Out on the road Circuit La Corse there is a new museum. I have been to so many museums in sl. There are art museums, sculpture museums, Bear museums, Butterflies and more but now there is a Frog Museum. It formally opened on July 17th. Frogtacular Museum is the name and they have Ribbit Readings.That is also the name of the group if you would like to join and get notified of that readings and other activities.
I walked in greeted by the notice in chat “Welcome to the Magical Bog home to Ribbit Readings & The Frogtacular Museum! Feel free to Hop around and explore. Our Story Schedule is located in the main building. Please keep it PG-13.“
ЯedѠƦαէɧ Қαяu (RedWrath Resident) must love frogs and has created this quite little froggy paradise . There are also loads of mushrooms around for them to hide under . It is a good place to stop and have a picnic if you are traveling the road. She also says, “Do you like frogs? Yeah? So do I! Visit one of the largest frog collections in SL! Is there a froggy item I am missing? Care to donate or share, contact me. “ Drop by and rest a while.
Burn2 is celebrating the summer burn ,Conception.
It is called Whimsy and will be whimsical in builds. I stopped over to
take a look and check that all is in place. Artists are still putting
up their installations . Deep Hole is ready and the saloon is open.
I ran into Maia Antarra (Psiberangel Resident) at the gift table . She
admired my horse so I showed her where she could rezz a horse for riding
on the playa. She was worried it would not fit but it did!
Anyone visiting can rezz their own horse and choose which one to ride .
There is a sign in front of the Ranger station advertising the fact that we are looking for more Rangers to join us in being helpers to all who visit the playa . Read about Rangers and contact Leondra Larson if you are interested. It is a great experience and the training is the same that the Black Rock Rangers go through for Burning Man, adjusted to second life of course.
Rather join the Art car riders? There is a rezz area right inside the gate where one can rezz an art car of their choice and buzz around the playa. The opening will be at 5pm Friday and there will be a Lamplighters walk and parties at the main stage . See you there !
Saturday morning my first activity is to go collecting new stamps for my passport . The Gazette always has a list of where owners have placed new terminals. This way I add to my passport and find new places in Second Life that I may have never seen before. Some of which I return to and explore and perhaps write about them for you . Today I hit the jackpot in visiting places that were in themselves compact enough and also familiar and think you would like to visit.
The Welcome Hub for new residents has a whole section of representative builds of recommended places to visit installed by the members of that location. The new one I saw this morning is wonderful in representing Burn2, the virtual part of Burning Man here. Huntress Catteneo infrastructure builder at Deep Hole and a an artist who does many builds .has placed this installation and it is delightful. By clicking on the wall you get to see 360 photos of Burning Man in the Nevada desert. One can also watch a video of events in Second Life. There is a teleport door to visit Deep Hole the permanent site of Burn2. To experience this delightful introduction to Burn2 here is the site.
The next site I visited , though it did not have a terminal was the Art Gallery at Firestorm where they exhibit various artists every month to highlight their work. It was related in a way to the Burn2 exhibit because one of my fellow Rangers at the Burn is the artist of the month. Radioactive Rosca is also a community builder for many events at the Bellisserian Fairgrounds and other events. I also use some of his photos when my laptop does not let me get good photos… with his permission of course.
The gallery is lovely itself and Radioactive added to the gallery with a pond. He takes massive numbers of photos of scenes of activity like boat tours , helicopter rides , train rides and more. I think he grabbed a photo of almost every event that happened last month at the Bellisseria Anniversary. Take a look at him working on the art exhibit and beyond can see more photos of that event last month. https://www.flickr.com/photos/radioactiverosca/albums/72177720316520757/
Congrats for being the featured artist ! Stop over to see for yourself. Firestorm Social Island
The other new sweet little gallery at the CDS where I stopped to get a stamp belongs to AmandaT Tamatzui, a well known artist who often builds enormous installations as she did at the SLEA a few months ago. However this is a tiny gallery containing examples of her art pieces and various styles with which she works.
Amanda is a part of the BBB who makes many of the stamps for the terminals also. I can’t wait to see her next installation! Visit this gallery to get a taste of her talent.
Cica Ghost had a charming installation called Colourado. A group of us took at trip over with Andee Cooper to see it. Cica’s little critters are always so cute . Some of them look right inside of you to check you out as you wander. She makes new installations often and it is great to visit them and see what new inventions she has come up with.
While we wandered we found interactive pieces to have some fun. Here we sat on one of the creatures to discuss what we were looking at.
We were happy to meet Cica who came over to greet us all. She talked about her work in Second Life and her love of creating . I am sorry to say that this build closed on March 3 but Cica is already working on her now creation. One can see many of her older and newer art pieces on the SL Marketplace or at her shop. I will let you know when her new installation opens.
After this visit we flew over to Perfect Paradise Community to explore this amazing region.“Join us for a social experiment of creating an ideal society. A sanctuary of music, poetry, philosophy, community, consensus, wildlife conservation, environmental, creative, supportive, esoteric, exploration. Values of kindness and caring for all. “
The entrance area seen above shows an idea of what to expect as you wander about. Look for a teleport circle on the ground and see what is offered to visitors. It will take you to some wonderful sites to explore.
Shenn Coleman, a builder there, offered this greeting ,”Welcome to the Perfect Paradise Gemma. I invite you to explore in the sky and underwater, I have created several secret places to share the beauty and to make pictures, you'll find several gates, feel free to walk in to go to other scenes into the sky .Ari plays the piano live every weekday at 7 pm and Sunday too, you are welcome to join us, open stream music if you can its more immersive.” Shen offered a folder with lots of information about the community. I hope you can get one.
This lovely community has been here since 2008. They welcome “kind and gentle, loving souls here, people who love to laugh and sing and listen to music, who are interested in conversation, debate, spirituality and vibrant discussions.”
There are so many sites to relax and enjoy the surroundings . A meditation area offers peace. There are meditation classes and many poetry meetings. The Gallery has pods with art pieces displayed and there is a Monastery. You will enjoy visiting this region alone or with friends .
Editors Note: Gemma would email one of the people behind Perfect Paradise, Jonquil (Esthezia Andel) if the creator was still around. He would answer:
The original creators of Perfect Paradise, Miralee Munro and HarpoonDodger Freenote, are no longer in SL. Ownership of the island is now shared by a small group, including me. But I do not think of myself as an "owner", more like a caretaker or steward. I am helping to keep the island open for creative uses like music, meditation, and poetry.
I was not around for the early years of Perfect Paradise, so can't tell you much about that history. You could learn more from devanahousha, who is a longtime member. Also Shenn Coleman and Arisia Vita.
Saturday the BBB and Intercontinental passport groups held a new addition to services by instituting the first tour to obtain special stamps and introduce more residents to lovely places on the Bellisseria continent. We gathered near the office on Swordfish and went down to the rezz zone where there were two large and comfortable helicopters waiting to take us on a flight to Victorian Merrymount, one of the community regions . Two experienced pilots, Brian and Kevin made us feel comfortable and safe on the trip. For several this was their first helicopter ride and they loved it. We did lose two or three along the way but they were rescued and joined us later . We won’t blame the pilots though.
Merrymount is a beautiful region on Bellisseria. It offers a place to relax and enjoy games or just hanging around with friends. The Atrium is gorgeous and stands on a hill .It is open for visitors 24 hours with food and drink. There were six special stamps placed at various sites around the region and we had fun roaming to find them. For those who missed the trip they will remain until December 3.
On the way back we stopped off at Pegleg Lighthouse where one more stamp waited for us. After the tour ended we all flew back to the headquarters for a party in the garden with DJ Stephanie. I am looking forward to the next tour event. I hope you can join us. Stamp collecting is great fun and introduces one to all sorts of venues across the whole grid.
For those who need a passport
“If you don't already have a passport, you can get an Intercontinental one almost instantly. But it still takes about 15-20 minutes to set up... so come early! Click the white and yellow terminal that says "Intercontinental Passport Citizen of Second Life." It will give you a folder with a passport in it. You will need to rez it to the ground to set it up and the BBB HQ is a no-rez area. You can either TP home to set the passport up and then return, or you can go the rez zone near the BBB HQ. The terminal to get the passport is located here:
Sunday my friend Stevie Basavi opened her new gallery. She has shown art at various galleries but now has her own at Cesa. She says of her art .”I love art very much and want to make photos that I can feel, and that bring out emotions in others. I want to be able to put on virtual canvas the things that I have hidden inside, and to capture magic using layers of creativity, meaning I build my own sets, and create multi media pieces, using light and music in my creations when I am able”.
Her landscapes are varied and reflect her love of the beauty created across the sl grid. She also has lovely portraits. Her pieces are for sale at the gallery. It was a delight to walk around at the opening which had a large attendance and look at the variety of landscapes . Take a trip over to view the new installation on Pride Island. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Pride%20Island/106/111/3361
When I was serving as Ranger back at the Burn2 I visited a parcel that
was giving away gifts of art. I took the art home and looked at it an
wondered who was the creator? I met the artist who was amusing to talk
to and became interested in learning more about him.
I came to find out from my friend Lee1 Olson, a fellow Ranger that this artist is most famous in his homeland France. The artist is known here in Second Life as Patrick Moya ( Moya Janus) and variations of that name. He is really one of the most interesting people I have met in SL in a while.
Lee1 has a whole section of his huge museum, filled with works from Moya that I visited . The works are fun and engaging. I decided to go to see Moya’s own Second Life museum on his recommendation. This museum covers several regions showing his art here that he has brought in from real-life and created here in real-life also. Amazing stuff! It took Moya Janus 11 years to build up his museum, starting with a floor plan. Moya owns four islands, about 256000m2
What fun we had visiting. My fellow reporter, kayly iali (Kayly Iali), who is also an artist, and I made an appointment for a tour. Moya came himself and took us for a tour in one of his cute cars. and Kamerina (Kamerina Kamala) came along with us. We went first to a model of his latest real-life exhibit which was like a curiosity cabinet that he painted in 20 days . Sadly the real life exhibit had to close because of covid 19. But here it is in Second Life though!
We then visited the models of his first works back in 1975.
“From 1974 to 1977 Patrick Moya theorizes the consequences of
television images on art. He thinks that when the artist is alive the
creature hides the creator.” Moya Janus attended the Villa Arson in Nice.
The Villa Arson is an art school devoted to contemporary art in France.
When Moya discovered Second Life, he realized it had potential to
realize his dream. Since he worked in so many different mediums, he is
able to show all of his works in its entirety. He believes that Second
Life will allow artist avatars to create comprehensive works that will
survive their creator.When asked who were his influences were his
answer was “I have none.... me and my name.”
I came to realize that Moya is his art and his art is Moya. Moya loves dolly the first cloned sheep and she is everywhere.
He calls his works the opposite of pop art but using the same methods. He is an original. It is obvious in his eclectic works in so many forms, paintings, sculpture, pottery, .His attitude toward Second Life is that it is a place to prepare more art for the future and gives him a place to work expressing himself using many forms available.Kayly asked if he did all his painting in real life and then brought it to Second Life. He does, and thinks how can he use it in SL when he brings it here . Second life has given him an extension of his life works . Moya also has a section on his region near his museum for anti-Moya. The anti-Moya avatars are 2D figures who are protesting the 3D avatars of Moya who has created an area of 3D avatars that he scripted. I had the nerve to enter and check out the area.!
He does much live painting in real life in museums , many in as little as 40 minutes.His works are used by towns for festivals. Now that Covid has stopped these activities temporarily second life gives him an outlet to perhaps prepare for real life presentations when they are possible again. It is easy to see he is much loved in his homeland, France, and popular in other countries in Europe, and Asia. Check out his website that show so many past exhibits everywhere .
To see his museum it will take days, weeks maybe since you will have four regions of art in so many forms to wander through and experience. There is a marvelous teleport center where one can pick and choose which part of the museum they would like to visit that day .. some samples, Ceramics, Fashion, Street art, special exhibits of real life art such as his exhibit in Korea, The Hospital, his real-life home, ( where or when or how he sleeps I have no idea), and so much more. He told me that I would be writing ten pages to cover it all and he is right! I will let you discover all that I did not write about. The tp center is here : http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Moya/118/108/22
I bet if you want a personal tour it will not be hard to get Moya to take you all around, just ask. You can find free cars to rezz if you like. I did see some construction going on in case you find that a TP might not work or looks different than you expected.
If you would like to watch the curiosities cabinet being created in real life you can see it all here.
I have been so busy greeting I have not been out to the exhibits much yet. Today I took some time to go exploring a bit in regions I have not been before but looked at from afar and wondered what is that I almost see? I made it an objective to visit the big white parcel on the map that has been catching my eye in Electrify from a distance and I am so glad I did.
This exhibit is exactly what we need in these days of real life stress that most of us are experiencing. When I arrived on the road beside the white blob on the map I found so much to interact with. The description states, “This is an interactive installation where viewers are compelled to reflect on the life of a stranger before judging them. The inspiration comes from current events, where the lack of empathy for others divides us. “
There are anonymous figures seated all over the parcel , spaced of course, surrounded by their thoughts. I sat across from one and quietly considered the words on the ground and floating up into the air to see what who this figure was... is ... Reflection on the words is right. There is so much for thought about those we know and those we don’t know. They are all different , or the same, depending on me and my reaction . So much for thought there . Go see. It is an amazing example of the creativity of Fionafei, the artist in second life, and deep empathy. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL17B%20Electrify/97/151/23
I decided to walk after my sitting in various chairs and found an exhibit from one of my favorite
events in second life in which I participate every year, One Billion Rising. OBR is held on the day of the event that takes place in almost every country to bring attention to Women. “One Billion Rising is the biggest mass action to end violence against women (cisgender, transgender, and those who hold fluid identities that are subject to gender-based violence) in human history. “
“Our installation recreates in part an exhibition at One Billion Rising in Second Life 2020 - our Hall for Heroes which celebrates just some of the women around the world who have supported and fought for women's rights in various areas.” Pick up a notecard and perhaps you will get involved in this inworld activity that is open to all. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL17B%20Electrify/102/221/23
Among the many fun installations at the SL17B there are meaningful thoughtful exhibits to explore. Take a pod ride and hop off at any exhibit you want to walk through .You have two more weeks. Look for gifts on these sites too. Near these exhibits I found a few more I want to explore not only at the event but after and perhaps introduce to you in a future article. More on exhibits when I can get to them! Get your gifts at the gift area!!!
Ce Soir sent out a notice that there is a new exhibit with a variety of artists showing their works. As usual I missed the opening party but went over to see the exhibit. It was my first time in the sim so I spent time wandering around looking structures all over the region. It is a delightful region where there is so much art in many forms .
The builds range from small enclosures just for relaxing and chatting to a lovely large chateau for events and outdoor parcels for smaller events. As you wander hop into a scene on one of the interactive structures for pictures if you like.
From their website , for this time of year ...“ The spring season is our primary inspiration, but artists have been invited to explore the meaning of AWAKENINGS for themselves. What inspires, what moves the spirit? What opens the mind and broadens the horizons? What shakes one free from the doldrums that sometimes come from a long winter - or other darker time? Consider all - and express it artistically, using a range of media. Enjoy SPRING AWAKENINGS at Ce Soir Arts! “
The list of exhibitors is extensive but notecards about the artist can be found near their particular exhibit. I recognized some of them but found newer artists that I have not seen exhibiting. I counted 22 artists showing so it is well worth a long walk around the pleasant paths. I found two machinima links along the road , one very thougthful by my friend Secret Rage that you can see here .
I was having trouble with that one and Mimi (MimiMusette Resident), an assistant on the sim came to help. Don’t miss the lovely poetry as you move along the trails. There will be much to see on your walk.
While I was in the sim there was an event going on at the Magic Tree Reading spot where RUSSELL EPONYM, Poet Laureate of the sim and the “ Music Whisperer”, was entertaining the group with his music , most of which are story songs , many of his own.
The owner of the sim, Mirielle Jenvieve, was hosting. You will see some of her lovely art around the sim. She is responsible for all the beauty you can enjoy in the sim. There is no group to join but there is a subscribo near the Magic Tree Reading Spot . You will land there . I shall be returning.
Wheedle is the upstanding example of a second-life gentleman, a creative avatar who has contributed much to our world, not least as the creator of excellent freebies such as the Zorgone avatars and vehicles and as well as unique and affordable artwork for our walls. In a press release on the 14th August, Wheedle announced that his tiny gallery overlooking the harbor at Coniston was to close, and that he was also moving out of the adjoining cottage.
With characteristic wry humor, Wheedle explained there were two reasons for his decision. First of all, his ongoing campaign for Second Life Governor has been taking up more and more of his time. Wheedle explained, "It is surprising how demanding the campaign trail can be." Secondly, he cited the commute to and from his main art gallery in Calleta, which was just getting impossible with all the lag.
He also reassured us that the rumor that he had been abducted by aliens is totally false and was possibly spread by someone in Governor Linden’s employ.
The Wheedle Gallery has been part of the Greater Coniston and Keswick community for years, offering a regularly updated selection of his artwork. He will be missed. Thankfully Wheedle will continue to maintain his much larger gallery at the beating heart of mainland transportation on Calleta in Heterocera. He is also a staunch contributor and supporter of the eclectic art space at Wanderlust and Bench Art Park.
Wearing many hats, but most often the clockwork one, Wheedle has been active in Second Life since 2013. This latest development by no means implies that he is getting ready to check out of SL. On the contrary, he disclosed, "There is so much depth to SL. I doubt I shall experience, let alone master everything it has to offer. Although I have come so far from my newbie days of trying to dress myself, I find there is so much more to learn. I find it funny when people here claim they are bored"
The Wheedle Gallery in Coniston will be abandoned sometime in late September. All are invited to visit before that time. He expressed his appreciation to his wonderful landlord Rey and stated that it was a delight living and doing business in the area.
We wish him all the best with his future endeavors and look forward to seeing what he does next.
New Roadside Cafe is Inspired by a Jazz Musician and a Recipe
By Klaus Bereznyak
Since January 2016, Cafe Klaus has been welcoming casual passers-by and regulars to a magical little corner of the Mainland Continent of Heterocera. The location had instant appeal and seemed the perfect place to build a roadside cafe, alongside Route 1 and well served by regularly passing Yavascript Pods. Many of the surrounding parcels are tastefully maintained by Prokofy Neva of Ravenglass Rentals and have ensured that there's been a sense of life and habitation at a time when much of the mainland has been abandoned.
As it was, it proved a great place to entertain guests and enjoy a regular Cocktail hour as the shadows lengthened and the Linden sun set over Patagonia. When it came to decor, I indulged a love for jazz and old-world aesthetics with a touch of colonial Africa. However, on the June full moon, 2018, the cafe underwent a radical re-build. It felt like the right moment to dive deeper and bring an earthier, more rootsy feel to the place. The tipping point leading to the transformation was the discovery of a stew recipe by the brilliant and eccentric jazz pianist, philosopher and bandleader who went by the name of "Sun Ra".
Through the 1960s, Sun Ra and his Arkestra lived in a commune in New York. Surrounded by deprivation and a heavy drug culture, the Arkestra became an informal rehab of sorts, presided over by Sun Ra, who was creating experimental music that seemed to emanate from other-worldy sources. He explained that he had been told during a visionary experience while at college that should give up his studies and focus on speaking to the world through music. When times were hard, Sun Ra would take over responsibility for cooking meals for the band, and this was when he dished up his "Moon Stew".
Many things came together at once to make Moon Stew Cafe a going concern, and we are now open for business. Avatars who swing by the cafe can pick up a free Moon Stew Bowl and a copy of the recipe from the bar. They can enjoy the sights and sounds of the Arkestra on a screen above the rice cooker, relax and drink cocktails, and it's still a great place to enjoy the sunset.
The inspiration for this place has been drawn from many corners of Second Life, including rugs and furniture from the Worlds Collide shop (also on Heterocera), and various pieces of artwork by SLartists. The aim has been to create an eclectic theme that I hope is in the spirit of Sun Ra's endeavours. It celebrates life, roots (cultural, spiritual and edible), wholesome food, creativity and self expression in the face of adversity. Aruba DeCuir's "African Moon 2" dominates one wall of the storeroom-lounge. Visitors can also enjoy vegetable art by Tea Gupte on the walls, and there is more to come. Like its predecessor, the cafe will continue to promote artistic creativity on the grid. Information about current exhibits can be found in the smaller room of the cafe.
By pure serendipity, local parcels came up for sale at the same time as the re-build, so the whole region of Patagonia has been augmented in the past month. There is currently a farm over the road (supplying some of the essential stew ingredients) and plenty to explore in the locality.
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