View Mother Nature through a kaleidoscopic lens

Join me as I celebrate the re-opening of my New World Gallery tonight at 8:30pm SLT.

Organic Symmetry is an exploration of the shapes and colors provided by Mother Nature, viewed through a distorted digital lens. Undulating colors and self-similar shapes are combined in a variety of ways to create an immersive, full-sensory experience.

The works begin their life as RL digital photos captured in the wild places of the Pacific Northwest. Moss & bark, flowers & leaves, earth and sky. I take these images into Photoshop, exploring the shapes and color combinations that arise as I experiment. I have always been a fan of symmetry and the self-similar shapes found in Nature, and I enjoy creating my own variations on these themes.

I brought these manipulated images into SL for further experimentation. In here I can combine the images in new ways, put them in motion, create interactive pieces that surprise and delight. I never know what this Mashup of tools and ideas will bring about, but I know what I like when I find it.  :) This Organic Symmetry show includes digitally manipulated photos, interactive sculptures, kinetic art, video installations - even a symmetrical space created specifically for this collection.

MoShang Zhao will also be joining us for a live musical performance. His music is a perfect fit for this show.  Energetic yet introspective - a blend of traditional Chinese music, ambient sounds, and hip-hop flavors. He calls it ‘Chinese Chill’. You can learn more about MoShang at his website: http://moshang.net/

I will also be providing some live visuals to accompany MoShang’s music. Pictures, videos, particles, and other colorful eye-candy drawn from the same pool of natural  imagery.

See you at the show!
Vlad Bjornson

Teleport to the Gallery

BTW - The gallery is a bit difficult to find if you are not used to old-style telehubs. After teleporting to the Caledon Highlands you’ll need to fly a bit west to my Highland Cliffs parcel. There you will find an arrow shaped TP system that will take you high up into the sky to the New World Gallery. You can also just ask me for a TP. :)

SL Portrait Photos by Autopilotpatty Poppy

Miss Poppy, who runs the Gallery Tamrannoch, is quite active in the SL art and Caledon communities. She’s combined who love of both with her latest show, the Exotic Women of Caledon. She’s really outdone herself with this show - over 50 beautiful women are represented. You really get a sense of the culture of Caledon when you see all these wonderful pictures together. Patty took over 2600 photos while preparing this show! A trmendous effort of scheduling, shooting, and editing - but I think the results must be well worth the effort.

Here are a few snaps from the opening of the show. You can see the collection at the Gallery Tamrannoch for the next several weeks.

Get yer prim on!

A few of my favorite regular Second Life events are related to building and content creation. A great way to learn and an even better way to meet people who are interested in building and content creation.

Show and Tell
I discovered Zonax’s amazing Show and Tell event while I was still a wide-eyed noob. What a cool crowd of creative, friendly people! I was a regular visitor and presenter there for many months. Zonax has retired as host - but the show, and the friendly crowd live on with Barney Boomslang and florenze Kerensky. They host on Sundays at 2pm SLT.There are other Show & Tell events as well, some just for new builders. It’s just show and tell in kindergarten - only cooler. You’ll see crazy avatars, detailed swords, furniture, flowers, huge airships, anything, and everything. It’s a fun surprise to see what the next person rezzes. Most of these events offer $L prizes as well, so it can be a good way for new players to earn some cash for texture uploads.

Primtionary
Just like it sounds - the game Pictionary played with 3D prims instead of paper and pencil. Generally the builder will choose a difficulty level, get a word from the host, then try to build something that conveys that word to the audience. Meanwhile the audience is shouting out their guesses - more jokes than guesses at times. :) The one who answers correctly must build the next clue.Primtionary is a game that could only be played in Second Life - and more fun than a barrel full of shiny, twisted tori. Yummie Olsen hosts a game and I know that there are other weekly games as well. This is a great way for new builders to learn the tricks of the trade, too.

Zonax DeLorean Hosting a Show & Tell

Building Shelter
I have not tried this one in a while, but it is another fun building game with prizes. Always something fun and/or educational going on at the Shelter. BTW - Dolmere Talamasca offers free versions of the objects created during these games.

“Split into four rounds with one theme per round, the contestants must build something to that theme and then the audience votes on which one they like best! The winner of each round gets $250L, a total prize pool of $1000L cash! Building skills come secondary to creativity and wit… “

Blitz Building
A bit like Building Shelter, but you have 45 minutes to create a single build based on a chosen theme. A bit more time to pontificate and push your prims more precisely. NCI hosts both a newbie and an oldbie version.

Watching this fantastic William Gibson documentary at RiversRunRed.
posted by Vlad Bjornson on RiversRunRed using a blogHUD : [blogHUD permalink]

At the Sea Song Gallery listening to AldoManutio Abruzzo’s hypnotic music.
posted by Vlad Bjornson on Caledon On Sea using a blogHUD : [blogHUD permalink]