i.avatar (NSFW)

Opening tomorrow, Sunday, January 3 at 1 pm slt, at the Dathúil Gallery of Art, is i.avatar, an exhibition of photography by Io Bechir that encompasses a wide variety of styles and subjects captured over the past several years. "The work I'm displaying in i.avatar is a simple, autobiographical document," she explains. "My hope is to communicate my impressions with regard to my experiences here over the past three years," says Io. "During this time period I fell in love. I met some amazing and wonderful friends. I suffered a broken heart. I came to realize my own strength. I took up sailing. I found my voice as an artist, and discovered new ways to express my Self in this limitless space of ethereal light and imagination. Probably, many of the same experiences you have had."

Many of the photographs in this first solo show by Io depict the female nude in poses that range from sexual eroticism to interplays with light and shadow. Images along the lower right side were taken after the emotional end of a relationship, reflecting a dark period in her life; those along the left after the creation of Imogen, a doll that Io used to help find a new center. "Creating her was my way of sort of seeing the world through new eyes," she adds. Sailing, a favorite pastime of the artist (especially when naked), is also a prominent topic. The exhibition will remain on display through the month of January.

Roots

Now open is Roots from Cica Ghost, the latest installment in her ongoing series of sim-wide creations that adeptly combine playful quirkiness, absurdity, and composition to create delightful immersive environments. True to its title, Roots features, well, roots, and in great abundance — roots of plants, of trees, and of whatever odd things are growing there — and indeed it seems that some of the roots exist entirely on their own.

It's a dark, shadowy world, but not without moments of light and beauty: fields of flowers, colorful balloons adrift in the air (with passengers wanted), and Dr. Suess-like houses that dot the landscape, many precariously positioned on eroding hills delicately held intact by tangled masses of roots. Not to be missed is a fantastic and lugubrious snail that inches its way from the underneath of one rock to another, a house dragged along its back. Visitors to previous builds by Cica will no doubt encounter familiar objects and references.

Although the build's description suggests that the town's inhabitants have disappeared, a closer look reveals that they're actually still about — perhaps shy and curious, poking their faces through the windows of their odd little homes (image below). It's possible to join the residents in their peculiar window-peeking pursuits, because Cica has added poses to most of the homes, and to other parts of the build as well (a tightrope, for example), and many houses accommodate more than one avatar at a time. Contributions to support Roots may be made at the landing point, and selected items will likely be available through the artist's inworld store.

Kaleidoscope

Explorers who haven't visited the picturesque and snowy winter sim of Kaleidoscope should makes plans to do so soon, as owner and designer Krys Vita says that the scene will soon transform into something new. Arrival to the region is at the head of a country road shaded by the arching branches of stately trees, flanked by fenced fields. Traveling westward, one reaches a fork in the road, the left and right paths eventually converging again after gently wrapping around a frozen pond, where free ice skates are available.

The largest structure on the sim is a manor house (pictured above), situated to the right as the road forks, and visitors are invited to enter, gain respite from the cold and snow, and enjoy the furnishings and decor. Far across to the south stands a barn (pictured below), with the space between providing a tranquil grazing area for horses and black face sheep.

Quietly removed from all else is a small church, snugly situated on its own island to the southwest, connected to the rest of the area by means of a covered wooden footbridge. Throughout the region are other points of curiosity and things to see, as well as spots to relax or cuddle with a friend, all probably best explored by foot. Contributions to support Kaleidoscope may be made at the landing point.

Serena Arts Center Christmas 2015 Exhibition

Now open at the Serena Arts Center at Wolves Land, curated by Vita Theas, is a Christmas 2015 Exhibition, featuring two- and three-dimensional works by a number of Second Life artists, including Amanda Tomasoa, Anita Witt, Anna Jameson, Aruba DeCuir, bellaswun Resident, Daco Monday, Dita Actor, Grazietta Cazenove, Johannes1977, Kama Maertens, Kicca Igaly, Leo Kottke, Million Magic, nalivru Urvilan, Nessuno Myoo, Nino Vichan, Orsini Tarantal, Sabin Ferraris, Saya Lykin, Shakti Adored, Sparkie Cyberstar, terrygold, vangogh Rembranch, and Ziki Questi. Invited artists were asked to contribute one or two works that illustrate "topics of peace and tolerance," and many of the items on display are available for purchase. The exhibition will continue through the end of January 2016.

Escenas — La Muerte

Now open at MetaLES is the fourth and final scene of the brilliant Escenas by Ux Hax and Romy Nayar, entitled La Muerte (The Death), following previous scenes El Tiempo (The Time), Decisiones (Decisions), and El Meido (The Fear). As with the previous installments of this tarot-based artwork, it's essential that visitors turn up their draw distances substantially, as the view pictured above is literally the entire sim, with giant characters and decor impressively designed. It is with this final installment that the story becomes clear, and here I must thank my partner, Kinn, whose deep knowledge of tarot provided a strong and immediate revelation.

"The tarot is representative of the circle of life — it is not linear, so the artists' comment that the scenes are not in order makes sense," she began, providing some broad context. "Life is a spiral, and you often find yourself in the same situations over and over again. The tarot has an order, yes — it is the fool's journey — who he meets along the way and what he learns, but then at the completion of the journey he starts all over again. In these scenes, the woman is the fool on her journey — 'fool' not meaning foolishness but rather innocence and unlimited potential. The figure hanging above her in El Tiempo is the hanged man, who stands for sacrifice and letting go, and the symbols surrounding him are from the wheel of fortune — a card that represents the ups and downs of life; specifically, a major turning point. Later the image of the actual Fool from the tarot turns up; in the instance of this particular deck it is a man in a straitjacket...a very non-traditional representation."

Key to unlocking the mystery appeared in El Meido, in which we saw a cradle that continually faded away and reappeared, ensuring not only that we noticed it, but also underscoring its key position in the narrative. "It seems to me that the woman has lost a child," explained Kinn, "and these scenes reflect how she dealt with that situation. Theoretically all aspects of life are in tarot — they are the embodiment of experience."

"The devil is an interesting card," she continued. "The word for it is bondage. When I read, it generally shows up if a person is stuck in one way of thinking or in an addictive relationship. But they always have the option of freeing themselves — that is the message of tarot. Temperance [who stands next to the table in this scene, image below] is a warning to avoid extremes such as those that come with the devil, and often shows up when there are powerful emotions clouding action. None of this is ever set in stone; none of life is either. Things are fluid, and you create much with your mind. Outcomes are dependent on your reaction to the situation."

Other hints to the story rest on the table: grapes, in tarot a symbol of fertility, and pearls, a reference to innocence and children. The cups on the table are reminiscent of the Five of Cups card, indicative of a huge loss, bereavement, and only seeing the negative in a situation. In El Tiempo we witnessed the woman's anger, in Decisiones her quest for justice, in El Meido her sorrow, and now her own demise. "The loss of a child can break a woman — I think she killed herself," Kinn concluded. "It is true that the death card never means literal death but rather represents major change, so this scene could mean she is either embracing change or giving in to death. However, crows are psychopomps that lead souls from one plane of existence to the next, so I don't really think this story has a happy ending." The installation should remain on display until at least January 1.

Kingshaven

Situated off the coast of Maine, the secluded island of Kingshaven awaits vacationers and tourists, and features a local population of fishermen, lobstermen and longshoremen that provides the central industry. A tidy town of brick row houses and small shops wraps around a central square, while the nearby Independence Inn (lowest image) provides shelter from the cold, rustic landscape that blankets the shores. A few other huts and cabins dot the snowy landscape. (Click on any image to zoom in.)

The native language in this picturesque roleplay sim — "an island for light urban and vacation roleplay," says owner Emilia Winter — is German, but all visitors are welcome. Additional information, including details on possible character roles and scenarios, are available at the sim's website, and readers learn that while the island lacks organized crime, drug offenses and theft are not uncommon. (Kingshaven opened only a few days ago, so roles, jobs and profiles are only beginning to be defined.) Contributions toward the sim's support are welcome at the landing point.

Bay City Annual Tree Lighting and Concert Fundraiser

Now open for bids as part of the Bay City Annual Tree Lighting and Concert Fundraiser, organized by Marianne McCann and others in the Bay City community, is a silent auction featuring a number of items that will be of interest to arts patrons and collectors — among them an offer from Bryn Oh that awards to the highest bidder any ten of her sculptures or two of her "steampunk Rudolphs," which she described to me as "fun for me to make." Other artists whose work is featured include Cica Ghost, Livio Korobase, Haveit Neox, and Eupalinos Ugajin; creators such as Cory Edo, Pamela Galli, and Flutter Memel made contributions as well. Several creators have made items that are available exclusively at the auction. The festivities start at 1 pm SLT on Sunday, December 13, with performances by Christov Kohnke and Grace McDunnough, DJing by GoSpeed Racer, ice skating and the tree lighting, continuing until the close of the auction at 4.

The current list of contributors (which may change with the addition of a few people) includes:
ADudeNamed Anthony - '47 Cruiser
Awesome Fallen - Xmas Getting Through
Ayame Kintsugi - Christmas Cactus
Benjamin Wahl - Out of Order and Magic Morning
Bryn Oh - Gift card for ten sculptures or two steampunk Rudolphs
Cica Ghost - Cica's Christmas Tree
Cory Edo - L$10,000 gift card to Trompe Loeil
Eupalinos Ugajin - Rooster Helmet
Flutter Memel - L$2,500 gift card to Flowey
Haveit Neox - Deer Night Light
Hyacinth Tiramisu - Silent Sparrow 'zillas
Kinnaird - Evergram by Ever Dreamscape
Livio Korobase - Eugenio
Merlin527 - To Boldly Go
Moriko Inshan - Two dozen red roses from Hayana
MsLaBelle Mistwallow - Dolls
Owl Dragonash - The Far Away
Pamela Galli - Four prize packages from La Galleria
Persey Garcia - L$500 in gift cards to Little Llama
Pinco Janus - Ten outfits from Babele Fashion
Pygar Bu - Blimp
Robin Sojourner - Bay City holiday ornaments
Sanura Snowpaw - L$4,000 in gift cards to Somnia + gacha rares
Siris Vulpeca - Laminar Cub Super Pack (plus paint by Marianne McCann)
Strawberry Singh - L$1,500 gift card to Strawberry Singh Photography
Trinity Yazimoto - Antigravity
Zen Zarco - L$2,000 in gift cards to Boogers
Ziki Questi - Davis Gulf Lighthouse and Pumping Station Number One

Proceeds from the auction will support Child's Play Charity, which "seeks to improve the lives of children in hospitals and domestic violence shelters through generosity and kindness of the video game industry and the power of play." "Ever Dreamscape and I started the silent auction," Marianne explained. "We were picky, and wanted a charity with a very low overhead, one where we felt our money would go the farthest." (Rachel Seelowe attends the auction in the physical world and will deliver the check to the charity from this event.) Again, bidding closes on Sunday, December 13 at 4 pm SLT. I extend my personal thanks to the several artists and creators who very kindly contributed items at my request, and to Kinn, who invited me (and many others, too) to participate.

Ceramic Dolls (NSFW)

Now open at the Art on Roofs gallery is an exhibition of recent photography by Terrygold entitled Ceramic Dolls. On display, positioned on and around the rooftops onto which one ventures, are roughly two dozen mostly black-and-white images that depict the female nude, beautifully composed and with striking lighting and textures. Overall, the figures are more sensual than sexual, possessing a strongly reflective white skin that resembles a heavily glazed ceramic, thereby inviting us to focus less on the body itself as a sexual form and more on its interplay with other elements inside the frame.

The elements around the nude figures were in each case built around the avatar: Terry explained to me that she composed every image beginning with a pose, and, in a painstaking process, constructed a set around it, adding prims and numerous lights, working to highlight materials. The results are memorable and evocative compositions. The exhibition continues until December 20.

Windlight Winter Art Show and Winter Showcase

Now open and continuing through December 14 is the first annual Windlight Winter Art Show & Winter Showcase, produced by Windlight Magazine, which is published and edited by Johannes1977 Resident. A display of artworks — predominantly photography, reflecting the theme of the magazine — is supported by a number of merchants and sponsored by Tayren’s Fantasy Fashions. Featured artists whose works are on display (and generally for sale) include Bluesrocker Resident, Bryn Oh (work above), Cica Ghost (work below), Dawnbeam Dreamscape, eeraftr resident, Honey Bender, Ilyra Chardin, Inara Pey, Johannes1977 Resident, JudiLynn India, Kayly Iali, Layachi Ihnen, Richie Narstrom, Roffellos resident, Saoirseheart, Skip Staheli (lowest image), Sparkie Cyberstar, Tripleplaynitely, Warm Clarity, Wicca Merlin, and WrenNoir Cerise.

A portion of proceeds from sales and other income at the event will benefit Team Diabetes of Second Life, an official and authorized team of The American Diabetes Association. Featured merchants include Tayren’s Fantasy Fashions, Moonstar, Feyline Fashions, Wiccas Wardrobe, Zuri Rayna Jewelry, Spyralle, Kittycat’s Creations, The House of Avro, An Lema, Park Place Home Décor, Pink Ice Boutique, A Little Bit of Everything by Neck, Jamie Wolf Photography, Potomac Signature Homes, Lyrical B!zarre Templates, [JOH], Hearthaven Photography, Kaerri, and Meshopotomia. Additional information about the show, including a schedule of performances and other special events, is available here.

Winter at The Far Away

Visitors to AM Radio's The Far Away will be delighted to know that, for the first time in years, winter has arrived! Today AM spent some time inworld and added a thick layer of snow to the wheat fields, and it continues to pile up on the locomotive, the tables, and everything else. In the middle of the field, you'll spot the addition of a lone Christmas tree — click on it to obtain your very own rezzable tree, wearable tree and axe! (Because of the snow falling everywhere, you might need to get close to the tree to get it to respond.) Enjoy!