I shot some video while we were making the podcast, and here it is. I missed some parts of the podcast, and so didn’t get video of everything. Sorry, Ob. I really liked the taxi ride
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D5zW3AsDfI

Left by L1AuraLoire on November 16th, 2009

Interesting podcast. Two little things about my “Light Traffic” piece: first, it didn’t occur to me as I was making it that anyone would actually ride on the cars. Jay got my intent when he discussed the pale coloration of the light as the cars started to rise. And the pun, of course. It’s interesting that people feel compelled somehow to interact with everything – perhaps this is a common trait of (non-2D) art in SL?

Second, it was interesting to hear Georg’s comment about so much of SL art not “meaning” anything. That comment raises so many questions, not only about art in SL – which we’re still trying to figure out – but also about the relationship between RL issues and concerns and SL living overall. When IS it appropriate to bring RL issues into SL? And what if the SL artist’s work is about issues in SL rather than RL? Would that satisfy anyone’s rubric of “meaningful?”

As an example, L1 is currently a minotaur and sometimes I’m a magpie. Where do RL issues of race, class, gender, nationality, etc. fit into that construct? Occasionally, we have “races for life” and “art auctions for cancer survivors” and “concerts for autism” – but these things don’t exist in SL, so why do we feel compelled to bring these (real) RL concerns into our “second” life?

On the other hand, those of us who make things are faced with real concerns about LSL shortcomings, Mono bugs, prim counts, encroachment with megaprims, lag, etc, etc. Are these SL “issues” appropriate fodder for art?

Finally, the question we all have to face is this: are we trying to fashion a “sceond life?” Or ultimately, is it just US, dressed in funny minotaur and bird costumes pretending like we’re having a good time?

Left by oberon.onmura on November 16th, 2009

Good points raised Oberon, I think about this a lot. I do see myself as a Second Life artist more so than a Real Life artist who does work in SL, because I guess I stopped doing ‘art’ in real life some time ago, although I do contribute ideas about art to working RL artists. But this makes me wonder, does being an artist in SL make me an artist in RL, I know many RL artists who would think not, they would rather view it as me playing in a game. And then that statement throws up all your questions again. Fuck art lets dance?

Left by Dekka Raymaker on November 16th, 2009

It’s interesting that people feel compelled somehow to interact with everything – perhaps this is a common trait of (non-2D) art in SL?

Avatars are more likely to play, behind the mask of their computers. More likely but not always. Take the Eva and Franco Mattes piece today. It was all fun and games till we were asked to undress and get in to sex positions. It was ok watching them naked but not me I was not taking of my pants. I didn’t have my genitals!! all of a sudden the avatar was me and not a tool.

When IS it appropriate to bring RL issues into SL?

always, we are hybrid human avatar constructions we cant deny first life

what if the SL artist’s work is about issues in SL rather than RL? Would that satisfy anyone’s rubric of “meaningful?”

an avatars rubric for sure probably not a peoples who has no avatar or is just renting one for a time

L1 is currently a minotaur and sometimes I’m a magpie. Where do RL issues of race, class, gender, nationality, etc. fit into that construct?

those issues are the field in which we play

Occasionally, we have “races for life” and “art auctions for cancer survivors” and “concerts for autism” – but these things don’t exist in SL, so why do we feel compelled to bring these (real) RL concerns into our “second” life?

social concerns are at the top of the list after personal comfort and are directly related. Causes adjust others perception of us to make us more acceptable and likely to be sided with in a conflict. Thats what the MFSOB donation jar is about at the entrance to BiW.

those of us who make things are faced with real concerns about LSL shortcomings, Mono bugs, prim counts, encroachment with megaprims, lag, etc, etc. Are these SL “issues” appropriate fodder for art?

anything is fodder

are we trying to fashion a “second life?” Or ultimately, is it just US, dressed in funny minotaur and bird costumes pretending like we’re having a good time?

Its got to be us dressed up, finding ourselves sucked in to fashioning a second life despite our attempts to remain detached.

thanks for the great questions now go out and get a slice for me

Left by sowa on November 16th, 2009

Jay we’re both English yeah, but somehow Arahan was given a more pleasant English accent than I, he would never say ‘fuck’ either!

Left by Dekka Raymaker on November 17th, 2009

Of course people liked sitting on your “Light Traffic” cars, Oberon! I understood that wasn’t the point, but it was an irresistible attraction. I believe that it IS a common trait to interact with 3D art in SL and I try to encourage that sort of thing by saying that one measure of the art is how well it sits. Not with entire seriousness, but its fun and gives one a different perspective, and its something you can’t normally do elsewhere. When I visit physical museums and galleries I have to remember to keep my hands to myself. I *would* climb on the T-Rex skeleton if it were allowed.

I appreciate the comments on my “10,000 Light Years” thing. They were insightful and and also sparked some ideas for my next attempt. (back to the workshop…..) I need to remember to be very specific about what I’m trying to communicate.

Questions:
“What makes this good?”
“What makes this bad?”
“Why does this matter?”
Also:
“Why am I doing this?”

I don’t have much in the way of answers but these look like a good mental checklist to keep handy. And if I had been in the habit of asking myself these, especially the last one, when I was in my 20s I might have avoided any number of ill-considered decisions.

(but probably not)

“I stopped doing ‘art’ in real life some time ago, although I do contribute ideas about art to working RL artists. But this makes me wonder, does being an artist in SL make me an artist in RL,…” (Dekka Raymaker)

Yes. Next question.
Seriously, I don’t see that it makes a difference. Art is art, regardless of the medium. You can’t get any more real than creating something that attracts and affects people.

Left by Rezago Kokorin on November 17th, 2009

I liked Rezago Kokorin’s installation, it had a freshness of the unknown with a feeling I have been here before in my mind:)

Left by Pen Carter on November 17th, 2009

To chime in…as both artist and critc, intention is always a good thing to have, but I feel that it is more of a wish than a demand to be placed upon the viewer. That goes for both SL/RL or art in general (SL+RL). But, as Rezago mentioned, SL opens the opportunity for viewing works “freely” without the usual institutional restraints, lines, guards, sterile white-walls, the hush-hush atmosphere, and the whole look and do not “touch” issue.

I think this area between how an artist wants their work to be viewed, and how it is viewed/experienced/interpreted, and the ways that SL allows your art to be experienced “freely” is very fertile. Also, allowing the boundaries to bleed a bit between SL and RL art is another interesting area of investigation (imagination blowing!), or the translation of works from SL to RL and back again. Or as we had in the JTP show, the mixed-reality project.

Left by MonCherrie Afterthought on November 18th, 2009

I enjoyed Oberon’s ethereal taxi’s, I’d had quite a stressful week and the simplicity and order of the piece had a very welcome mollifying effect. Not once though did I feel compelled to sit on or in the cars, I was immersed and satisfied enough as a viewer.

The obsession with sitting on everything in SL does irritate me, it’s not a problem if the artist can control the pose and level of interactivity, it’s just the hideous default sit pose that looks so imbecilic and consequently cheapens any art that gets sat upon. We used to have an amusing notice in the Arthole gallery lobby reminding folks about our policy on sitting on the art.

“SL artists” are just artists using this virtual world as a creative tool, many of us use other mediums. SL art becomes really compelling, for me at least, when the artist injects their personality and experience into what could otherwise be a deeply sterile and uninteresting place.

And you’re right Dekka, I would never, ever say fcuk.

Left by Arahan Claveau on November 18th, 2009