come out of making money. So a closing comment could be treat people with respect and behave just like real world." He replied.

Information on the eXtension Virtual State Fair - Photography Contest

This is a reprint of the notecard I picked up while visiting the eXtension Virtual State Fair site. An interesting opportunity for all of the photographers in Second Life:

Registration and voting for this contest are free of charge.

Come to Morrill, Morrill2, Morrill3 and Morrill4 Regions and take pictures using your artistic talent as a SL photographer.

PRIZES:

• First place: 7000L
• Second Place: 2000L
• Third Place: 1000

THE PHOTOGRAPH:
The pictures are to be taken at Regions Morrill, Morrill1, Morrill2, Morrill3 or Morrill4 and may include avatars or not. Close-ups of individual avatars must include permission of the subject. All pictures must be suitable for a General SIM.

Entrance point of Morrill SIM'

Upload the image as .jpg with aspect ratio of 4:3, 1024x768 pixels, horizontal or vertical, color or B&W. No nude pictures please. Use any Linden Lab resources for light, day time, sky, water and any special effects. Also feel free to work the pictures with graphics software.

HOW TO ENTER

Send your image (texture) to DFox Spitteler, full perm, before 9:00PM SLT on Oct 5th.
Name the picture with: PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST-avatar full name-photograph name.
Photographer will be notified of acceptance.

24 entries will be the limit, with only one entry per participant.

The pictures will be exhibited in order of arriving, from #1 to #24 position.

PUBLIC VOTING

The public voting starts at 11:00 AM SLT on Oct 6th and ends 9:00PM SLT on Oct 9th. One vote, per picture, for each avatar

Just click the picture to vote.

JUDGING

The top 3 winners will be decided by popular vote only. The winners will be identified by 11:00 AM SLT on Sunday, October 10.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Entries must carry a Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike License. For more information about this see here

Questions? Contact DFox Spitteler, Contest Manager

Imagine Festival Spans Virtual Continents Creativity for a Second Year in Second Life

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***


IMAGINE FESTIVAL SPANS VIRTUAL CONTINENTS CREATIVITY FOR A SECOND YEAR IN SECOND LIFE


The Imagine Network works for a better world, with a focus on human rights, as well as social and environmental justice for all. Our work in Second Life seeks to connect people to people, group to group, and network to network. We aim to identify the root causes of the larger toxic global problems facing us in order to help find solutions, and to help people act together in cooperation toward that goal.

The mission is dedicated to awareness and imagination

The Imagine Festival is about creating a dream though art, music, poetry, drama, and interactive experience.

The Imagine Festival moves over amazing spaces across the grid, spanning virtual continents over 15 sims. It has participants from France, South Africa, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, UK and USA and other parts of world.

IMAGINE weaves a tapestry of the collective consciousness. This festival is a collaborative effort between various individuals and groups sharing their time, talent, and vision of a better world.

For media requests please contact any1gynoid@gmail.com

Core group: junivers Stockholm, Sunshine Vayander, Any1 Gynoid, Paulette Felismo, Lynsey Fleury, Monarchy Republic and Medora Chevalier

eMotion Art Contest Announcement at Berliner Kunsthalle Gallery

I'd received this announcement from artist and curator Asmita Duranjaya, a good friend. Her note and information are reprinted below:

Dear friends and artist colleagues,

I am pleased to announce a new art contest. Hanni Fride and Fantazia Enzo have worked for months to build a sim compound including a new gallery, called "Berliner Kunsthalle". It is my honour to curate there changing exhibitions and I would like to start with an art contest on the topic "eMotion". This has two meanings, "electronic motion" and "emotion" in the sense of "moving the mind". Both together should be a guarantee for an attractive artwork. Gallery opening and winner announcement are planned for the 31st of October at 1pm SLT. You have one month to create a new artwork and here are the rules:

1. The artwork has to be new and created exclusively for this specific contest.

2. The topic is "eMotion" in the above mentioned sense.

3. Something has to "move" in the artwork, either animations, particles or through scripts. Flat pictures without movement are not accepted.

4. You can use up to 25 prims.

5. One piece per participant!

6. As usual in my contests there will be a public and a jury panel voting.

7. Send your work with mod, cop, no trans to Asmita Duranjaya. Deadline is the 24th of October 2010 3pm SLT.

8. The exhibition remains in the gallery for 2 months and every artist can try to sell his piece with a commission of 25%.

9. The 1st winner will get 3000, the 2nd 2000 and the 3rd 1000 L$ and every participant will receive a little something.

10. The place is still not available to show an example there, but I have build one with 11 prims on my land:
It shows the average size and my imagination of the topic.

A lot of fun and good luck!

Asmita

Avatar Repertory Theater Presents Oedipus Rex in Second Life

AVATAR REPERTORY THEATER presents OEDIPUS REX by Sophocles

Promotional Trailer
Blog
Theater Web Site

Was it fate, or the hubris of a man who would be king? Did the gods arrange his bloody fall, or did he ignore the warnings of lesser men? Were his eyes blinded by ambition or by a forbidden love?

Fresh on the heels of a sellout performance of Alice in WonderSland, Avatar Repertory Theater explores the violent passions of OEDIPUS REX, the ancient story of King Oedipus and Queen Jocasta. You will be immersed in Thebes, which has been brought back to life in vibrant color. Stand before the royal palace and hear the music of the people, as you confront your King and demand hope. Experience the pain that Oedipus inflicts upon himself and his family as the gods look on.

SHOW TIMES:

Saturdays October 2, 9, and 16, 3 pm PST (SLT)
Sundays October 3, 10 and 17, 2 pm PST (SLT)

Tickets will be available at … for L$500 (about US $2.50).

Avatar Repertory Theater

The ticket vendors provide a packet of information, including the performance location and gifts from the designers of the show. The tickets themselves are no-copy/yes-transfer, and scripted to allow access to the theater set only on the day and time listed on the ticket. More announcements will come from our audience group "Avatar Repertory Theater" and from Thinkerer Melville's Hippo group "Theater -- performances". Please contact Ada Radius or Kayden Oconnell to be added to either or both groups.

"Oedipus Rex" features Joff Fassnacht as King Oedipus and MadameThespian Underhill as Queen Jocasta. Rounding out the cast of family and friends, are Kayden Oconnell, Thundergas Menges, Rowan Shamroy, Em Jannings, and Elegia Underwood (cover).

Producer Ada Radius has written a new adaptation of this everlasting Athenian tragedy that was first performed in 429 BC at the Theater of Dionysus in Athens. Ada is also directing the production and says, "Oedipus is about sex, death and religion. I hope we disturb everyone."

JadaBright Pond and her team (Elegia Underwood, JudyArx Scribe, Ada Radius) have built a striking recreation of Thebes, with the help of expert scripters Sodovan Torok and Prospero Frobozz. Ada Radius and Rowan Shamroy have designed new avatars and costumes, and nearly all of the A.R.T. troupe have banded together to adapt ancient Greek melodies to our entirely modern sound track and effects, directed by Ada Radius, edited by Thundergas Menges.

Come struggle with Oedipus.

Garden Tango Exhibit Features the Photography of Jazz Calhern

Jazz by the Sea Art Gallery

On Sunday, October 3rd at noon PDT/ SLT the doors open for an exhibition featuring the photography of Jazz Calhern. The exhibit is being held at "Jazz by the Sea Art Gallery" in Second Life and starts at noon PDT/SLT. Ms Calhern is a long time resident of Second Life and a freelance photographer. She is also an amateur artist and photographer in her first life. Garden Tango features, "A vividly colored collection of flower and dance art." I popped at the request of good friend and well know Second Life Arts Curator RobertSteven Smythe to view the collection a few days before the opening. Her work is on the first floor and I found it to be visual delight. Stop in when you can, you'll not be disappointed you did.