University of Kentucky Collaboration with UWA School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology

Left to right: Avatars of Professor Stuart Bunt (UWA), Dr April Richardson-Hatcher (UK), D.Newton (UWA) and Matt Hazzard (UK) meet to launch the collaboration

The University of Kentucky (UK) has had a strong presence in SL for some years with classes in Virtual Anatomy showing off complex parts of the human body, in particular to teach students various aspects of the cranial nervous system. They have created a “Cranial Nerve Skywalk” in Second Life that features a 3D display of cranial nerves III, V, VII, and IX. This can be seen HERE.

UWA's Professor Stuart Bunt and his student Khaleel Sunba have kicked off a collaboration with the UK's Dr April Richardson-Hatcher and Matt Hazzard with the assistance of UWA SL founder, Jay Jay Jegathesan as one of the first steps towards building a School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology in Second Life. One of the triggers for the collaboration was funding from an Improving Student Learning Grant from UWA’s Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning.

A model from The University of Kentucky's cranial nerve collection  system placed at UWA

As a first stage in the collaboration, the University of Kentucky have kindly placed one of their complex and detailed cranial models at the site selected for the setting up UWA's School of Anatomy, Physiology & Human Biology (APHB), as seen in the image above, and can be seen at THIS location in Second Life.

Commenting on their work, Dr Richardson-Hatcher explained, “Second Life has enabled us teach anatomical concepts in a creative way. Our healthcare professional students study 3D models of the cranial nerves to begin to demystify some of the complex routes these nerves take to reach their targets. Our undergraduates benefit from the social aspect of Second Life as they meet weekly for Team-based learning sessions with their classmates for the discussion of regional anatomy. The students demonstrate healthy group dynamics even in the virtual world and have the added bonus of being able to interact in this way from various locations across the campus. We are excited to continue to explore the possibilities of the virtual world in anatomy education.”

An information sheet next to the model, provides information on the programmes running at the University of Kentucky, as follows:

These models were designed to supplement students’ study of the cranial nerve pathways and fiber types that are included in the respective nerves. The skywalk includes an overall description of the cranial nerves and an in-depth tutorial of cranial nerves III, V, VII, and IX located behind each corresponding cranial nerve display. Scanned human bone images (courtesy of Dr. Paul Brown at Stanford University) were imported into Second Life to reconstruct the cranial nerves in context with the bony foramina in the skull. This assembly allows students to follow the path of the cranial nerves through their natural courses within the skull. 

In addition, specific color codes were assigned for specific types of fibers carried in each cranial nerve, such as red for somatomotor and green for somatosensory. Autonomic fibers, particularly parasympathetic fibers, were designated as preganglionic (purple) and postganglionic (orange). A key is posted in the virtual platform that correlates the color code with the specific fiber type included in the cranial nerve (the color coding has been removed from this model for simplicity). 

Dr. April Richardson-Hatcher and Matt Hazzard from the University of Kentucky, in addition to Dr. German Ramirez from the University of Manitoba, collaborated on this project. Dr. Richardson-Hatcher and Dr. Ramirez introduce this tutorial to healthcare professional students in their courses as an additional approach to studying the cranial nerves. One of the major benefits of studying the cranial nerves in this program is that students may log on from anywhere to view the nerves and interact with their peers in the same setting. Camera controls (i.e. zooming features) in Second Life allow for an in-depth view of the cranial nerves in context with the surrounding bones. 

The creators of this display envision that these models may be used by any student anywhere who is interested in learning the specifics of the cranial nerves. The Cranial Nerve Skywalk is located above UK’s virtual island in Second Life (the landmark is http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/University%20of%20KY/123/40/1001). 

It is expected that the first stage of UWA's APHB Building will be ready by the end of May. This will then be the home of  'The Celestian' (one of UWA's 100 Treasures), a wonderful creation by UWA's Artist in Residence, Hans Arkeveld, which had been lovingly resculpted in SL by Chuckmatrix Clip. On the UWA campus proper, The Celestian sits in a garden at the front entrance of the APHB building.

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Reflections upon Reflections

We have a solid start on our UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge: REFLECTIONS, with 29 entries registered so far and several more known to be in progress. The theme for this challenge was determined by the Centenary committees to celebrate the first 100 years of teaching students at UWA. In that context, one might naturally think that the theme is just about looking back, but there are numerous ways to interpret it and artists are encouraged not to confine their thinking to the most obvious ones. In essence, REFLECTIONS is about self examination, about contemplation upon where we are now and how we got here, with "here" being now--this point in time as a crossroad between past and future. So reflection can be interpreted as a literal abstract reflection in a mirror--a physical phenomenon of light--or it can be a metaphor for introspection; a deeply personal contemplation.

In REFLECTIONS we have numerous examples of both approaches, some that span both, and a few that are more tangential. I thought it might be useful to show current entries that illustrate the breadth of interpretation that is possible within the theme, and hopefully to inspire others to come up with their own. I'll let you decide how (or whether) to categorize them. Deadline for  entries is 31 May and there is a L$600,000 prize pool with a top prize of L$100,000. Complete details here.

A Glance at "Virtually Real" by Victoria Lenoirre

For the month of April at LEA 6, there is a full sim installation entitled "Virtually Real" by Krystali Rabeni. You do not want to miss it!

In her profile pick she writes,

"The most exciting experience of virtual reality is not so much the one that totally alters the viewer's perspective on the real as the one that is able to expand, augment and enlarge the real. In other words, it is in its relationship with the real, rather than in its attempts to substitute itself for the real, that the most original use of virtual reality is found therefore creating the 'Virtually Real'.

Upon landing here, you will find yourself in a cramped area and facing an anywhere door. You are in part 1 of the VR maze. This place is dark and you wonder where to go until you see the door. Glancing at the door is like glancing at the unknown, just what lies beyond? Your curiosity spurs you on to turn that door knob and venture forward.

After the anywhere door you should be on an open platform. Beyond you, lies a vast land. Walk towards the edge of the platform and you'll see giant hands lying over the water. The giant hands are like stepping stones that you will need  to step onto to get to the beach. I couldn't resist posing on the giant hand. It makes for a great photo, right? The hands are so well done.

Second location after the Anywhere Door

Once off the platform, I heard the thumping of balls. Red balls are bouncing off the bleachers and landing on the beach. It's like dodge ball except you can't see who is throwing them at you. It might seem a bit strange. The bleachers are filled with various characters and objects. Most of the cutouts were of ballerinas, one leg raised up behind them. It is an odd assortment of figures.

Beyond the bleachers you find yourself in a flat grassy area. It is so lush and green. Mother Earth is the figure in the middle, holding up two mounds of earth containing trees. Farther away to her left is a little girl crying and her tears form a waterfall. On your right is a pixellated, blurry picture of Da Vinci's Mona Lisa. In the distance,  you can see mountains. This spot is ideal for landscape photos.

Mother Earth

As is my habit, I question the artist about the work. Below is my conversation with Krystali Rabeni.


I like how you mixed the real with the unreal in this full sim installation. What does this work say about reality as a whole?

KR: Thank you, I'm very happy you enjoyed the sim. In my view, I really believe the vast majority of people are enchanted by media, celebrity and the material world and tend to forget to dream for themselves, instead aiding the dreams of others. We create a bubble around ourselves and 'stay safe' instead of maybe sometimes daring to be what we really want to be. We are all something to someone, be it a mother, father husband, wife, employer, employee, aunty, uncle, brother or sister and wonderful as this can be, we sometimes just forget ourselves along the way. I'd like to think that if my art has in some way inspired one person to do something they have always wanted to do or to ask a question they have always wanted to know the answer to then I will be very happy. I think the world can be too unreal and the true reality stays hidden.

___________________________________________

Do you think we take ourselves too seriously at times?

KR: I do. I think we should laugh a lot more, love even more and treat everyone as we would like to be treated.
___________________________________________

What is the most important build of this work, meaning that if you took it out, the work would not make much sense or be as cohesive?

KR: It would be difficult to choose just one piece as each is linked to another. But to answer your question and choose just one I think it would be Mother Earth. She is standing tall telling us that we all have a responsibility to ourselves, each other and our earth.

I was once told a story that I never forget...You may have heard the story of the doctor in a small French village who was about to retire. He had been on call day and night; the people could not afford to pay him much, but that had made no difference. He cared for them as best he was able. As the day of his retirement approached, the people wished to make a concrete expression of their gratitude and affection. It was proposed that on a given day (since they had so little money to give) they each bring a pitcher of wine from their own cellars and pour it in a large barrel. The day arrived and all day long the people were seen pouring their offerings into the barrel.

The evening came and the barrel was taken to the doctor's residence and presented with inevitable speeches.

The presentation over, the people went back to their homes and the doctor was left alone with the memory of their love. He went to the barrel and drew off a bit of wine and went into the house and there sat comfortably by the fire to enjoy it. The first sip was a shock. It tasted like water. He sipped again-it was water. He went back to the barrel and drew off some more, thinking that there must have been some mistake. But, no, the barrel was filled with water. He called the Mayor and the Mayor called the Council together and there were hurried consultations.

THE TRUTH WAS REVEALED. Everyone in town had reasoned: 'My little pitcher of wine won't be missed. I have so little for myself. The others will take care of it. The little water I substituted will not be noticed.'

It is a tragic story. It may never have happened, but it is the kind of thing that can and does happen when people refuse to accept their responsibilities.

__________________________________________

What does Mona Lisa represent to you? What's her relation to Mother Earth and the crying girl statue?

KR: For me, Leonardo Da Vinci was a true master of art. I'd like to believe that if he were alive today then he would take a great interest in 3D art. Apart from the Mona Lisa paying a small homage to Da Vinci, I recreated her with four hundred individual boxes, representing pixels of virtual reality but also blurred beauty. We really must open up our eyes and see the beauty around us, if we do it soon, we may weep with joy, if we leave it too late we will weep with sorrow. Our biggest fears as a world are Virtually Real.

**

A big heartfelt thanks to Krystali! Virtually Real is a great contribution to the world of art in SL!

It is simply a fantastic view of a larger than life, beyond realistic work that really has a lot of meaning for a lot of us. We should all learn how to see the beauty that surrounds us. Life is full of  wonders and art. She captured it wonderfully.

Why don't you come on over to Virtually Real and explore while you can?! It's a glorious vision of what could be.

Have fun and enjoy the art!

~Victoria Lenoirre

MachinimUWA VI: Chic Aeon & Carl Velde

 Chic Aeon's 'No Regrets'

 
Carl Velde's 'Communication is Never Virtual'

'No Regrets' is a sublime machinima by Chic Aeon that leave its interpretation to the viewer, and Carl Velde's 'Communication is Never Virtual' shows off a protagonist who walks on water.

These machinima are now part of the L$1.1 Million,  MachinimUWA VI: REFLECTIONS , the 6th UWA Short Animated Film Challenge. The theme for MachinimUWA VI is a tribute to the Centenary of the University of Western Australia. Entries for MachinimUWA VI: REFLECTIONS may consist of  any storyline that fits the theme of 'REFLECTIONS.' At least ONE of the 3 'Spaces of Reflection' on UWA's SL SIMS (the Sunken Gardens, the Somerville Auditorium or the Reflection Pond) must form an integral part of the story.

Special prizes are also offered for machinima that best portray one or a few of the artworks entered in UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge: REFLECTIONS (150 prim limit - see link for details),  also in progress at this time. 

MachinimUWA VI Entries (In reverse Klingon alphabetical order)
Chic Aeon  (Corvallis, Oregon USA) - NO REGRETS
Joe Zazulak [Spiral Silverstar] (New Orleans, LA, USA) - THE MIRROR LIES
Carol Rainbow [Carolrb Roux] - REFLECTIONS OF CHILDHOOD
Pallina Loon (Rome, Italy) - PALLINA..THE LITTLE RASCAL
Carl Velde (Naples, Italy) - COMMUNICATION IS NEVER VIRTUAL
Ed Vespucciano (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) - LE SACRE DU PRINTEMPS
Carol Rainbow [Carolrb Roux] - REFLECTIONS

ALSO, calling for entries to  REFLECTIONS: The UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge (150 prim limit, Theme is 'Reflections'). Closing date for art if 30th May 2013

25-30 artworks entered and now on display so far! Do visit the UWA Challenge Gallery to view them. CLICK HERE TO TELEPORT TO GALLERY!

Ama Avro    The Thinker    Strasbourg    France
Bethlise Lorgsval    Scene reflexion    Sainte Tulle    France
Betty Tureaud    Reflexion on a human mind    Copenhagen     Denmark
Cherry Manga    Cogito ergo sum        France
Chic Aeon    I have walked this way before    Corvallis, Oregon    USA
Chuckmatrix Clip    The Scent of Her    Elizabeth, NJ    USA
Claude Belgar    Reflection of reflection    Margny-lès-Compiègne    France
Corcosman Voom    Narcissus    California    USA
Dusty Canning    Reflections of a Star    Perth    Australia
Gem Preiz    Planet of Knowledge    Paris    France
Ginger Alsop    The Room for Reflections    Calgary, Alberta    Canada
Glyph Graves    I Thought I Hated Him    Sydney    Australia
GnomeZen    Dream Reflection    Monterey, California    USA
Jess Oranos    Timely Reflections    Cincinnati, OH    USA
Judyblue Stand    Reflections on the Past    El Paso, Texas    USA
Krystali Rabeni    Silent Reflections        UK
Luna Enigma    Reflections of a Diva    Illinois    USA
Nino Vichan    Riflessioni delle Onde (Reflections of Waves)    New York City    USA
PeanutbuttahJellehTime Magic    Don't lose your marbles (especially the big one)    Seattle    USA
Rosie Dimanovic    Horizon        France
Shenn Coleman    Neuron Sphere    Avignon    France
snoop acoustic    Reflexion        France
soror Nishi    Strange oaks from simple acorns grow        England
Sunday Serenity    Reflections of Life    Melbourne    Australia
Surfaqua Oh    Avatars-reflection    Luzern    Switzerland
Talia Sunsong.    Emerging from the Chrysalis    Berkeley, California    USA
Thor Effingham    Better Days Ahead    Ohio    USA
Thoth Jantzen    A Reflection on Reflecting Reflections    Boston    USA

Winning Machinima @ WasTV Launch?

A number of winning Machinima from past UWA machinima challenges have been entered to the WasTV  Launch Film Contest.

The Launch itself is taking place on the 23rd of April at UWA's Social Sciences Theatre.

UWA's Virtual presence are one of the sponsors of the challenge, and will be supporting the prizes for any international winners selected by the judging panel made up of:

Mr Franco Di Chiera - Director, WA Screen Academy
Mr John McBain - Board Member, Film and Television Institute
Miss Valentina Barron - Television Actress, and President of the UWA Guild Public Affairs Council
Ms Fran Cotton - Media and Entertainment Lawyer

Best of luck to all.

MachinimUWA VI: Pallina...The Little Rascal by Pallina Loon

Pallina...The Little Rascal is a playful machinima by a machinimatographer of the same name (Pallina Loon), taking us back to our childhood years, and also through the looking glass.

This machinima is now part of the L$1.1 Million, MachinimUWA VI: REFLECTIONS , the 6th UWA Short Animated Film Challenge. The theme for MachinimUWA VI is a tribute to the Centenary of the University of Western Australia. Entries for MachinimUWA VI: REFLECTIONS may consist of  any storyline that fits the theme of 'REFLECTIONS.' At least ONE of the 3 'Spaces of Reflection' on UWA's SL SIMS (the Sunken Gardens, the Somerville Auditorium or the Reflection Pond) must form an integral part of the story.

Special prizes are also offered for machinima that best portray one or a few of the artworks entered in UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge: REFLECTIONS (150 prim limit - see link for details),  also in progress at this time. 

Other MachinimUWA VI Entries (In reverse Klingon alphabetical order)
Joe Zazulak [Spiral Silverstar] (New Orleans, LA, USA) - THE MIRROR LIES
Carol Rainbow [Carolrb Roux] - REFLECTIONS OF CHILDHOOD
Ed Vespucciano (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) - LE SACRE DU PRINTEMPS
Carol Rainbow [Carolrb Roux] - REFLECTIONS

ALSO, calling for entries to  REFLECTIONS: The UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge (150 prim limit, Theme is 'Reflections'). Closing date for art if 30th May 2013

25 artworks entered and now on display so far! Do visit the UWA Challenge Gallery to view them. CLICK HERE TO TELEPORT TO GALLERY!

Ama Avro    The Thinker, Strasbourg,France
Betty Tureaud    Reflexion on a human mind, Copenhagen, Denmark
Cherry Manga    Cogito ergo sum, France
Claude Belgar    Reflection of reflection, Margny-lès-Compiègne, France
Corcosman Voom    Narcissus, USA                    
Dusty Canning    Reflections of a Star, Perth, Australia
Gem Preiz    Planet of Knowledge, Paris, France
Ginger Alsop    The Room for Reflections, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Glyph Graves    I Thought I Hated Him, Sydney, Australia
Jess Oranos    Timely Reflections,  Cincinnati, OH, USA
Judyblue Stand    Reflections on the Past, El Paso, Texas, USA
Krystali Rabeni    Silent Reflections, UK
Luna Enigma    Reflections of a Diva, Illinois, USA
Nino Vichan    Riflessioni delle Onde (Reflections of Waves), New York City, USA
PeanutbuttahJellehTime Magic    Don't lose your marbles (especially the big one), Seattle, USA
Rosie Dimanovic    Horizon, France
Shenn Coleman    Neuron Sphere, Avignon, France
snoop acoustic    Reflexion, France
soror Nishi    Strange oaks from simple acorns grow, England
Sunday Serenity    Reflections of Life, Melbourne, Australia
Surfaqua Oh    Avatars-reflection, Luzern, Switzerland
Talia Sunsong.    Emerging from the Chrysalis, Berkeley, California, USA
Thor Effingham    Better Days Ahead, Ohio, USA
Thoth Jantzen    A Reflection on Reflecting Reflections, Boston, USA
Zeni Rain    Class of 3013, Monterey, California, USA

MachinimUWA VI: The Mirror Lies by Joe Zazulak

the mirror lies from Joe Zazulak (Spiral Silverstar) on Vimeo.

The Mirror Lies by Joe Zazulak (Spiral Silverstar), is a remarkable and melancholy look what a mirror may or may not reflect.

This machinima is now part of the L$1.1 Million, MachinimUWA VI: REFLECTIONS , the 6th UWA Short Animated Film Challenge. The theme for MachinimUWA VI is a tribute to the Centenary of the University of Western Australia. Entries for MachinimUWA VI: REFLECTIONS may consist of  any storyline that fits the theme of 'REFLECTIONS.' At least ONE of the 3 'Spaces of Reflection' on UWA's SL SIMS (the Sunken Gardens, the Somerville Auditorium or the Reflection Pond) must form an integral part of the story.

Special prizes are also offered for machinima that best portray one or a few of the artworks entered in UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge: REFLECTIONS (150 prim limit - see link for details),  also in progress at this time.

ALSO, calling for entries to  REFLECTIONS: The UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge (150 prim limit, Theme is 'Reflections'). Closing date for art if 30th May 2013

25 artworks entered and now on display so far! Do visit the UWA Challenge Gallery to view them. CLICK HERE TO TELEPORT TO GALLERY!

Ama Avro    The Thinker, Strasbourg,France
Betty Tureaud    Reflexion on a human mind, Copenhagen, Denmark
Cherry Manga    Cogito ergo sum, France
Claude Belgar    Reflection of reflection, Margny-lès-Compiègne, France
Corcosman Voom    Narcissus, USA                      
Dusty Canning    Reflections of a Star, Perth, Australia
Gem Preiz    Planet of Knowledge, Paris, France
Ginger Alsop    The Room for Reflections, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Glyph Graves    I Thought I Hated Him, Sydney, Australia
Jess Oranos    Timely Reflections,  Cincinnati, OH, USA
Judyblue Stand    Reflections on the Past, El Paso, Texas, USA
Krystali Rabeni    Silent Reflections, UK
Luna Enigma    Reflections of a Diva, Illinois, USA
Nino Vichan    Riflessioni delle Onde (Reflections of Waves), New York City, USA
PeanutbuttahJellehTime Magic    Don't lose your marbles (especially the big one), Seattle, USA
Rosie Dimanovic    Horizon, France
Shenn Coleman    Neuron Sphere, Avignon, France
snoop acoustic    Reflexion, France
soror Nishi    Strange oaks from simple acorns grow, England
Sunday Serenity    Reflections of Life, Melbourne, Australia
Surfaqua Oh    Avatars-reflection, Luzern, Switzerland
Talia Sunsong.    Emerging from the Chrysalis, Berkeley, California, USA
Thor Effingham    Better Days Ahead, Ohio, USA
Thoth Jantzen    A Reflection on Reflecting Reflections, Boston, USA
Zeni Rain    Class of 3013, Monterey, California, USA

LEA FULL SIM ART SEARIES (APR):Krystali Rabeni's 'Virtually Real'

Krystali Rabeni takes charge at LEA 6 for the April round of the LEA FULL SIM ART Series 'Virtually Real'. A full list of the Series 3 offerings can be found on the blog: LEA FULL SIM ART SERIES (click here for full year schedule).

GRAND OPENING: 3rd April 2013, 3PM SLT (11pm GMT)
LOCATION: HERE AT LEA 6

In Krystali's Words:

The most exciting experience of virtual reality is not so much the one that totally alters the viewer's perspective on the real as the one that is able to expand, augment and enlarge the real. In other words, it is in its relationship with the real, rather than in its attempts to substitute itself for the real, that the most original use of virtual reality is found therefore creating the 'Virtually Real'