In Focus: The Freedom Project and Virtual Ability

The Freedom Project…Art focused on Ability and Disability in the Modern Age

The Freedom Project..a new art theme at the UWA virtual campus in Second Life. The kickoff ceremony opened up at 7pm SLT SLT on September 1^st at the UWA auditorium. The Freedom Project logo was designed by the brilliant Eliza Wierwight, who was among the attendees at the ceremony that night.

Jayjay Zifanwe started the opening ceremony for the Freedom Project; he was joined by Gentle Heron, Dianne Elton, and UWA curator FreeWee Ling.

Jayjay’s opening remarks were welcoming and very enthusiastic. “Greetings everyone and welcome to the University of Western Australia, or UWA ash she is known…I don’t think I have ever held a launch event before, aside from when UWA itself launched in Second Life in 2009, however this event is a really important one and we are having an event launch which isn’t what we have been doing with our recent art & film events.”

This event is co-organized by UWA, Virtual Ability, and Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses. Gentle Heron is co-founder of Virtual Ability and the person I am interviewing in this blog article for UWA blog.

Gentle Heron up on stage at the Freedom Project opening ceremony

 How long has Virtual Ability been around? What is the goal of the organization?

GH: The SL Virtual Ability community has been inworld since 2007. Our community mission is to enable people with a wide range of disabilities by providing a supporting environment for them to enter and thrive in online virtual worlds like Second Life.

What typically goes on in the Peer support groups?

GH: Peer support groups vary widely! We have identified over 120 different ones in SL. Posters with information about them line the Path of Support, on Healthinfo Island. If there is such a thing as a “typical” peer support group, it offers information, assistance, encouragement and friendship (support) within a group of people who share certain characteristics (peers). Most peer support groups in SL have a single focus on a chronic illness or disabling condition. Virtual Ability is a cross-disability peer support community, with ¾ of our members having one or more disabling conditions (physical, mental, emotional, developmental, or sensory). The other ¼ of our members are parents, children, spouses, friends, caregivers, medical professionals, researchers, or others interested in disability issues.

How many sims does Virtual Ability own? What is the purpose of each one?

GH: Our two main public islands are Virtual Ability and Healthinfo Island. Virtual Ability hosts a public New Resident Orientation Center that is designed to meet the needs of many people with disabilities. But because it was built on the principles of Universal Design and the theory of andragogy, it works well for everyone. In fact, many professors bring their classes into Second Life through the Virtual Ability website ( www.virtualability.org ), since our orientation is award-winning and safe. Virtual Ability island also has a large accessible auditorium and a couple of classrooms.

Healthinfo Island is, as the name suggests, a place to access information about health and wellness. In addition to displays and exhibits on varied topics, the Path of Support shows peer support organizations in SL. We also have a Farmers Market and Herb Garden to encourage good nutrition, a Health and Wellness Pavilion to exercise in and learn healthful life skills, a Consumer Health Library with links to useful resources a cozy reading room where you can sit and think about all you’ve learned.

Our two residential islands are Cape Able and Cape Serenity. Cape Able hosts our art gallery, featuring artworks by artists with disabilities; Cape Serenity has our library of works by authors with disabilities, classic and contemporary. The art gallery and library are public; the residences are private.

We also have several islands related to project work that we’ve undertaken with universities.

Virtual Ability Main Sim
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Virtual%20Ability/128/128/24

Who is the founder of Virtual Ability? How many seek help approximately each year? What is the trend…are more or less seeking help since the first year?

GH: I founded the group that eventually became Virtual Ability with a couple of online friends. We now number over 800 members in our community, and more continue to join every week. As the group grows, we can offer more activities for our members, reflecting the diversity of our community membership.

Gentle, what is your role in Virtual Ability? How did Virtual Ability help you? I understand that you have a disability yourself?

GH: I am the president of the RL nonprofit corporation, Virtual Ability, Inc., which supports our work in Second Life as the Virtual Ability community.  I have multiple sclerosis and don’t get out of my house to work or volunteer or socialize as I once did. Being part of a virtual community fills so many of my social needs.

What is your education background and work experience from real life? How does your life experience help you at Virtual Ability? How has Virtual Ability improved your overall quality of life in either real life or second life?

GH: I am a former educator and education researcher, until I was sidelined by multiple sclerosis. It’s pretty obvious from how I plan and deliver presentations that I’m a former teacher. But I have gotten to take on other roles within Virtual Ability that probably would not have happened in my life outside the virtual world.

What do you enjoy most about working with others in the community? What do you dislike most from your time spent working with others and being in the community?

GH: I enjoy meeting people from all over the world, and perhaps offering them assistance or support if that is what they are seeking. What do I dislike? Would you believe there are people in SL who fake being disabled, or are here to prey on our need to socialize?

How can people help Virtual Ability to continue to help those who need it?

GH: Probably the best thing people can do to help Virtual Ability is to let others know about it. Our membership grows mainly by word of mouth.

Does Virtual Ability host yearly events?

GH: Yes in fact we have one of our annual professional conferences coming up Sept. 27/28. That one is the International Disability Rights Affirmation Conference (IDRAC). You can see a preliminary line-up of presenters here: http://blog.virtualability.org/  We also have an annual Mental Health Symposium in the spring.

Who approached you to help with the Freedom Project? How did you hear about it?

GH: I’ve known JayJay for a while in SL, and he approached me.

What is your hope about the Project?

GH: I suspect this will be a great way to showcase some of the positive side of SL. (The negative side promotes itself well enough already.) I think it’s a good way to show people with disabilities other options for them than sitting home or lying in bed staring at the walls.

What are you hoping to see or looking for in the art and machinima?

GH: I know I will be pleasantly surprised at the many ways people choose to portray “freedom.” I also know that this art is not virtual; it’s quite real, as are the messages being delivered through it.

To learn more about Virtual Ability and see the headquarters, the ride is here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Virtual%20Ability/128/128/23

Coming soon...my interview with Dianne Elton. Stay tuned!

Have fun and enjoy the art!

- Victoria Lenoirre

The Art of Virtual Reality @ University of Massachusetts, Lowell

The Art of Virtual Reality:
UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center May 11th 2013 

Part 1 Jay Jay Jegathesan (Jayjay Zifanwe) & Bryn Oh 

The Art of Virtual Reality a presentation on 3D Virtual Environments and how professionals around the world use this platform to promote their real life work or start new ones.

Hosted Live by Sophia Yates at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center on on May 11th 2013 and broadcasted live by AviewTV.com by Petlove Petshop & Emmo Wei in association with LaPiscean Liberty & Secret Rage. 

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Treet TV Feature on Art & Film at UWA

Treet TV & Prim Perfect have produced a beautiful feature through 'Designing Worlds' on art & film at UWA, featuring some of the wonderful artworks by FreeWee Ling, Glyph Graves, soror Nishi, Romy Nayar, Krystali Rabeni, Shenn Coleman and Sharni Azalee, along with machinima by Vilvi Rae and Chic Aeon.

Centum in the Artists Chronicle

 The latest copy of the West Australia Artists Chronicle (Issue 152 Sept/Oct 2013) carries an article featuring Len Zuks and the UWA Centum created for the centenary of the university.

The small part played by UWA SL founder is also mentioned in the story. Further the story on the right includes Professor Ted Snell who inspired the start of the UWA journey into virtual art.

The Centum has now been recreated in Sl by UWA curator of Virtual Arts, FreeWee Ling as below.

FreeWee Ling & Len Zuks @ UWA

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The Freedom Project (An initiative by UWA, Virtual Ability & the Centre for ME/CFS)

Poster Credit: Eliza Wierwight

 A launch event for The Freedom Project was held at the UWA Art Gallery on the 1st of September 2013. As below are full details on the event itself, a recounting of the announcements during the launch by  the organizers, Jay Jay Jegathesan (SL: Jay Jay Zifanwe), Gentle Heron, Dianne Elton and FreeWee Ling, as well as detailed entry instructions at the bottom.

THE FREEDOM PROJECT: A 2D/3D ART & FILM EVENT
(L$670,000 in sponsorship thus far)

OVERVIEW
The Freedom Project is a 2D/3D Art & Film Event organized jointly by the University of Western Australia, along with members of the Virtual Ability group, and the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses* group in Second Life. We are calling for artists and film makers from all over the world who self-identify as having a disability or a chronic illness, to create an artwork or a film/machinima on the theme of ‘Freedom’, showing how virtual worlds have in some way helped them or those around them.

Films and artwork can be submitted anytime between the 1st of September 2013 and the 28th of February 2014. Artwork should have no more than 200 prims, and films should be around 3-5 minutes (though no hard limits on film length will be enforced). Artwork will go on display immediately at the UWA Virtual Gallery, and films will be put on the UWA Second Life Blog (www.uwainsl.blogspot.com)

THEME
The theme is ‘FREEDOM’, and we would like to show artworks and films that represent how the virtual world has helped you or those around you.

WHY THIS THEME?
Along with your entry, we would like you (optionally) to tell us in 100-300 words how the virtual world has assisted you and/or those around you, has helped create community, or has helped you to transcend difficulties and challenges real life has posed. At the end of the event, some submissions will be selected by a panel to go into a journal to be available on the web and in print. We hope that the journal, along with all the artwork, machinima, and stories, will inspire others, and will demonstrate how virtual worlds can be used to help some people who may have had difficulties finding other means to express themselves, to believe in themselves more, or to connect with others.

IS THIS A COMPETITION?
No.  However as a token of our appreciation, the organizers are providing a L$10,000 award to 10 artworks or films (to be selected by a panel). 25 selected artists will also receive a printed copy of the online journal. If more funding is secured, we hope to extend this benefit to all artists selected for the journal. (Films/machinima will be depicted with stills and a link).

*If you are not creating an artwork or machinima, but do have an inspirational personal story to share on how the virtual world has helped you overcome some difficulties faced because of a disability or a chronic illness, do send it in as well. We will try and share your stories with as many people as we can

SPONSORS & PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
UWA would like to thank Gentle Heron and members of the executive team of Virtual Ability, Inc., as well as Dianne Elton and the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses for their guidance, support and advice. Also many thanks to co-sponsors Eliza Wierwight, who also created the poster for this event,  David Doyle & Simone Flavelle of DADAA's stARTSPEAK Project, Tom Papas & Screen My Shorts Inc. (Sydney), West Australian artist, Len Zuks,  Beverley Hill of UWA's Equity & Diversity Office, Craig MacKenzie and Deborah Bolton of UniPrint and TheDove Rhode of Peace is A Choice Gallery. We thank Taralyn Gravois, who will be assisting with the filming and creation of video in support of the event. We thank AviewTV and LaPiscean Liberty, who will provide live streaming assistance for events and hosting of machinima submissions. We thank Eleanor Medeir and The Sim Street Journal as well as Kit Guardian and Guardian 11:11 for their multifaceted commitment towards the event as well.We also thank  iMoogi TV (imoogi.tv) and Nu Vibez Magazine (nuvibezmag.com) led by Filipa Thespian who will be providing, iMoogi.TV prime channel distribution on iMoogi.tv's network, along with write-ups in Nu Vibez Magazine of selected submissions.

Launching 'The Freedom Project' (Photo Credit - Victoria Lennoire)

FOR ANYONE INTERESTED, FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE LAUNCH EVENT AS FOLLOWS (DETAILED ENTRY SUBMISSION DETAILS AT THE END)



Welcome by Jay Jay Jegathesan, 
Manager, School of Physics & Leader of UWA Virtual World Projects

Greetings everyone, and welcome to the University of Western Australia, or UWA as she is known. As is tradition at UWA, I would like to acknowledge that the University is situated on Nyoongar land and that the Nyoongar people remain the spiritual and cultural custodians of their land and continue to uphold their values, languages, beliefs and knowledge.

I dont think I have ever held a launch event before, aside from when UWA itself launched in Second Life in 2009, however this event is a really important one, and we are having an event launch which isnt what we have done with our recent art & film events.

For this event, UWA would like to thank our co-organisers, Gentle Heron and members of the executive team of Virtual Ability, Inc., as well as Dianne Elton and the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses.

Up to now, this event has L$350,000 in sponsorship, and I want to acknowledge co-sponsors Eliza Wierwight, who also created the beautiful poster for this event, Tom Papas & Screen My Shorts Inc. (Sydney), West Australian artist, Len Zuks and Beverly Hill of UWA's Equity & Diversity Office. We thank Taralyn Gravois, who will be assisting with the filming and creation of video in support of the event. We thank AviewTV and LaPiscean Liberty, who will provide live streaming assistance for events and the hosting of machinima submissions. We also thank Eleanor Medeir and The Sim Street Journal for their multifaceted commitment towards the event. Also Professor Ted Snell, Chairman of Visual Arts for the Australia Council, and Director of UWA's Cultural precinct, who pointed us to the theme for this event.

So what exactly is this event?

THE FREEDOM PROJECT is a 2D/3D  art & film event,  organized jointly by the University of Western Australia, along with members of the Virtual Ability group, and the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses group in Second Life. We are calling for artists and film makers from all over the world who self-identify as having a disability or a chronic illness, to create an artwork or a film/machinima on the theme of ‘Freedom’, showing how virtual worlds have in some way helped them or those around them.

WHY THIS THEME? Well, along with the entry, we would like you, the artist (if willing) to share your inspirational story in a few hundred words  how the virtual world has assisted you and/or those around you, has helped create community, or has helped you to transcend difficulties and challenges real life has posed. At the end of the event, some submissions will be selected by a panel to go into a journal to be available on the web and in print. We hope that the journal, along with all the artwork, machinima, and stories, will inspire others, and will demonstrate how virtual worlds can be used to help some people who may have had difficulties finding other means to express themselves, to believe in themselves more, or to connect with others.

OK, before saying anything else, I'll hand the floor to Dianne Elton, one of the co-organisers, representing the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses Group.

Dianne Elton
Representing the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses
 Hello everyone, I am very happy to be part of the organising committee of this wonderful project. I am delighted that people with illness and disabilities are being acknowledged in this way. Having ones work displayed at U.W.A, a premier art destination of SL, and also having a book produced of this exhibition is most heartening.  I thank the other organisers, Jayjay, Freewee and Gentle and all the very generous sponsors, for this wonderful initiative. 

I am a member of the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses.  M.E. is the acronym for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and CFS is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  These are called invisible illnesses and disabilities, because sufferers may, at first sight, appear to be well. We may not know that the sufferer may be so sick they are housebound, which means they cannot leave the house without assistance.  Many ME sufferers are also bed bound, they are so severely ill. At the centre, we hold guided relaxation sessions to help people cope with symptom management, pain and anxiety.  A group also meets once a week to discuss research into the illness and to provide companionship for fellow sufferers. There is also a gallery of creative works all done by fellow sufferers, which is an inspiration to all of us.

The Freedom Art Project invites people with illness and disabilities not only to showcase their art, but to share how SL may perhaps provide opportunities not available to them in real life. In my own case, being housebound, SL has extended my social world exponentially.  I now have many friends right around the world. No longer able to attend art galleries, I was delighted to find I could come to UWA and enjoy stunning innovative art without leaving my bed. My illness has taken away many activities I used to do in real life but as I don't have to leave my bed, I can do things in SL including attending and facilitating bookclubs. meditation and guided relaxation sessions and I can even go dancing with hubby!

This is how SL gives me “freedom”. Freedom to be active within the limitations of my health. Freedom to interact with others from the confines of my house. I am really looking forward to seeing the artworks produced for this event and to learning how sl might give others "FREEDOM". 
FreeWee Ling
UWA Curator of Virtual Arts
UWA has a distinguished history of presenting the best in virtual arts and machinima. Our programs are open to all who wish to participate. The highly prestigious 3D art competitions attract the most experienced and best known artists working in SL, as well as relative noobies. All entries are given equal attention and no prerequisite qualifications are required as long as entries meet the technical and thematic requirements of the particular event.

In my experience as curator, I have often found that the most highly rated entries are not by the best known artists, or even by the most technically skilled, but are rather those that are best able to powerfully convey an idea, message, or emotional response. So we welcome everyone to give it a shot. At the very least, this is a great opportunity to have your efforts seen in a reputable venue by people who appreciate good work. I encourage you to study the entries in the current show you see here to get inspiration.

While this is not a competition, there will be a panel in rl and SL who will select a representative collection of entries to be included in an exhibition catalog to be published both online and in a small run of printed copies.

The catalog will include images of the 3D and 2D art, and still frames from machinima entries. It will also include the text you provide with your entries. Please note that we are asking for TWO written elements:

1. The Artist's Notecard form is required information to submit with your entry. It asks for your name, the name of your entry, a brief summary description of your entry, and your rl location (optional). There is a copy of the form in the general information notecard.

2. Along with your entry, we would like you (optionally) to tell us in 100-300 words how the virtual world has assisted you and/or those around you, has helped create community, or has helped you to transcend difficulties and challenges real life has posed.

Through the generosity of our sponsors, at least 10 of the entries will be selected to receive cash awards and a printed copy of the catalog. These benefits may be expanded, depending on the number and quality of the entries, and the addition of more sponsors. You can see an online collection of exhibition catalogs from our previous events on the UWA blog site at: http://uwainsl.blogspot.com/p/uwa-siva.html

The technical parameters for FREEDOM are described in the official notecard and web page. Please let me know if you have questions about any of the details. I can also consult with you on script, lighting, or media issues.
 

Gentle Heron
Representing the Virtual Ability Group
I want to thank JayJay, Dianne, FreeWee, and UWA for the opportunity they are offering to people in the many disability communities in Second Life to share what this virtual environment means to us.

Most people don’t realize that there are over 120 peer support communities for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses in SL. Just in English! More in other languages.

I love the theme of “Freedom.” It is such a great choice to explain the use of virtual worlds by persons with chronic illnesses and disabilities.

Research recently published by Loyola Marymount University showed that simply being in SL for 3 months, with no formal treatment, improved 6 measures of social and emotional wellness for persons with significant disabilities. 

This project will show how that improvement works for the artists who enter. I am looking forward to seeing the art that will be created for this event. Thank you.

Left to Right: The Organising Committee - Gentle Heron, FreeWee Ling, Dianne Elton & Jayjay (Photo: V.Lennoire)

Jay Jay Concluding Remarks
OK... to wrap things up, I just want to state again, this is an art & film event, and not a competition as we normally hold,  however as a token of our appreciation, the organizers are providing a L$10,000 award to 10 artworks or films (to be selected by a panel). The selected artists will also receive a printed hard copy of journal that will be produced to show all the artworks and the inspirational stories of the artists and filmmakers. If more funding is secured, we hope to extend this benefit to all artists selected for the journal. Films/machinima will be depicted in the journal with stills and a link

One final thing.... the creations do not have to be created in isolation or alone.... submissions can be collaborations so long as the project leader or primary driving force behind the creation is clear. The extent of collaboration & assistance by others should be detailed in the notecard along with the submission, and credit given as appropriate

And with all that said... The Freedom Project is Officially Open!

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DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF HOW TO SUBMIT ENTRIES INCLUDING TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS BELOW

ESSENTIALS:
•    Artwork and film entries should reflect the theme ‘Freedom’, and should attempt to show how the virtual world has helped or how it could help.
•    We would appreciate an accompanying notecard with descriptions of how the virtual world has inspired something positive.
•    This event is open to all who identify as having a disability or a chronic illness (of any nature).
•    A maximum of 2 entries per artist for the art event with a 200 prim limit per artwork. (See details below.)
•    A maximum of 3 entries per artist for film/machinima (preferred length between 3-5 minutes).
•   Entries will be received beginning 1 September 2013 until 28 February 2014. (Note that the earlier work is submitted, the longer it will be on view.)

TO ENTER:
Place the artwork in the receiver (drop box) for the Freedom Project at the UWA Art Challenge platform, along with a completed Artist’s Notecard form.  (No perms required, but copy is appreciated if possible.) If you have problems with the receiver, you may give artwork directly to FreeWee Ling or Jayjay Zifanwe along with the notecard.
CLICK HERE TO TP TO THE RECEIVER
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ADDITIONAL HELP (HOW TO USE THE ENTRY RECEIVER)
If you have difficulties following the receiver box procedure, you give your entries directly to FreeWee Ling or Jayjay Zifanwe.Be sure to include your name in the filenames for both your art entry and your notecard.

To submit art entries, visit the UWA 3D Gallery platform and drop your entry and notecard in the receiver. You do this by selecting the entry in your inventory (left mouse button) and then pressing CTRL. While holding down that key, drag the entry onto the prim of the receiver. When the cursor is over the poster (red outlines should appear around the receiver box), release your left mouse button and the item is received. Do this for BOTH your entry and your notecard.
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DETAILED RULES
1) Any artworks/objects can be submitted. They can be inanimate or have animation. They may contain scripts if you so choose. Maximum script time of 0.5ms, and anything that runs at over 0.05ms is to have an on/off on touch with time-out of 10 minutes max. (If you are unsure of your piece's script load, please contact one of the Challenge hosts to have it evaluated.) 200 prims/land impact maximum, INCLUDING temporary prims, or prims set to physics type “convex hull” or “none”. (Note that for purposes of this exhibition, we count actual prims OR land impact, whichever is higher.)
2) Please note that the use of local lights and sounds in your artwork may limit our ability to display it without interfering with other entries. We do not restrict their use, but we may have to put your work on a separate platform with a tp from the gallery floor.
3) Your art entry is not limited in size except to the extent that there is space on the sim to accommodate it without interfering with other exhibits or the normal operation of UWA programs. Media parcels may be defined under the same conditions. Please contact JayJay Zifanwe or FreeWee Ling if you have any special requirements for the installation of an artwork.
4) Note that by submitting an entry, you give permission to the University of Western Australia to place the objects anywhere on UWA owned land, and to have information you provide and images of the entries published in print and/or electronic form, and placed on UWA websites, and on websites promoting UWA or events held on the UWA SIMS, or to be filmed for machinima.
5) All work must be original.  Renderings of works by others, in part or in whole, whether or not they are under copyright, should be acknowledged and permissions secured when appropriate. This includes use of prefabricated parts, scripts, and textures. (A full accounting is not required, but you should acknowledge the fact if all parts of your work are not completely original.)
6) A valid entry is any object dropped onto the contest entry receiver that fits the theme and conforms to technical limits.
7) Do entries have to done without any assistance? No. Your submissions can be collaborations so long as the project leader or primary driving force behind the creation is clear. The extent of collaboration & assistance by others should be detailed in the notecard along with the submission, and credit given as appropriate
8) All entrants are encouraged to join the 'UWA 3D ART AND DESIGN CHALLENGE’ Group (not compulsory). To join, copy and paste the following link into local chat, then click to join the group: secondlife:///app/group/cad9c421-8b96-f9c1-fb40-dade48c43fe4/about
9) All questions should be directed to FreeWee LIng or JayJay Zifanwe.

*The Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses provide resources, support and guided relaxation sessions, for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Gulf War Syndrome, and other invisible illnesses.  They host general and research discussions once a week on Mondays at 6pm Pacific Standard Time, and guided relaxation sessions every day, twice a day, at 8am and 8pm (Pacific Standard Time), in the Centre to help people manage their illness.  This Centre is open to all and all are welcome, including anyone with an illness, their families and carers to meet here and help each other. The Centre is located in Curtin University in Second Life.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bentley%20South/118/74/28

LEA FULL SIM ART SERIES (SEPT): Secret Rage's 'Commonalities'

The September round of the LEA FULL SIM ART SERIES sees Secret Rage at the helm with 'Commonalities'.  A full list of the Series 3 offerings for the LEA FULL SIM ART SERIES can be found on the blog: LEA FULL SIM ART SERIES (click here for full year schedule). 

GRAND OPENING: 11AM SLT 7th SEPT
LOCATION: HERE ON LEA 6 
MUSIC & SONG:  Hear the original music of Mr. Pol Arida followed by singer/songwriter Mr. Neal Hoffmann at noon SLT

In Secret's words:

"All we hear about in the news today is the differences between countries, between cultures, between people...and how they each make this world a difficult place in which to live. It is true~ we are not all the same..not in geography,ethnicity or lifestyles~ BUT ~ for all of our differences...we are still more ALIKE than we are NOT.  Therefore, I choose not to focus on those differences.  Although some of the pieces in this show may not VISUALLY apply to everyone, the idea behind them likely does.  COMMONALITIES celebrates the things that make us a collective family...some joyous, some sad, some normal~ but every day things~ in all, they are a part of being  HUMAN and things to which we can all relate ."

On Eddie Haskell
Virtual Outworlding
Cyberstar
SL Newser
Virtual Real Blog

The Freedom Project - Event Launch: 7PM SLT Sunday 1st Sept

(Poster Credit: Eliza Wierwight)

THE FREEDOM PROJECT LAUNCH

WHEN: 7PM SLT SUNDAY 1ST SEPT 

WHERE: UWA VIRTUAL ART GALLERY HERE

THIS EVENT IS ORGANIZED IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE VIRTUAL ABILITY GROUP AND THE CENTRE FOR ME/CFS AND OTHER INVISIBLE ILLNESSES

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Oculus Rift in SL

Cross posting on my personal blog:

Yay! First one on my block to use the Oculus Rift in SL. Like most people who got the device, I was waiting for the announcement that LL had their project viewer ready. It's supposed to be ready "late summer", but we all know how that goes. In the meantime David Rowe (Second Life: Strachan Ofarrel ), an independent developer, has announced the release of his alpha CtrlAltStudio Viewer with basic support for Rift.

You've seen the hype, and it is indeed an exciting technology. But before you run out and plunk down your $300US for the Rift beta device, remember it's still in development. (I got mine with the assistance of UWA as a research fellow.) There's very little tech support and it's really intended for people who want to develop software for the device so they'll be ready when the thing actually hits Amazon. I've heard several casual discussions with people finding the experience a bit disorienting. A number of people experiencing motion sickness. And while I'm not normally sensitive to such things, I have to say that after 15 minutes or so I was definitely feeling a bit queasy. I don't know if that will improve with use.

The good, the not so good.

Getting the device to work with my PC was a challenge. I have 3 monitors and my first attempt to plug in the Rift in place of one of the secondary monitors (HDMI) failed. After some fiddling, I managed to get it running from the other secondary port (DVI). There are some funky things about setting the viewer to full screen when it's on a monitor you can't actually see, but I finally got it running. Don't ask me for help. I'm no expert.

So what you really want to know is what it's like, right? Well, it's... different.. lol. Running the Rift demo was fascinating. The hardest thing there was that your arrow keys (oh, don't forget you're still tethered to the keyboard and mouse for navigation) the arrow keys move you in absolute directions. They do not turn you. In the normal SL viewer, you hit the right arrow and the world rotates around your avatar so you're still facing forward. In Rift, if you want to turn, you have to turn your head. If you want to go south, you have to turn in that direction. (An argument for wireless.) So your inner ears are swinging around and moving, not just your eyes. In the CAS viewer for SL. you still turn with your arrows, but you now have the freedom to move your head to look around, which is very cool.
Not sure if there's a 3rd person mode on this. When I tried it, I had no visible body. It is profoundly immersive. You walk up to someone and you're at eye level looking at them in a very natural way. It's even a bit disconcerting. The sense of really being in a 3D space is amazing.

The biggest disappointment for me was resolution. Even in their demo, the details like leaves in the trees had some odd parallax effect that made them appear to shimmer unnaturally. In SL I had all my settings pushed to max. Advanced lighting, antialiasing, etc., which I often do anyway, especially when taking pictures. But there was a lack of smoothness in the image quality that I am accustomed to. Not sure if it was just parallax adjustment. I may need to adjust the width of the screen spacing in the Rift. I'm pretty significantly farsighted, but focus did not seem to be a problem at all for me. I was worried about that. (The device comes with a couple of other sets of lenses for nearsighted people.)

So anyway, I think it's very cool, but at this point I wouldn't call it a game changer. I'll be  very interested when LL comes out with their project viewer. It could be interesting if the UI is available to do building while wearing it. And I plan to try this out on some of the Unity-based games, which I understand are a bit more fully developed.

Victoria Lenoirre's review of LEA 6 Full Sim, Mitosis by DaveSearbyMason Resident

It's the last month of summer for many living in North America, and it is sad to see summer go. Not to worry, there is a brand new installation at LEA 6 this month....Mitosis by DaveSearbyMason Resident.

The grand opening was on August 6th at noon GMT.

Dave said of his work:

“The piece is called 'Mitosis'  and was inspired  by cell division and by the beauty of transparent deep sea creatures. 

When visiting, please enable all media.  Many of the pieces carry their own sound, designed to be heard as you walk through them, or as they swim through you.  Sadly, objects carrying their own sound in SL seem to be fixed at quite a low volume, so, you will need to turn up your local volume control to hear what is going on.  It is designed to be seen at 'sunset' environment setting but seeing it at 'midnight' offers something too.

There are three levels you can 'walk' on (1) below sea level', (2) human height and (3) light level. These can reached by teleporting or by flying.  You arrive at below sea level.  These three levels might represent stages of progress, but then again, who is saying one is more advanced or better than another?”

At the landing point of Mitosis

The landing point is in a glass box. There is a gap between the walls allowing you walk out and into open space. In the open space, you will collide with free roaming cells. Upon collision, they emit sounds.  The textures are animated and so bright and vibrant. The higher up you fly, the more complex the cells get.

The first level is sparse and basic. The floor looked a bit dull and it felt very dark. The windlight is one of the night ones.

Human height, the second level is more colorful and full. There were more cells and it was more interactive.

Light level is around 90m up and it's the most complicated and most colorful level. 

Light Level of Mitosis

This is a wondrous sim to explore and I of course came up with many questions for Dave. Below I have posted my exchange with him. He was very kind.

Hello Victoria

replies below . . . . . . .

 Is this your first avatar in SL?
 ----no.  I have had perhaps 4 accounts spread over the last 3 years.  Each time before, I closed an account and started all over again.  I found it an interesting challenge, working out what an on-line identity should be for me.  I feel I may have found the right set up this time.  I will send you something I wrote about on-line identities, in case it is of interest.

 How did you hear about SL?
------ I have had an interest in digital matters for about 30 years so I joined SL when it began.  However, I did not like the interface and the poor graphics at that time.  On a whim, I looked again 3 years  ago and was pleased at how it has come on.  The lag and regular crashing drive me nuts though . . . .

 Is this your first art installation in SL?
--------It is my first for LEA.  There was an earlier effort that no longer exists.  There is a a film of it here :
 http://vimeo.com/58697428

  
 What windlight did you use for your LEA 6 gallery?
 ------- I did not set one up, just relying on people to use Sunset and Midnight environment settings.  I do like the windlight function; the Alpha Tribe use it very well.

 What art do you specialize in?
-------------- I do not see myself as an artist so to think in terms of specialising feels a bit grand for me but I love many kinds.  Big influences are mandalas of Buddhist art, 60s psychedelia, Max Ernst and Art Deco.  There are examples of some of my doodling here :
 http://vimeo.com/searby
there are some "galleries" on film there of earlier musings

  Do you like a lot of science based art, either real or sci fi? There are a lot of sci-fi art works in SL. It's really fascinating.
 ------ I am indeed a Sci Fi fan, William Gibson, Bladerunner and the Matrix films are big influences.  I very much admire many things in SL and often wander round Insilico.  I was sad to note that Pteron Pteron has gone.
  
  Why did you choose Mitosis? 
 -------- I am interested in the relationship between very small and very big things. Cell division and deep sea creatures catch my eye when ever I am roaming on You Tube

In the level with those faces, who are those men?
 ------ vanity vanity !   they are me

Thanks so much. I'll let you know if I have more questions.
------ please feel free.  I have no computer at present so have to borrow one from a friend.  I use and SL app on an iPad to keep in touch, so I will get back to you whenever I can

Dave

Thank you so much, Dave! Keep up the creativity!

You are invited to visit anytime. The Mitosis awaits!

Have fun and enjoy the art!

-Victoria Lenoirre

Video of UWA Grand Finale Announment Ceremony (Condensed Version)

UWA 2013 Award Ceremony from Petlove on Vimeo.

The above video is with much thanks to the Aview TV team of Lapiscean Liberty, Secret Rage, Emmo Wei  & Petlove Petshop.

Full report on proceedings of the day with Vilvi Rae & Glyph Graves taking top honours can be found HERE.

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