UWA Art & Machinima Grand Finale: Finnish Giant Slayer Stops Tutsy as Glyph Breaks Through

Winners announcements @ The UWA-BOSL Grand Amphitheatre (Photo Credit:  Erik Gordon Bainbridge / Apollo Manga)

 In a remarkable finish to the 'Reflections' UWA Centenary Challenges for Art & Machinima, 'Past|Beyond' by Vilvi Rae of Finland managed to narrowly overcome triple defending champion Tutsy Navarathna's 'Narcissus' to claim the L$200,000 1st Prize for Machinima, while widely acclaimed Australian 3D artist Glyph Graves broke through at last taking the top spot (L$100,000) for the art challenges with 'I Thought I Hated Him'. Glyph won out over a 3-way tie for 2nd place where Frenchman, Jipe Loon's 'Mirror with Virgins' was locked with the haunting 'Silent Reflections' by Krystali Rabeni of England and the Aussie, American collaborative work, 'Looking Back' by Carmsie Melody & Struthious whose artwork touched the heartstrings with a message of not staying silent to violence against women.


1st Prize Winner Film: Past|Beyond by Vilvi Rae (Jyvaskyla, Finland)

Jon Stubbs, Director of UWA's Student Services said of the film winner "Past I Beyond is a hauntingly beautiful future fantasy autobiography created by Vilvi Rae that explores past choices and what lies beyond. Beautifully filmed: 5 stars from the judging panel!"

1st Prize Art Winner: I Thought I Hated Him by Glyph Graves (Sydney, Australia)

Chairman  of Visual Arts of the Australia Council, Professor Ted Snell said of Glyph's work: "I THOUGHT I HATED HIM is a brilliant and witty exploration of human nature that utilises the ubiquitous presence of data in our lives, feeding in from everywhere at an every increasing speed.  The two mannequins move around the dance floor driven by data feeds from the New York and Shanghai stock exchanges. In real time while they are operating the data generates the movement and the music that propels these two lovers together and drives them apart.  Miss Shanghai and Mr New York are involved in a compelling dance of attraction and repulsion generated by our avarice. It's funny and chilling in equal measure."

UWA Centenary Prize Winner: Strange Oaks from Simple Acorns Grow by Soror Nishi (Kent, England)

The Centenary Prize for Art, given to the artwork which best reflects the spirit of the UWA Centenary went to 'Strange Oaks from Simple Acorns Grow', by soror Nishi of Kent, England, with the corresponding prize in Machinima, for the  film that best captured the essence of 100 years of reflections on education, was won by 'Drawing Outside the Lines' by Chic Aeon of Oregon (USA).


 Centenary Prize Winner Film: Drawing Outside the Lines by Chic Aeon (Oregon, USA)

Italian filmmaker, Pallina Loon  went back-to-back with 3rd place finishes (also taking 3rd for MachinimUWA V: Seek Wisdom), with her self titled work while cheeky Frenchman Erythro Asimov (Hasta Tu Estrella & Taya Tan) & the sublime Joe Zazulak (The Mirror Lies & Shadows reflecting darkness) both had 2 of their films finishing in the top 10.

The UWA Curator of Virtual Arts, FreeWee Ling has put together a spectacular exhibition catalog with all 64 artworks for the UWA SiVA publications series, which can be seen here:
http://issuu.com/freeweeling/docs/uwa_siva_2.1_-_reflections

UWA would like to thank all the artists and film makers for providing a remarkable set of 64 artworks and 64 film for the grand challenges as well as all the major sponsors which include the Parramatta City Council, MetaHarpers (Arhenn Oberlander), AviewTV, the OPEN THIS END Group, PEACE IS A CHOICE Gallery, with thanks to TheDove Rhode,  Virtlantis, with thanks to Kip Yellowjacket, Best of Second Life (BOSL) Group with thanks to Frolic Mills, Secret Rage and  Japanese Arts Journalist, Temi Sirbu, with the biggest thanks reserved for the tireless champion of film, La Piscean Liberty.

Click Here for Links to all 64 Film submitted to the challenge

* A SUMMARIZED LIST OF WINNERS FOLLOWS INCLUDING COMMENTS BY ARTISTS, THIS IS FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE TRANSCRIPT OF THE WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENTS BY JAY JAY JEGATHESAN (JAYJAY ZIFANWE) MADE AT 6AM SLT SUNDAY 4TH AUGUST 2013

REFLECTIONS: UWA CENTENARY 3D Art Challenge (OVERALL WINNERS)

1st Prize (L$100,000): I THOUGHT I HATED HIM by Glyph Graves of Sydney, Australia (58 points)


"I actually wasnt expecting that. Art is like all human endeavor .. abou trelationships .. ultimately in art its between the artist and the viewer and thanks .. still in a bit of shock here" Glyph Graves

2nd Prize Joint (L$59,000): MIRROR WITH 4 VIRGINS ON THE SHORES OF DEPRAVITY by Jipe Loon of Haute Savoie, France (47 points)


2nd Prize Joint (L$59,000): LOOKING BACK by Carmsie Melody (Australia) & Struthious (USA) (47 points)


"Thanks to all involved in holding and participating in the event for the opportunity. Carm's builds are incredibly creative and she's always a pleasure to work with. It's quite an honor to have placed against so many great entries this year" Struthious

"I am honored that Struthious and I were awarded joint second place in UWA’s Reflections Art Challenge. The Challenge reflected (no pun intended) an awe-inspiring array of original, highly creative works … and seriously…how did Glyph draw on that data?!  That conundrum aside, I extend congratulations to every artist involved. You are the reason the Challenge had such an astounding breadth and depth – you rock! I’d also like to pass on my heartfelt thanks to UWA and all others who work so hard to make these Challenges possible. It is you who foster and support this still-sort-of-fledgling art genre. But it is in the name of the victims of domestic violence that I accept this award. Our character, ‘Marion’ represented the thousands of females and males who, often silently, suffer abuse at the hands of someone dear, someone they should be able to trust. The telling of her story was a small way of speaking out against this terrible crime. Silence enables, so my hope is that 'Looking Back' has encouraged others to speak out too. With sincere thanks for such awesome acknowledgment." Carmsie Melodie

2nd Prize Joint (L$59,000): SILENT REFLECTIONS by Krystali Rabeni of Blackpool, Lancashire, England (47 points)


"Thank you to everyone who voted for Silent Reflections. Thank you to UWA for holding this event. I am overwhelmed and inspired by the response to my artwork and look forward to continue creating more. I have learned that the most important thing about art is that it works." Krystali

5th Prize Joint (L$30,000): QUANTUM by Barry Richez of Toulouse, France (38 Points)



"Je tient a remercier tous les juges de UWA et en particulier FreeWee ling qui font un travail remarquable pour la promotion des arts dans seconde life  pour m'avoir accorder ce prix auquel je ne m'attendait pas et qui vient récompenser mon travail à l'occasion de ce challenge.Merci a tous"

"I wish to thank all the judges of UWA and in particular FreeWee ling and doing outstanding work for the promotion of the arts in second life to give me the prize I was not expecting me and my work is rewarding during all this has challenge.Merci" Barry Richez

5th Prize Joint (L$30,000): NEURON SPHERE by Shenn Coleman of Avignon, France (38 Points)


"je suis trés heureux d'avoir pu partager  mes créations. c'est la victoire de la beauté et de l'amitié
j'ai  découvert des trés grands talents dans cette exposition et aussi trouvé de nouveaux amis.
merci a Uwa  d'avoir permis cette rencontre et  ainsi de permettre a l'imagination de prendre vie.
merci aux créateurs du monde entier, puissions nous avec nos créations, donner  un peux de joie et une belle energie dans nos coeurs. tout ce qui permets de de rapprocher les hommes est  merveilleux.
merci encore aux organisateurs de UWA" Shenn Colemann

"I am very happy to have been able to share my creation. It symbolizes the victory of beauty and friendship. Thanks to this exhibition I have discovered great talents and  made also new friends. Thank you to the UWA for favoring these encounters and for helping imagination spring to life.
Thank you to all the creators all over the world, may we, through our creations, give a bit of joy and spread good energy in everyone's heart. Anything which enables men to come closer together is wonderful. Thank you again to those who organized it all at UWA." Shenn Coleman

5th Prize Joint (L$30,000): ECHO'S REFLECTING POOL by Misprint Thursday of New Hampshire, USA (38 Points)


"Very exciting to participate in another UWA event and thanks to the organizers, sponsors and judges!" Misprint

8th Prize Joint (L$25,000): FRUIT OF TIME by REBECCA BASHLY of Belgrade, Serbia (36 Points)


8th Prize Joint (L$25,000): REFLECTIONS OF WAVES by Nino Vichan of New York, USA (36 points)


"UWA and all the wonderful people involved have given the SL art community a gift that can not be valued but we appreciate sincerely the support they give to us all,  thank you all for your kind and generous efforts."  Nino Vichan

10th Prize Joint (L$8,500): HIDDEN by Rose Borchovski of Amsterdam, The Netherlands (32 points)


10th Prize Joint (L$8,500): WHO ARE YOU by Blue Tsuki of Seattle, USA (32 points)


"I am very happy as always to participate in the UWA art competitions as they always inspire such great work. As always Freewee and the UWA do a great job promoting art in SL and I am happy to have participated" Blue

10th Prize Joint (L$8,500): REFLEXTIONS OF REFLECTIONS CAROUSEL by Yepar Saez of the Martinique Islands in the French Carribean (32 points)


"Thanks for this great opportunity, the price for me was to participate :D i'm really happy and wait anxious for next challenge!" Yepar

UWA CENTENARY SPECIAL PRIZE (L$50,000)
STRANGE OAKS FROM SIMPLE ACORNS GROW  by Soror Nishi, of Kent, England!

"In my six years in SL I don't know of any other organisation which has benefited itself and the community more than UWA. This is in no small part due to the work of Jayjay and his tireless helpers, but credit and thanks should also be passed to those who support him at the University, the "RL" people behind the scenes. I am very surprised and thrilled to get this award and for the recognition of those hours I spent in front of Blender and Gimp which I have obviously enjoyed. The recognition is special though ... thank you." soror

UWA CENTENARY HON MENTION PRIZE (Joint - L$15,000)
ECHO'S REFLECTING POOL by Misprint Thursday of New Hampshire, USA



UWA CENTENARY HON MENTION PRIZE (Joint - L$15,000)
THE THINKER by Ama Avro of Starbourg, France


3D ART CURATORS PRIZE (JOINT - L$15,000)
WINDOWS INTO OTHER ROOMS by Takni Miklos of Figueres, Spain

Curator's Observation: "Takni’s large scale kinetic piece constantly changes as new squares are added and find a place in the grid. (Perhaps a metaphor for life in virtual worlds.) It moves elegantly and responds interactively as one touches or moves through it. Takni never fails to engage the mind and amuse the senses."

3D ART CURATORS PRIZE (JOINT - L$15,000)
REFLECTION ANDROHUMANOID by Thierry Lowtide of Popes, Avignon Vaucluse, France

Curator's Observation: "Thierry’s brilliantly conceived, rendered, and scripted scene in mesh is at once humorous and terrifying. Specifically created for the REFLECTIONS show, he has even included subtle references to UWA in the labeling of the circuit board chips. His technical skills are matched by his ability to create a compelling scene." 

"I am happy to have participated and honored to have a winning prize. I thank the entire team at the University of UWA and all the organizers for this wonderful project. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to show our talents. Congratulations to all participants. Congratulations to the winners. I am very excited and I can not find other words to say ... Again a big thank you to all!" Thierry
 
"Je suis heureux d'avoir participé et très honoré d'avoir eu un prix gagnant. Je remercie toute l'équipe de l'Université  de l'UWA et tous les organisateurs pour ce magnifique projet. Merci de nous avoir donné l'occasion de montrer nos talents.  Un grand bravo à tous les participants. Félicitations aux gagnants. Je suis très émue et je ne trouve pas d'autres mots à dire... Encore une fois un grand merci à tous" Thierry lowtide

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION PRIZES - REFLECTIONS: THE UWA CENTENARY 3D ART CHALLENGE
1st Prize (L$7,000) - GISELE89G (61 points)
2nd Prize (L$5,000) - MICHELBRITZ (59 points)
3rd Prize (L$4,000) - KARA TRAPDOOR (50 points)
4th Prize (L$2,500) - TEMI SIRBU (49 points)
5th Prize (L$1,500) - QEOY (46 points)

MACHINIMUWA VI: REFLECTIONS - GRAND PRIZE WINNERS

1st Prize (L$200,000): PAST | BEYOND by Vilvi Rae of Jyvaskyla, Finland. (79 points)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCfU817j8mc


"I think my heart just stopped :o Thank you! Also massive thanks to everyone involved, you make this possible and are the reason to keep doing things like this together. And thanks to UWA for an amazing opportunity! like i like to say "virtual life, true emotions" Vilvi

2nd Prize (L$150,000): NARCISSUS by Tutsy Navartha, Frenchman in Pondicherry India (75 points)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrCfHxk9v8Y


"Thanks for this prize :)) Congratulations to UWA who for many years have promoted the virtual art.
With challenges organized each year by UWA as 3D sculptures or machinimas, many artists were stimulated to produce, to share and begin to make themselves known. Thank you a thousand times!" Tutsy

3rd Prize (L$125,000): PALLINA...THE LITTLE RASCAL by Pallina60 Loon of Rome, Italy. (65 points)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VopdYBW6lFE

"No, this time I did not really expect to see my machinima in the top ten. Maybe because the theme "Reflections" was serious and challenging and I have built a machinima very light, playful and fun.

I preferred to play on the different meanings of the word 'Reflections' exploiting it in practical term.

So I thought of a static scene with a mirror on a wall and in front of this mirror, a little mischievous and rebellious girls that combines some troubles ..... actually that girl is me at the age of 7/8 years or so. I was very mischievous and trouble-maker ^ ^ I watched all the 64 videos in the past few days and felt to be out of the other machinima , then, I was surprised to hear that I had won the third place WOW.I do not know the grounds on which the courts have taken this decision but I like to think that watching my video, they  smiled or laugh^ ^After three years that I share MachinimUWA event, I can say that now, is my favorite event in SL,  I really enjoy to create machinima, and that,again, for the emotions I felt during the awards  my heart has gone in tachycardia again ^ ^Thanks UWA that allows all this and congratulations to all the winners". pallina

4th Prize (L$100,000): THE MIRROR LIES by  Joe Zazulak  of New Orleans, USA (61 points)
https://vimeo.com/63236597

"I am extremely humbled and thankful for this award.  Moreso,  it is wonderful to have one's work recognized and validated." Joe Z

5th Prize (L$80,000): HASTA TU ESTRELLA by Erythro Asimov of Tours, France (58 points)
https://vimeo.com/66574824

"Thanks to UWA and all the people that helped you to organize this event. Thanks to the people who supported me and a special thought to the one that inspired me for "Hasta Tu Estrella". I'm really glad this movie touched your jury. Political subjects are not the easiest one to filmed, you can be sure I will use the price to support people into RL whose aim is to buid a better world." Erythro

6th Prize (L$40,000): JUNIPER by Bryn Oh of Toronto, Canada (48 points)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urmhu0jAZD8

"It has always been a great experience when I have been involved with an event by the University of Western Australia.  Congratulations to both Glyph Graves and Vilvi Rae for their wonderful creations." Bryn

7th Prize (L$40,000): WINDOW ON A TRAIN by Natascha Randt (Germany) & Karima Hoisan (Costa Rica) (44 points)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA553eGuvck

"It was a very competitive challenge this year with lots of surprises. I thank the UWA and all involved for our 7th place prize. I  am amazed and honored that I received the 1st place award for audience participation, and I look forward to being a knowledgeable and impartial judge for next year's contest. Peace" Karima 

8th Prize Joint (L$40,000): SHADOWS REFLECTING DARKNESS by Joe Zazulak  of New Orleans, USA (42 points)
https://vimeo.com/67338631

9th Prize Joint (L$40,000): TAYA TAN by Erythro Asimov of Tours France (35 points)
https://vimeo.com/69412827

9th Prize Joint (L$40,000): STOLEN REFLECTIONS by Braclo Eber of South Africa (35 points)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMOHiMhSrDI&feature=youtu.be

"Wow, thank you very much for this prize!  I'm thrilled to be part of the MachinimUWA VI:  Reflections competition, and I am happy that this film was so well received. I would also like to send a big thanks to everyone involved in it! It was a lot of fun to make and without them, this prize would have not be possible." Braclo

10th Prize (L$40,000): CLOUD by Hypatia Pickens of Rochester, USA (29 points)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc-N6g9-Je8

"I'm very grateful to the judges for thinking highly of my work on Cloud.  Many thanks for their own hard work." Hyp

MACHINIMUWA VI: ART OF THE ARTISTS SPECIAL PRIZE (L$50,000)
REFLECTIONS OF A LIFE by Devi Sky of Northridge, USA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1E364TJcdw

MACHINIMUWA VI: CENTENARY PRIZE (L$50,000)
DRAWING OUTSIDE THE LINES by Chic Aeon of Corvallis, Oregon, USA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ShQ5JB5MZM

"As a long time educator I am very pleased to have won this award. I do believe that we can and do learn thoughout life -- even in our virtual world." Chic Aeon

MACHINIMUWA VI: CENTENARY HONOURABLE MENTION (L$25,000)
REFLECTIONS: 100 YEARS OF PASSION by Wynshel Heir of San Francisco, USA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjpyESZwVWk&feature=youtu.be

AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION PRIZES - MACHINIMUWA VI: REFLECTIONS
1st Prize (L$15,000) - KARIMA HOISAN (48 points)
2nd Prize (L$10,000) - LALIE SORBET (47 points)
3rd Prize (L$8,000) - LALA LARIX (44 points)
4th Prize (L$7,000) - VERUCA VANDYKE (38 points)
5th Prize (L$5,000) - DYZO (36 points)

REPORTS FROM OTHER MEDIA SITES ON THE GRAND FINALE
Kara's Korner
Ziki's Blog
Apmel Goosson Blog
Artists Chronicle
Lingering Questions on Apmel's Blog
Todas Blog (Spanish)
Virtual Real (German)
Full Report Virtual Real
Aetheris Avidi (German)
Quans Travelogues
Quans Travelogues (Part 2)
Exploring SL with Dido
Lionheart Times
Living in a Modem World
Temi Sirbu (Japanese News Site)
pallina Loon (Italy)
SL Art Exposed

**COMPLETE TRANSCRIPT OF THE WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENTS BY JAY JAY JEGATHESAN (JAYJAY ZIFANWE) MADE AT 6AM SLT SUNDAY 4TH AUGUST 2013

 Greetings everyone, and welcome to the University of Western Australia, or UWA as she is known and also welcome to the winners announcements for REFLECTIONS, UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge as well for MachinimUWA VI. 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.

Today brings to an end the 4th year of the major art challenges at UWA, with 64 artworks by 66 different artists in the running for the UWA 3D Centenary Art Challenge and 64 machinima for MachinimUWA VI: REFLECTIONS. Both of these challenges have special awards provided by the West Australian and UWA based members of the judging panel for the works and creations that best captures the essence or spirit of REFLECTING on 100 years of UWA's existence.

 Its been an absolute pleasure for me to work with all of you over the course of these challenges, and especially to those who went above an beyond the call of duty to make all of this a success.  Thank you FreeWee Ling, curator of art @ UWA & RL Honorary Fellow at UWA. Thank you LaPiscean Liberty co-host for MachinimUWA VI, champion of machinima of Second Life. Also much thanks to those who have provided support and sponsorship which sees the overall prize pool standing at more than L$1,800,000 across both art and machinima. Special mention needs to be made of everyone who have been such strong supporters.

These challenges are sponsored by the Parramatta City Council, MetaHarpers (Arhenn Oberlander), AviewTV, Freemason Magic, OPEN THIS END, with thanks to Cristina García-Lasuén (RL) / Aino Baar (SL), PEACE IS A CHOICE Gallery, with thanks to TheDove Rhode,  Virtlantis, with thanks to Kip Yellowjacket, Best of Second Life (BOSL) Group with thanks to Frolic Mills, Secret Rage, Japanese Arts Journalist, Temi Sirbu and  UWA, with special thanks to Professor Ted Snell, Director of the Cultural Precinct & Jon Stubbs, Director of Student Services.

We will start today with the winners announcements for UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge followed by announcements for MachinimUWA VI: REFLECTIONS and a showing of the machinima of the Grand Champion of MachinimUWA VI.

I want to thank all of you for being here today, bringing the world together. The UWA Art, Architectural & Machinima Challenges, the Teaching & Research have seen people from all corners of the globe involved with students, artists, builders and machinimatographers hailing from Singapore, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Finland, Greece, India,  Colombia, Poland, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Ukraine, Taiwan, Hungary, Latvia, Russia, Venezuela,  Belgium, Mexico, Wales, Canada, the USA, the UK, Uruguay, Scotland, England, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, France, the French Carribean, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Denmark,  Holland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Cuba, Serbia, Tunisia, Germany, Japan, New Zealand,  Australia and parts unknown. More than 45 nations with 6 of the 7 continents of the world represented.

Before announcing the winners, I do want mention a few other exciting things that have happened with the UWA presence in Second Life.A partnership has been launched in the virtual world of Second Life between Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) & UWA on the sim Virlantis, where an educational themed experiment has been set up for the creation of sound and animation content, with its long-term goal being the development of animated film and online media that serves at-risk learning communities.

I was also lucky to have a journal paper I wrote on Collaboration & Community in Second Life accepted for the 3rd International Conference on Humanities, Society and Culture, and I will present this in Cheju Island Korea in October. We are also looking at how we can support the virtual ability community in second life through our strength in the arts.

Also very exciting, the University of Western Australia in Partnership with New Media Shorts & Tom papas is proud to announce a new SCi- Fi Genre  Machinima Competition in November. Machinima filmmakers will have one month to make a 5 - 10 minute sci fi film… with total prize of L$500,000.

The virtual world has also been given high billing for UWA's open day on August 11th, where I will be giving a public talk on Second Life, and the collaborations & community we have built through this medium http://www.myprogram.openday.uwa.edu.au/events/#25

Before moving on to the awards, I want to thank the amazing judging panel across both challenges. Wach panel comprised of more than 30 judges and some of them were panelists for both and some for either the Art or Machinima only. SO, I would like to thank:

Professor Ted Snell  - Director, Cultural Precinct, The University of Western Australia
Dr Sally Quin - Curator, Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, UWA Museums, UWA
Jon Stubbs - Director of Student Services, UWA
Lyn DiCiero -  Editor, WA Artist's Chronicle
Madeleine King - Director  UWA Centenary Celebrations
Jenna Mead - Associate Professor, English and Cultural Studies, UWA
Jonathan Zahra - Business Manager, Guild Student Services Division, UWA
Crystal Abidin - Journalist, Trove Magazine
Siobhan Hodge - Journalist, Trove Magazine
Caine Chennat - Web Coordinator, Cultural Precinct, UWA
Binu Jayawardhena - Founder, Western Australian Student television Inc. (WasTV)
Merle Hearns (RL) / Briarmelle Quintessa (SL) - Senior Lecturer, Foundation Studies Department, Manukau Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
FreeWee Ling - Curator, UWA 3D Open Art Challenge
Professor Aitana Merino - Art Historian, Complutense University of Madrid & University of Tsukuba, Japan (on behalf of OPEN THIS END Art Group)
Quan Lavender - Journalist & Blogger
Kip Yellowjacket - Co-Creator of VIRTLANTIS
Sasun Steinbeck  -  Creator of the Art Galleries of SL list
Len Zuks - Award Winning West Australian Sculpturist
C.Steele (RL) / Rasaec (SL) - Lecturer, York University, Toronto, Canada
Debora Kaz - Director of Kaz Filmes e Produções / Producer of I Festival Machinima Art Connections Brasil
Chestnut Rau - Journalist
Taralyn Gravois - CEO of VE Concepts
Apollo Manga  - examiner.com Writer & Novelist
Frolic Mills - BOSL CEO
Dr Carmen Fies - Second Life Lead: University of Texas San Antonio
Lyn Hay (RL) / LenaLotus Latte (SL) - Lecturer, School of information Studies, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW
Thinkerer Melville (SL) / Selby Evans (RL) - Blogger on Virtual Worlds
Apmel Goosson - Journalist, Blogger, Author & Publisher
Dr. Phylis Johnson - Media Professor, Southern Illinois University, Author - Machinima: Aesthetics and Practice (a.k.a, Sonicity Fitzroy, SL Virtual Journalist)
Professor Dr. Doris Molero  (Pionia Destiny)  - Universidad Dr. Rafael Belloso Chacin. Maracaibo- Venezuela
Alfonso Garavito Olivar (a.k.a, Alfonso Perfferle, SL) - Director - Virtual TV Magazine & Virtual TV Media
Arrehn Oberlander (SL) - Firestorm Developer, MetaHarper art collective founder
Mal Burns - Metaverse News Aggregator and Broadcaster
Dousa Dragonash - COO Metaverse Television
Pia Klaar - Former Audience Award Champion & Runners-up
Ziki Questi - Blogger, Photographer, Artist
Persia Bravin - Journalist & Media Producer
Saffia Widdershins - Owner and Editor of Prim Perfect
TheDoveRhode - Owner of PEACE IS A CHOICE GALLERY
Victoria Lenoirre - Journalist / Art Blogger
Thorne Miklos - Director of the Art Garden Gallery
Igor Ballyhoo - Builder
Quan Lavender - Journalist & Blogger
Tom Papas - 48 Hour Festival, Australia
Honour McMillan - Blogger
LaPiscean Liberty (SL) - CEO AviewTV and UWA Virtual World Technical Media Advisor

OK…. We move to the awards. Today brings to an end the UWA Centenary Challenges which we have run for 2 years, last year was 100 years since the first  staff were hired and we had a theme of SEEK WISDOM, this year is 100 years since the first students started studying at UWA, and the theme is REFLECTIONS for both Art and Machinima, and we start with the 3D Art where there were 64 entries, by 66 artists.

I would like to ask LaPiscean Liberty to play one of the beautiful machinima sent through, which shows off all 64 artworks, 'Reflections of a Life' by Devi Sky
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1E364TJcdw&feature=player_embedded

First, the Audience Participation Prize for art, which has a prize pool of L$20,000, in which anyone in the world who was not on the official judging panel was invited to provide what they thought the top 10 would be as decided by the actual panel. Not an easy job as there were so many amazing works. The reason we have audience participation prizes like this instead of a people's choice award, is because when we had those in the past, audience members always felt pressure or obligation at times as they knew a few artists... this way, anyone who wanted to take part would have to see all the artwork before providing an educated guess..... with no pressure on them or the artists.

Aside from the Lindens, the winners will receive in the mail a special RL pack posted to them from UWA, and  the first prize winner will also be invited to be on the official judging panel for next major UWA art challenge.

There was a maximum of 100 points that any viewer could get, and this is if they were spot on with every single selection and matched the exact order as well. For example, if you listed an artwork in 1st place, and it actually won first, you would receive 10 points (there is a difference of ZERO between your selection and the actual). If you listed an artwork as 1st, and it got 10th, then you would get one point (difference of 9 between your selection and actual).

Now the average score achieved by 63 entrants for this was 33 out of 100, with 61 being the top score, and 6 being the lowest score. 2 of the entries  had 8 of the eventual top 10 in their lists, and 5 entries only had 1 of the actual top 10 as part of their lists.

And so, finishing in  5th place for the Audience Participation event for Art was a first time visitor to the galleries,  on 46 points with 6 correct predictions from the top 10. And so, winning the L$ 1,500 prize, from the land of my birth, Malaysia.... is:

QEOY of the 1Malaysia Group

In 4th on 49 points, also with 6 of the top 10 correct, winning L$2,500, is

TEMI SIRBU.... a very dedicated SL blogger from Japan who takes wonderful photos.

In 3rd on 50 points with 7 of 10 correct, winning L$4,000.. amazingly is

KARA TRAPDOOR... one awesome blogger after another

Next, 2nd place on 59 points, correctly picking 8 of the top 10 and winning L$5,000 is

MICHELBRITZ

And now for the winner of the audience event for the UWA Centenary Art Challenge.... winning L$7,000 and a spot on the official jury as well as an RL package from Australia... correctly picking  8 of the actual top 10 on 61 points is:

GISELE89G

She is just over a month old, and its awesome she wins the audience prize!

Now on to the winners of the competition proper. When the winners are announced, it will be done in 1 minute intervals. We do invite everyone to comment and congratulate the winners and for the winners to respond before the next announcement (and if they could please use the SHOUT function - which i dont know how to use on pheonix firestorm). Hopefully we can get pictures of you attending the event. Anyone taking good pictures of today, please email them to me at jayjayaustralia@hotmail.com

Now to explain  how the judging was done. Each judge listed their top 10 in order of preference. 8 points was allocated for a 1st place vote, 6 points for a 2nd place vote, 4 points for 3rd, 3 for 4th, 2 for 5th, and 1 point each for 6th – 10th. Straight aggregates were then used so that no single judge had more influence than any other.

As in past years the judging proved that taste in art is very diverse, with 57 of the 64 artworks being selected into the top 10 by at least one of the judges.Even the winner, was selected into the top 10 by 14 of the 30 judges, so the spread was very big. and really drives home the point that beauty really is in the eyes of the beholder, and its important to have a large, diverse panel.  The maximum score possible is 240 (8 points for 1st place x 30 judges) and the winner for with 58 points.

The countdown starts with 10th Prize for the UWA REFLECTIONS 3D Art Challenge.

In fact... the top 12 were very close... so close, that we have a tie.

Yes we have a tie for 10th place.

And so, the winner of the JOINT of 10th Prize on 32 points is:

REFLEXIONS OF REFLECTIONS CAROUSEL by Yepar Saez of the Martinique Islands in the French Carribean!

JOINT winner of 10th Prize also on 32 points is:

WHO ARE YOU by Blue Tsuki of Seattle, USA

Oh and by the way, when I said it was a joint 10th prize, I meant it was a 3-way tie for joint 10th, and so, sharing 10th Prize taking home L$8,500 each is:

HIDDEN by Rose Borchovski of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

NEXT in 9th place, we have the person who has won the most awards across the UWA challenges over the years. A big congrats to:

NOBODY

Yes, NOBODY in 9th means we have another tie... this time for 8th place. And so, the JOINT winner for 8th Place on 36 points, taking home L$25,000 is:

REFLECTIONS OF WAVES by Nino Vichan of New York, USA


Sharing 8th place also on 36 points is:

FRUIT OF TIME by the irrepressible REBECCA BASHLY of Belgrade, Serbia

7th place now..... we welcome back:

NOBODY

6th place:
NOBODY

Two nobodies can only mean one thing. We have a 3-way tie for 5th place each on 38 points meaning they will all receive L$30,000 each.

In a 3-Way tie for 5th on 38 points (L$30,000) is:

QUANTUM by Barry Richez of Toulouse, France

Also in a 3-Way tie for 5th on 38 points (L$30,000) is:

NEURON SPHERE by Shenn Coleman of Avignon, France

And completing the trinity on 5th is:

ECHO'S REFLECTING POOL by Misprint Thursday of New Hampshire, USA

Before climbing higher in the ladder..... there are a few other prizes that need to be announced:

First of all, the Curators prize, selected by FreeWee Ling, UWA curator of arts.

I guess it isn't too surprising to hear that this is a joint prize also, with each receiving L$15,000.

So, the winner of the Curators Prize for the UWA Centenary Art Challenge is:

WINDOWS INTO OTHER ROOMS by Takni Miklos of Figueres, Spain

FreeWee says: "Takni’s large scale kinetic piece constantly changes as new squares are added and find a place in the grid. (Perhaps a metaphor for life in virtual worlds.) It moves elegantly and responds interactively as one touches or moves through it. Takni never fails to engage the mind and amuse the senses."

and the JOINT winner of the curators prize is:

REFLECTION ANDROHUMANOID by Thierry Lowtide of Popes, Avignon Vaucluse, France
FreeWee says: "Thierry’s brilliantly conceived, rendered, and scripted scene in mesh is at once humorous and terrifying. Specifically created for the REFLECTIONS show, he has even included subtle references to UWA in the labeling of the circuit board chips. His technical skills are matched by his ability to create a compelling scene."

Now to the UWA Special Prize & Honourable Mention Prize... selected by the UWA members of the panel for the artwork that best reflects the spirit of the UWA Centenary. First of all, the UWA Special Honourable Mention Prize, which is shared by 2 works, with each receiving L$15,000, the first of which goes to, our first double winner:

REFLECTING POOL by Misprint Thursday of New Hampshire, USA

Sharing the UWA Special Honourable Mention Prize is:

THE THINKER by Ama Avro of Starbourg, France

Now to the winner of the UWA Special Prize and its L$50,000. I have joked that 'nobody' is the winningest person in UWA 3D art history, however that honour goes actually to the winner of this special prize. I believe this person has won the most awards across UWA's soujourn in virtual art. Congrats to:

STRANGE OAKS FROM SIMPLE ACORNS GROW  by Soror Nishi, of Kent, England!

OK... back to the countdown..... and before I continue, you have seen a lot of ties and joint awards. My promise is that there are no ties for the overall winner of the Art or the Machinima challenges. Why do I tell you this now? Simple...

Because in 4th place... we have:

NOBODY

In 3rd, we have:

NOBODY

Yes ladies and gentlemen... what this means is that we have a 3-WAY tie for 2nd place!

In Joint-2nd place winning L$59,000 on 47 points, with FOUR 1st place votes, ONE 3rd and TWO 4th place votes and appearing on TWELVE of the judges top 10 lists:

MIRROR WITH 4 VIRGINS ON THE SHORES OF DEPRAVITY by Jipe Loon of Haute Savoie, France

another member of the extremely strong French contingent we see in 2013.

Also in Joint-2nd place winning L$59,000 on 47 points, with THREE 1st place votes, ONE 2nd place vote, ONE 3rd place vote, TWO 4th place votes and appearing on TWELVE of the judges top 10 lists:

LOOKING BACK by Carmsie Melody & Struthious an Australia, USA partnership

And.... Joint-2nd, winning L$59,000 on 47 points, with TWO 1st place votes, TWO 2nd place votes, ONE 3rd place vote and TWO 4th place votes appearing on 14 of the judges top 10 lists:

SILENT REFLECTIONS by Krystali Rabeni of Blackpool, Lancashire, England


The next announcement will see the end of the reign of Lollito Larkham as Overall Grand Champion of the UWA 3D Art Challenges, who followed in the steps of Nish Mip & Misprint Thursday the first two Grand Champions.

The final ART award for the night, is the new Grand Champion of REFLECTIONS, the UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge, who will take home L$100,000. There was a clear gap between this and the trinity on 2nd place with 11 points separating the them. Finishing with 58 points and featuring on the top 10 lists of 14 judges, it garnered FIVE 1st place votes, ONE 3rd and FOUR 4th place votes. Ladies and gentlemen, the Grand Champion of the UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge is:

I THOUGHT I HATED HIM by Glyph Graves of Sydney, Australia

Chairman  of Visual Arts of the Australia Council, Professor Ted Snell said of the work:

"I THOUGHT I HATED HIM is a brilliant and witty exploration of human nature that utilises the ubiquitous presence of data in our lives, feeding in from everywhere at an every increasing speed.  The two mannequins move around the dance floor driven by data feeds from the New York and Shanghai stock exchanges. In real time while they are operating the data generates the movement and the music that propels these two lovers together and drives them apart.  Miss Shanghai and Mr New York are involved in a compelling dance of attraction and repulsion generated by our avarice. It's funny and chilling in equal measure."

Congrats Glyph.... the Grand Champions have all come from different places... England, USA, France and now Australia!

UWA curator of virtual arts, FreeWee Ling has labored long and hard to put together a spectacular exhibition catalog in the UWA SiVA publications series. You can see it here: http://issuu.com/freeweeling/docs/uwa_siva_2.1_-_reflections

On to Machinima, and we start of with Yesikita Coppola's brilliant machinima weaving together all 64 Machinima submitted to the challenge.

Lapiscean, please play the machinima, and for those who cannot get the media to work, it can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx6Ae1YLTqw&feature=player_embedded

First we come to the audience entry prize. No tall order to attempt to participate in this challenge, as one had to watch all 64 machinima. The best anyone did was to get 7 of the 10 machinima correct (and 2 people achieved that), and the lowest number we had was 3 correct out of 10 (again 2 people had this figure). Was much more difficult to get the accuracy right for this compared to the art, as the best score was 48 points out of 100.

And so, in 5th place for the Machinima audience event, on 36 points with 5 of the top 10 correctly predicted, winning L$5,000 is:

DYZO

In 4th place on 38 points also with 5 of the top 10 correctly predicted is an extremely talented machinima maker whose style I absolutely love and who always makes films which are very different. Winning L$7,000 is:

VERUCA VANDYKE

In 3rd place for the Machinima audience event, and this shows that there is a real skill in doing this and not just luck, is a previous winner of the Machinima audience event.... with 44 points and 7 of the top 10 correctly identified, winning 3rd prize of L$8,000 is:

LALA LARIX

Only one point separated 1st and 2nd.. this person had amazing accuracy with their predictions, however only picked 6 of the 10 correctly, and missed out, thus winning L$10,000 on 47 points is:

LALIE SORBET

And thus the winner of the MACHINIMUWA VI Audience participation event on 48 points, with 7 of the top 10 correctly identified and  winning L$15,000 is:

KARIMA HOISAN

one of the prizes for this is the opportunity to be on the next judging panel... and I hope she doesnt accept, as I would rather have another film submitted by her!

Now the top 10.

With Machinima, again competition was fierce.... with one judge being the difference between 1st and 2nd place. The top score was 79 points out of a possible maximum of 288 points (9 points x 32 judges), with 51 of the 64 works being on the top 10 list of at least one of the judges. Of course the big question on everyone's lips is..... can the triple defending champion, Tutsy Navarathna be stopped by anyone from going 4 in a row?

And so, 10th place for MachinimUWA VI: REFLECTIONS, on 29 points and winning L$40,000 is:

CLOUD by Hypatia Pickens of Rochester, USA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc-N6g9-Je8

9th place now on 35 points... and we have a tie. So, Joint-9th on 35 points winning L$40,000 is:

TAYA TAN by Erythro Asimov of Tours France (who had another work Egmont finishing in 12th)
https://vimeo.com/69412827

Also, Joint-9th with 35 points winning L$40,000 is:

STOLEN REFLECTIONS by Braclo Eber of South Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMOHiMhSrDI&feature=youtu.be

Next in 8th place on 42 points, winning L$40,000 we have:

SHADOWS REFLECTING DARKNESS by Joe Zazulak  of New Orleans, USA
https://vimeo.com/67338631

All very close and in 7th on 44 points winning L$40,000, receiving THREE 1st place votes and TWO 2nd place votes and being listed on TEN of the judges top 10 lists is:

WINDOW ON A TRAIN by Natascha Randt & Karima Hoisan, the beautiful Costa Rica & Germany partnership, that has brought us so much joy!

And now 6th place  winning L$40,000 with 48 points,  receiving THREE 1st place votes, ONE 2nd, ONE 3rd and TWO 4th place votes being listed on 13 of the judges top 10 lists is:

JUNIPER by Bryn Oh of Toronto, Canada
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urmhu0jAZD8

Before going on to the top 5, there are a few special prizes. First of all the L$50,000 Art of the Artists Prize, which is the machinima that best incorporates one or a number of the artworks that have been submitted to the UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge. This prize was selected by FreeWee Ling, UWA Curator of Virtual Art. And the winner is:

REFLECTIONS OF A LIFE by Devi Sky of Northridge, USA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1E364TJcdw

Now for the UWA Centenary Prize of L$50,000, where we also have L$25,000 for the Honourable mention winner. This goes to the Machinima that best captures the essence of 100 years of reflections on education, and was chosen by the UWA members of the panel only.

The Honourable mention for the UWA Centenary Prize (L$25,000) goes to:

REFLECTIONS: 100 YEARS OF PASSION by Wynshel Heir of San Francisco, USA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjpyESZwVWk&feature=youtu.be

And the winner of the L$50,000 UWA Centenary Prize for Machinima goes to:

DRAWING OUTSIDE THE LINES by Chic Aeon of Corvallis, Oregon, USA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ShQ5JB5MZM

Now to 5th as the prizes climb to L$80,000. On 58 points, receiving FOUR 1st place votes, TWO 3rd and THREE 4th place votes being listed on 13 of the judges top 10 lists is:

HASTA TU ESTRELLA by Erythro Asimov of Tours, France
https://vimeo.com/66574824

Thats 2 awards for Erythro!

Now 4th place and winning L$100,000 on 61 points. Receiving THREE 1st place votes, ONE 2nd place vote, THREE 3rd place votes and THREE 4th place votes and being on 17 of the judges top 10 lists is:

THE MIRROR LIES by  Joe Zazulak  of New Orleans, USA
https://vimeo.com/63236597

A 2nd award for Joe to follow the double by Erythro

And then there were THREE.....

The 3rd prize winner featured on 19 of the judges top 10 lists finishing with 65 points. Receiving TWO 1st place votes, THREE 2nd, THREE 3rd and TWO 4th place votes... taking home L$125,000 is:

PALLINA...THE LITTLE RASCAL by Pallina60 Loon of Rome, Italy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VopdYBW6lFE

What is truly remarkable is that Pallina has now gone back to back with 3rd place finishes, also finishing 3rd in MachinimUWA V: SEEK WISDOM, with Colours.

The top two battled all the way down to the final judges scoresheet, and the work finishing in 2nd place featured on 20 of the judges top 10 lists, which was even more than the winner. There was a crucial difference though. The 2nd Prize winner, received 75 points with TWO 1st place votes, FIVE 2nd place votes, THREE 3rd place votes and TWO 4th place votes. And so, the winner of the L$150,000 2nd prize for MachinimUWA VI: Reflections, is:

NARCISSUS by Tutsy Navartha, Frenchman in Pondicherry India
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrCfHxk9v8Y

and sensationally, someone has toppled the seemingly invincible Tutsy, almost peerless champion of the UWA machinima challenges. A standing ovation for Tutsy please everyone, winner of MachinimUWA III: Journeys, MachinimUWA IV: Art of the Artists and MachinimUWA V: Seek Wisdom.

And who is this person who has done what many thought was impossible? The winner of MachinimUWA VI: Reflections, taking home the highest 1st Prize in the history of UWA challenges across both art and machinima, L$200,000, featured on 17 of the judges top 10 lists, but crucially, received SIX 1st place votes, ONE 2nd, TWO 3rd and TWO 5th place votes rising to 79 points. And thus it is, that the David who has slain Goliath, the winner and new Grand Champion of MachinimUWA VI: Reflections is:

PAST | BEYOND by Vilvi Rae of Jyvaskyla, Finland.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCfU817j8mc

Jon Stubbs, Director of UWA's Student Services who has served on the Machinima panels since inception said, "Past I Beyond is a hauntingly beautiful future fantasy autobiography created by Vilvi Rae that explores past choices and what lies beyond. Beautifully filmed: 5 stars from the judging panel!"

Congratulations Vilvi.... I certainly hope we see more from you!

Thank you artists of Second Life!