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| Poster Credit: Eliza Wierwight |
THE FREEDOM PROJECT: A 2D/3D ART & FILM EVENT
(L$670,000 in sponsorship thus far)
OVERVIEW
The Freedom Project is a 2D/3D Art & Film Event organized jointly by the University of Western Australia, along with members of the Virtual Ability group, and the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses* group in Second Life. We are calling for artists and film makers from all over the world who self-identify as having a disability or a chronic illness, to create an artwork or a film/machinima on the theme of ‘Freedom’, showing how virtual worlds have in some way helped them or those around them.
Films and artwork can be submitted anytime between the 1st of September 2013 and the 28th of February 2014. Artwork should have no more than 200 prims, and films should be around 3-5 minutes (though no hard limits on film length will be enforced). Artwork will go on display immediately at the UWA Virtual Gallery, and films will be put on the UWA Second Life Blog (www.uwainsl.blogspot.com)
THEME
The theme is ‘FREEDOM’, and we would like to show artworks and films that represent how the virtual world has helped you or those around you.
WHY THIS THEME?
Along with your entry, we would like you (optionally) to tell us in 100-300 words how the virtual world has assisted you and/or those around you, has helped create community, or has helped you to transcend difficulties and challenges real life has posed. At the end of the event, some submissions will be selected by a panel to go into a journal to be available on the web and in print. We hope that the journal, along with all the artwork, machinima, and stories, will inspire others, and will demonstrate how virtual worlds can be used to help some people who may have had difficulties finding other means to express themselves, to believe in themselves more, or to connect with others.
IS THIS A COMPETITION?
No. However as a token of our appreciation, the organizers are providing a L$10,000 award to 10 artworks or films (to be selected by a panel). 25 selected artists will also receive a printed copy of the online journal. If more funding is secured, we hope to extend this benefit to all artists selected for the journal. (Films/machinima will be depicted with stills and a link).
*If you are not creating an artwork or machinima, but do have an inspirational personal story to share on how the virtual world has helped you overcome some difficulties faced because of a disability or a chronic illness, do send it in as well. We will try and share your stories with as many people as we can
SPONSORS & PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
UWA would like to thank Gentle Heron and members of the executive team of Virtual Ability, Inc., as well as Dianne Elton and the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses for their guidance, support and advice. Also many thanks to co-sponsors Eliza Wierwight, who also created the poster for this event, David Doyle & Simone Flavelle of DADAA's stARTSPEAK Project, Tom Papas & Screen My Shorts Inc. (Sydney), West Australian artist, Len Zuks, Beverley Hill of UWA's Equity & Diversity Office, Craig MacKenzie and Deborah Bolton of UniPrint and TheDove Rhode of Peace is A Choice Gallery. We thank Taralyn Gravois, who will be assisting with the filming and creation of video in support of the event. We thank AviewTV and LaPiscean Liberty, who will provide live streaming assistance for events and hosting of machinima submissions. We thank Eleanor Medeir and The Sim Street Journal as well as Kit Guardian and Guardian 11:11 for their multifaceted commitment towards the event as well.We also thank iMoogi TV (imoogi.tv) and Nu Vibez Magazine (nuvibezmag.com) led by Filipa Thespian who will be providing, iMoogi.TV prime channel distribution on iMoogi.tv's network, along with write-ups in Nu Vibez Magazine of selected submissions.
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| Launching 'The Freedom Project' (Photo Credit - Victoria Lennoire) |
FOR ANYONE INTERESTED, FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE LAUNCH EVENT AS FOLLOWS (DETAILED ENTRY SUBMISSION DETAILS AT THE END)
Welcome by Jay Jay Jegathesan,
Manager, School of Physics & Leader of UWA Virtual World Projects
Greetings everyone, and welcome to the University of Western Australia, or UWA as she is known. As is tradition at UWA, I 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.
I dont think I have ever held a launch event before, aside from when UWA itself launched in Second Life in 2009, however this event is a really important one, and we are having an event launch which isnt what we have done with our recent art & film events.
For this event, UWA would like to thank our co-organisers, Gentle Heron and members of the executive team of Virtual Ability, Inc., as well as Dianne Elton and the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses.
Up to now, this event has L$350,000 in sponsorship, and I want to acknowledge co-sponsors Eliza Wierwight, who also created the beautiful poster for this event, Tom Papas & Screen My Shorts Inc. (Sydney), West Australian artist, Len Zuks and Beverly Hill of UWA's Equity & Diversity Office. We thank Taralyn Gravois, who will be assisting with the filming and creation of video in support of the event. We thank AviewTV and LaPiscean Liberty, who will provide live streaming assistance for events and the hosting of machinima submissions. We also thank Eleanor Medeir and The Sim Street Journal for their multifaceted commitment towards the event. Also Professor Ted Snell, Chairman of Visual Arts for the Australia Council, and Director of UWA's Cultural precinct, who pointed us to the theme for this event.
So what exactly is this event?
THE FREEDOM PROJECT is a 2D/3D art & film event, organized jointly by the University of Western Australia, along with members of the Virtual Ability group, and the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses group in Second Life. We are calling for artists and film makers from all over the world who self-identify as having a disability or a chronic illness, to create an artwork or a film/machinima on the theme of ‘Freedom’, showing how virtual worlds have in some way helped them or those around them.
WHY THIS THEME? Well, along with the entry, we would like you, the artist (if willing) to share your inspirational story in a few hundred words how the virtual world has assisted you and/or those around you, has helped create community, or has helped you to transcend difficulties and challenges real life has posed. At the end of the event, some submissions will be selected by a panel to go into a journal to be available on the web and in print. We hope that the journal, along with all the artwork, machinima, and stories, will inspire others, and will demonstrate how virtual worlds can be used to help some people who may have had difficulties finding other means to express themselves, to believe in themselves more, or to connect with others.
OK, before saying anything else, I'll hand the floor to Dianne Elton, one of the co-organisers, representing the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses Group.
Dianne Elton
Representing the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses
Hello everyone, I am very happy to be part of the organising committee of this wonderful project. I am delighted that people with illness and disabilities are being acknowledged in this way. Having ones work displayed at U.W.A, a premier art destination of SL, and also having a book produced of this exhibition is most heartening. I thank the other organisers, Jayjay, Freewee and Gentle and all the very generous sponsors, for this wonderful initiative.
I am a member of the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses. M.E. is the acronym for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and CFS is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. These are called invisible illnesses and disabilities, because sufferers may, at first sight, appear to be well. We may not know that the sufferer may be so sick they are housebound, which means they cannot leave the house without assistance. Many ME sufferers are also bed bound, they are so severely ill. At the centre, we hold guided relaxation sessions to help people cope with symptom management, pain and anxiety. A group also meets once a week to discuss research into the illness and to provide companionship for fellow sufferers. There is also a gallery of creative works all done by fellow sufferers, which is an inspiration to all of us.
The Freedom Art Project invites people with illness and disabilities not only to showcase their art, but to share how SL may perhaps provide opportunities not available to them in real life. In my own case, being housebound, SL has extended my social world exponentially. I now have many friends right around the world. No longer able to attend art galleries, I was delighted to find I could come to UWA and enjoy stunning innovative art without leaving my bed. My illness has taken away many activities I used to do in real life but as I don't have to leave my bed, I can do things in SL including attending and facilitating bookclubs. meditation and guided relaxation sessions and I can even go dancing with hubby!
This is how SL gives me “freedom”. Freedom to be active within the limitations of my health. Freedom to interact with others from the confines of my house. I am really looking forward to seeing the artworks produced for this event and to learning how sl might give others "FREEDOM".
FreeWee Ling
UWA Curator of Virtual Arts
UWA has a distinguished history of presenting the best in virtual arts and machinima. Our programs are open to all who wish to participate. The highly prestigious 3D art competitions attract the most experienced and best known artists working in SL, as well as relative noobies. All entries are given equal attention and no prerequisite qualifications are required as long as entries meet the technical and thematic requirements of the particular event.
In my experience as curator, I have often found that the most highly rated entries are not by the best known artists, or even by the most technically skilled, but are rather those that are best able to powerfully convey an idea, message, or emotional response. So we welcome everyone to give it a shot. At the very least, this is a great opportunity to have your efforts seen in a reputable venue by people who appreciate good work. I encourage you to study the entries in the current show you see here to get inspiration.
While this is not a competition, there will be a panel in rl and SL who will select a representative collection of entries to be included in an exhibition catalog to be published both online and in a small run of printed copies.
The catalog will include images of the 3D and 2D art, and still frames from machinima entries. It will also include the text you provide with your entries. Please note that we are asking for TWO written elements:
1. The Artist's Notecard form is required information to submit with your entry. It asks for your name, the name of your entry, a brief summary description of your entry, and your rl location (optional). There is a copy of the form in the general information notecard.
2. Along with your entry, we would like you (optionally) to tell us in 100-300 words how the virtual world has assisted you and/or those around you, has helped create community, or has helped you to transcend difficulties and challenges real life has posed.
Through the generosity of our sponsors, at least 10 of the entries will be selected to receive cash awards and a printed copy of the catalog. These benefits may be expanded, depending on the number and quality of the entries, and the addition of more sponsors. You can see an online collection of exhibition catalogs from our previous events on the UWA blog site at: http://uwainsl.blogspot.com/p/uwa-siva.html
The technical parameters for FREEDOM are described in the official notecard and web page. Please let me know if you have questions about any of the details. I can also consult with you on script, lighting, or media issues.
Gentle Heron
Representing the Virtual Ability Group
I want to thank JayJay, Dianne, FreeWee, and UWA for the opportunity they are offering to people in the many disability communities in Second Life to share what this virtual environment means to us.
Most people don’t realize that there are over 120 peer support communities for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses in SL. Just in English! More in other languages.
I love the theme of “Freedom.” It is such a great choice to explain the use of virtual worlds by persons with chronic illnesses and disabilities.
Research recently published by Loyola Marymount University showed that simply being in SL for 3 months, with no formal treatment, improved 6 measures of social and emotional wellness for persons with significant disabilities.
This project will show how that improvement works for the artists who enter. I am looking forward to seeing the art that will be created for this event. Thank you.
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| Left to Right: The Organising Committee - Gentle Heron, FreeWee Ling, Dianne Elton & Jayjay (Photo: V.Lennoire) |
Jay Jay Concluding Remarks
OK... to wrap things up, I just want to state again, this is an art & film event, and not a competition as we normally hold, however as a token of our appreciation, the organizers are providing a L$10,000 award to 10 artworks or films (to be selected by a panel). The selected artists will also receive a printed hard copy of journal that will be produced to show all the artworks and the inspirational stories of the artists and filmmakers. If more funding is secured, we hope to extend this benefit to all artists selected for the journal. Films/machinima will be depicted in the journal with stills and a link
One final thing.... the creations do not have to be created in isolation or alone.... submissions can be collaborations so long as the project leader or primary driving force behind the creation is clear. The extent of collaboration & assistance by others should be detailed in the notecard along with the submission, and credit given as appropriate
And with all that said... The Freedom Project is Officially Open!
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DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF HOW TO SUBMIT ENTRIES INCLUDING TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS BELOW
ESSENTIALS:
• Artwork and film entries should reflect the theme ‘Freedom’, and should attempt to show how the virtual world has helped or how it could help.
• We would appreciate an accompanying notecard with descriptions of how the virtual world has inspired something positive.
• This event is open to all who identify as having a disability or a chronic illness (of any nature).
• A maximum of 2 entries per artist for the art event with a 200 prim limit per artwork. (See details below.)
• A maximum of 3 entries per artist for film/machinima (preferred length between 3-5 minutes).
• Entries will be received beginning 1 September 2013 until 28 February 2014. (Note that the earlier work is submitted, the longer it will be on view.)
TO ENTER:
Place the artwork in the receiver (drop box) for the Freedom Project at the UWA Art Challenge platform, along with a completed Artist’s Notecard form. (No perms required, but copy is appreciated if possible.) If you have problems with the receiver, you may give artwork directly to FreeWee Ling or Jayjay Zifanwe along with the notecard.
CLICK HERE TO TP TO THE RECEIVER
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ADDITIONAL HELP (HOW TO USE THE ENTRY RECEIVER)
If you have difficulties following the receiver box procedure, you give your entries directly to FreeWee Ling or Jayjay Zifanwe.Be sure to include your name in the filenames for both your art entry and your notecard.
To submit art entries, visit the UWA 3D Gallery platform and drop your entry and notecard in the receiver. You do this by selecting the entry in your inventory (left mouse button) and then pressing CTRL. While holding down that key, drag the entry onto 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 notecard.
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DETAILED RULES
1) Any artworks/objects 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.) 200 prims/land impact maximum, INCLUDING temporary prims, or prims set to physics type “convex hull” or “none”. (Note that for purposes of this exhibition, we count actual prims OR land impact, whichever is higher.)
2) Please note that the use of local lights and sounds in your artwork may limit our ability to display it without interfering with other entries. We do not restrict their use, but we may have to put your work on a separate platform with a tp from the gallery floor.
3) Your art entry is not limited in size except to the extent that there is space on the sim to accommodate it without interfering with other exhibits or the normal operation of UWA programs. Media parcels may be defined under the same conditions. Please contact JayJay Zifanwe or FreeWee Ling if you have any special requirements for the installation of an artwork.
4) Note that by submitting an entry, you give permission to the University of Western Australia to place the objects anywhere on UWA owned land, and to have information you provide and images of the entries published in print and/or electronic form, and placed on UWA websites, and on websites promoting UWA or events held on the UWA SIMS, or to be filmed for machinima.
5) All work must be original. Renderings of works by others, in part or in whole, whether or not they are under copyright, should be acknowledged and permissions secured when appropriate. This includes use of prefabricated parts, scripts, and textures. (A full accounting is not required, but you should acknowledge the fact if all parts of your work are not completely original.)
6) A valid entry is any object dropped onto the contest entry receiver that fits the theme and conforms to technical limits.
7) Do entries have to done without any assistance? No. Your submissions can be collaborations so long as the project leader or primary driving force behind the creation is clear. The extent of collaboration & assistance by others should be detailed in the notecard along with the submission, and credit given as appropriate
8) All entrants are encouraged to join the 'UWA 3D ART AND DESIGN CHALLENGE’ Group (not compulsory). To join, copy and paste the following link into local chat, then click to join the group: secondlife:///app/group/cad9c421-8b96-f9c1-fb40-dade48c43fe4/about
9) All questions should be directed to FreeWee LIng or JayJay Zifanwe.
*The Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses provide resources, support and guided relaxation sessions, for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Gulf War Syndrome, and other invisible illnesses. They host general and research discussions once a week on Mondays at 6pm Pacific Standard Time, and guided relaxation sessions every day, twice a day, at 8am and 8pm (Pacific Standard Time), in the Centre to help people manage their illness. This Centre is open to all and all are welcome, including anyone with an illness, their families and carers to meet here and help each other. The Centre is located in Curtin University in Second Life.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bentley%20South/118/74/28
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