Monday, April 30, 2012

Video of UWA & UAS, Switzerland Collaboration via SL

.



 The above Video/Machinima was produced by the University of Applied Sciences, Western Switzerland (Geneva Business School) as to its ongoing collaboration with the University of Western Australia where students from both universities get to work and report on the same project.

This collaboration is due to the eforts of UWA's Professor Wade Halvorson and Professor Sabine Emad of the University of Applied Sciences (UAS) in attempting to simulate the real world process of data collection and team work.

A report on the project can be found by clicking here.

.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

UTSA UWA Collaboration: Circles Within Circles

.

The University of Texas at San Antonio and The University of Western Australia have a 5 year memorandum of understanding  (Jun 2010 - Jun 2015) for collaboration and cooperation with 3D Virtual Technologies and Second Life (described here).

This collaboration continues with 'Circles Within Circles', a soon to be launched SKY SIM display at UWA by Rebeca Bashly & Constructivist Solo.

CIRCLES WITHIN CIRCLES
LOCATION : UWA UTSA COLLABORATIVE SPACE
LAUNCH DATE & TIME: 1PM SLT TUESDAY 24th APRIL

In their words, "This exhibit is a collaborative project that began with a conversation about circles as they are part of the human experience in distinct contexts: mathematics, mechanics, and as metaphor in various cultural settings.

By no means is this exhibit intended to be comprehensive; it can't be. However, we hope that the visitor will come to the recognition that there is an overarching interconnectedness not only between science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, but that this interconnectedness, this fabric of that which is and that which makes up the human experience, very much also includes the social and behavioral domains."


We hope you enjoy your visit,
Rebeca Bashly & Constructivist Solo



Rebeca provided a clue as to how to navigate the path ...  'One has to understand the circle so he can break it' 
.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

UWA Challenges in RL Machinima Book: Jay Jay Writes

.


An RL copy of the book 'Machinima: The Art & Practice of Virtual Filmmaking' by Sonicity Fitzroy (Dr Phylis Johnson) and Lowe Runo (Donald Petit) was flown in to UWA from the United States this week.

Brilliantly put together, this book, by McFarland Publishing features a veritable who's who in the world of machinima. Sonicity described the contributors in her recent blog post as follows:

"A special section of interviews featured Al Peretz, “Decorgal” Judy Lee, Iono Allen, Kate Fosk, Michael Gray, Rysan Fall and Wiz Nordberg. End of chapter comments were provided by Chantal Harvey, Pooky Amsterdam, Larkworthy Antfarm, 1angelzares Writer, Toxic Menges, Jonathan Pluskota, and Jay Jay Jegathesan. Two invited chapters were presented by copyright expert Todd Herreman and Dr. Bryan Carter, owner of Virtual Harlem in Second Life. Phaylen Fairchild gave some closing thoughts. Skylar Smythe’s The White Pigeon was featured as a storyboard example."

UWA's Jay Jay Jegathesan was invited to contribute on how machinima cemented partnerships and collaboration. A small section below. Click on the McFarland link above to get a copy of the book itself:



UWA Support for Operation Smile Benefit Performance

.


On Sunday the 22nd of April, an Operation Smile Benefit Performance was held at the UWA-BOSL Grand Amphitheatre featuring the ChangHigh Sisters Fireshow with UWA & Aview TV providing support. L$15,699 was raised for Operation Smile, and a wonderful machinima of the performance was filmed by Mary Wickentower.The Fireshow featured the talents of Yman Juran, Melvin Starbrook and Jennylynn Capalini.
 
On the day, Yman Juran shared the following with the audience:
 
This is an Operation SMILE fundraising show to help and support the Operation SMILE's vision of a world without  clefts lips and palates. So let us be generous those of us who share a life without pain and facial deformities, lets help those, those life for unforeseen reason and circumstances has made smiling to you  so hard to do.
 
We are gathered here tonight in order to help children in their need of a fair life..... so they can enjoy life as  we all have and live it without pain and suffering.So let us give Hope and Support to those touched by facial deformities so that they know they never  will be forgotten, that those who face such  decease will be helped to live a life,, just as good as you do. .....
 
We who participate in this event today let us stand by the side of those  which life circumstances has made there life hard to bear and impossible to SMILE to. So we, The ChangHigh Sisters, like to encourage each of You to give from your heart, mind, soul, spirit and  personality...so give life,  by  financial support  ..to those in need. Because Life is the ultimate gift of Love. and a Smile is truly a universal Right.
 
A good life is not the smile of heaven, neither is affliction the frown of God. - We ask all of you here today to give from your heart, spirit and soul to those in need. Giving life is the ultimate gift of love and a smile is truly a universal right. For this and other reasons are we all gathered here on this day and night to share, support and  help those afflicted by facial deformities. So please give generously. Lets help our fellow brethren.
 
In communication with Jay Jay Jegathesan of UWA, Yman added:
 
Thank You for  everything UWA & Lap[iscean Liberty.. All worked fine and the contact people with whom I spoke and communicated all function to my full satisfaction. ..those who came  was inspired to the best show  ever done in SL...

So I am contented as of how it all went and hope you and UWA and LL and whoever is involved in virtual art promotion feel  that we and especially me lived up to whatever rules, demands or regulation required .
The ChangHigh Sisters : Melvin Starbrook, JennyLynn Capalini, and me Yman Juran and our musician Cypress Rosewood are contented, please with everything and  we hope we are welcome back another day  for another cause.
 
With Light, Life and Love  Yman Juran
 
It is people like Yman Juran and the ChangHigh Sisters (and Lapiscean Liberty) who make Second Life transcend the ordinary!

Monday, April 23, 2012

MachinimUWA V: Tutsy Navarathna's 'The Last Syllable of Recorded Time'

.

'The Last Syllable of Recorded Time', by Tutsy Navarathna, is the amazingly named offering by the current reigning MachinimUWA champion! It is now part of the L$725,000, MachinimUWA V: Seek Wisdom. MachinimUWA V's theme is a tribute to the Centenary of the University of Western Australia and UWA's New Courses 2012.

Entries to MachinimUWA V: Seek Wisdom close on the 30th of June 2012 and seeks for the creation of machinima with any storyline that fits to the theme of 'Seek Wisdom' so long as at least ONE of the 100 Treasures from UWA form part of the story. Click HERE for full details and landmarks to the locations of the treasures in Second Life.

OTHER ENTRIES TO MACHINIMUWA V
IN DREAMS by Chic Aeon
SEEK WISDOM by Dave Searby Mason
SEEKER OF WISDOM by Sophia Yates
COLOURS by pallina60 Loon
SOPHIA'S GAZE by Carl Velde
THE SEARCH by Chic Aeon
PHILOSOPHY & WISDOM by Sophia Yates

The Centenary 3D Art Challenge: Why You Should Enter

Most people know by now that we are accepting entries for the UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge. This is similar in many respects to the 3D Open Art Challenges we did last year, except that this is a single round with an enormous L$550,000 prize pool, including a L$100,000 first place award. Because of the high stakes, we are accepting entries for three months, until 30 June 2012. Complete details are on this website.

Entries opened on 1 April and we've been getting submissions in a slow trickle. This was expected, since the stakes are so high and there is plenty of time to really perfect things. I certainly encourage that, but if you're thinking of submitting something, there may (or may not) be advantages to doing it sooner than later.

My expectation is that there will be a major influx of entries in the last weeks. Earlier entries will tend to have more careful placement in the gallery. Our first entry, Pravda Core's terracotta warriors, is a good example. Because it arrived early, we were able to cut a hole in the gallery floor to accommodate it. As things become crowded, later entries will have to be squeezed in wherever there is space and possibly placed on a second level if it comes to that. We always strive to place every piece to show it off to its best advantage. But there's just so much room. This entry would likely have had to be put on a platform.
The more significant reason to enter early is simply to have more time on display. Entries in the gallery now will be up at least another 3 months. As people come and come again, they will get to see your piece and be reminded of it. A quick impression is all most people get when visiting a gallery. But an evolving show provides incentive for people to return and see what's new and to become more familiar with the pieces they saw last time. Our traffic numbers will build over time, but altogether over 3 months, we could have a substantial total number of visitors. The longer you delay, the fewer people are likely to see your entry, and at the end it will be among a packed house of other distractions.

On the other hand, if you feel you have to choose between getting it done early and getting it done right, I would certainly recommend the latter. 

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Victoria Lenoirre's Review of April LEA Full Sim Series: One Fool's Uncharted Empire by Athena Bedrosian

Hi all! This wonderful month of April, there is One Fool's Uncharted Empire at the LEA Full Sim by Athena Bedrosian. I have written my review and included my interview with her. Thank you, Athena! It is a fantastically designed sim this month.


At the landing area, you're  surrounded by pillars arranged in a circular pattern. On your left and right you should see green rocks on the rocky  terrain....those are stepping stones that you can follow. I took the path on the left first. The left path led me to the Cistern of dreams.


Cistern of Dreams


Hall of ghosts looked like a temple from the outside. Inside are black and white photos of dead dictators like Stalin and Hitler, as well as photos of immigrants.

Walking past the Hall of ghosts you should see more stepping stones. You'll have to walk up a steep hill. And then you come upon a large  brick circle, the "plain of cause and effect." Upon it are three newspapers. One is written in German, while the other two are in English.



Plain of Cause and Effect

Just past the "plain" are some pointy structures that look like teeth. As I walked through them I saw text in chat and it went like this:

[16:42] I ask myself:  : What shoud I do?
[16:42] I ask myself:  : What shoud I do?
[16:42] I ask myself:  : Was I right?
[16:42] I ask myself:  : Was I right?
[16:42] I ask myself:  : Was I right?
[16:42] I ask myself:  : Why did I do that?
[16:42] I ask myself:  : Why did I do that?
[16:42] I ask myself:  : Why did I do that?
[16:42] I ask myself:  : Am I headed in the right direction?
[16:42] I ask myself:  : Am I headed in the right direction?
[16:42] I ask myself:  : Am I headed in the right direction?
[16:43] I ask myself:  : Where is my life going?
[16:43] I ask myself:  : What shoud I do?
[16:43] I ask myself:  : Was I right?
[16:43] I ask myself:  : Why did I do that?
[16:43] I ask myself:  : Am I headed in the right direction?

Then in front of you are white steps, these lead to a structure called Celestia.


Celestia
And now on to my sweet interview with Athena:


You describe your creation as being "about one's internal kingdom, the territory he/she inhabits and
treads daily. It is not necessarily a complete catalog, but tries to hit the highlights" Could you explain this
concept a little more?

AB: Here I'm speaking of the landscape one inhabits in his/her mind, operates from, and uses to interpret what is seen.

You mention that this body of work is now a "catalog of internal concepts"....what are some of those
internal concepts that are in it?

 AB: It seems to me we all view the worlds both internal and external from the matrix of our perceptions, memories, dreams, thoughts and wishes.

Why is the fellow who lives in this empire a fool?

AB:We are all fools, waking each morning to step off the symbolic cliff into a new day, carrying our bundles of stuff, and accompanied by our instincts for self-preservation. Another way to look at the concept of the Fool is as an individual journeying into consciousness of self.

Here's a picture of the Rider-Waite-Smith representation of the Fool:



Why is it uncharted? Is it because he's afraid to step out of his comfort zone?


AB:While each of us lives in her/his own empire (or landscape), that empire has yet to be mapped or charted. We are each essentially unknowns.

You have old photos of dictators in the hall of ghosts? So the hall is a hall of oppression and past
suffering? On the wall to the right of the texture change display, you have pics of families and children? Who are they?

AB:As the front of the building states “That which is past, but haunts us.” The building houses memories. I tried to choose pictures of family and childhood from a variety of cultures, because SecondLife is multicultural. The images are all meant to evoke memories, no social comment is intended. Although now I realize that showing dictators and war is in itself a social comment.

At the plain of effect and consequence you have 3 newspapers. One is in German, what does that say?Another paper is showing the headline about a man on the moon. Do you feel that that has impacted our world in a positive or negative way? If so, why do you think that?

AB:There are only reports of actions and effects here because cause-and-effect takes place in the "real"
world. We may battle mentally and picture dire consequences, but it is not real until we make it so.

The newspapers are representative of second-hand cause and effect. The mind is not the field of action,although it takes effect when we choose to act. Again I chose topics that people might respond (or react)

Needless to say, this is a tricky concept. Does an effect begin when it is perceivable by others or when
the decision is made to act? Does an effect when we choose to act. Again I chose topics that people might respond (or react) to.

Behind the plain are jagged rocks? What exactly are they? Adding the script to that area is a nice touch, the script that asks those thought-provoking, yet simple questions that we all ask ourselves at one time or another.

AB: I call them the needles. There are elements of rites of passage in this area -- one must leave behind self-questioning and cross the river of forgetfulness to get to Celestia at the top of the steps. When we meditate or daydream the mind is cleared of obstacles and we roam free of the worldly ties that bind.

Behind the rocks are steps leading up to a pavilion that sits higher up than the plain. Does this symbolize
rising above the past, dreams, and hate and agression?

AB: Yes, it does symbolize rising above that which entangles us. It is a place of joy and has been attained by leaving the problems and issues of daily life behind for the moment.

There's a tall tree inside the pavilion, Celestia, why?

AB: I was thinking of the tree of life when I included it.

Why is your water underlayer a dark green/jade color?

AB: Pure luck. The ground plane is a rust color.

I really like the greenish water color. To me, it's more of a jade tone. Jade symbolizes luck in the ancient Chinese culture.

At first glance, this sim does not seem to be much. There is a lot of open space. But here, it is little details that make all the difference. A lot of hidden and deep meaning is in everything Athena put into this full sim exhibition. My favorite part of the sim would have to be the Plain of Cause and Effect and the needles. It is a wide, open area that symbolizes to me, that we are free to choose our course in life...unrestrained by the limits of society or anyone else.

I urge you all to come visit LEA6, if you haven't already. Come see this phenomenal body of work here.

Have fun and enjoy the art!
Vic

 

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

LEA FULL SIM ART SERIES (APRIL): Athena Bedrosian's 'One Fool's Uncharted Empire'

.

The LEA FULL SIM ART SERIES moves to April with One Fool's Uncharted Empire by Athena Bedrosian.



This FULL SIM installation will be launched at 8am slt Thursday the 12th of April 2012.

GRAND OPENING: One Fool's Uncharted Empire by Athena Bedrosian

Date & Time: 8am SLT, Thursday 12th April 2012
Location: HERE on LEA 6



Athena Bedrosian

Athena describes her creation as follows:

This installation is about one's internal kingdom, the territory he/she inhabits and treads daily. It is not necessarily a complete catalog, but tries to hit the highlights.



My style is pretty straightforward and not particularly "pretty." I'm more interested in clarity and usability.

The working title for this installation was "Mulligatawny Light," mulligatawny being a tasty, East Indian dish. The original meaning of the word  Mulligatawny was pepper water or pepper soup. Essentially this build was meant to catalog various qualities of light from subdued to relative darkness to celestial. But  other factors and meaning crept in, so we now have a catalog of internal concepts.

.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

MachinimUWA V: Chic Aeon's 'In Dreams'

.


'In Dreams', by Chic Aeon, is the 2nd searching entry by Chic Aeon (following 'The Search") to hit the screens. It is now part of  the L$725,000, MachinimUWA V: Seek Wisdom. MachinimUWA V's theme is a tribute to the Centenary of the University of Western Australia and UWA's New Courses 2012.


Entries to MachinimUWA V: Seek Wisdom close on the 30th of June 2012 and seeks for the creation of machinima with any storyline that fits to the theme of 'Seek Wisdom' so long as at least ONE of the 100 Treasures from UWA form part of the story. Click HERE for full details and landmarks to the locations of the treasures in Second Life.


Other Entries to MachinimUWA V
SEEK WISDOM by Dave Searby Mason
SEEKER OF WISDOM by Sophia Yates
COLOURS by pallina60 Loon
SOPHIA'S GAZE by Carl Velde
THE SEARCH by Chic Aeon
PHILOSOPHY & WISDOM by Sophia Yates
.

MachinimUWA V: Dave Searby Mason's 'Seek Wisdom'

.


'Seek Wisdom', by Praxis Field (Dave Searby Mason) is a soul searching journey hearkening the wisdom of the ancients. It is now part of  the L$725,000, MachinimUWA V: Seek Wisdom. MachinimUWA V's theme is a tribute to the Centenary of the University of Western Australia and UWA's New Courses 2012.

Entries to MachinimUWA V: Seek Wisdom close on the 30th of June 2012 and seeks for the creation of machinima with any storyline that fits to the theme of 'Seek Wisdom' so long as at least ONE of the 100 Treasures from UWA form part of the story. Click HERE for full details and landmarks to the locations of the treasures in Second Life.
.

Monday, April 2, 2012

ELIZA, SECRET, CHERRY and GIOVANNA MAKE SWEET MUSIC

UWA Artists' Choice Challenge: MUSIC

WINNERS:
FIRST PLACE: Eliza Wierwight ~ Sea of Love Music Box
SECOND PLACE: Secret Rage ~ Music in the Air
THIRD PLACE: Giovanna Cerise ~ Habanera
THIRD PLACE: Cherry Manga ~ Butterflies
NON-SCRIPTED: Secret Rage ~ Music in the Air
PEOPLE'S CHOICE: Cherry Manga ~ Butterflies

EXHIBITION CATALOG
FULL PHOTO ARCHIVE

The third monthly UWA Artists' Choice Challenge was on the theme of music. In choosing the theme, FreeWee thought Music would have universal appeal, and the variety of interpretations
that was received bears that out. We had many sound-emitting objects, but also many mute ones. Curiously, the addition of sound in an entry in the Music theme actually disqualified it from consideration for the non-scripted award. But the results were nonetheless satisfying.

While the winning scores were unequivocal, they were also very close. Only 3 points separated the top 4 winners. Since the voting is done by the participants and sponsors themselves, the judging pool is fairly small, making every vote count.

The top award went to Eliza Weirwight's exquisite undersea themed carousel music box. It's always interesting to see what objects engage the judges and the public. The music box was the smallest and and sat unassuming on a pedestal among the many far larger pieces. But it was definitely compelling enough to make people take notice.

Second place went to Secret Rage's playful and evocative rendition of a figure with multicolored winged musical notes suspended in the air. As it was also the highest ranking non-scripted entry, it won the Non-Scripted award as well.

In third place there was a tie. The perennial Cherry Manga came through this time with an immersive environmental piece showing a peaceful park with benches and butterflies and a fountain, but the atmosphere is dense with a blizzard of tiny black musical notes. There is the haunting sound of the a looping phrase by the group CocoRosie: "How they shimmer, how they glimmer, Those butterflies." This piece proved very popular with the public as it also decisively won the People's Choice award.

Also in third place was Giovanna Cerise with her lively flamenco abstract called "Habanera."

Here is the full list of entries:
Apmel Goosson ~ A Rocking Island
Artee ~ Oreille
briawinde Magic ~ Mad Hatter's Song
Cherry Manga ~ Butterflies
Cherry Manga ~ Le Piano
Chic Aeon ~ Standing Room Only
Corcosman Voom ~ Wailin
Eliza Wierwight ~ Sea of Love Music Box
Fox Nacht ~ /we
FreeWee Ling ~ SwingTones
Giovanna Cerise ~ The Flight
Giovanna Cerise ~ Habanera
London Junkers ~ Listen to the Wind
Nino Vichan ~ Imagine
Secret Rage ~ Music in the Air
Secret Rage ~ Interlude
Soda Lemondrop ~ Awake
Toysoldier Thor ~ Round Up The Music

Following is the full text of the awards presentation, announced by Taralyn Gravois:

Welcome to the third of the UWA Artists' Choice Awards!

As is tradition at the University of Western Australia, we would like to acknowledge that the University is situated on Nyoongar land and that the Nyoongar people remain the spiritual and cultural custodians of their land and continue to uphold their values, languages, beliefs and knowledge.

Before we announce the winners, FreeWee would like me to announce the publication of an exhibition catalog for the Music show. The current draft is online now and will be revised to add the award results. She also asks the participating artists to please let her know any brief descriptions or comments you would like to add to your entries for the book. It is expected to be complete within the next day or so. For this and the catalogs of the two previous shows, see: http://issuu.com/freeweeling.

FreeWee has also published the complete photo archive on her Picasa site. She has also shot some machinima of several of the entries where motion and sound were important. Soon as she learns how to edit video, that will also be made available.

The UWA Artists' Choice challenges are designed to inspire and support the work of artists. The key difference from earlier challenges is that the main awards are determined entirely by the votes of the participating artists and sponsors themselves. Who knows art better than they? It's a special honor to be acknowledged by our colleagues. Votes were collected by FreeWee Ling and verified by JayJay Zifanwe. Anyone wishing to know their particular ranking may contact FreeWee.

So you know what the future is to bring, beginning April 1 the Artists' Choice Challenges will go on hiatus for 4 months. Starting tomorrow we will be accepting entries for a major competition.
The UWA Centenary Art Challenge will be a single round lasting three months. Prizes totaling more than 500 thousand Lindens will be awarded. Anyone can enter a single entry of up to 100 prims. The official announcement with details will be made tomorrow.

Look for the Artists’ Choice challenges to start again with a new theme announced in early July for an August show.

Please remember also that MachinimUWA V: Seek Wisdom is accepting entries with a staggering 725 thousand Lindens in awards to be given. There is also a sponsored Poster Challenge associated with MachinimUWA V being run by Ginette Pinnazo & LaPiscean Liberty
on behalf of the SL machinima Poster Archive & AviewTV. Full details are on the UWA blog.

Today represents the end of the Music show. We received 18 amazing entries for the Music theme by 13 artists. We had a total of seven sponsors for Music. L$20,000 was donated by our sponsors this month.

Clearly, none of this would have been possible without the tremendous support of UWA in SL, and most especially the imagination and vision of JayJay Zifanwe. We also express our deepest gratitude to the other sponsors for this event:
  • Armany Thursday and Dyce Underwood for DNA Art and Music Fusion
  • Eliza Wierwight and Patron
  • Cherry Manga and Anley Piers for Mysterious Wave
  • Ginger Alsop and Phi Designs
  • Zachh Cale and projectZ
  • and special donations by Secret Rage and FreeWee Ling
Anyone wishing to support future challenges, please contact FreeWee Ling.

Now to the awards. In choosing Music as a theme, FreeWee hoped it would have universal appeal, and the variety of interpretations that was received bears that out. We had many sound-emitting objects, but also many mute ones. Curiously, the addition of sound in an entry
in the Music theme actually disqualifies it from consideration for the non-scripted award. But I think you'll find the results nonetheless satisfying.

The People's Choice voting received 209 votes total. The voting was clear, with 17 points separating the winner from its closest competitor. The People's Choice Award (L$2000) for UWA Artists' Choice Music goes to:
BUTTERFLIES by Cherry Manga

Rounding out the top five were: SWINGTONES by FreeWee Ling, /WE by Fox Nacht, HABANERA by Giovanna Cerise, and AWAKE by Soda Lemondrop.

Next we go to the Non-scripted Award. This was determined by the highest ranking in regular voting for a piece that is non-scripted. The Non-Scripted Award (L$3000) for UWA Artists' Choice MUSIC goes to:
MUSIC IN THE AIR by Secret Rage

Other entries ranking highly in the Non-scripted category included LE PIANO by Cherry Manga, WAILIN' by Corcosman Voom, THE FLIGHT by Giovnna Cerise, and ROUND UP THE MUSIC by Toysoldier Thor.

Now for the top three overall awards. Because of FreeWee's peculiar position, she has decided to again withdraw her entry from consideration for a prize. She thanks all who voted for her and is pleased to have been able to participate in this show.

For the Third Place Award we have a tie. The two third place winners with share the L$3000 prize. The Third Place Award goes to:
BUTTERFLIES by Cherry Manga

and also to:
HABANERA by Giovanna Cerise

That’s the last of the ties for this round. The top two awards stand alone.
The Second Place Award (L$5000) for UWA Artists' Choice Music goes to:
MUSIC IN THE AIR by Secret Rage

There were only 3 points separating the top 4 winners. Since the awards are determined by individual votes by the participating artists, rather than by a panel deliberation, the result,
while close, is clear, though with such a small pool of voters, any of the prizes could easily have turned out differently if only one or two people had voted differently.

The First Place Award (L$7000) goes to:
SEA OF LOVE MUSIC BOX by Eliza Weirwight

Other artists who ranked strongly in the voting, in no particular order, included OREILLE by Artee, LE PIANO by Cherry Manga, IMAGINE by Nino Vichan, and STANDING ROOM ONLY by Chic Aeon.

Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all who participated in a great show! Please take a final look around before you leave today. The MUSIC show will all be gone by this evening to make room for the CENTENARY CHALLENGE! Thank you all for coming! Have a great day!

UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge Begins! L$550,000 Prize Pool

.



OVERVIEW
This is the 3rd of the UWA Grand Art Challenges. The format is hugely different from the previous challenges, in that it is a SINGLE ROUND ONLY, lasting 3 months. Any of the artworks entered could walk away with the L$100,000 Grand Prize!

This art  challenge in OPEN TO EVERYONE. The theme is open with a 100 prim limit per artwork, and limited to ONE ENTRY PER ARTIST.

The UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge is run in tribute to the 2013 Centenary of the University of Western Australia. In recognition of this milestone a Special Centenary Prize of L$60,000 will be awarded to the artwork that best reflects the spirit of the UWA Centenary, as determined by the UWA members of the judging panel.

This Challenge is sponsored by UWA, The S&S Gallery of Fine Art (TheDove Rhode), The Tornado Gallery (Taralyn Gravois) and the Phi Designs Group (Ginger Alsop).  All pieces entered across the year may be filmed for various Machinima.

ESSENTIALS:
* There is NO THEME restriction for the Centenary Challenge.  The limits are the imagination. Create something that will take our breath away. Any form, any shape, any influence, any medium. Of this world, or the next!  However there is a special prize for the artwork that most closely reflects the spirit of the UWA Centenary.
* There is a 100 prim limit. (Up to 150 land impact PE for mesh, but actual prims must remain under 100.)
* 1 entry only per artist
* DEADLINE: 30th June 2012

TO ENTER:
Place the artwork in the art entry receiver at the UWA Art Challenge platform (no perms required, but copy is appreciated if possible) . If you have problems with the receiver give artwork to Jayjay Zane or Jayjay Zifanwe along with Artist NC:
Please retrieve the artist entry Notecard that should accompany each entry by touching the drop box.

PRIZE SUMMARY
OVERALL
1st Prize L$100,000
2nd Prize L$75,000
3rd Prize L$50,000
4th Prize L$40,000
5th Prize L$25,000
6th - 10th Prize L$20,000

NON SCRIPTED
1st Prize L$35,000
2nd Prize L$20,000
3rd Prize L$15,000

UWA Centenary Special Prize L$60,000
UWA Centenary Honourable Mention Prize L$20,000

PEOPLE'S CHOICE PRIZES
1st Prize L$ 5,000
2nd Prize L$ 3,000
3rd Prize L$ 2,000

To submit entries for the UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge, visit the UWA 3D gallery platform, and drop your entry in the receiver. You do this by selecting the entry in your inventory (left mouse button) and then press CTRL + drag the entry while holding down that key to the prim of the receiver. When the cursor is over the poster (red outlines should appear around the receiver box), release your left  mouse button and the item is received. Do this for BOTH your entry and your Artist Notecard.

If you have difficulties doing this, give the entry to Jayjay Zane or Jayjay Zifanwe.

Contest Entry Rules:
1) Any artwork/ object can be submitted. They can be inanimate or have animation. They may contain scripts if you so choose - maximum script time of 0.5ms, and anything that runs at over 0.05ms is to have an on/off on touch with time out of 10 minutes max (if you are unsure of your piece's script load please contact one of the Challenge hosts to have it evaluated). 100 prim maximum (or 150 land impact PE for mesh).
2) Note that by submitting an entry, you are giving permission to the University of Western Australia to place the objects anywhere on UWA owned land, and to have information and images of the entries placed on UWA websites and on websites promoting the UWA SIMS or events held on the UWA SIMS or to be filmed for Machinima purposes.
5) A valid entry, is any object dropped onto the contest entry receiver. Pick up item from inventory while holding down the CTRL key, and drop it onto the contest entry billboard prim (release the left mouse button when your entry is in position to be dropped in).
6) Alternate method of entry is to drop the object into the inventory of Jayjay Zane, who is executive officer for the UWA Art Challenges, or Jayjay Zifanwe.
7) All entrants should join the group 'UWA 3D ART AND DESIGN CHALLENGE’
8) To join, copy and paste the following into local chat, then click  as appropriate to join the group: secondlife:///app/group/cad9c421-8b96-f9c1-fb40-dade48c43fe4/about
9) All work must be original.  Renderings of works by others, in part or in whole, whether or not they are under copyright, should be acknowleded and permissions secured when appropriate. 

Judging Panel for the Centenary Challenge:
Professor Ted Snell (RL) - Director, Cultural Precinct, The University of Western Australia
Dr Sue Boyd (RL) - Member of Senate, UWA, Chair, UWA Centenary Planning Committee (Former Australian High-Commissioner & Consul General)
Penny Young (RL) - Alumni & Networks Coordinator, UWA
Virginia Rowland (RL) - Senior Policy Officer, Centenary Planning, UWA
Adia Yu (RL) - Quantum Enginered Systems Centre of Excellence Coordinator, UWA
FreeWee Ling (SL) - Curator, UWA 3D Open Art Challenge
Quan Lavender - Journalist & Blogger
Apmel Goosson - Journalist, Blogger, Author & Publisher 
Nazz Lane (SL) - Journalist and Author
Apollo Manga (SL) - examiner.com Writer & Novelist
Dr. Phylis Johnson (RL) - Media Professor, Southern Illinois University, Author - Machinima: Aesthetics and Practice (a.k.a, Sonicity Fitzroy, SL Virtual Journalist)
Mal Burns (SL), Metaverse News Aggregator and Broadcaster
Chestnut Rau (SL) - Journalist
Thirza Ember (SL) - Art Blog Writer
Dousa Dragonash (SL) - COO Metaverse Television
Rowan Derryth (SL) - Art & Design Historian; Writer for Prim Perfect Publications
Jay  Jay Jegathesan (RL) / Jayjay Zifanwe (SL) - Manager School of Physics/ Lead of UWA Virtual Worlds
Len Zuks (RL) - Award Winning West Australian Sculpturist  
Lyn DiCiero (RL) - Editor, WA Artist's Chronicle
Sasun Steinbeck  -  Creator of the Art Galleries of SL list at http://sasun.info/ArtGalleriesofSL.aspx
Persia Bravin (SL) -   Journalist and Media Producer (SL newspapers, magazines, radio and television)
Dr Carmen Fies (RL) - Second Life Lead: University of Texas San Antonio & UTSA Artspace
TheDoveRhode (SL) - Owner of the S&S Gallery of Fine Art

Curator for the UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge is FreeWee Ling
Host for the UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge  is UWA & Jayjay Zifanwe

*Poster Design by FreeWee Ling

UWA and fabulous artists in BOSL's April Issue!

Hello all!

As promised, I'm posting the link to BOSL magazine. It features Bryn Oh, Sasun Steinbeck, Misprint Thursday, Hypatia Pickens, and other great artists.

However, due to some unexpected emergency...my interview with nexuno Thespian is not in this issue. It will be the only art interview in the May issue though! You can however see pictures about the BOSL spring collective, which nexuno helped design! I got to see it during and after he finished building it. It is simply stunning!

http://magazine.thebestofsl.com/issues/april-2012

I hope you enjoy reading it. Wonderfully done. A great big thank you to all the people who make SL such a beautiful place with their art and support of the arts in SL! You rock!

Have fun and enjoy the art!