Exhibition Catalog for March Unscripted Show

"When Less is More" is a showcase of selected non-scripted entries from the March UWA Challenge. (See the April 7 blog entry.) It will only be up for a few more days and I encourage you to come see these great pieces. There's a tp sign at the landing pad at the UWA gallery.

I've also created an exhibition catalog online. Artists included in the exhibition and catalog are Gingered Alsop, Gleman Jun, Dekka Raymaker, Daco Monday, Haveit Neox, Corcosman Voom, Miso Susanowa, Silene Christen, and Yooma Mayo.

-FreeWee

MachinimUWA III: Bay Sweetwater's "Twinkle's Journey"

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Bay Sweetwater's delightful 'Twinkle's Journey', submitted for MachinimUWA III

DEADLINE IS COMING UP FAST!

Entries to MachinimUWA III: Journeys, close in less than 3 weeks, on the 1st of May 2011

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Bryn Oh: University of Western Australia monthly art competition

Some great stuff by Bryn Oh on the March Round! Includes a lovely little video of Josiane Sociere's 'TROIS PETITS TOURS ET PUIS S'EN VA (Three little turns and it goes away'

Bryn Oh: University of Western Australia monthly art competition

When Less is More

A special exhibition of non-scripted entries
at the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge from the March round.
April 6-14, 2011

[N.B. This is being cross-posted on my personal blog. Apologies to those who follow both. - FreeWee ]
A very interesting phenomenon has been impressing both JayJay and me the last few months: We are seeing more and more really excellent submissions to UWA that are not scripted. In the beginning, the UWA Challenge included a Best Non-Scripted prize in order to acknowledge pieces that had artistic depth, but that were not animated or interactive. It was feared or assumed that scripted objects would tend to dominate the competitions, with the belief that active pieces would tend to obscure more subtle artistry from their sheer intensity. I'm not so sure that's ever been entirely the case as there have always been strong non-scripted entries, but in any case the non-scripted category is an opportunity to highlight pure visual design sans tricks.
At the end of the March round I did a quick tour of the 76 total entries and made a list of nine objects, any of which I thought could be prize-worthy. I really wanted to share these with the public, but as a competition judge I'm not able to comment on my favorites until after the judging and awards were announced. Unfortunately, that means most of the pieces I'm writing about would normally be removed already to make room for the April entries. I was talking to JayJay about this and he suggested we make a platform for these choices and leave them up for another week so you can see what we're talking about. So this mini post-challenge exhibition will be up from April 6-13. Look for the TP sign at the UWA gallery landing pad or just go directly here (SLURL). I hope you will return for a closer look at these great pieces.
Here's the list of favorites I came up with in no particular order. Tell me if you don't agree that each of these is worthy of being appreciated.

Gingered Alsop: Shattered

This evocative Hockneyed image is not Gingered's usual fare for UWA entries. I think its contrast with her other March entry is fairly stunning, but more than that it demonstrates her real talents as a thoughtful artist aside from being a creative scripter. This is exactly the counterpoint that the non-scripted prize is intended to highlight. "Shattered" received the joint first place award for March.

Gleman Jun: The fragility of the soul is not a defect …

Gleman is another artist known for his highly scripted pieces, often with particle pyrotechnics. This piece is a statement whose power lies in its simplicity and directness.This was the other joint first-place winner.

Dekka Raymaker: Garden of Eden

I've been intrigued by the work of the wonderfully imaginative Dekka for a long time. His work combines humor, satire, a certain steampunk flair, and a more than a little surrealism.

Daco Monday: Musico

As I've mentioned elsewhere, the best virtual art is often created by the best rl artists. Daco Monday is a good example. He uses the virtual medium to good effect with a keen eye to create art as he would in real life, but in ways not otherwise possible.

Haveit Neox: Marionette

Another example of aggressively creative surrealism, this piece has tremendous visual impact. It could have been created in rl, but the cost and energy required would be substantial. It could serve as an example of rapid prototyping for rl projects.

Corcosman Voom: The Rut

Corcosman is an interesting artist. He seems to have varying degrees of inspiration. His work is generally minimalistic, but he comes up with an occasional piece that is transcendentally expressive. As with his "Jump" piece from last year's challenge, this piece shows power and motion in the simple lines, much like a sumi-e painting.

Miso Susanowa: Olah

Miso has a beautiful sense of political satire. Her pieces are often highly scripted, but this entry is an elegant self-referential statement ofwhat it is: an artwork being offered up for judgment.

Silene Christen: Tribute to Goya

Silene's tribute is an interpretation of Goya's iconic The Third of May 1808, depicting a scene from the Spanish resistance to Napoleon's armies. All the important elements of the original are there. It may not have as much impact if you don't know the original, but if you do, it retains much of the emotional power.

Yooma Mayo: Mantis Praying

Yooma impressed us last month with her infinitesimal gecko and more recently with her generous gift in appreciation for the world's support of his native Japan in this time of crisis. This month's entry is a similarly detailed example from the natural world, but this time on a relatively gargantuan scale.

SHATTERED FRAGILITY - UNCHARTED TERRITORY AS GLEMAN AND GINGER WIN THE MARCH ROUND

In a never before seen outcome over 17 months of art challenges at UWA, non-scripted works have jointly taken the 1st Overall Prize (@L$8,750) at the March Round of the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge with Gleman Jun and Ginger Alsop coming out of their comfort zones to deliver their captivating works, 'Shattered' and 'The Fragility of the Soul is Not a Defect'. Silene Christen's 'Spanish Bull' and Josiane Sorciere's 'Three Little Turns...' were joint 3rd, with 'Spanish Bull' also taking the Odyssey Prize and her 2nd artwork, 'Tribute to Goya' being Joint winner for the Non-Scripted Prize. Josiane was a double winner too, also winning the Tornado Gallery Prize. In a tour-de-force for the non-scripted work, Haveit Neox was the joint winner for the Non-Scripted category with Marinoette. Ginger also took the UTSA Prize.

Full results follow, and the text of the winners announcement is reproduced below in full.

(See FreeWee Ling's full photo archive of all 76 entries)
1st Prize: JOINT (L$8,750 @)
SHATTERED by Ginger Alsop


THE FRAGILITY OF THE SOUL IS NOT A DEFECT by Gleman Jun


"I don't know what to say to this really, so I'll reflect on the event ... I remember the moment in August 2009 when I first took the original photographs. I remember feeling embarrassed to be there, this was a public space, a public park, and yet, it felt like I was invading the man's privacy ... I took several images ... ages to figure out how to represent that moment; when a photograph itself wasn't enough. For moments like those, I sometimes wonder if showing such things are what people want to see. But like some things, the moment stuck with me, so it became something that had to be said. It only took a year and a half, and then seeing a work by Quadrapop, I was was instantly inspired with a vision and Shattered as you see it today was is what I saw ... it means so much to me to be able to reach out to so many with such a work. It was recognized by UTSA, and up in the top submissions for the People's Choice, and I hope it inspires others to do good art and things :)"Ginger Alsop


3rd Prize: JOINT (L$3,750 @)
SPANISH BULL by Silene Christen


TROIS PETITS TOURS ET PUIS S'EN VA (Three little turns and it goes away) by Josiane Sorciere


"Regarding the award, thank you twice: First because competition provided great artists and great works which makes it difficult to win, the other for my works often have a distinctly minimalist. Sometimes I consider adding more details, or lights or textures, but really my form of expression intended to reflect the minimum possible elements of an idea or emotion. Thus, I recognize difficult to compete in a world so starkly visual as Second Life, but what comes in is what you express. Thanks again to everyone!"Silene Christen

" I discovered the UWA challenge by chance and sent the music box to check the script rules. I had been immediately put in the exhibition. I though I was challenging for the April contest, and I won the March one... All is so quick and unexpected ... I didn't understand well all the rules, and I have trouble to realize what's happening now, but I'm on a little cloud \o/ I'm very happy to have participated and I hope it will inspire other builders."Josiane Sorciere


Best Non-Scripted Entry: JOINT (L$3,750 @)
TRIBUTE TO GOYA by Silene Christen


MARIONETTE by Haveit Neox


"Being a part of the UWA Art Challenge not only encourages me in my own work, but it's the most excellent way to see what other artists are doing in SL. I've seen pieces here that inspire me deeply. It's an honor to participate in this promotion of the arts in SL." 
Haveit Neox


UTSA Prize: (L$5,000)
SHATTERED by Ginger Alsop


"It is a honor to receive such a recognition, Shattered represents a over a year and a half of contemplating how to bring such a powerful moment to the eyes of so many."Ginger Alsop


SL Art Prize: (L$5,000)
COSMIC SPECTROSCOPY by Gore Suntzu


"Well i just have to say that i am very honored to receive this prize, is really a surprise for me! I want to thank all the curators and the judges"Gore Suntzu


Odyssey Prize: (L$5,000)
SPANISH BULL by Silene Christen



Pirats Prize: (L$5,000)
SO LONG AND THANKS FOR ALL THE OIL by NuxVomica Mint


"It was one of the funnest thing i had ever done in sl..and i hope to continue...umm i dont know what to say...first time i won anything since i was a kid"NuxVomica Mint


CARP Prize: (L$5,000)
TIDAL FORCE by Alexandra Mensing


"This was wonderful!  I look forward to more fun in the future!! Much wonderful artwork here and I'm proud to have been part of March"Alexandra Mensing


Nordan Art Prize: (L$5,000)
SPRING ENERGY by soror Nishi


"Thank you so much, it's so great to have your work appreciated...:))"soror Nishi


BOSL Prize: (L$5,000)
ELECTROMAN by Barry Richez


" I am very honored and moved to receive for the first ever encouragement and recognition of one of my works, I thank UWA for receiving mt art and BOSL for awarding me this prize, which has encouraged me from now on to continue on this path of art. SL is a great platform where you can express art only limited by the immagination. It is thanks to the initiative of these many art groups coming together  that provides us the opportunity to show our creations and multiple possibilites."barry Richez


S&S Gallery OFA Prize (L$5,000)
NEVER FORGET (THE OMNIPOTENCE OF NATURE) by ChapTer Kronfeld



Tornado Gallery Prize (L$5,000)
Trois petits tours et puis s'en va...
(Three little turns and it goes away...) by Josiane Sorciere



The Workhouse & Art place d-oo-b Prize (L$5,000)
PUPPET THEATRE by Xon Halostar


"Blushes.  I'm surprised, really.  I didn't expect anything to win. I am glad they liked it"Xon Halostar

project Z Prize: (L$5,000)
MANTIS PRAYING by Yooma Mayo



project Z Honourable Mention Prize: (L$2,500)
GARDEN OF EDEN by Dekka Raymaker


"Although I made this piece before the Japanese disaster, it also symbolizes the fragility of humans against a greater more powerful Earth (God)."Dekka Raymaker


Curator's Choice Award (L$5,000):
LA MALEDIZIONE DEL CONTE DI MONTERONE by Nino Vichan


"I am very honored to receive this prize in this amazing contest were so many fantastic artists come together and show the limitless possibilities of 3D art."Nino Vichan


People's Choice Award, 1st Prize: (L$2,500)
THE CRYSTAL NYMPH by Lea Supermarine & Jarapanda Snook


"We are delighted to have been chosen for this, the most prestigious art award in SL.  Each month the bar is set higher, and we have to work harder and harder to keep up with all the talent in this group.  Thanks to everyone again for voting for us - and we'll see you next month ;-)"Jarapanda Snook


People's Choice Award, 2nd Prize: (L$1,000)
ORDER OF FRACTALS IN A DIGITAL WORLD RAzorZ Resident


" I am very happy that the people enjoyed my work and voted for me!  Glad people see the effort I put into my work!"RazorZ

FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED. Here is full text of the announcements of winners by Jayjay Zifanwe:

Greetings everyone, and welcome to the University of Western Australia, or UWA as she is known and also welcome to the MARCH round announcement of winners and party for the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge. 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.

This is the 5th of 12 monthly rounds for the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge. The first thing I would like to do is to thank and acknowledge the major art houses and groups in Second Life that are part of this Grand Collaboration. These include The University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) led by Dr Carmen Fies, SL Art led by Gleman Jun & Sunset Quinnel, CARP led by Josina Burgess & Velazquez Bonetto, Pirats Art Network led by  Merlina Rokocoko & Newbab Zsigmond, Odyssey led by Fau Ferdinand & Lizsolo Mathilde,  BOSL led by Frolic Mills and Editorial Clarity, Nordan Art led by Flora Nordanskiold and Apmel Goosson, S&S Gallery of Fine Art led by TheDove Rhode, The Workhouse Gallery led by Astarte Haalan, Art Place d-oo-b led by Eifachfilm Vacirca, The Tornado Gallery led by Taralyn Gravois, project Z led by Zachh Cale and UWA with Professor Ted Snell, Chair of the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council for the Arts as Chair of the UWA judging panel.

UWA would also like to acknowledge fellow sponsors, MidnightRain Glas, Philip Vought, Bohemian Ghost and Patch Thibaud.

76 entries were received for the March round, spread out across this sim-wide 'Living Gallery'! It was also great to see so many new faces among the artists who submitted works for this round, with works coming in from Alexandra Mensing, barry Richez, Cullum Writer & Adreano Constantine, Haveit Neox, Josiane Sorciere, KaiShun Oleander, Kati Kristan,  Kobuk Farshore, Neeks Karu, NuxVomica Mint, Randy Firebrand, TheDove Rhode, Dekka Raymaker, RazorZ Resident and Xon Halostar, among others.

We have been through 17 monthly rounds since all this started in August 2009 and more than 400 artists have been involved, however only 2 have taken part in every single round ... the terrific twosome of  soror Nishi and Jesse Keyes. Much thanks to you both!

This L$1,000,000 challenge will see more than L$80,000 being distributed each month, with the Grand Prize winner at the end of it all pocketing a cool L$100,000. The many contributions coming in from everyone will this year be put towards special prizes, including the Curator's Choice Award.

It is important to me to also acknowledge everyone who did contribute over the month towards prizes across the year and the Grand Finale. Thank you spirit Radikal, Beaker, fiona Blaylock, Milly Sharple, Ichiko Miles, HOLALA Alter, Scars Steerpike , Gumby Roffo, EdwardIV Beaumont, pallina60 Loon and Gentle Heron.

As always I acknowledge the international connections made through SL, and up to now, the various challenges have seen artists, builders and machinimatographers hailing from Taiwan, Hungary, Latvia, Russia, Venezuela,  Belgium, Mexico, Wales, Canada, the USA, the UK, Uruguay, Scotland,England, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, France, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Denmark, Holland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Cuba, Serbia, Tunisia, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. 6 of the 7 continents of the world represented.

At this point I would like for all of you to help me acknowledge the amazing work required to keep all of this going. Curator of the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge & Creator of  gallery .......  FreeWee Ling.

As always many things happened since the last announcements.

We had Yesikita Coppola's official machinima of the FEBRUARY round winners:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCg2O0P9rus&feature=player_embedded

We have also had a lot entries start to come in for MachinimUWA III: Journeys, including from Soda Lemondrop, Eric Boccara, YT Recreant, Pia Klaar, Fairodis Aviatik,Pallina60 Loon, Kobuk Farshore, Ed Vespucciano, Ginger Alsop, Myth Guyot & Lakshmi Giha, Anri Emerald, Delgado Cinquetti and AnimaTechnica Umbarundu. They are all posted on the UWA in Second Life Blog http://uwainsl.blogspot.com/

With this, the prize pool is more than a half million Linden. What the journey is will be left to the Machinimatographer.  A journey through Second Life.  A journey of self discovery. A journey within. A journey from SL too RL, or vice-versa. A journey through space, through time, a journey of hope, a journey of despair. Your own journey, or a journey by someone else seen through your eyes... or... through Second Life in 80 Days, whatever you can imagine.

Please do help spread the word to any colleagues you think could create something amazing. The deadline is quickly approaching and is the 1st of May 2011. Full detaills linked on the blog. http://uwainsl.blogspot.com/2011/02/machinimuwa-iii-journeys-it-begins.html

There was the amazing news of  UWA Bachelor of Arts Graduate, Shaun Tan, winning the 2011 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film! Shaun won the Oscar for a 15-minute film based on his book The Lost Thing. Multi-award winning Perth artist & sculpturist, Len Zuks who is also on the judging panel of UWA 3D Open Art Challenge was in fact Shaun's Art teacher in his formative years when Shaun attended gifted & talented arts classes in high school.

Just to share his reflection on the award, "How interesting it has been that an award like this makes one pause and reflect on a whole career history, from childhood to the present, which is not something I often do. It's a lot to think about: all the disparate influences, from high school art classes with inspiring tutors like Len, UWA academia, and years of pottering about in my parent's garage. At the end of the day, you're just trying to find the right personal path, but hey, quite unbelievable to find a gold statue suddenly appear in the middle of it!"

The other wonderful news is that, thanks to the efforts of the curators of the UWA Art Challenges, quadrapop Lane & Freewee Ling the UWA Art Challenges have been nominated for Best Original Project at the Best of Second Life Awards. For this I must also thank all of you, the artists of Second Life. It is your talent and creativity that is responsible for the UWA nomination. We stand on the backs of giants!

Congrats also to Bryn Oh, Glyph Graves, Eliza Wierwight, Sharni Azalee, Cherry Manga and Nish Mip whose works have graced and uplifted the UWA Challenges for their nominations for Best Original Artist. Incredibly, Eliza Wierwight is nominated in 2 categories, the only one to have 2 nominations, this one in the Best Home Furnishings Category.

For UWA's full sim art series, I thank Cherry Manga, Anley Piers and Elfe Imako for their wonderful 'Other World', and welcome the Empress of Trees, soror Nishi who has created "Transubstantiation" for UWA's FULL SIM Art series for the month  of April. She has launched it already (and may have an event there, I am not sure when), but do save the location, whioch I am providing here:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/UWA%20VIRTLANTIS/141/88/126

I would like also to acknowledge the members of the UWA judging panel. On the panel were:
1. Professor Ted Snell (RL) - Director, Cultural Precinct, The University of Western Australia 
2. John Barret-Lennard (RL) - Curator of the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, UWA 
3. Raphaella Nightfire (SL) -  Snr Writer Best of SL Magazine, Owner Sanctorum Gallery
4. Len Zuks (RL) - Award Winning West Australian Sculpturist 
5. FreeWee Ling (SL) - Curator, UWA 3D Open Art Challenge
6. Laetitia Wilson (RL) - Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts, UWA
7. Lyn DiCiero (RL) - Editor, WA Artist's Chronicle
8. And prince of the photocopier machine ...... Yours Truly

Those who followed procedings last year would know that for the Grand Finale, the panel expands to include many SL Art personalities, and for this new challenge, the expanded panel will include:
1. Sasun Steinbeck  -  Creator of the Art Galleries of SL list at http://sasun.info/ArtGalleriesofSL.aspx
2. Tayzia Abattoir (SL) Owner of  The Oldest Virtual World Art Museum in SL, curator of the Aho Museum & Arts Simulacra on the NMC Campus and Relay For LIfe of SL Event Chair
3. Lumiere Noir (SL) - Creator of the Ivory Tower Library of Primitives
4. Dr. Phylis Johnson (RL) - Media  Professor, Southern Illinois Uinversity, Author - Machinima: Aesthetics and Practice (a.k.a, Sonicity Fitzroy, SL Virtual Journalist)
5. Rowan Derryth (SL) - Art & Design Historian; Writer for Prim Perfect Publications
6. Persia Bravin (SL) -   Journalist and Media Producer (SL newspapers, magazines, radio and television)
7  Dr Carmen Fies (RL) - Second Life Lead: University of Texas San Antonio & UTSA Artspace
8. Apollo Manga (SL) - examiner.com Writer & Novelist
9.  Jordan Whitt (SL) - Editor in Chief, ICON Lifestyle Magazine
10. Mariposa Upshaw (SL) - Curator - Ventura Art & Jardine; Officer, Arts Council of Second Life
11. Saffia Widdershins (SL) - Owner and Editor of Prim Perfect Publications
12. Phillip Vought (SL) - Art Philanthropist & Founding Patron of UWA-BOSL Amphitheatre
13. Bohemian Ghost (SL) - Art Philanthropist & Owner of Summerland Estates
14. Ally Aeon (SL) - Founder Aeonia Artist Group, creator/owner of the art region Aeonia
15.  Aino Baar (SL) - Owner of the Open This End Group

Now for the winners. The winners will be announced in 1 minute intervals. We 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).

First the People's Choice Awards. For this, we thank GeeJAnn Blackadder's scripting wizardry for creating the voting system.  Its been working wonderfully since being instituted, and greatly assists in the running of the People's Choice!

The People's Choice Award, where all of SL is invited to vote, carries a 1st ($L2,500) and a 2nd prize ($L1,000). Its always close, March was no different, and 10 votes seperated th top 6

For the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD, 2nd prize (L$1,000) goes to:
ORDER OF FRACTALS IN A DIGITAL WORLD by RazorZ

And the very deserving winner for the MARCH  PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD (L$2,500) is:
THE CRYSTAL NYMPH by Lea Supermarine & Jarapanda Snook

Very strong in the voting (and in no particular order) were  ....... Cherry Manga's 'The Sphinx', ChapTer Kronfeld's 'Never Forget', Kati Kristan's 'Mandala I', Ginger Lorakeet's 'Rock Box', Ginger Alsop's 'Shattered', Silene Christen's 'Spanish Bull', Fae Varialle's 'Identity' and  Josiane Sorciere's 'Trois petits tours et puis s'en va... (Three little turns and it goes away...)'.

ELEVEN Art Group Prizes of L$5,000 each have been awarded by the various judging panels for the MARCH Round of the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge:

The SL Art Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Gleman Jun & Sunset Quinnell goes to:
COSMIC SPECTROSCOPY by Gore Suntzu

The UTSA Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Dr Carmen Fies goes to:
SHATTERED by Gingered Alsop

The CARP Prize (L$5,000) whose focus is on scripting with a panel led by Velasquez Bonnetto & Josina Burgess goes to:
TIDAL FORCE by  Alexandra Mensing

Its the first time Alexandra is exhibiting at UWA.

Commenting on the selection, the CARP panel offered, " Alexandra managed with the  use of simple scripts in a simple way to get people to stand still and watch her sculpture. A sculpted form that changes textures and form by clicking it.  The colours and change texture scripts make a nice combination that calls for attention and keeps the  viewer alert and watching for a longer period. That is important and difficult in a world where so much art is around and people walk by fast.."

Next the joint Workhouse & Art Place d-o-o-b Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Astarte Haalan and Elfachfilm Vacirca goes to:
 PUPPET THEATRE - 3 Little Pigs by Xon Halostar

Another win for a new artist to the challenge.

The panel said, "We found Xon's work to be amusing, unusual and original. It has a wonderful sense of humor. We also enjoyed the excecution, which denostrated that 3D Virtual art does not have to be flashy or slick or even high concept. It also demonstrated tht virtul art can be simple on the surface, but complex in the way it evokes out childhoods and our cultural heritage. The storey of the Three Little Pigs can be seen as a metaphore for the persistence of the spirit in the face of adversity, not only for children but also for adults. We think it was brilliant that Xon used such a simple method to convey universal truths. It's also pretty darn cute. :)"

The Odyssey Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Fau Ferdinand & Lizsolo Mathilde goes to
SPANISH BULL by Silene Christen

Fau on behalf of the committee said, "We thought it was orginal in more than one way  liked the minimalism in the execution"

The BOSL Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Frolic Mills & Editorial Clarity goes to:
ELECTROMAN by Barry Richez

Barry is also a first time exhibitor at UWA

The Nordan Art Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Flora Nordenskiold & Apmel Goosson goes to:
SPRING ENERGY by soror Nishi

isnt this the first time she's won something ? (wink)

The Pirats Prize: (L$5,000) with a panel led by Merlina Rokocoko & Newbab Zsigmond goes to:
 SO LONG AND THANKS FOR ALL THE OIL by NuxVomica Mint

Another first time artist to the challenge. The panel felt that this piece was simple and powerful.

The S&S Gallery OFA Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by TheDove Rhode goes to:
NEVER FORGET (THE OMNIPOTENCE OF NATURE)  by  ChapTer Kronfeld

The panel refereed to Chapter's note which said "A thought and a feeling in us, more than in the past. We are surprised in front of the ruins of our own creation. Nature shows us human again, we are not the masters of everything.  Humility in front of nature must be our theme." and offered "Well spoken and we found this artform presentation to be inspiring and elightening. With the connection of realistic dot rendering avatars in this 3D virtual world and the loss of a direct connection to the identity of avatar's controller. Conditions on our planet as they are today, shows that everyone is a powerful dot of importance.  This work helps us to cross into humility and asks that we  ponder  more deeply of living beings on our earth."

The Tornado Gallery Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Taralyn Gravois goes to:
TROIS PETITS TOURS ET PUIS S'EN VA (Three little turns and it goes away) by  Josiane Sorciere

Said the panel, "This simple little musicbox brings memories of childhoods past,  then ends with a crashing twist...bringing you back to the present."

The project Z Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Zachh Cale goes to:
MANTIS PRAYING by Yooma Mayo

The project Z panel wished to honour another work of art as well with an Honourable Mention Prize (L$2,500), and this goes to:
GARDEN OF EDEN by Dekka Raymaker

Next, in FreeWee's words:
"The curator's choice for March is by an artist who has been bringing us some aggressivelty complex pieces that are not easily grasped in a casual glance. The artist seems to want to fuse together as many ideaswithin the bounds of the prim limit. This month's entry appeals to me on several levels. It's an elegant impression of classical musical theatre that  shows depth of interpretation and creative expression in the virtual medium."
FreeWee Ling's Curator's Choice Award (L$5,000) goes to:
LA MALEDIZIONE DEL CONTE DI MONTERONE by Nino Vichan

Now for the Best Non-Scripted Imagine entry. This has probably been the strongest month ever for the non-scripted category, so much so that FreeWee is organizing a special show of selected non-scripted works from this month and will be announced soon. That being the case, the panel was left with the very difficult taskl of selecting, and so the winner of the Best Non-Scripted Entry is:

TRIBUTE TO GOYA by Silene Christen

but as I said, this was a very difficult round, so, we have a joint winner. So for the month of March, the JOINT winner (L$3,750 @) of the best Non-Scripted Entry is:

MARIONETTE by Haveit Neox

Now for the top 3 Prizes.  All of these works will go straight to the Grand Finale round. March was an extremely interesting round and the range of ideas and styles covered was incredible.

3rd Prize for the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge  for MARCH goes to:

SPANISH BULL by Silene Christen

The reason why I didnt give a L$ figure for the prize is because once again it had to be shared, as we have a Joint 3rd Prize, and so, 3rd Prize (L$3,750) for the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge  for MARCH ALSO goes to:

TROIS PETITS TOURS ET PUIS S'EN VA (Three little turns and it goes away) by  Josiane Sorciere
and again I have no idea if I pronounced that correctly. The panel was captivated by both these pieces for various reasons.

and next..... very surprising, and this has happened only once before if memory serves me correctly.
2nd Prize (L$7,500) for the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge for MARCH goes to:
NOBODY

Yes .... nobody... for reasons which will become clear.

Now to the winner of the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge for MARCH, following in the footsteps of past champions Snubnose Genopeak, Glyph Graves,  Atomic Gaffer, Fuschia Nightfire/Flivelwitz Alsop, Julez Odigaunt, FreeWee Ling, Bryn Oh, Nish Mip, Josina Burgess, Cherry Manga, Igor Ballyhoo, Suzanne Graves and Lea Supermarine/Jarapanda Snook.

It is with great pleasure that we announce that the Winner of 1st Prize for the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge for MARCH 2011 is:
THE FRAGILITY OF THE SOUL IS NOT A DEFECT by Gleman Jun

and now, the reson why there was no 2nd Prize, is because there is a Joint Winner for the 1st Prize for March. And so, the Winner of 1st Prize for the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge for MARCH 2011 ALSO is:
SHATTERED by Ginger Alsop

This is an absolutely incredible result. No non-scripted piece has ever won the top monthly prize, and here we have not one, but two non-scripted works finishing in 1st.

Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to all the artists who have entered the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge. We are officially receiving artworks for APRIL, so please do send in your entries as soon as possible.

And remember, entries for MACHNIMUWA III: JOURNEYS and MACHINIMUWA IV : The 2nd Art of the Artists are most welcome. Do tell your machinimatographer colleagues that any of the artworks here across the year can be featured in the latter.

soror Nishi FULL SIM Art @ UWA - Transubstantiation

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The UWA FULL SIM Art series rolls on, with April helmed by tree maker of legend, soror Nishi!

soror has described in her blog how best the piece should be viewed as well as the inspiration behind the work

Transubstantiation will be on display for all of April, and can be seen if you teleport HERE

Stay tuned for Wizard Gynoid in MAY

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My Journey to Find the Art

   
Preface

Off and on, for more than a decade, I have been trying to understand what makes something artistic.  Participation in the UWA Open Art Challenge started to give me the right clues, so for the past several months, I’ve been meaning to write an article on it and never quite being able to express what I want to say.  My original drafts were all about trying to express what I didn’t understand, but in my previous draft I actually answered my own questions, making it rather pointless to publish an article asking others for help.  Now that I can express what that is, the article needed a complete rewrite, and here it is ...

My Journey to Find the Art ...

I can understand now why I couldn’t get it before.  Coming from a software background, one applies formulas and patterns to analyze and understand the nature of things.  But understanding what made something artistic using this approach never really gave me an explanation because it was hit and miss as to how successful my attempts were.  Surely I wasn’t that dense, but in a way, now that the light has come on, I was that dense.

My exploration of art started when I began taking photography courses, and continued when I joined a camera club.  Right there, that’s most of my issue.  The club I belonged to produced images with a very narrow scope; primarily pretty pixels.  The critiquing emphasis was all about application of visual patterns and rules like leading lines, rule of thirds, selective depth of field, to produce nice silhouettes and well lit subjects.  These strategies were all about getting the photographer to capture a pleasant result given any kind of scene they might encounter.  Lately, it’s been about the intelligent application of digital filters or techniques to produce a visually interesting effect on top of an already visually interesting photograph. 

A pleasing result doesn’t necessarily mean it’s artistic too.  So imagine trying to understand what makes something artistic while being exposed to a seemingly never-ending blur of artistic and non-artistic images.  That’s why I didn’t get it.

The UWA Open Art Challenge has opened my eyes and my mind to things that are artistic.  Now I have access to talk to people who are creating and judging art.  I see now why budding artists, including myself, get the wrong idea about their abilities when the artwork that they poured their life and soul into doesn’t get recognized.  Part of the issue is just the limited number of prizes that can be given out, but even so, there are some pretty imaginative entries in the challenge that seem to get overlooked.  It’s not an issue of the ability of the artist or the quality of the work; it’s more about how the work inspires another. 

An artistic result depends on how well the artist uses the tools they have access to in an original way with creativity and imagination to express a vision.  For me, success comes from receiving feedback from others.  When I hear how others are affected or inspired by my work, it’s the significance of the reaction that tells me how successful it was.  In some cases, this is nothing more than being jazzed.  But others have described a kind of euphoric feeling from it, while in others, it can create inspiration.  Other kinds of works that jazz me inspire me to create hybrids.  I can only assume that other artists are similarly inspired.

One of my artworks, “Shattered”, received some high praise long before the March 2011 UWA competition closed.  Whether it wins a prize or not is almost unimportant compared to the comments made by some who are well placed within the artistic community within Second Life; “It spoke to me”, “Never seen anything like it”, and “It’s your best work, so far”.  So when strangers tell you these things, I know the artwork inspired them in some way, and I am so honoured by that.

Three different views of "Shattered"

Shattered to me has three themes.  The obvious one is the physical structure of it; it’s broken into pieces.  The second theme is the subject itself, a homeless man, represents a shattered life.  The most important theme is all about the reality of casual perception; from a distance, the something looks intact and complete, but as we approach it to get more information, we notice that our perception is wrong and distorted.  This last interpretation only comes alive because we are working in a 3D virtual world and we can examine the work from multiple perspectives.

Those are the messages that Shattered said to me, but what it says to you is more important.  Does it inspire you to be more aware?  To be more creative?  To be more imaginative?  To be more caring?  To be more emotional?  To talk to your friends about it?  To write about it?  Or something else?  If the artwork caused you to think or do something different simply because of the presence of the artwork, then I think it is safe to say that the artwork is successful.  I know that just because one person “gets it” it doesn’t mean all people will get it.  I don’t think art isn’t a popularity contest.  All I need is for another person to be inspired by it, to know that it is a success for me.

I think the very wild and expressive pieces are an attempt by artists to capture the imagination of the viewer.  In the past, this kind of artwork often caused me to scratch my head especially when it gets recognized; as I stare at it later, wondering, what did I miss?  But for the judge, it could be nothing more than seeing so much artwork that this one piece stood out uniquely.  Like seeing an average pink vase in a room filled with high quality black ones.  It could simply be the juxtaposition of it that was enough of a unique flavour for the judge to take notice.  I have come to realize that if a judge was inspired by an artwork that I panned, it doesn’t mean that the judge is wrong and I’m right.  It simply means that things that inspire them aren’t the things that inspire me.

I have fallen into the trap that causes me to think that the result of a single competition is a valid measure of the merit of the work I produce.  But I have come to see that in competitions with subjective material, a different set of judges produce different results.  I know of images that have won national and international photography competitions that get panned in our club, or vice versa, winning images in our club that get near perfect marks don’t even raise an eyebrow elsewhere.  People like what they like.

I now realize that art isn’t a formula, a style, an approach or a set of tools, the way I would apply the formulas and patterns of my regular life to it.  It’s about creating an emotional response; good or bad feelings, euphoria and inspiration in others.  It’s impossible to predict how somebody will react to something and it being recognized in a competition isn’t the reason why I create the art to begin with.  For me, it is a personal need and desire to be original, creative and imaginative in a physical or virtual way to express my visions.  If it inspires you, then I’m honoured because it means a lot to me that somebody in the software industry can become an artist too.

- Ginger Alsop


 

UWA Art Challenge & Artists Nominated for Best of SL Awards

Congratulations to many involved in the UWA Art Challenges for their nominations to the Best of Second Life Awards.

A big thank you to quadrapop Lane & Freewee Ling curator of the UWA Art Challenges for their efforts that have seen the UWA Art Challenges nominated for Best Original Project. Of course vital to the very existance of these challenges is Professor Ted Snell, Director of the Cultural Precinct at UWA and Chair of the Visual Arts Board of the Australia Council.

Also thank you to the artists of Second Life for this. It is your talent and creativity that is responsible for the UWA nomination. We stand on the backs of giants!

Congrats also to Bryn Oh, Glyph Graves, Eliza Wierwight, Sharni Azalee, Cherry Manga and Nish Mip whose works have graced and uplifted the UWA Challenges for their nominations for Best Original Artist.

Incredibly, Eliza Wierwight is nominated in 2 categories, the only one to have 2 nominations, this one in the Best Home Furnishings Category.

Interview Responses from Frolic Mills (BOSL CEO)


1. Q: Are the BOSL AWARDS only for associates of THE BEST OF SL Magazine and CO?
1. A: No, over 65% of the people on this list I don´t even know, nor are related in any way with me nor BOSL.

2. Q: Why didn´t you include Film, Machinima or other categories?
2. A: I don’t dare do an awards show in a category I know nothing about. I think there are more qualified people to host these awards.

3. Q: Did Frolic Mills nominate and will decide who the winners will be?
3. A: Absolutely not. The nominees were selected from hundreds of notecards sent in from descerning experienced fashionistas, members of the press and content creators themselves.

4. Q: Frolic, why wasn´t I nominated? I am really good, was this an oversight?
4. A: Unfortunately it wasn´t. People who are not on the list, simply did not get enough nominations.

5. Q: Does the list reflect Frolic Mill’s personal opinion?
5. A: Not necessarily. But I am very happy with the list, and I do think it very nicely represents some of the biggest contributors in Second Life.

6. Q: Frolic how will you survive these awards? Some people are really upset!
6. A: I don’t know. If you find my avatar lying in some dark alley with flies around my lips, please throw it away in the pond next to my home! Thanks

7. Q: Can I vote?
7. A: If you are an experienced fashionista, member of the press or a content creator, you may type up your winners and send to me on a notecard. The BOSL AWARDS are not a popularity contest, its more about celebrating those content creators who make Second Life a better place.

MachinimUWA III: pallina60 Loon's "A Journey Through Time"

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pallina60 Loon's delightful and amusing 'A Journey Through Time' submitted for MachinimUWA III

Entries to MachinimUWA III: Journeys, close on the 1st of May 2011

MachinimUWA III: FaiRodis Aviatik's 'Journey to Fashion'

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FaiRodis Aviatik's 'Journey to Fashion'. The first time an artist / machinimatographer from Kherson, Ukraine has been part of a UWA event!


Entries to MachinimUWA III: Journeys, close on the 1st of May 2011

A Yesikita Coppola Machinima of the February Round Winners

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A Yesikita Coppola machinima of the winners of the February round of the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge.

FEATURES THE WINNERS OF THE FEBRUARY ROUND OF THE UWA 3D OPEN ART CHALLENGE

THE RHYTHM OF MOOD - Lea Supermarine & Jarapanda Snook
DIGITAL GLOVE by Misprint Thursday
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND by Cherry Manga
GECKO ON THE GEKKO (MOONLIGHT) by Yooma Mayo
SEED TOTEM by Jimmy Debruyere
ALONE - SORROW TREE by Sharni Azalee
THE MINOTAUR OF CARTON by Typote Beck
PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE by Silene Christen
SONIC SPACE OF SILENCE by ChapTer Kronfeld
SHACKLING OF PREGNANT INCARCERATED WOMEN by Nino Vichan
CAMILLE CLAUDEL AND RODIN by Fiona Blaylock

'CLICK' of MachinimUWA II by L1Aura Loire, Finalist @ VWBPE

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'CLICK' by L1Aura Loire which won the Special Award for Crossover Impact at MachinimUWA II: Art of the Artists is a finalist in the VWBPE (Virtual Worlds Best Practice in Education) Conference in the Best Production categeory.

Written, filmed & edited by L1Aura Loire/Lori Landay this educational machinima, teaches the uninitiated how to view and interact with virtual art.

Pieces showcased, in order:
THE LAST OCEAN by Nish Mip
WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD by Lea Supermarine
EINSTEIN'S UNFINISHED SYMPHONY by Gleman Jun
TORSO SERIES (FIRE & WATER) by Eliza Wierwight
MUTASCOPES by FreeWee Ling
HEATH by Flivelwitz Alsop & Fuschia Nightfire
AURACARIA ARTIST BOOK by Anyunie Daviau
OCEANS OF LIGHT by Kolor Fall/Patrick Faith
ATOMIC-GO-ROUND by Atomic Gaffer
UMBRELLAS by Nish Mip
THE DEEP by Blue Tsuki
NIGHT LIGHT by Alizarin Gldflake
ORGANIC RECURVE by Glyph Graves
JULIA'S MAGIC MIRROR - DEMON by Julez Odigaunt
THE SATIRICAL POLEMICIST by Eliza Wierwight
26 TINES by Bryn Oh
DRIFT by Maya Paris
SIERPINSKY SIEVE by Takni Miklos
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MachinimUWA III: Eric Boccara's 'Juroney'

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Eric Boccara's futuristic & atmospheric offering to MachionimUWA III: Journeys!

Entries to MachinimUWA III: Journeys, close on the 1st of May 2011

A PhiDesigns Machinima of Ginger Alsop's Aurora

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A Machinima featuring Ginger Alsop's 'Aurora', one of the works entered to the March Round of the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge

Iono Allen's Machinima of Misprint Thursday's Multi-Award Winner

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The brilliant Iono Allen interprets Misprint Thursday's Digital Glove, which swept the field with 4 major awards at the February Round of the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge.

2nd Prize Overall: (L$7,500), CARP Prize: (L$5,000), Tornado Gallery Prize (L$5,000), project Z Prize: (L$5,000) and direct entry to the Grand Finale Round!

UWA Arts Alumni Wins Academy Award!

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Shaun Tan at the Subiaco Library (photo: Frances Andrijich)

University of Western Australia (UWA) Bachelor of Arts Graduate, Shaun Tan, has won the 2011 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film!

Shaun won the Oscar for a 15-minute film based on his book The Lost Thing.

Multi-award winning Perth artist & sculpturist, Len Zuks who is also on the judging panel of UWA 3D Open Art Challenge, had the pleasure of helping hone Shaun's extraordinary talents in his formative years when Shaun attended gifted & talented arts classes in high school. "Wow Shaun, what an achievement. Recognition for your quirky and mischievous creative mind. As a student at Balcatta Special Arts Course, you were pretty quiet, but there was a smouldering strong core within you. In the passage of years since, you have released the magic to the world!"

Reflecting on the award, Shaun said, "How interesting it has been that an award like this makes one pause and reflect on a whole career history, from childhood to the present, which is not something I often do. It's a lot to think about: all the disparate influences, from high school art classes with inspiring tutors like Len, UWA academia, and years of pottering about in my parent's garage. At the end of the day, you're just trying to find the right personal path, but hey, quite unbelievable to find a gold statue suddenly appear in the middle of it!"

Kudos Shaun!
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MachinimUWA III: Soda Lemondrop's 'The Journey'

Soda Lemondrop's humourous Journey :)

Entries to MachinimUWA III: Journeys, close on the 1st of May 2011

Vale Sabrinaa Nightfire

Soror put it so well all we can do is quote her:
"Sabrinaa Nightfire started on the most transformational of journeys today when she left both SL and RL after a difficult illness."

We all leave traces behind and on Sunday 6th March Sabrinaa left RL but as you can see from what follows she left a great many traces behind in SL, in RL and on the web. Her art, her friendships and the many people she touched in her 3 years in SL are her living memorial.

UWA is proud to have in its growing collection several of her works - she entered the UWA 3D Art & Design Challenge first in November 2009 and her last entry was in the December round of the UWA 3DOpen Art Challenge

Sabrinaa's December 2010 entry at UWA: Stage 4. (Poseball has an angry animation)


UWA November 2010 entry: Green Peas and Magic Orange Orb



Sabrinaa's artist biography on Pirats site and a video of one of the many exhibitions Sabrinaa took part in - this one at Pirats in February of 2010 - Sabrinaa's flowers outside add a colourful accent to the white spaces. (provided by Newbab Zsigmond):




FreeWee Ling curator of the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge:

I knew Sabrinaa as a tirelessly enthusiastic friend of virtual art and a wonderful collaborator. She was always generous with her time, her talent, and her praise of others. When she liked someone, she'd do everything she could to support them. She did that with me and I saw her do that with others. I owe her a lot.

quadrapop Lane curator of the UWA 3D Art & Design Challenge:

I remember how excited I was when Sabrinaa asked me to contribute to the Future of Erato exhibition, she was helpful and encouraging. And then later to be involved in the one texture show seeing her handle seemingly with ease the difficulties of getting so many artists to work together. She again showed much enthusiasm when she was involved in the Cearleon Avatar Identity show. Her total involvement in the artistic process was at all times evident, such passion will be sorely missed.

Below are two of the now poignant pieces she entered in the July 2010 round of the UWA 3d Art & Design Challenge:

Wings of Hope, by Sabrinaa Nightfire

View from my Bedroom, by Sabrinaa Nightfire

The first pieces she entered in November 2009, Steam Powered Computer, and a bunch of her colourful flowers

Her entries in May 2010 are more characteristic of the colourful flower sculptures she has become known for:


On Bryn Oh's blog Bryn mentions a dual world memorial service to be held, many friends and colleagues have left comments there.

Sabrinaa's aunt Lelanda Lee posted about her here which includes a picture by Sabrinaa of her avatar seated on Stage 4.

Please share your memories of Sabrinaa and any links to articles and blogs about her or her work in the comments.

Our sympathy and best wishes go out to her family and friends in both worlds.

LEA & JARAPANDA TOPS AS MISPRINT & CHERRY GRAB 4 EACH

Lea Supermarine & Jarapanda Snook's amazing immersive work, The Rhythm of Mood grabbed top honours (L$10,000) for the February Round of the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge. In an incredible round, both Misprint Thursday's Digital Glove and Cherry Manga's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland which took 2nd & 3rd Prize overall, won a further 3 prizes each. Japan's Yooma Mayo took the Best Non-Scripted prize with Gecko on Gekko (moonlight). Full results follow.

(See FreeWee's full photo archive of all 79 entries.)

1st Prize: ($L10,000)
THE RHYTHM OF MOOD - Lea Supermarine & Jarapanda Snook
" I am still speechless, and did not expect this at all but glad that the judges felt it the way it was meant. Even in SL everyone has their own feelings and this was our way to show that... I am still a bit shaky", Lea Supermarine

2nd Prize: (L$7,500)
CARP Prize: (L$5,000)
Tornado Gallery Prize (L$5,000)
project Z Prize: (L$5,000)
DIGITAL GLOVE by Misprint Thursday

"It has been exciting to bridge music and video into my digital sculptures. I especially want to thank Sal Caruso who did the instrumental track and mixing of the song Digital Glove used in the sculpture.", Misprint Thursday

3rd Prize: (L$5,000)
BOSL Prize: (L$5,000)
Show & Tell @ Avaria Prize: (L$5,000)
People's Choice Award, 2nd Prize: (L$1,000)
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND by Cherry Manga
"Thanks a lot to everybody, I'm totally surprised and happy. Alice's adventures in wonderland is a book that can inspire any artist, and I'm honoured that my vision of Lewis Carroll's work pleased you.", Cherry Manga

Best Non-Scripted Entry: (L$5,000)
GECKO ON THE GEKKO (MOONLIGHT) by Yooma Mayo
UTSA Prize: (L$5,000)
SEED TOTEM by Jimmy Debruyere
SL Art Prize: (L$5,000)
People's Choice Award, 1st Prize: (L$2,500)
ALONE - SORROW TREE by Sharni Azalee
Odyssey Prize: (L$5,000)
S&S Gallery Prize (L$5,000)
THE MINOTAUR OF CARTON by Typote Beck
Pirats Prize: (L$5,000)
PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE by Silene Christen
Nordan Art Prize: (L$5,000)
SONIC SPACE OF SILENCE by ChapTer Kronfeld

"I did not think at all that this would win a prize. I enjoy my art in RL and SL. The process of art creation from the first little idea to the finished object, thats the greatest joy for me. Thus my enjoyment was so much greater today the second that i heard my name called, and I heard the title of my installation. At this moment while I say this, my feelings are at an all time high, far greater than this recognition"

The Workhouse & Art place d-oo-b Prize (L$5,000)
SHACKLING OF PREGNANT INCARCERATED WOMEN by Nino Vichan
"Im honored to receive this prize and through this prize and attention the important message my work is based on will reach a larger audience.", Nino Vichan

Curator's Choice Award (L$5,000):
CAMILLE CLAUDEL AND RODIN by Fiona Blaylock
"Little fish gets lucky in the big pond! Thank you so much, this is awesome... doing a happy dance" Fiona Blaylock

For those who are interested. Here is a summary of the announcements by Jayjay Zifanwe:

79 entries were received for the February round, spread out across this sim-wide 'Living Gallery'! It was also great to see so many new faces among the artists who submitted works for this round, with works coming in from Aletta Woodford, Aneli Abeyante, Cheyenne Palisades, Garnet Trilling, Ichtyo Broome, Nema Galicia, Secret Rage, Winter Ravenheart, Xenophile Neurocam, Ynot Fenua, Yooma Mayo and zephyru Zapedzki among others.

We have been through 16 monthly rounds since all this started in August 2009 and more than 400 artists have been involved, however only 2 have taken part in every single round ... the terrific twosome of soror Nishi and Jesse Keyes. Much thanks to you both!

It is important to me to also acknowledge everyone who did contribute over the month towards prizes across the year and the Grand Finale. Thank you Sasun Steinbeck, Suzanne Graves, Moeuhane Sandalwood, Harter Fall, EdwardIV Beaumont, Milly Sharple, ELLiebob Bean, Gumby Roffo, Accord Carling, Ichiko Miles, Cellandra Zon, Monarchy Republic, Fional Blaylock, cheerio (just cheerio ... never saw a name like this), Emsi Zobovic and Natsha Lemton.

As always I acknowledge the international connections made through SL, and up to now, the various challenges have seen artists, builders and machinimatographers hailing from Hungary, Latvia, Russia, Venezuela, Belgium, Mexico, Wales, Canada, the USA, the UK, Uruguay, Scotland,England, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, France, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Denmark, Holland, Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Cuba, Serbia, Tunisia, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. 6 of the 7 continents of the world represented.

At this point I would like for all of you to help me acknowledge the amazing work required to keep 'The UWA Living Gallery' going. Curator of the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge & Creator of gallery ....... FreeWee Ling.

As always many things happened since the last announcements.

We had Yesikita Coppola's official machinima of the January round winners.

We have also had a lot entries start to come in for MachinimUWA III: Journeys, including from Pia Klaar, Kobuk Farshore, Ed Vespucciano, Ginger Alsop, Myth Guyot & Lakshmi Giha, Anri Emerald, Delgado Cinquetti and AnimaTechnica Umbarundu. They are all posted on the UWA in Second Life Blog.

With this, the prize pool is more than a half million Linden prize pool. What the journey is will be left to the Machinimatographer. A journey through Second Life. A journey of self discovery. A journey within. A journey from SL too RL, or vice-versa. A journey through space, through time, a journey of hope, a journey of despair. Your own journey, or a journey by someone else seen through your eyes... or... through Second Life in 80 Days, whatever you can imagine.

Please do help spread the word to any colleagues you think could create something amazing. The deadline for this is the 1st of May 2011. Full detaills linked on the blog.

There was amazing news tied to the University of Western Australia's Centenary (100 Year Anniversary). A book of 100 Treasures of UWA has been released as part of celebrating 100 years since the act of parliament that caused the creation of UWA was signed in 1911. The 100 treasures were selected by the Centenary Planning Committee Chaired by Dr Sue Boyd.

What is amazing and thrilling to those involved in the UWA Second Life presence is that 'UWA in Second Life' has been selected as one of the 100 treasures! The feeling cannot be described. How the presence that was nothing before the 1st of June 2009 is now one of the 100 treasures spanning a century of history at UWA!

For UWA's full sim art series, I thank Blue Tsuki for his amazing show across the month of February, and welcome the Flowers of France, Anley Piers, Cherry Manga and Elfe Imako who have created 'Other World' for UWA's FULL SIM Art series for the month of March. I will leave it to them to let everyone know when the party is, and they did say they will have one soon. In the meantime, do visit and explore this amazing space. http://slurl.com/secondlife/UWA%20VIRTLANTIS/148/125/22

And incredibly over the past few days, we have had a 12th Group Award established. Much thanks to Zachh Cale, the project Z Prize (L$5,000) will be awarded every month beginning immediately!

I would like also to acknowledge the members of the UWA judging panel. On the panel were:
1. Professor Ted Snell (RL) - Director, Cultural Precinct, The University of Western Australia
2. John Barret-Lennard (RL) - Curator of the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, UWA
3. Raphaella Nightfire (SL) - Snr Writer Best of SL Magazine, Owner Sanctorum Gallery
4. Len Zuks (RL) - Award Winning West Australian Sculpturist
5. FreeWee Ling (SL) - Curator, UWA 3D Open Art Challenge
6. Laetitia Wilson (RL) - Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts, UWA
7. Lyn DiCiero (RL) - Editor, WA Artist's Chronicle
8. And paper shuffler extraordinaire ...... Yours Truly

Now for the winners.

First the People's Choice Awards. For this, we thank GeeJAnn Blackadder's scripting wizardry for creating the voting system. Voting was steady throughout the voting period, but it’s amazing how the final voting fell.

The People's Choice Award, where all of SL is invited to vote, carries a 1st ($L2,500) and a 2nd prize ($L1,000). Every month people tell us who hard it is to make selections, and this month was no different.

For the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD, 2nd prize (L$1,000) goes to:
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND by Cherry Manga

It was a very close thing, but the the winner for the FEBRUARY PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD (L$2,500) is:
ALONE - SORROW TREE by Sharni Azalee

Very strong in the voting (and in no particular order) were ....... Xenophile Neurocam's 'Chaotic Atomic', Lea Supermarine and Jarapanda Snook's 'Rhythm of Mood', typote Beck's 'Minotaur of carton', Fae Varialle's 'Steam Angel', Faery Sola's 'Unicorn', Nino Vichan's 'Shackling of Pregnant Incarcerated Women', Milly Sharple's 'Tripping the Light Fantastic' and Luko Enpch's 'Stand and Deliver the Universe'.

TWELVE Art Group Prizes of L$5,000 each have been awarded by the various judging panels for the JANUARY Round of the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge:

The SL Art Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Gleman Jun & Sunset Quinnell goes to:
ALONE - SORROW TREE by Sharni Azalee
PAID

The UTSA Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Dr Carmen Fies goes to:
SEED TOTEM by Jimmy Debruyere

The CARP Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Velasquez Bonnetto & Josina Burgess goes to:
DIGITAL GLOVE by Misprint Thursday

Commenting on the selection, the CARP panel offered, "It looks like every month the works are getting better, and for us its harder to make a desicion, we saw many pieces where the looks, the using of the scripts, the humor in it were really superb. We chose this month a work that was different from all others. Digital Glove, gets the CARP prize for best use of script, film and sound,complexity and build. Here the use of scripts, media and a hud, very complex but well organised and synchronised.

Next the joint Workhouse & Art Place d-o-o-b Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Astarte Haalan and Elfachfilm Vacirca goes to:
SHACKLING OF PREGNANT INCARCERATED WOMEN by Nino Vichan

The panel said, "Nino’s work exemplifies the new and unique technical possibilities of art in a virtual world while addressing social and political issues that are relevant and important in any world. A sense of pessimism superficially permeates the work, but only through works such as this can the reasons for that pessimism be understood and the ability to move beyond it become a plausibility. "


The Odyssey Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Fau Ferdinand & Lizsolo Mathilde goes to
THE MINOTAUR OF CARTON by Typote Beck

The Show & Tell @ Avaria Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Florenze Kerensky & Barney Boomslang goes to:
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND by Cherry Manga

The panel commented " Cherry's workmanship impressed us, this work is not just nice solid sculpt work but something really different. While the books give nice context to the scenes, you first think, "well, book with pictures" then your eyes catch the waterfall and draw you in and you see the 3d. Cherry presented her scene in a surprising, immersive way."

The BOSL Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Frolic Mills & Editorial Clarity goes to:
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND by Cherry Manga

this piece has won 2 Group prizes, meaning it goes straight to the Grand Finale Round and will remain on display all year!

The Nordan Art Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Flora Nordenskiold & Apmel Goosson goes to:
SONIC SPACE OF SILENCE by ChapTer Kronfeld

The Nordan panel, had this to say, "ChapTer Kronfeld's work "Sonic Space of Silence" is in a large black space with an opening. Before one enters, one is advised to activate the sound. Once inside, purple cubes with numbers start falling and hitting the ground. The sound is that of a choir of voices, seemingly in agony or pain. When one sits on one of the cubes, one becomes one with the interaction, cubes falling on top and all around. It seems the cubes never settle and since one is the part of the one cube, there is a sense of unease and constant movement. This multi-media experience is one of being part of a larger chaos. "

The Pirats Prize: (L$5,000) with a panel led by Merlina Rokocoko & Newbab Zsigmond goes to:
PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE by Silene Christen

The panel felt that Silene had created a true atmosphere within a simple build to keep her message on planned obsolescence intact.

The S&S Gallery OFA Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by TheDove Rhode goes to:
THE MINOTAUR OF CARTON by Typote Beck

another double winner, and so this qualifies directly to the Grand Finale

The Tornado Gallery Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Taralyn Gravois goes to:
DIGITAL GLOVE by Misprint Thursday

a 2nd group prize for the month! so again, this piece moves straight through to the Grand Finale round and will be on display till the end of the year!

And the NEW Award, the project Z Prize (L$5,000) with a panel led by Zachh Cale goes to:
DIGITAL GLOVE by Misprint Thursday

an unprecedented 3 Group Awards.

Next, in FreeWee's words:
""This month's Curator's Choice award goes to an artist who has a remarkable talent for extending her rl work into the virtual medium to create a hybrid that is greater than the sum of its parts. She makes otherwise two-dimensional images come alive with motion and sound and light."

FreeWee Ling's Curator's Choice Award (L$5,000) goes to:
CAMILLE CLAUDEL AND RODIN by Fiona Blaylock

Now for the Best Non-Scripted Imagine entry, with a prize of $L5,000. As far as non-scripted entries go, there were an amazing assortment of fine works to choose and they were really really different from each other this month. The pieces the panel were considering were so varied it was really hard to select, however we did mange to, and so the winner of the Best Non-Scripted Entry is:

GECKO ON THE GEKKO (MOONLIGHT) by Yooma Mayo

hailing from Atsuji, Japan, Yooma is the first prize winner from the Land of the Rising Sun!

Now for the top 3 Prizes. It was very hard for the groups to select only 1 prize. And although quite a number of groups had come to the same decision as some of the others, let me assure you it was unbelievably difficult to do.

3rd Prize (L$5,000) for the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge for FEBRUARY goes to:
ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND by Cherry Manga

Cherry takes home 4 awards for February, continuing her amazing run

2nd Prize (L$7,500) for the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge for FEBRUARY goes to:
DIGITAL GLOVE by Misprint Thursday

4 awards for Misprint as well.... incredible

Now to the winner of the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge for FEBRUARY, following in the footsteps of past champions Snubnose Genopeak, Glyph Graves, Atomic Gaffer, Fuschia Nightfire/Flivelwitz Alsop, Julez Odigaunt, FreeWee Ling, Bryn Oh, Nish Mip, Josina Burgess, Cherry Manga, Igor Ballyhoo and Suzanne Graves.

It is with great pleasure that we announce that the Winner of 1st Prize (L$10,000) for the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge for February 2011 is:
THE RHYTHM OF MOOD by Lea Supermarine & Jarapanda Snook

John Barret-Lennard, curator of the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery @ UWA, speaking on behalf of the committee said, "The Rythm of Mood was commended by the judges for its ambition, scale and sophistication. It succeeds in conveying mood and pyschological state in well resolved environments. The artist has created a complex series of spaces, and uses all the possibilities of the medium as a powerful expressive tool. The creative use of immersive enviroments in this work allows expression of ideas and emotions in ways that would be difficult to achieve in any other medium-it uses the unique qualites of the virtual space in exemplary ways, and produces a genuinely engaging result."

Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to all the artists who have entered the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge. We are officially receiving artworks for MARCH, so please do send in your entries as soon as possible.

And remember, entries for MACHNIMUWA III: JOURNEYS and MACHINIMUWA IV : The 2nd Art of the Artists are most welcome. Do tell your machinimatographer colleagues that any of the artworks here across the year can be featured in the latter.