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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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



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

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

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

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

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

So what exactly is this event?

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

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

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


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

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

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


This is how SL gives me “freedom”. Freedom to be active within the limitations of my health. Freedom to interact with others from the confines of my house. I am really looking forward to seeing the artworks produced for this event and to learning how sl might give others "FREEDOM". 

FreeWee Ling
UWA Curator of Virtual Arts
UWA has a distinguished history of presenting the best in virtual arts and machinima. Our programs are open to all who wish to participate. The highly prestigious 3D art competitions attract the most experienced and best known artists working in SL, as well as relative noobies. All entries are given equal attention and no prerequisite qualifications are required as long as entries meet the technical and thematic requirements of the particular event.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 


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

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

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

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


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



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

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

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

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


-----------
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