 |
| Receiving award from Prof Donghun Chung, one of the session chairs |
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
SL Paper Wins Award at International Conference
Sunday, October 20, 2013
LEA6 Review of Rebecca Bashly's Colour Key by Victoria Lenoirre
Hello, hello all you art lovers and art creators! I just wanted to share with you all my impressions about this months LEA Full Sim, Colour Key by Rebeca Bashly!
The landing pad is a long, wide wooden platform that is over 300m above the ground, so don't look down! You'll need to step up the ramp to get to the next platform. This is the meat grinder. From the next platform, you just have to jump onto an old, iron key.
Instead of landing on a platform on the same level, I found myself plummeting to a lower level. It just happened so fast. Then I'm in an open room and I see two statues. Rebecca is renown for her human figures. She just knows how to depict the human body in a beautiful (in a dark, unconventional sense), intriguing way.
Some meters away from the statues is another iron key. This one will teleport you further down. Another indication that you are going down is that the keys are pointing downwards.
Then you should see box on a round base. You have to sit on the box and start walking. You'll walk past a light bulb on a pole. Where's the lamp shade? You walk on. Up a few steps you will climb. Notice anything unusual as you climb? The steps lead up to a narrow doorway. Through the doorway you are led to more stairs. Continue walking and you come to a room with a checkered floor and what looks like a clay medusa head. The lips and the skin around the eyes is red. The hair looks like hair instead of snakes but the style of her hair just seemed reminiscent of the gorgon Medusa from ancient Greek mythology.
The next key will take you down to another room where you see four figures carrying large keys on their back or dragging it behind them by a chain. One large key lies in front of them. The cracked marble floor contrasts with the rustiness of the keys. Their skin matches the floor, a sort of beige or yellowish white. Beyond the large key that lies on its side is a brass keyhole. Click it to teleport.
You teleport to a ledge and you walk forward and enter a room of red. I saw 2 figures. One seemed to be huddled on the floor in agony. The other was standing and facing the wall. Rebecca's figures depict pain and suffering. These are universal truths of life. Her art depicts the harshness and agony of living. Her art has a poignant quality to it. She captures the darkness and depression while also conveying the beauty of the human form in its straight lines and gentle curves.
To leave this room, you must go past the standing figure and into a passage of gray stone. It is such a contrast to the red! After you find the key and teleport down you find yourself in a room flooded with dirty water. Rebeca tells me that this is the uterus. Bleeding hearts branches hang from the ceiling and from the two female figures on pedestals. I get the sense that they are like martyrs that we worship, if the pedestals are any indication of that. And when you walk to the back of the room you find two urinals.
Once you teleport out by sitting on a urinal, you are brought to a large pile of rusted keys over the water. This looks like the end of the line.
Did you have questions about this sim? I sure did. So below are my questions for Rebeca Bashly.
In one room there is this head. It looks like Medusa. Who is she? What does she symbolize? I notice that after an avatar sits on that box, it changes how the avatar walks, especially on the stairs. What does that signify? In one room there is this head. It looks like Medusa. Who is she? What does she symbolize?
RB: The third scene in the installation is the house with 3 exactly the same rooms placed in upward trajectory but rotated.First is normal,second is rotated by 90C and third by 180C. The sculpture around which this scene evolves is "The Queen", a female head on a stand with her hair resembling tree branches and white eyes. It represents how we often in life make the same moves and expect different results,which is not likely to happen...but what if we force a different point of view? Therefore the visitors are given wall walkers to explore this level.
For awhile, the work lacks color and then all of a sudden there is that room of bright red. What does that mean?
RB: Well if you look at complete structure you will see that red scene is positioned where heart should be.
What is the purpose or purposes of the key?
RB: The key is the knowledge, a way, a tool to get what we want, be it object of desire, understanding of a situation, an answer to a puzzle...
Come and see this fantastical work of art at LEA6!
Have fun and enjoy the art!
Victoria Lenoirre
The landing pad is a long, wide wooden platform that is over 300m above the ground, so don't look down! You'll need to step up the ramp to get to the next platform. This is the meat grinder. From the next platform, you just have to jump onto an old, iron key.
 |
| Me on the landing pad |
Instead of landing on a platform on the same level, I found myself plummeting to a lower level. It just happened so fast. Then I'm in an open room and I see two statues. Rebecca is renown for her human figures. She just knows how to depict the human body in a beautiful (in a dark, unconventional sense), intriguing way.
Some meters away from the statues is another iron key. This one will teleport you further down. Another indication that you are going down is that the keys are pointing downwards.
Then you should see box on a round base. You have to sit on the box and start walking. You'll walk past a light bulb on a pole. Where's the lamp shade? You walk on. Up a few steps you will climb. Notice anything unusual as you climb? The steps lead up to a narrow doorway. Through the doorway you are led to more stairs. Continue walking and you come to a room with a checkered floor and what looks like a clay medusa head. The lips and the skin around the eyes is red. The hair looks like hair instead of snakes but the style of her hair just seemed reminiscent of the gorgon Medusa from ancient Greek mythology.
The next key will take you down to another room where you see four figures carrying large keys on their back or dragging it behind them by a chain. One large key lies in front of them. The cracked marble floor contrasts with the rustiness of the keys. Their skin matches the floor, a sort of beige or yellowish white. Beyond the large key that lies on its side is a brass keyhole. Click it to teleport.
You teleport to a ledge and you walk forward and enter a room of red. I saw 2 figures. One seemed to be huddled on the floor in agony. The other was standing and facing the wall. Rebecca's figures depict pain and suffering. These are universal truths of life. Her art depicts the harshness and agony of living. Her art has a poignant quality to it. She captures the darkness and depression while also conveying the beauty of the human form in its straight lines and gentle curves.
To leave this room, you must go past the standing figure and into a passage of gray stone. It is such a contrast to the red! After you find the key and teleport down you find yourself in a room flooded with dirty water. Rebeca tells me that this is the uterus. Bleeding hearts branches hang from the ceiling and from the two female figures on pedestals. I get the sense that they are like martyrs that we worship, if the pedestals are any indication of that. And when you walk to the back of the room you find two urinals.
 |
| The uterus |
Once you teleport out by sitting on a urinal, you are brought to a large pile of rusted keys over the water. This looks like the end of the line.
Did you have questions about this sim? I sure did. So below are my questions for Rebeca Bashly.
In one room there is this head. It looks like Medusa. Who is she? What does she symbolize? I notice that after an avatar sits on that box, it changes how the avatar walks, especially on the stairs. What does that signify? In one room there is this head. It looks like Medusa. Who is she? What does she symbolize?
RB: The third scene in the installation is the house with 3 exactly the same rooms placed in upward trajectory but rotated.First is normal,second is rotated by 90C and third by 180C. The sculpture around which this scene evolves is "The Queen", a female head on a stand with her hair resembling tree branches and white eyes. It represents how we often in life make the same moves and expect different results,which is not likely to happen...but what if we force a different point of view? Therefore the visitors are given wall walkers to explore this level.
For awhile, the work lacks color and then all of a sudden there is that room of bright red. What does that mean?
RB: Well if you look at complete structure you will see that red scene is positioned where heart should be.
What is the purpose or purposes of the key?
RB: The key is the knowledge, a way, a tool to get what we want, be it object of desire, understanding of a situation, an answer to a puzzle...
Come and see this fantastical work of art at LEA6!
Have fun and enjoy the art!
Victoria Lenoirre
Monday, October 7, 2013
LEA FULL SIM ART SERIES (OCT): Rebeca Bashly's 'Colour Key'
The October round of the LEA FULL SIM ART SERIES sees the return of the stalwart of the series, Rebeca Bashly, with 'Colour Key'. 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: NOW
LOCATION: HERE ON LEA 6
Rebeca is cryptic about what this is about explaining:
"It is all about human nature, breaking your spine to find answers that are under your nose. Explore and discuss, this is a joy to me"
Media on Colour Key
Living in a Modem World
Renoobed
Ziki's Blog
Quan's Travelogues
Honour's Post Menopausal View
Warm Winter Nights
Annomis & Her Blog
Old London Docks
Machinima By Yrlaka Abbot
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Project Sci-Fi (Machinima) - Coming Soon: Stay Tuned
Registrations will Open Soon... filming 1st Nov - 30th Nov
Friday, September 20, 2013
Secret Rage's Commonalities at LEA6, review written by Victoria Lenoirre
Salutations UWA fans! Reporting from LEA6, it's Victoria Lenoirre...where I discuss the latest artist to grace the esteemed LEA6 full sim this month!
This month, Secret Rage's installation is called Commonalities. At the teleport point you can touch a glowy box above the Info word and you should receive a folder with both the notecard describing the art and the landmark.
Underneath the red Waters of Life is where the staircase or ramp begins. The main landing is where life starts. The Waters of life symbolize the womb that we emerge from into life. So let's climb up, shall we?
You'll climb up 2 flights of ramps until you reach a plateau, Happy Eyes. On this plateau and on your right, you'll see a blue sign that says, "As humans we have the luxury of Art...not all of it has a deeper meaning-nor must it MAKE SENSE. Sometimes it exists ONLY because something about it makes our eyes HAPPY...and THAT is ENOUGH." There are also 2 giant dragonflies. Click the info sign for information about Happy Eyes. This is an interactive installation.
A few steps ahead is Well Seasoned. As before, click the Info sign for a notecard about the installation.
Up another ramp is True Friendships. This is a statue of 3 friends holding hands in a circle, while butterflies fly around them. Like Happy Eyes, this is interactive. Make sure to turn off your AO otherwise you won't get the desired effect.
Beyond True Friendships is School Daze. The setting is a classroom. Just sit in any seat. It's a cute class setting. Try sitting in any seat.
From School Daze I went down a ramp to arrive at "we all want to belong to something bigger than ourselves." The size of the statue is pretty impressive.
Beyond we all want to belong and behind True Friendships is Two Rooms. Two Rooms is a cubicle with a computer and chair. You just click on the mouse on the computer desk and you will be at her room. Her room is behind the cubicle. It's cluttered but full of life. I loved the sign that says, Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly, a quotation by Rose Franken. She seems to be a really creative person. She likes friends, quotations about life and love, and she plays an instrument. In the info notecard Secret writes, "This piece speaks to the fact that love is love, no matter how you find it or where you find it...the emotion is still the same."
Click on the pink moon to teleport to his room. His room is where you started at, just the computer with the mouse and webcam and photos of a pretty girl on the wall. There is one small bookshelf. It just seems Spartan compared to her room.
From Two Rooms you should arrive at Family Unit. We all have a family we're a part of. Turn off your AO and click the figures to be a part of that family. You know you want to, right?
Walk a few more steps and you arrive at The Bed. After you walk up the steps, you'll be jumping up and down like a child! Isn't it fun? When we're little, our parents tell us not to jump on the bed but we jump anyway, don't we? I know I did, at least a few times. Click under the bed and see what happens!
After that Bed is A life well lived. The building reminds me of a tomb. This is about how we keep our memories to ourselves and ordered in "private little cells." Secret writes that we should bring out those memories and examine them. Even sharing them with others is better than keeping them locked away and only look back on them when we are older.
Logically, nothing lasts forever is the next destination. Things in life are fleeting and "are soon washed away." Secret depicts this with the sandcastle and the dead grass. There is a blue shell you can press for sound. If it is too laggy you might not hear anything. As you walk away, you just see the terrain and when you can walk no further, you see the water. If you walk into the water, you should find yourself back at the main landing area. This sim takes you in a circular path. It is just like how there are cycles of the moon.
This work by Secret Rage is very introspective and reflective. If there is any message to be drawn from her work this month it is this, that we should enjoy our life and live without regrets. We have one life to live and we should live it well and not believe that a life is good if we have lots of merits and achievements to look back on in our spare time. I've learned that happiness is an inner state of being. We can be happy if we want to and whenever we want to. Furthermore, all human beings can relate to her work. It shows birth, life, and death. Life is a continuous cycle.
Intrigued by this work I have to ask questions and I know that Secret is enthusiastic to talk about her work.
_____________________________________________
How do you define Commonalities?
_____________________________________________________________
This is the notecard info you get at the show:
"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 ."
OK~but the real deal is~ I am by CHOICE an extremely positive person~yet even I know that we as a species will likely never be in a "one world" situation... for lots of reasons, really, but one of the main ones is because everyone chooses to focus on the things that make us different and then uses those things as fodder for arguments and fighting...and for being separate. I do realize it is an unrealistic wish, but... seriously~can't we all just GET ALONG? We are, after all, at the core soooooo very similar~ but we let petty, stupid things get in the way of what could be so much more of a beautiful and peaceful life. Since being in SL I have gotten to know people from many other countries and cultures that until SL were very elusive and foreign to me... even including befriending people from countries that would be considered "enemies" of my country, the US. What I am very pleased to say, though, is that what I find time and time again is not how different we are~ but how alike. No matter what the country~we are all JUST PEOPLE. Commonalities is my reference to that~our similarities ...and to hope.
_______________________________________________________
Why do you have dragonflies in Happy Eyes? What do dragonflies symbolize?
___________________________________________________________
Think about any photo you have seen or place that you have been that has dragonflies in it... don't those places make your eyes happy? Typically they are brightly lit, colourful, happy places and often reminiscent of childhood and freedom. There is also something mysterious about dragonflies and their compound eye structure... it is impossible for us to see what they see~ but somehow they are always in lovely surroundings...is that an accident of nature?
They are also one of my favourite sculpts that I have made... pure whimsy.
________________________________________________________
Why are there question marks in her room? Who is she? Or is this room just a room for any female, so female in general? Her room and His room look very different in size and content, why?
_________________________________________________________
The question marks are not in her room...they are not in his room...they are in the space between them. ..THEIR commonalities. If you look upwards in that center space... you will see what connects them~ a cable with power running through it. The center room is what happens between them. Everything included in the room are things that run through their connection, their bond. Thoughts, dreams , wishes, emotions, media assaulting them, sometimes soothing them~~and a million questions. The rooms were actually made in reference to the story of two people I know well. The rooms are fashioned after two RL rooms. ..though in its essence, Two Rooms can be seen as somewhat generic, giving the viewer a visual representation of the relationships that can be built on something as simple as an internet connection, and the reality that no matter the beginning...a connection is still a connection. The emotions are not much different than ones people have in RL~~the people are just physically far removed...while their feelings are not removed at all, and just as strong.
_______________________________________________________
It's interesting how you envision our memories as cells. So we isolate ourselves as we cherish our life and hide them away from most of the world? Is this part of the mask we wear to show the world?
_________________________________________________________
I think that probably most people compartmentalize their memories. Though we do not want to totally forget them, there are many that we have that are just too strong to carry on the surface every day....whether they are those of past loves, people who have passed on, childhood dreams or misfortunes, injury or just plain strong emotions~ it is a sort of an emotional/informational cataloging, if you will. An extensive filing system. It could be looked upon as isolationism, I suppose~ but I think of it more as the preservation of things we cherished that maybe we don't always want to share. I don't really see it as a mask... maybe more of the depth that makes up each of our personalities. Little softly closed books holding chapters of our lives that we can revisit at will...or maybe even the little pockets of honey in a beehive.
__________________________________________________________
Did you create the sculpts, mesh, and textures?
_______________________________________________________
I made the greater portion of all of them, yes. I hope to at some point be able to say 100% of all of them...but for now just the majority. It is going to be exceedingly hard to improve on the male and female mannequins that many of us use that were created by Danuc Landar of Arcane Creations. My sculpts are made using a Prim Generator...my textures in Gimp...and are usually (though not always) made specifically for individual pieces, as opposed to making them and using them at some indefinite time.
_____________________________________________________________
Thanks so much Secret Rage!
I hope you come visit this installation full of life and sound!
Your limo awaits!
Have fun and enjoy the art!
~ Victoria Lenoirre
This month, Secret Rage's installation is called Commonalities. At the teleport point you can touch a glowy box above the Info word and you should receive a folder with both the notecard describing the art and the landmark.
 |
| Commonalities by Secret Rage main landing |
Underneath the red Waters of Life is where the staircase or ramp begins. The main landing is where life starts. The Waters of life symbolize the womb that we emerge from into life. So let's climb up, shall we?
You'll climb up 2 flights of ramps until you reach a plateau, Happy Eyes. On this plateau and on your right, you'll see a blue sign that says, "As humans we have the luxury of Art...not all of it has a deeper meaning-nor must it MAKE SENSE. Sometimes it exists ONLY because something about it makes our eyes HAPPY...and THAT is ENOUGH." There are also 2 giant dragonflies. Click the info sign for information about Happy Eyes. This is an interactive installation.
 |
| Happy Eyes, me astride a dragonfly |
A few steps ahead is Well Seasoned. As before, click the Info sign for a notecard about the installation.
Up another ramp is True Friendships. This is a statue of 3 friends holding hands in a circle, while butterflies fly around them. Like Happy Eyes, this is interactive. Make sure to turn off your AO otherwise you won't get the desired effect.
Beyond True Friendships is School Daze. The setting is a classroom. Just sit in any seat. It's a cute class setting. Try sitting in any seat.
From School Daze I went down a ramp to arrive at "we all want to belong to something bigger than ourselves." The size of the statue is pretty impressive.
Beyond we all want to belong and behind True Friendships is Two Rooms. Two Rooms is a cubicle with a computer and chair. You just click on the mouse on the computer desk and you will be at her room. Her room is behind the cubicle. It's cluttered but full of life. I loved the sign that says, Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly, a quotation by Rose Franken. She seems to be a really creative person. She likes friends, quotations about life and love, and she plays an instrument. In the info notecard Secret writes, "This piece speaks to the fact that love is love, no matter how you find it or where you find it...the emotion is still the same."
Click on the pink moon to teleport to his room. His room is where you started at, just the computer with the mouse and webcam and photos of a pretty girl on the wall. There is one small bookshelf. It just seems Spartan compared to her room.
From Two Rooms you should arrive at Family Unit. We all have a family we're a part of. Turn off your AO and click the figures to be a part of that family. You know you want to, right?
Walk a few more steps and you arrive at The Bed. After you walk up the steps, you'll be jumping up and down like a child! Isn't it fun? When we're little, our parents tell us not to jump on the bed but we jump anyway, don't we? I know I did, at least a few times. Click under the bed and see what happens!
After that Bed is A life well lived. The building reminds me of a tomb. This is about how we keep our memories to ourselves and ordered in "private little cells." Secret writes that we should bring out those memories and examine them. Even sharing them with others is better than keeping them locked away and only look back on them when we are older.
Logically, nothing lasts forever is the next destination. Things in life are fleeting and "are soon washed away." Secret depicts this with the sandcastle and the dead grass. There is a blue shell you can press for sound. If it is too laggy you might not hear anything. As you walk away, you just see the terrain and when you can walk no further, you see the water. If you walk into the water, you should find yourself back at the main landing area. This sim takes you in a circular path. It is just like how there are cycles of the moon.
This work by Secret Rage is very introspective and reflective. If there is any message to be drawn from her work this month it is this, that we should enjoy our life and live without regrets. We have one life to live and we should live it well and not believe that a life is good if we have lots of merits and achievements to look back on in our spare time. I've learned that happiness is an inner state of being. We can be happy if we want to and whenever we want to. Furthermore, all human beings can relate to her work. It shows birth, life, and death. Life is a continuous cycle.
Intrigued by this work I have to ask questions and I know that Secret is enthusiastic to talk about her work.
_____________________________________________
How do you define Commonalities?
_____________________________________________________________
This is the notecard info you get at the show:
"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 ."
OK~but the real deal is~ I am by CHOICE an extremely positive person~yet even I know that we as a species will likely never be in a "one world" situation... for lots of reasons, really, but one of the main ones is because everyone chooses to focus on the things that make us different and then uses those things as fodder for arguments and fighting...and for being separate. I do realize it is an unrealistic wish, but... seriously~can't we all just GET ALONG? We are, after all, at the core soooooo very similar~ but we let petty, stupid things get in the way of what could be so much more of a beautiful and peaceful life. Since being in SL I have gotten to know people from many other countries and cultures that until SL were very elusive and foreign to me... even including befriending people from countries that would be considered "enemies" of my country, the US. What I am very pleased to say, though, is that what I find time and time again is not how different we are~ but how alike. No matter what the country~we are all JUST PEOPLE. Commonalities is my reference to that~our similarities ...and to hope.
_______________________________________________________
Why do you have dragonflies in Happy Eyes? What do dragonflies symbolize?
___________________________________________________________
Think about any photo you have seen or place that you have been that has dragonflies in it... don't those places make your eyes happy? Typically they are brightly lit, colourful, happy places and often reminiscent of childhood and freedom. There is also something mysterious about dragonflies and their compound eye structure... it is impossible for us to see what they see~ but somehow they are always in lovely surroundings...is that an accident of nature?
They are also one of my favourite sculpts that I have made... pure whimsy.
________________________________________________________
Why are there question marks in her room? Who is she? Or is this room just a room for any female, so female in general? Her room and His room look very different in size and content, why?
_________________________________________________________
The question marks are not in her room...they are not in his room...they are in the space between them. ..THEIR commonalities. If you look upwards in that center space... you will see what connects them~ a cable with power running through it. The center room is what happens between them. Everything included in the room are things that run through their connection, their bond. Thoughts, dreams , wishes, emotions, media assaulting them, sometimes soothing them~~and a million questions. The rooms were actually made in reference to the story of two people I know well. The rooms are fashioned after two RL rooms. ..though in its essence, Two Rooms can be seen as somewhat generic, giving the viewer a visual representation of the relationships that can be built on something as simple as an internet connection, and the reality that no matter the beginning...a connection is still a connection. The emotions are not much different than ones people have in RL~~the people are just physically far removed...while their feelings are not removed at all, and just as strong.
_______________________________________________________
It's interesting how you envision our memories as cells. So we isolate ourselves as we cherish our life and hide them away from most of the world? Is this part of the mask we wear to show the world?
_________________________________________________________
I think that probably most people compartmentalize their memories. Though we do not want to totally forget them, there are many that we have that are just too strong to carry on the surface every day....whether they are those of past loves, people who have passed on, childhood dreams or misfortunes, injury or just plain strong emotions~ it is a sort of an emotional/informational cataloging, if you will. An extensive filing system. It could be looked upon as isolationism, I suppose~ but I think of it more as the preservation of things we cherished that maybe we don't always want to share. I don't really see it as a mask... maybe more of the depth that makes up each of our personalities. Little softly closed books holding chapters of our lives that we can revisit at will...or maybe even the little pockets of honey in a beehive.
__________________________________________________________
Did you create the sculpts, mesh, and textures?
_______________________________________________________
I made the greater portion of all of them, yes. I hope to at some point be able to say 100% of all of them...but for now just the majority. It is going to be exceedingly hard to improve on the male and female mannequins that many of us use that were created by Danuc Landar of Arcane Creations. My sculpts are made using a Prim Generator...my textures in Gimp...and are usually (though not always) made specifically for individual pieces, as opposed to making them and using them at some indefinite time.
_____________________________________________________________
Thanks so much Secret Rage!
I hope you come visit this installation full of life and sound!
Your limo awaits!
Have fun and enjoy the art!
~ Victoria Lenoirre
Sunday, September 15, 2013
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 1st 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
Saturday, September 14, 2013
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.
.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
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 | . |
Monday, September 2, 2013
The Freedom Project (An initiative by UWA, Virtual Ability & the Centre for ME/CFS)
 |
| Poster Credit: Eliza Wierwight |
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!
-----------
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
------------
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.
---------
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
Thursday, August 29, 2013
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
.
|
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
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.
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.
Friday, August 16, 2013
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?”
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.
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
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 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
Thursday, August 15, 2013
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.
.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Second Life - the topic of a UWA 3-Minute Thesis Challenge Presentation
UWA Second Life founder, Jay Jay Jegathesan is also a PhD student, completing a part time PhD on the topic of community and collaboration through virtual worlds.
This video is taken from the semi-final round of the 2013 3-Minute Thesis competition where PhD students are asked to speak for 3 minutes on the PhD research using no technology or props aside from a single image.
Some other presentations as shown below by Francis Torres & Akhter Hosain, provide a flavour of some of the other presentations for the challenge.
FRANCIS TORRES
AKHTER HOSAIN
Image Used by Jay Jay for the Presentation (created with the help of quadrapop Lane)
.
Monday, August 5, 2013
UWA Art & Machinima Grand Finale: Finnish Giant Slayer Stops Tutsy as Glyph Breaks Through
 |
| Winners announcements @ The UWA-BOSL Grand Amphitheatre (Photo Credit: Erik Gordon Bainbridge / Apollo Manga) |
1st Prize Winner Film: Past|Beyond by Vilvi Rae (Jyvaskyla, Finland)
Jon Stubbs, Director of UWA's Student Services said of the film winner "Past I Beyond is a hauntingly beautiful future fantasy autobiography created by Vilvi Rae that explores past choices and what lies beyond. Beautifully filmed: 5 stars from the judging panel!"
 |
| 1st Prize Art Winner: I Thought I Hated Him by Glyph Graves (Sydney, Australia) |
Chairman of Visual Arts of the Australia Council, Professor Ted Snell said of Glyph's work: "I THOUGHT I HATED HIM is a brilliant and witty exploration of human nature that utilises the ubiquitous presence of data in our lives, feeding in from everywhere at an every increasing speed. The two mannequins move around the dance floor driven by data feeds from the New York and Shanghai stock exchanges. In real time while they are operating the data generates the movement and the music that propels these two lovers together and drives them apart. Miss Shanghai and Mr New York are involved in a compelling dance of attraction and repulsion generated by our avarice. It's funny and chilling in equal measure."
 |
| UWA Centenary Prize Winner: Strange Oaks from Simple Acorns Grow by Soror Nishi (Kent, England) |
The Centenary Prize for Art, given to the artwork which best reflects the spirit of the UWA Centenary went to 'Strange Oaks from Simple Acorns Grow', by soror Nishi of Kent, England, with the corresponding prize in Machinima, for the film that best captured the essence of 100 years of reflections on education, was won by 'Drawing Outside the Lines' by Chic Aeon of Oregon (USA).
Centenary Prize Winner Film: Drawing Outside the Lines by Chic Aeon (Oregon, USA)
Italian filmmaker, Pallina Loon went back-to-back with 3rd place finishes (also taking 3rd for MachinimUWA V: Seek Wisdom), with her self titled work while cheeky Frenchman Erythro Asimov (Hasta Tu Estrella & Taya Tan) & the sublime Joe Zazulak (The Mirror Lies & Shadows reflecting darkness) both had 2 of their films finishing in the top 10.
The UWA Curator of Virtual Arts, FreeWee Ling has put together a spectacular exhibition catalog with all 64 artworks for the UWA SiVA publications series, which can be seen here:
http://issuu.com/freeweeling/docs/uwa_siva_2.1_-_reflections
UWA would like to thank all the artists and film makers for providing a remarkable set of 64 artworks and 64 film for the grand challenges as well as all the major sponsors which include the Parramatta City Council, MetaHarpers (Arhenn Oberlander), AviewTV, the OPEN THIS END Group, PEACE IS A CHOICE Gallery, with thanks to TheDove Rhode, Virtlantis, with thanks to Kip Yellowjacket, Best of Second Life (BOSL) Group with thanks to Frolic Mills, Secret Rage and Japanese Arts Journalist, Temi Sirbu, with the biggest thanks reserved for the tireless champion of film, La Piscean Liberty.
Click Here for Links to all 64 Film submitted to the challenge
* A SUMMARIZED LIST OF WINNERS FOLLOWS INCLUDING COMMENTS BY ARTISTS, THIS IS FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE TRANSCRIPT OF THE WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENTS BY JAY JAY JEGATHESAN (JAYJAY ZIFANWE) MADE AT 6AM SLT SUNDAY 4TH AUGUST 2013
REFLECTIONS: UWA CENTENARY 3D Art Challenge (OVERALL WINNERS)
1st Prize (L$100,000): I THOUGHT I HATED HIM by Glyph Graves of Sydney, Australia (58 points)
"I actually wasnt expecting that. Art is like all human endeavor .. abou trelationships .. ultimately in art its between the artist and the viewer and thanks .. still in a bit of shock here" Glyph Graves
2nd Prize Joint (L$59,000): MIRROR WITH 4 VIRGINS ON THE SHORES OF DEPRAVITY by Jipe Loon of Haute Savoie, France (47 points)
2nd Prize Joint (L$59,000): LOOKING BACK by Carmsie Melody (Australia) & Struthious (USA) (47 points)
"Thanks to all involved in holding and participating in the event for the opportunity. Carm's builds are incredibly creative and she's always a pleasure to work with. It's quite an honor to have placed against so many great entries this year" Struthious
"I am honored that Struthious and I were awarded joint second place in UWA’s Reflections Art Challenge. The Challenge reflected (no pun intended) an awe-inspiring array of original, highly creative works … and seriously…how did Glyph draw on that data?! That conundrum aside, I extend congratulations to every artist involved. You are the reason the Challenge had such an astounding breadth and depth – you rock! I’d also like to pass on my heartfelt thanks to UWA and all others who work so hard to make these Challenges possible. It is you who foster and support this still-sort-of-fledgling art genre. But it is in the name of the victims of domestic violence that I accept this award. Our character, ‘Marion’ represented the thousands of females and males who, often silently, suffer abuse at the hands of someone dear, someone they should be able to trust. The telling of her story was a small way of speaking out against this terrible crime. Silence enables, so my hope is that 'Looking Back' has encouraged others to speak out too. With sincere thanks for such awesome acknowledgment." Carmsie Melodie
2nd Prize Joint (L$59,000): SILENT REFLECTIONS by Krystali Rabeni of Blackpool, Lancashire, England (47 points)
"Thank you to everyone who voted for Silent Reflections. Thank you to UWA for holding this event. I am overwhelmed and inspired by the response to my artwork and look forward to continue creating more. I have learned that the most important thing about art is that it works." Krystali
5th Prize Joint (L$30,000): QUANTUM by Barry Richez of Toulouse, France (38 Points)
"Je tient a remercier tous les juges de UWA et en particulier FreeWee ling qui font un travail remarquable pour la promotion des arts dans seconde life pour m'avoir accorder ce prix auquel je ne m'attendait pas et qui vient récompenser mon travail à l'occasion de ce challenge.Merci a tous"
"I wish to thank all the judges of UWA and in particular FreeWee ling and doing outstanding work for the promotion of the arts in second life to give me the prize I was not expecting me and my work is rewarding during all this has challenge.Merci" Barry Richez
5th Prize Joint (L$30,000): NEURON SPHERE by Shenn Coleman of Avignon, France (38 Points)
"je suis trés heureux d'avoir pu partager mes créations. c'est la victoire de la beauté et de l'amitié
j'ai découvert des trés grands talents dans cette exposition et aussi trouvé de nouveaux amis.
merci a Uwa d'avoir permis cette rencontre et ainsi de permettre a l'imagination de prendre vie.
merci aux créateurs du monde entier, puissions nous avec nos créations, donner un peux de joie et une belle energie dans nos coeurs. tout ce qui permets de de rapprocher les hommes est merveilleux.
merci encore aux organisateurs de UWA" Shenn Colemann
"I am very happy to have been able to share my creation. It symbolizes the victory of beauty and friendship. Thanks to this exhibition I have discovered great talents and made also new friends. Thank you to the UWA for favoring these encounters and for helping imagination spring to life.
Thank you to all the creators all over the world, may we, through our creations, give a bit of joy and spread good energy in everyone's heart. Anything which enables men to come closer together is wonderful. Thank you again to those who organized it all at UWA." Shenn Coleman
5th Prize Joint (L$30,000): ECHO'S REFLECTING POOL by Misprint Thursday of New Hampshire, USA (38 Points)
"Very exciting to participate in another UWA event and thanks to the organizers, sponsors and judges!" Misprint
8th Prize Joint (L$25,000): FRUIT OF TIME by REBECCA BASHLY of Belgrade, Serbia (36 Points)
8th Prize Joint (L$25,000): REFLECTIONS OF WAVES by Nino Vichan of New York, USA (36 points)
"UWA and all the wonderful people involved have given the SL art community a gift that can not be valued but we appreciate sincerely the support they give to us all, thank you all for your kind and generous efforts." Nino Vichan
10th Prize Joint (L$8,500): HIDDEN by Rose Borchovski of Amsterdam, The Netherlands (32 points)
10th Prize Joint (L$8,500): WHO ARE YOU by Blue Tsuki of Seattle, USA (32 points)
"I am very happy as always to participate in the UWA art competitions as they always inspire such great work. As always Freewee and the UWA do a great job promoting art in SL and I am happy to have participated" Blue
10th Prize Joint (L$8,500): REFLEXTIONS OF REFLECTIONS CAROUSEL by Yepar Saez of the Martinique Islands in the French Carribean (32 points)
"Thanks for this great opportunity, the price for me was to participate :D i'm really happy and wait anxious for next challenge!" Yepar
UWA CENTENARY SPECIAL PRIZE (L$50,000)
STRANGE OAKS FROM SIMPLE ACORNS GROW by Soror Nishi, of Kent, England!
"In my six years in SL I don't know of any other organisation which has benefited itself and the community more than UWA. This is in no small part due to the work of Jayjay and his tireless helpers, but credit and thanks should also be passed to those who support him at the University, the "RL" people behind the scenes. I am very surprised and thrilled to get this award and for the recognition of those hours I spent in front of Blender and Gimp which I have obviously enjoyed. The recognition is special though ... thank you." soror
UWA CENTENARY HON MENTION PRIZE (Joint - L$15,000)
ECHO'S REFLECTING POOL by Misprint Thursday of New Hampshire, USA
UWA CENTENARY HON MENTION PRIZE (Joint - L$15,000)
THE THINKER by Ama Avro of Starbourg, France
3D ART CURATORS PRIZE (JOINT - L$15,000)
WINDOWS INTO OTHER ROOMS by Takni Miklos of Figueres, Spain
Curator's Observation: "Takni’s large scale kinetic piece constantly changes as new squares are added and find a place in the grid. (Perhaps a metaphor for life in virtual worlds.) It moves elegantly and responds interactively as one touches or moves through it. Takni never fails to engage the mind and amuse the senses."
3D ART CURATORS PRIZE (JOINT - L$15,000)
REFLECTION ANDROHUMANOID by Thierry Lowtide of Popes, Avignon Vaucluse, France
Curator's Observation: "Thierry’s brilliantly conceived, rendered, and scripted scene in mesh is at once humorous and terrifying. Specifically created for the REFLECTIONS show, he has even included subtle references to UWA in the labeling of the circuit board chips. His technical skills are matched by his ability to create a compelling scene."
"I am happy to have participated and honored to have a winning prize. I thank the entire team at the University of UWA and all the organizers for this wonderful project. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to show our talents. Congratulations to all participants. Congratulations to the winners. I am very excited and I can not find other words to say ... Again a big thank you to all!" Thierry
"Je suis heureux d'avoir participé et très honoré d'avoir eu un prix gagnant. Je remercie toute l'équipe de l'Université de l'UWA et tous les organisateurs pour ce magnifique projet. Merci de nous avoir donné l'occasion de montrer nos talents. Un grand bravo à tous les participants. Félicitations aux gagnants. Je suis très émue et je ne trouve pas d'autres mots à dire... Encore une fois un grand merci à tous" Thierry lowtide
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION PRIZES - REFLECTIONS: THE UWA CENTENARY 3D ART CHALLENGE
1st Prize (L$7,000) - GISELE89G (61 points)
2nd Prize (L$5,000) - MICHELBRITZ (59 points)
3rd Prize (L$4,000) - KARA TRAPDOOR (50 points)
4th Prize (L$2,500) - TEMI SIRBU (49 points)
5th Prize (L$1,500) - QEOY (46 points)
MACHINIMUWA VI: REFLECTIONS - GRAND PRIZE WINNERS
1st Prize (L$200,000): PAST | BEYOND by Vilvi Rae of Jyvaskyla, Finland. (79 points)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCfU817j8mc
"I think my heart just stopped :o Thank you! Also massive thanks to everyone involved, you make this possible and are the reason to keep doing things like this together. And thanks to UWA for an amazing opportunity! like i like to say "virtual life, true emotions" Vilvi
2nd Prize (L$150,000): NARCISSUS by Tutsy Navartha, Frenchman in Pondicherry India (75 points)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrCfHxk9v8Y
"Thanks for this prize :)) Congratulations to UWA who for many years have promoted the virtual art.
With challenges organized each year by UWA as 3D sculptures or machinimas, many artists were stimulated to produce, to share and begin to make themselves known. Thank you a thousand times!" Tutsy
3rd Prize (L$125,000): PALLINA...THE LITTLE RASCAL by Pallina60 Loon of Rome, Italy. (65 points)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VopdYBW6lFE
"No, this time I did not really expect to see my machinima in the
top ten. Maybe because the theme "Reflections" was serious and
challenging and I have built a machinima very light, playful and fun.
I preferred to play on the different meanings of the word 'Reflections' exploiting it in practical term.
So
I thought of a static scene with a mirror on a wall and in front of
this mirror, a little mischievous and rebellious girls that combines
some troubles ..... actually that girl is me at the age of 7/8 years or
so. I was very mischievous and trouble-maker ^ ^ I watched all the 64 videos in the past few days and felt to be out
of the other machinima , then, I was surprised to hear that I had won
the third place WOW.I do not know the grounds on which the
courts have taken this decision but I like to think that watching my
video, they smiled or laugh^ ^After three years that I share MachinimUWA event, I can say that
now, is my favorite event in SL, I really enjoy to create machinima,
and that,again, for the emotions I felt during the awards my heart has
gone in tachycardia again ^ ^Thanks UWA that allows all this and congratulations to all the winners". pallina
4th Prize (L$100,000): THE MIRROR LIES by Joe Zazulak of New Orleans, USA (61 points)
https://vimeo.com/63236597
"I am extremely humbled and thankful for this award. Moreso, it is wonderful to have one's work recognized and validated." Joe Z
5th Prize (L$80,000): HASTA TU ESTRELLA by Erythro Asimov of Tours, France (58 points)
https://vimeo.com/66574824
"Thanks to UWA and all the people that helped you to organize this event. Thanks to the people who supported me and a special thought to the one that inspired me for "Hasta Tu Estrella". I'm really glad this movie touched your jury. Political subjects are not the easiest one to filmed, you can be sure I will use the price to support people into RL whose aim is to buid a better world." Erythro
6th Prize (L$40,000): JUNIPER by Bryn Oh of Toronto, Canada (48 points)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urmhu0jAZD8
"It has always been a great experience when I have been involved with an event by the University of Western Australia. Congratulations to both Glyph Graves and Vilvi Rae for their wonderful creations." Bryn
7th Prize (L$40,000): WINDOW ON A TRAIN by Natascha Randt (Germany) & Karima Hoisan (Costa Rica) (44 points)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA553eGuvck
"It was a very competitive challenge this year with lots of surprises. I thank the UWA and all involved for our 7th place prize. I am amazed and honored that I received the 1st place award for audience participation, and I look forward to being a knowledgeable and impartial judge for next year's contest. Peace" Karima
8th Prize Joint (L$40,000): SHADOWS REFLECTING DARKNESS by Joe Zazulak of New Orleans, USA (42 points)
https://vimeo.com/67338631
9th Prize Joint (L$40,000): TAYA TAN by Erythro Asimov of Tours France (35 points)
https://vimeo.com/69412827
9th Prize Joint (L$40,000): STOLEN REFLECTIONS by Braclo Eber of South Africa (35 points)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMOHiMhSrDI&feature=youtu.be
"Wow, thank you very much for this prize! I'm thrilled to be part of the MachinimUWA VI: Reflections competition, and I am happy that this film was so well received. I would also like to send a big thanks to everyone involved in it! It was a lot of fun to make and without them, this prize would have not be possible." Braclo
10th Prize (L$40,000): CLOUD by Hypatia Pickens of Rochester, USA (29 points)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc-N6g9-Je8
"I'm very grateful to the judges for thinking highly of my work on Cloud. Many thanks for their own hard work." Hyp
MACHINIMUWA VI: ART OF THE ARTISTS SPECIAL PRIZE (L$50,000)
REFLECTIONS OF A LIFE by Devi Sky of Northridge, USA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1E364TJcdw
MACHINIMUWA VI: CENTENARY PRIZE (L$50,000)
DRAWING OUTSIDE THE LINES by Chic Aeon of Corvallis, Oregon, USA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ShQ5JB5MZM
"As a long time educator I am very pleased to have won this award. I do believe that we can and do learn thoughout life -- even in our virtual world." Chic Aeon
MACHINIMUWA VI: CENTENARY HONOURABLE MENTION (L$25,000)
REFLECTIONS: 100 YEARS OF PASSION by Wynshel Heir of San Francisco, USA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjpyESZwVWk&feature=youtu.be
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION PRIZES - MACHINIMUWA VI: REFLECTIONS
1st Prize (L$15,000) - KARIMA HOISAN (48 points)
2nd Prize (L$10,000) - LALIE SORBET (47 points)
3rd Prize (L$8,000) - LALA LARIX (44 points)
4th Prize (L$7,000) - VERUCA VANDYKE (38 points)
5th Prize (L$5,000) - DYZO (36 points)
REPORTS FROM OTHER MEDIA SITES ON THE GRAND FINALE
Kara's Korner
Ziki's Blog
Apmel Goosson Blog
Artists Chronicle
Lingering Questions on Apmel's Blog
Todas Blog (Spanish)
Virtual Real (German)
Full Report Virtual Real
Aetheris Avidi (German)
Quans Travelogues
Quans Travelogues (Part 2)
Exploring SL with Dido
Lionheart Times
Living in a Modem World
Temi Sirbu (Japanese News Site)
pallina Loon (Italy)
SL Art Exposed
**COMPLETE TRANSCRIPT OF THE WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENTS BY JAY JAY JEGATHESAN (JAYJAY ZIFANWE) MADE AT 6AM SLT SUNDAY 4TH AUGUST 2013
Greetings everyone, and welcome to the University of Western Australia, or UWA as she is known and also welcome to the winners announcements for REFLECTIONS, UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge as well for MachinimUWA VI. As is tradition at UWA, I would like to acknowledge that the University is situated on Nyoongar land and that the Nyoongar people remain the spiritual and cultural custodians of their land and continue to uphold their values, languages, beliefs and knowledge.
Today brings to an end the 4th year of the major art challenges at UWA, with 64 artworks by 66 different artists in the running for the UWA 3D Centenary Art Challenge and 64 machinima for MachinimUWA VI: REFLECTIONS. Both of these challenges have special awards provided by the West Australian and UWA based members of the judging panel for the works and creations that best captures the essence or spirit of REFLECTING on 100 years of UWA's existence.
Its been an absolute pleasure for me to work with all of you over the course of these challenges, and especially to those who went above an beyond the call of duty to make all of this a success. Thank you FreeWee Ling, curator of art @ UWA & RL Honorary Fellow at UWA. Thank you LaPiscean Liberty co-host for MachinimUWA VI, champion of machinima of Second Life. Also much thanks to those who have provided support and sponsorship which sees the overall prize pool standing at more than L$1,800,000 across both art and machinima. Special mention needs to be made of everyone who have been such strong supporters.
These challenges are sponsored by the Parramatta City Council, MetaHarpers (Arhenn Oberlander), AviewTV, Freemason Magic, OPEN THIS END, with thanks to Cristina GarcÃa-Lasuén (RL) / Aino Baar (SL), PEACE IS A CHOICE Gallery, with thanks to TheDove Rhode, Virtlantis, with thanks to Kip Yellowjacket, Best of Second Life (BOSL) Group with thanks to Frolic Mills, Secret Rage, Japanese Arts Journalist, Temi Sirbu and UWA, with special thanks to Professor Ted Snell, Director of the Cultural Precinct & Jon Stubbs, Director of Student Services.
We will start today with the winners announcements for UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge followed by announcements for MachinimUWA VI: REFLECTIONS and a showing of the machinima of the Grand Champion of MachinimUWA VI.
I want to thank all of you for being here today, bringing the world together. The UWA Art, Architectural & Machinima Challenges, the Teaching & Research have seen people from all corners of the globe involved with students, artists, builders and machinimatographers hailing from Singapore, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Finland, Greece, India, Colombia, Poland, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Ukraine, Taiwan, Hungary, Latvia, Russia, Venezuela, Belgium, Mexico, Wales, Canada, the USA, the UK, Uruguay, Scotland, England, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, France, the French Carribean, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Denmark, Holland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Cuba, Serbia, Tunisia, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Australia and parts unknown. More than 45 nations with 6 of the 7 continents of the world represented.
Before announcing the winners, I do want mention a few other exciting things that have happened with the UWA presence in Second Life.A partnership has been launched in the virtual world of Second Life between Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) & UWA on the sim Virlantis, where an educational themed experiment has been set up for the creation of sound and animation content, with its long-term goal being the development of animated film and online media that serves at-risk learning communities.
I was also lucky to have a journal paper I wrote on Collaboration & Community in Second Life accepted for the 3rd International Conference on Humanities, Society and Culture, and I will present this in Cheju Island Korea in October. We are also looking at how we can support the virtual ability community in second life through our strength in the arts.
Also very exciting, the University of Western Australia in Partnership with New Media Shorts & Tom papas is proud to announce a new SCi- Fi Genre Machinima Competition in November. Machinima filmmakers will have one month to make a 5 - 10 minute sci fi film… with total prize of L$500,000.
The virtual world has also been given high billing for UWA's open day on August 11th, where I will be giving a public talk on Second Life, and the collaborations & community we have built through this medium http://www.myprogram.openday.uwa.edu.au/events/#25
Before moving on to the awards, I want to thank the amazing judging panel across both challenges. Wach panel comprised of more than 30 judges and some of them were panelists for both and some for either the Art or Machinima only. SO, I would like to thank:
Professor Ted Snell - Director, Cultural Precinct, The University of Western Australia
Dr Sally Quin - Curator, Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, UWA Museums, UWA
Jon Stubbs - Director of Student Services, UWA
Lyn DiCiero - Editor, WA Artist's Chronicle
Madeleine King - Director UWA Centenary Celebrations
Jenna Mead - Associate Professor, English and Cultural Studies, UWA
Jonathan Zahra - Business Manager, Guild Student Services Division, UWA
Crystal Abidin - Journalist, Trove Magazine
Siobhan Hodge - Journalist, Trove Magazine
Caine Chennat - Web Coordinator, Cultural Precinct, UWA
Binu Jayawardhena - Founder, Western Australian Student television Inc. (WasTV)
Merle Hearns (RL) / Briarmelle Quintessa (SL) - Senior Lecturer, Foundation Studies Department, Manukau Institute of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
FreeWee Ling - Curator, UWA 3D Open Art Challenge
Professor Aitana Merino - Art Historian, Complutense University of Madrid & University of Tsukuba, Japan (on behalf of OPEN THIS END Art Group)
Quan Lavender - Journalist & Blogger
Kip Yellowjacket - Co-Creator of VIRTLANTIS
Sasun Steinbeck - Creator of the Art Galleries of SL list
Len Zuks - Award Winning West Australian Sculpturist
C.Steele (RL) / Rasaec (SL) - Lecturer, York University, Toronto, Canada
Debora Kaz - Director of Kaz Filmes e Produções / Producer of I Festival Machinima Art Connections Brasil
Chestnut Rau - Journalist
Taralyn Gravois - CEO of VE Concepts
Apollo Manga - examiner.com Writer & Novelist
Frolic Mills - BOSL CEO
Dr Carmen Fies - Second Life Lead: University of Texas San Antonio
Lyn Hay (RL) / LenaLotus Latte (SL) - Lecturer, School of information Studies, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW
Thinkerer Melville (SL) / Selby Evans (RL) - Blogger on Virtual Worlds
Apmel Goosson - Journalist, Blogger, Author & Publisher
Dr. Phylis Johnson - Media Professor, Southern Illinois University, Author - Machinima: Aesthetics and Practice (a.k.a, Sonicity Fitzroy, SL Virtual Journalist)
Professor Dr. Doris Molero (Pionia Destiny) - Universidad Dr. Rafael Belloso Chacin. Maracaibo- Venezuela
Alfonso Garavito Olivar (a.k.a, Alfonso Perfferle, SL) - Director - Virtual TV Magazine & Virtual TV Media
Arrehn Oberlander (SL) - Firestorm Developer, MetaHarper art collective founder
Mal Burns - Metaverse News Aggregator and Broadcaster
Dousa Dragonash - COO Metaverse Television
Pia Klaar - Former Audience Award Champion & Runners-up
Ziki Questi - Blogger, Photographer, Artist
Persia Bravin - Journalist & Media Producer
Saffia Widdershins - Owner and Editor of Prim Perfect
TheDoveRhode - Owner of PEACE IS A CHOICE GALLERY
Victoria Lenoirre - Journalist / Art Blogger
Thorne Miklos - Director of the Art Garden Gallery
Igor Ballyhoo - Builder
Quan Lavender - Journalist & Blogger
Tom Papas - 48 Hour Festival, Australia
Honour McMillan - Blogger
LaPiscean Liberty (SL) - CEO AviewTV and UWA Virtual World Technical Media Advisor
OK…. We move to the awards. Today brings to an end the UWA Centenary Challenges which we have run for 2 years, last year was 100 years since the first staff were hired and we had a theme of SEEK WISDOM, this year is 100 years since the first students started studying at UWA, and the theme is REFLECTIONS for both Art and Machinima, and we start with the 3D Art where there were 64 entries, by 66 artists.
I would like to ask LaPiscean Liberty to play one of the beautiful machinima sent through, which shows off all 64 artworks, 'Reflections of a Life' by Devi Sky
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1E364TJcdw&feature=player_embedded
First, the Audience Participation Prize for art, which has a prize pool of L$20,000, in which anyone in the world who was not on the official judging panel was invited to provide what they thought the top 10 would be as decided by the actual panel. Not an easy job as there were so many amazing works. The reason we have audience participation prizes like this instead of a people's choice award, is because when we had those in the past, audience members always felt pressure or obligation at times as they knew a few artists... this way, anyone who wanted to take part would have to see all the artwork before providing an educated guess..... with no pressure on them or the artists.
Aside from the Lindens, the winners will receive in the mail a special RL pack posted to them from UWA, and the first prize winner will also be invited to be on the official judging panel for next major UWA art challenge.
There was a maximum of 100 points that any viewer could get, and this is if they were spot on with every single selection and matched the exact order as well. For example, if you listed an artwork in 1st place, and it actually won first, you would receive 10 points (there is a difference of ZERO between your selection and the actual). If you listed an artwork as 1st, and it got 10th, then you would get one point (difference of 9 between your selection and actual).
Now the average score achieved by 63 entrants for this was 33 out of 100, with 61 being the top score, and 6 being the lowest score. 2 of the entries had 8 of the eventual top 10 in their lists, and 5 entries only had 1 of the actual top 10 as part of their lists.
And so, finishing in 5th place for the Audience Participation event for Art was a first time visitor to the galleries, on 46 points with 6 correct predictions from the top 10. And so, winning the L$ 1,500 prize, from the land of my birth, Malaysia.... is:
QEOY of the 1Malaysia Group
In 4th on 49 points, also with 6 of the top 10 correct, winning L$2,500, is
TEMI SIRBU.... a very dedicated SL blogger from Japan who takes wonderful photos.
In 3rd on 50 points with 7 of 10 correct, winning L$4,000.. amazingly is
KARA TRAPDOOR... one awesome blogger after another
Next, 2nd place on 59 points, correctly picking 8 of the top 10 and winning L$5,000 is
MICHELBRITZ
And now for the winner of the audience event for the UWA Centenary Art Challenge.... winning L$7,000 and a spot on the official jury as well as an RL package from Australia... correctly picking 8 of the actual top 10 on 61 points is:
GISELE89G
She is just over a month old, and its awesome she wins the audience prize!
Now on to the winners of the competition proper. When the winners are announced, it will be done in 1 minute intervals. We do invite everyone to comment and congratulate the winners and for the winners to respond before the next announcement (and if they could please use the SHOUT function - which i dont know how to use on pheonix firestorm). Hopefully we can get pictures of you attending the event. Anyone taking good pictures of today, please email them to me at jayjayaustralia@hotmail.com
Now to explain how the judging was done. Each judge listed their top 10 in order of preference. 8 points was allocated for a 1st place vote, 6 points for a 2nd place vote, 4 points for 3rd, 3 for 4th, 2 for 5th, and 1 point each for 6th – 10th. Straight aggregates were then used so that no single judge had more influence than any other.
As in past years the judging proved that taste in art is very diverse, with 57 of the 64 artworks being selected into the top 10 by at least one of the judges.Even the winner, was selected into the top 10 by 14 of the 30 judges, so the spread was very big. and really drives home the point that beauty really is in the eyes of the beholder, and its important to have a large, diverse panel. The maximum score possible is 240 (8 points for 1st place x 30 judges) and the winner for with 58 points.
The countdown starts with 10th Prize for the UWA REFLECTIONS 3D Art Challenge.
In fact... the top 12 were very close... so close, that we have a tie.
Yes we have a tie for 10th place.
And so, the winner of the JOINT of 10th Prize on 32 points is:
REFLEXIONS OF REFLECTIONS CAROUSEL by Yepar Saez of the Martinique Islands in the French Carribean!
JOINT winner of 10th Prize also on 32 points is:
WHO ARE YOU by Blue Tsuki of Seattle, USA
Oh and by the way, when I said it was a joint 10th prize, I meant it was a 3-way tie for joint 10th, and so, sharing 10th Prize taking home L$8,500 each is:
HIDDEN by Rose Borchovski of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
NEXT in 9th place, we have the person who has won the most awards across the UWA challenges over the years. A big congrats to:
NOBODY
Yes, NOBODY in 9th means we have another tie... this time for 8th place. And so, the JOINT winner for 8th Place on 36 points, taking home L$25,000 is:
REFLECTIONS OF WAVES by Nino Vichan of New York, USA
Sharing 8th place also on 36 points is:
FRUIT OF TIME by the irrepressible REBECCA BASHLY of Belgrade, Serbia
7th place now..... we welcome back:
NOBODY
6th place:
NOBODY
Two nobodies can only mean one thing. We have a 3-way tie for 5th place each on 38 points meaning they will all receive L$30,000 each.
In a 3-Way tie for 5th on 38 points (L$30,000) is:
QUANTUM by Barry Richez of Toulouse, France
Also in a 3-Way tie for 5th on 38 points (L$30,000) is:
NEURON SPHERE by Shenn Coleman of Avignon, France
And completing the trinity on 5th is:
ECHO'S REFLECTING POOL by Misprint Thursday of New Hampshire, USA
Before climbing higher in the ladder..... there are a few other prizes that need to be announced:
First of all, the Curators prize, selected by FreeWee Ling, UWA curator of arts.
I guess it isn't too surprising to hear that this is a joint prize also, with each receiving L$15,000.
So, the winner of the Curators Prize for the UWA Centenary Art Challenge is:
WINDOWS INTO OTHER ROOMS by Takni Miklos of Figueres, Spain
FreeWee says: "Takni’s large scale kinetic piece constantly changes as new squares are added and find a place in the grid. (Perhaps a metaphor for life in virtual worlds.) It moves elegantly and responds interactively as one touches or moves through it. Takni never fails to engage the mind and amuse the senses."
and the JOINT winner of the curators prize is:
REFLECTION ANDROHUMANOID by Thierry Lowtide of Popes, Avignon Vaucluse, France
FreeWee says: "Thierry’s brilliantly conceived, rendered, and scripted scene in mesh is at once humorous and terrifying. Specifically created for the REFLECTIONS show, he has even included subtle references to UWA in the labeling of the circuit board chips. His technical skills are matched by his ability to create a compelling scene."
Now to the UWA Special Prize & Honourable Mention Prize... selected by the UWA members of the panel for the artwork that best reflects the spirit of the UWA Centenary. First of all, the UWA Special Honourable Mention Prize, which is shared by 2 works, with each receiving L$15,000, the first of which goes to, our first double winner:
REFLECTING POOL by Misprint Thursday of New Hampshire, USA
Sharing the UWA Special Honourable Mention Prize is:
THE THINKER by Ama Avro of Starbourg, France
Now to the winner of the UWA Special Prize and its L$50,000. I have joked that 'nobody' is the winningest person in UWA 3D art history, however that honour goes actually to the winner of this special prize. I believe this person has won the most awards across UWA's soujourn in virtual art. Congrats to:
STRANGE OAKS FROM SIMPLE ACORNS GROW by Soror Nishi, of Kent, England!
OK... back to the countdown..... and before I continue, you have seen a lot of ties and joint awards. My promise is that there are no ties for the overall winner of the Art or the Machinima challenges. Why do I tell you this now? Simple...
Because in 4th place... we have:
NOBODY
In 3rd, we have:
NOBODY
Yes ladies and gentlemen... what this means is that we have a 3-WAY tie for 2nd place!
In Joint-2nd place winning L$59,000 on 47 points, with FOUR 1st place votes, ONE 3rd and TWO 4th place votes and appearing on TWELVE of the judges top 10 lists:
MIRROR WITH 4 VIRGINS ON THE SHORES OF DEPRAVITY by Jipe Loon of Haute Savoie, France
another member of the extremely strong French contingent we see in 2013.
Also in Joint-2nd place winning L$59,000 on 47 points, with THREE 1st place votes, ONE 2nd place vote, ONE 3rd place vote, TWO 4th place votes and appearing on TWELVE of the judges top 10 lists:
LOOKING BACK by Carmsie Melody & Struthious an Australia, USA partnership
And.... Joint-2nd, winning L$59,000 on 47 points, with TWO 1st place votes, TWO 2nd place votes, ONE 3rd place vote and TWO 4th place votes appearing on 14 of the judges top 10 lists:
SILENT REFLECTIONS by Krystali Rabeni of Blackpool, Lancashire, England
The next announcement will see the end of the reign of Lollito Larkham as Overall Grand Champion of the UWA 3D Art Challenges, who followed in the steps of Nish Mip & Misprint Thursday the first two Grand Champions.
The final ART award for the night, is the new Grand Champion of REFLECTIONS, the UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge, who will take home L$100,000. There was a clear gap between this and the trinity on 2nd place with 11 points separating the them. Finishing with 58 points and featuring on the top 10 lists of 14 judges, it garnered FIVE 1st place votes, ONE 3rd and FOUR 4th place votes. Ladies and gentlemen, the Grand Champion of the UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge is:
I THOUGHT I HATED HIM by Glyph Graves of Sydney, Australia
Chairman of Visual Arts of the Australia Council, Professor Ted Snell said of the work:
"I THOUGHT I HATED HIM is a brilliant and witty exploration of human nature that utilises the ubiquitous presence of data in our lives, feeding in from everywhere at an every increasing speed. The two mannequins move around the dance floor driven by data feeds from the New York and Shanghai stock exchanges. In real time while they are operating the data generates the movement and the music that propels these two lovers together and drives them apart. Miss Shanghai and Mr New York are involved in a compelling dance of attraction and repulsion generated by our avarice. It's funny and chilling in equal measure."
Congrats Glyph.... the Grand Champions have all come from different places... England, USA, France and now Australia!
UWA curator of virtual arts, FreeWee Ling has labored long and hard to put together a spectacular exhibition catalog in the UWA SiVA publications series. You can see it here: http://issuu.com/freeweeling/docs/uwa_siva_2.1_-_reflections
On to Machinima, and we start of with Yesikita Coppola's brilliant machinima weaving together all 64 Machinima submitted to the challenge.
Lapiscean, please play the machinima, and for those who cannot get the media to work, it can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx6Ae1YLTqw&feature=player_embedded
First we come to the audience entry prize. No tall order to attempt to participate in this challenge, as one had to watch all 64 machinima. The best anyone did was to get 7 of the 10 machinima correct (and 2 people achieved that), and the lowest number we had was 3 correct out of 10 (again 2 people had this figure). Was much more difficult to get the accuracy right for this compared to the art, as the best score was 48 points out of 100.
And so, in 5th place for the Machinima audience event, on 36 points with 5 of the top 10 correctly predicted, winning L$5,000 is:
DYZO
In 4th place on 38 points also with 5 of the top 10 correctly predicted is an extremely talented machinima maker whose style I absolutely love and who always makes films which are very different. Winning L$7,000 is:
VERUCA VANDYKE
In 3rd place for the Machinima audience event, and this shows that there is a real skill in doing this and not just luck, is a previous winner of the Machinima audience event.... with 44 points and 7 of the top 10 correctly identified, winning 3rd prize of L$8,000 is:
LALA LARIX
Only one point separated 1st and 2nd.. this person had amazing accuracy with their predictions, however only picked 6 of the 10 correctly, and missed out, thus winning L$10,000 on 47 points is:
LALIE SORBET
And thus the winner of the MACHINIMUWA VI Audience participation event on 48 points, with 7 of the top 10 correctly identified and winning L$15,000 is:
KARIMA HOISAN
one of the prizes for this is the opportunity to be on the next judging panel... and I hope she doesnt accept, as I would rather have another film submitted by her!
Now the top 10.
With Machinima, again competition was fierce.... with one judge being the difference between 1st and 2nd place. The top score was 79 points out of a possible maximum of 288 points (9 points x 32 judges), with 51 of the 64 works being on the top 10 list of at least one of the judges. Of course the big question on everyone's lips is..... can the triple defending champion, Tutsy Navarathna be stopped by anyone from going 4 in a row?
And so, 10th place for MachinimUWA VI: REFLECTIONS, on 29 points and winning L$40,000 is:
CLOUD by Hypatia Pickens of Rochester, USA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc-N6g9-Je8
9th place now on 35 points... and we have a tie. So, Joint-9th on 35 points winning L$40,000 is:
TAYA TAN by Erythro Asimov of Tours France (who had another work Egmont finishing in 12th)
https://vimeo.com/69412827
Also, Joint-9th with 35 points winning L$40,000 is:
STOLEN REFLECTIONS by Braclo Eber of South Africa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMOHiMhSrDI&feature=youtu.be
Next in 8th place on 42 points, winning L$40,000 we have:
SHADOWS REFLECTING DARKNESS by Joe Zazulak of New Orleans, USA
https://vimeo.com/67338631
All very close and in 7th on 44 points winning L$40,000, receiving THREE 1st place votes and TWO 2nd place votes and being listed on TEN of the judges top 10 lists is:
WINDOW ON A TRAIN by Natascha Randt & Karima Hoisan, the beautiful Costa Rica & Germany partnership, that has brought us so much joy!
And now 6th place winning L$40,000 with 48 points, receiving THREE 1st place votes, ONE 2nd, ONE 3rd and TWO 4th place votes being listed on 13 of the judges top 10 lists is:
JUNIPER by Bryn Oh of Toronto, Canada
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urmhu0jAZD8
Before going on to the top 5, there are a few special prizes. First of all the L$50,000 Art of the Artists Prize, which is the machinima that best incorporates one or a number of the artworks that have been submitted to the UWA Centenary 3D Art Challenge. This prize was selected by FreeWee Ling, UWA Curator of Virtual Art. And the winner is:
REFLECTIONS OF A LIFE by Devi Sky of Northridge, USA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1E364TJcdw
Now for the UWA Centenary Prize of L$50,000, where we also have L$25,000 for the Honourable mention winner. This goes to the Machinima that best captures the essence of 100 years of reflections on education, and was chosen by the UWA members of the panel only.
The Honourable mention for the UWA Centenary Prize (L$25,000) goes to:
REFLECTIONS: 100 YEARS OF PASSION by Wynshel Heir of San Francisco, USA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjpyESZwVWk&feature=youtu.be
And the winner of the L$50,000 UWA Centenary Prize for Machinima goes to:
DRAWING OUTSIDE THE LINES by Chic Aeon of Corvallis, Oregon, USA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ShQ5JB5MZM
Now to 5th as the prizes climb to L$80,000. On 58 points, receiving FOUR 1st place votes, TWO 3rd and THREE 4th place votes being listed on 13 of the judges top 10 lists is:
HASTA TU ESTRELLA by Erythro Asimov of Tours, France
https://vimeo.com/66574824
Thats 2 awards for Erythro!
Now 4th place and winning L$100,000 on 61 points. Receiving THREE 1st place votes, ONE 2nd place vote, THREE 3rd place votes and THREE 4th place votes and being on 17 of the judges top 10 lists is:
THE MIRROR LIES by Joe Zazulak of New Orleans, USA
https://vimeo.com/63236597
A 2nd award for Joe to follow the double by Erythro
And then there were THREE.....
The 3rd prize winner featured on 19 of the judges top 10 lists finishing with 65 points. Receiving TWO 1st place votes, THREE 2nd, THREE 3rd and TWO 4th place votes... taking home L$125,000 is:
PALLINA...THE LITTLE RASCAL by Pallina60 Loon of Rome, Italy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VopdYBW6lFE
What is truly remarkable is that Pallina has now gone back to back with 3rd place finishes, also finishing 3rd in MachinimUWA V: SEEK WISDOM, with Colours.
The top two battled all the way down to the final judges scoresheet, and the work finishing in 2nd place featured on 20 of the judges top 10 lists, which was even more than the winner. There was a crucial difference though. The 2nd Prize winner, received 75 points with TWO 1st place votes, FIVE 2nd place votes, THREE 3rd place votes and TWO 4th place votes. And so, the winner of the L$150,000 2nd prize for MachinimUWA VI: Reflections, is:
NARCISSUS by Tutsy Navartha, Frenchman in Pondicherry India
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrCfHxk9v8Y
and sensationally, someone has toppled the seemingly invincible Tutsy, almost peerless champion of the UWA machinima challenges. A standing ovation for Tutsy please everyone, winner of MachinimUWA III: Journeys, MachinimUWA IV: Art of the Artists and MachinimUWA V: Seek Wisdom.
And who is this person who has done what many thought was impossible? The winner of MachinimUWA VI: Reflections, taking home the highest 1st Prize in the history of UWA challenges across both art and machinima, L$200,000, featured on 17 of the judges top 10 lists, but crucially, received SIX 1st place votes, ONE 2nd, TWO 3rd and TWO 5th place votes rising to 79 points. And thus it is, that the David who has slain Goliath, the winner and new Grand Champion of MachinimUWA VI: Reflections is:
PAST | BEYOND by Vilvi Rae of Jyvaskyla, Finland.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCfU817j8mc
Jon Stubbs, Director of UWA's Student Services who has served on the Machinima panels since inception said, "Past I Beyond is a hauntingly beautiful future fantasy autobiography created by Vilvi Rae that explores past choices and what lies beyond. Beautifully filmed: 5 stars from the judging panel!"
Congratulations Vilvi.... I certainly hope we see more from you!
Thank you artists of Second Life!
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