Tuesday, December 22, 2009

A Very Aussie Christmas Presentation


On the beach! Where else would you hold a big party to celebrate the winners of the Very Aussie Christmas competition at UWA?

A sizeable crowd gathered to find out who had won the competition and to experience a summer Christmas party on the beach.
The winners were:

1st prize (L$2000):

Dusty Canning - Aussie Christmas



2nd Prize (L$1000):
Jon Haskell - Roo and Ewe





Honourable Mentions (L$500 each):

Lilli Field - pavlova my love :) and lamo and biccy selection





Juanita Deharo - blow up pool with floating Christmas Duck
(quadrapop is seen here sitting in the pool cooling off after all the dancing)




Much fun was had and many visitors expressed their desire to one day experience a RL beach Christmas party in the hot summer sun.

Congratulations to the winners and a big Thank You to all who entered or lent items to give that special Aussie Christmas cheer to the beach in the sky.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from your Very Aussie Christmas hosts quadrapop Lane and JayJay Zifanwe.


JayJay attended as a tiny reindeer - love that blinking red nose!


Keep your eyes peeled for a party around January 26th;

Monday, December 21, 2009

Avatar Cram in Glyph Graves "Tendrils"





In impromptu attempt to cram Glyph's build to the gills to see what colours it would go...

Friday, December 18, 2009

MachinimUWA : The UWA Machinima Challenge


To round out the creative SL media competitions at UWA we now introduce a Machinima Competition: MachinimUWA. This one is not as open ended as the Imagine Challenge but still leaves a lot of scope for creative input.

WHEN:
Submissions are open 18th December 2009 - 31st January 2010
Shortlisted entries will be displayed on the University of Western Australia (UWA) Second Life Blog.

Winners will be announced during a ceremony in February

WHERE:
In front of Winthrop Tower on University of WA (Main Sim of the UWA presence) & starting point of all Machinima

THEME:
Architecture, Teaching, Research & Arts on the UWA sims

THE CHALLENGE:
Create a Machinima up to 5 minutes in length that captures the four main elements that make up the heart of the University of Western Australia in SL. These elements are the RL architecture, the teaching, the research and Arts. The purpose would be to show that UWA's presence in SL is comprehensive and covering all these areas, creating true bridges between SL & RL for prospective students, current students, staff, alumni & the community (this is a snapshot of the challenge - more details below). Note that there are 3 Sims making up the UWA presence, namely UWA, University of WA & WASP Land, and this challenge covers all 3. The 5 minutes limit is not a true limit, rather a suggestion.

METHOD OF ENTRY:
*Load the Machinima anywhere, and provide the link to both Jayjay Zifanwe & White Lebed (co-hosts of MachinimUWA)

CLOSING DATE:
Midnight 31st January 2010 (winners annouced in Mid-Feb 2010)

OVERVIEW OF UWA (RL)

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a leading Australian research university and has an international reputation for excellence, innovation and enterprise. A member of the Australian 'Group of Eight' universities, it is also among Australia's leading research universities. Sitting on the banks of the Swan River, the UWA Crawley campus is the oldest in Western Australia and among the most picturesque in the nation with its grand sandstone and terracotta buildings sitting among elegant heritage-listed gardens.

MORE ABOUT THE CHALLENGE
The following are Key areas key areas that should be incorporated in the Machinima.
The Machinima should start with a view of the Winthrop Clock Tower & the Reflecting Pond which is an iconic image of the University of Western Australia. Graduation ceremonies are carried out here, and it is named after UWA's founder, Sir John Winthrop Hackett.

Start Point of Machinima
Winthrop Tower & Reflecting Pond (RL & SL location)
The rest of the following areas can be used (or not) as you see fit, and in any order you choose.

UWA Sunken Gardens

(RL & SL location)
This is a place of great significance to the staff and alumni of the University. Many, many people get married in this location in RL every week, and it is a place of nostalgia, and quite a few people who got married in RL at the Sunken Gardens, have been here looking at the SL version of the place where they exchanged vows.

UWA Sky Theatre

(SL only location)
This is a theatre we have created for use by Professor Wade Halvorson of the School of Business and Professor Mark Pegrum of the Graduate School of Education. Profesor Halvorson ran an entire 2nd year Bachelor of Commerce Unit using this as his primary location. It was run for the first time ever this semeter, in a unit called Electronic Communications Strategy.

UWA Square Kilometer Array - SKA (to be created in RL)
Now, these are replicas of telescopes that will be built in the Australian Outback, at a place called Boolardy station (satellite image). 40 of them will be built for a smaller project caller ASKAP, or the Australian Square Kilometyer Array Pathfinder. Currently the final telescope
design is presented in SL and the unique characteristic of these dishes is illustrated, namely the three rotational axes where most telescope dishes only have two degrees of movement. Australia is in competition with South Africa to secure the rights to the Main SKA, which will comprise 4000 radio telescope dishes. This will be the biggest land based science project in the history of mankind.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/WASP%20Land/136/53/24

Visualisation Research is being run by Tranguloid Trefoil (RL - Paul Bourke). A critical component of this is the automatic representation of data in SL, rather than manually modelling. There are a number of examples of this on the parcel, such as the volume rendering of a human cortex. Among other things, Paul has an interest in fractals and how they may be used to describe and model real world objects. There are a number of fractal objects on the WASP land, one is the famous Menger sponge. For more information.

UWA 3D Art & Design Challenge
UWA runs an extremely successful 3D art & architecture challenge, with some of the greatest artists and architects of SL displaying their works in the challenge. This has been one of the most important components of UWA's SL offering, and has been listed as an SL Destination for Arts(you will need to be logged into the SL website to visit this link).

PEACOCKS, DUCKS, GALAHS, RAINBOW LORIKEETS, PARROTS AND OTHER FAUNA
These are a significant part of the RL campus, and are represented on the SL campus. They are found mainly on the Uni of WA Sim.

THE WONDERS ON THE GROUND OF THE UWA SIM
Wonderful art by quadrapop Lane, Soror Nishi & Glyph Graves (seek out 'Strangers also Dance'). This is here to give the UWA presence a mixture of the RL aspects of Second life, as evidenced by the recreation of the RL buildings as well as the truly out of this world aspects of SL, as evidenced by what is found here.


OTHER AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE
The Physics Building and Hackett Hall and also the building housing Astronomy, HR & Facilities Management.

PRIZES
A 1st and a 2nd Prize will be awarded for this, as well as 3 Honourable Mention Prizes. These prizes come courtesy of the University of Western Australia, The Casey Family of Western Australia, VR Shed Pty Ltd (Dr Chris Thorne) and other benefactors.

1st Prize
$60,000L + an RL UWA T-Shirt & goodies

2nd Prize
$15,000L + an RL UWA T-Shirt & goodies

3 Honourable Mention Prizes ($5,000L each + an RL UWA T-Shirt & goodies)

JUDGING PANEL

1. Professor Alan Robson (RL) - Vice-Chancellor, The University of Western Australia
2. Professor Ted Snell (RL) - Director, Cultural Precinct, The University of Western Australia
3. A/Professor Wade Halvorson (RL) - Lecturing in Marketing, Business and Electronic Commerce, The University of Western Australia
4. Colin Campbell Fraser (RL) - Principal Adviser (External Relations and Advocacy),
Vice-Chancellery, The University of Western Australia
5. Kelly Smith (RL) - Director, International Centre, The University of Western Australia
6. Jon Stubbs (RL) - Director, Student Services, The University of Western Australia
7. Susana Willis-Johnson (RL) - Marketing Manager, The University of Western Australia
8. Dr Carmen Fies (RL) - Assistant Professor, The University of Texas at San Antonio
9. Torley Linden (SL) - Linden Labs
10. White Lebed (SL) - Lead of Burning Life Art Department, Curator
11. Raphaella Nightfire (SL) - CEO SW&MB Fashion Productions, CEO Evane Model Agency, Snr Writer Best of SL Magazine
12. Jayjay Zifanwe (SL) - Owner of The University of Western Australia (SL), Creator & co-host of the UWA 3D Art& Design Challenge

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

UWA 3D Art & Design Comp on SL Destination Guide

The University of Western Australia proudly announces listing on the Second Life Destination Guide for Arts

This is Linden Lab's inworld showcase listing and draws many from new residents to others who are looking to explore new and worthwhile spaces or builds.

We took a huge jump in traffic as a result.

Friday, December 11, 2009

You are invited....





Says it all really: Direct TP to The Party Beach 3pm SLT Wednesday 21 December (party on in Australia Thursday 22 December - 7am-10am AWST (10am-1pm AEDT))

Monday, December 7, 2009

Glyph Graves & Silene Christen take the November Awards by Storm

A sublime submission called 'Tendrils' by the jewel in the crown of Australia, Glyph Graves took out top spot for the IMAGINE Challenge for the November round of the UWA 3D Art & Design Competition. Not to be outdone, some incredible work by Silene Christen of the Balears Islands in Spain saw her winning the top non-scripted IMAGINE entry for 'Jackob's Stairs' as well as the FLAGSHIP Challenge, where the challenge is to build and Art Gallery that could perhaps be built. With this, Silene became the first person to win the major prizes in both the IMAGINE & FLAGSHIP categories.

Glyph Graves' Tendrils




A total of 58 entries were submitted for the IMAGINE challenge for November and 7 entries to the FLAGSHIP challenge of the University of Western Australia's 3D Art & Design Competition. Co-hosts Jayjay Zifanwe and quadrapop Lane were astounded by the rise in entries month to month and the also how the entries coming in were spread across the globe, with artists and builders taking from Canada, the USA, the UK, Scotland, England, Spain, France, Brazil, Denmark, Holland, Portugal, Tunisia, Germany and Australia.

Silene's Art Gallery - November Flagship winner


With the year long competition growing from strength to strength, it was announced during the award ceremony that the judging panel for the Grand Prize, which already included Second Life personalities from the art, architecture & journalism world (including Frolic Mills, Will Dreadlow, Sasun Steinback, Lowell Cremorne and White Lebed) was boosted by the CEO of Linden Labs, M Linden, joining the panel!

An artist book prize was also awarded for the month of November. This was won by Oldoak Merlin for his work Offenes Buch (Open Book). Book prize panel chair, Juanita Deharo commenting on the piece said "The words and print won't stay on the page but float and swirl, sometimes forming words, sometimes not. The work asks us to consider the nature of words, story and text, while staying within the known bounds of 'bookness'. The dedication to Ramon Llull gives us an indication of the creator's intent. It is a very well conceived and aesthetically pleasing work that operates on a number of levels, and is well deserving of the prize.

Glyph inside his work Tendrils


Commenting on his win, Glyph said; "There was a lot of high quality work in this month so I wasn't expecting anything. My piece, Tendrils is a portrait of a person ... both closed and open to the world showing a different facet of themselves depending on who and how many are around them. There's an undocumented feature that I'm not sure many saw .. the sphere will change colour depending on how many people are inside it. Oh and of course it sends out tendrils .. of sound and colour."

Silene Christen's Jakob's Stairs


Stunned by the double award, Silene said; "I'm happy, and surprised. Suprised for several reasons. Jackob's Stairs is..very conceptual very ..in my style..and I didn't think it would be 'in vogue' in SL at the moment. So I was really suprised. The FLAGSHIP prize... well, this is an honour. To see people dancing and walking and looking at the things in it makes me feel ... extremely happy. I made things for people, and is very great for a builder to see people using them."



A number of other awards were also presented including the People's Choice Award taken by Dusty Canning's 'Letting off Steam'. Other winners included Miso Susanowa, Jedda Zenovka, Sledge Roffo, RAG Randt, Sabrina Nightfire, Nyx Breen and Ichiko Miles, who took 2nd prize in both the Imagine Challenge and the Artist Book prize (full list below).

Miso Susanowa - Excalibur Award winner



The competition is now receiving entries for the month of December. Location is

WINNERS FOR THE NOVEMBER ROUND

IMAGINE CHALLENGE - 3D Art
1st Prize:
Tendrils by Glyph Graves ($L5,000 + Custom T-Shirt)
2nd Prize:
Consolation of Philosophy of Ichiko Miles ($L1,250)
Best Non-Scripted Entry:
Jackobs Stairs by Silene Christen ($L1,250 + Custom T-Shirt)

Honourable Mention (Simple Beauty):
Budding by Sledge Roffo ($L500)
Honourable Mention (A Short History of Everything):
Offenes Buch / Open Book by Oldoak Merlin ($L500)
Honourable Mention (Immersion):
Sweet Sid & the Singing Sidlets by Jedda Zenovka ($L500)
Honourable Mention (Behind the Veil):
Primary Emotions by RAG Randt ($L500)
Honourable Mention (Atmosphere):
Turbulence by Sabrinaa Nightfire ($L500)

FLAGSHIP CHALLENGE
1st Prize :
Art Gallery by Silene Christen ($L5,000)
2nd Prize:
FUTURELab by Nyx Breen ($L1,250)

ARTIST BOOK PRIZE
1st Prize :
Offenes Buch / Open Book by Oldoak Merlin ($L2,000)
2nd Prize:
Consolation of Philosophy of Ichiko Miles ($L500)


THE EXCALIBUR AWARD (for new / returning artists)
1000 prims in perpetuity at Excalibur Aquitaine compliments of Phillip Vought
Miso Susanowa

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD
Letting off Steam by Dusty Canning ($L500)

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Tendrils and more

Iono Allen has made a lovely machinima of a selection of the works in the November Imagine Challenge:

The University of Western Australia 3D Art & Design Challenge from iono_allen on Vimeo.



Thank you Iono!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

November Round Imagine and Flagship Winners Party

NOVEMBER WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT PARTY


Announcement of winners for the November round for the IMAGINE & FLAGSHIP challenges & the artist book prize will be held:
Time: 5am SLT
Day: Sunday 6th December
Location UWA 3D Art & Design Platform
Everyone is welcome.
DJ Briana Spires will be spinning the tunes.
Music and dance all day/night/afternoon (wherever you are in the world).


PRIZES TO BE PRESENTED
Imagine Challenge
  • Scripted 1st Prize - L$5,000 + RL Custom Tshirt
  • Non Scripted 1st Prize - L$1,250 + RL Custom TShirt
  • Scripted 2nd Prize - L$1,250
  • Honourable Mentions (up to 5)
November Artist Book Prize
L$2000


People's Choice Award
L$500


Flagship Challenge
  • Flagship Build 1st Prize
  • Flagship Build 2nd Prize

DECEMBER ROUND ENTRIES OPEN
Please do start sending your entries in for the December round! Object receiver for the entries is at the UWA 3D Art & Design Platform Entry, or give to Jayjay Zane. December round closes 31st December 2009

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

In Australia you see many strange things...

When you visit the UWA A Very Aussie Christmas Display be sure to get a present from the Koala Santa (made by Beyiond Baroque - touch the present box for a surprise), say hello to the 'roo and his ewe (made by Jon Haskell), and grab a tinnie from the Esky (made by Gumby Roffo) to sit back and share some Chrsitmas cheer (Pavlova, lamingtons and mars bars made by Lilli Field) with the inhabitants.

The scent comes from the Christmas Bush (made by Juanita Deharo) and if you get a bit hot and don't feel like braving the phantom waves Juanita also made a paddling pool with floating duck.... only in Australia would you find a Santa design on a paddling pool!

If you are really brave Artfox Daviau made a sleigh ride... hop on the pose ball and touch the Roo's behind - and hang on for dear life! I have no idea how Santa survives Christmas Eve....

But if all that is too much - check out Dusty's back yard diorama - blogged earlier here.

There are more items to view by Juliete3d Quinzet, and Ichiko Miles.

And then when all the snowy Christmas gets too much come along on 22nd December to enjoy some true Aussie hospitality and find out which of the Very Aussie Christmas builds took home the L$2000 first prize, L$1000 2nd prize and L$500 honorable mentions....

Builders you have a few more days to get your builds in to quadrapop Lane (we will accept items for this up until Friday this week).