When we started this interview (see above post) several days ago, we never could have predicted that we were walking into such a minefield – the Venkman/SL5B controversy seemed to be dying (or at least, calming) down – and our conversation was meant to be centered more on censorship in SL in general, rather than on any specific images or counterprotests. In fact, when I last spoke to Jay about Venkman, I told him that I had extended to him the same invitation that we had extended to every other artist in SL – the opportunity to place his work on BiW for critique – but that I strongly felt that nothing more should be done; that the ball was in Venkman’s court if he wanted to participate.
So it should be noted that I had absolutely no idea that Jay was going to go ahead and rez Venkman’s images on the island last night and certainly no warning that anyone was going to stage a counterprotest to their being placed there. And I find myself in a really difficult position: Either I have just wasted my time and my interviewee’s time over the last few days, or I inject the following conversation into an environment that was not the one we expected to have it be a part of.
I’m going ahead and posting the interview, mostly because I think it’s a good one and what my subject has to say is very relevant and timely, perhaps more than we knew when we started talking.
Not at all as a result of any of this (like, I said: Timing is everything), this interview will be my last post at Brooklyn is Watching for the forseeable future. I’ve decided to take what we can describe as an “extended leave of absence” from the project; I’m not totally sure if I’ll be back or not. It should be noted that I have neither been fired nor have I stormed off in a fit. Jay and I had a very civil, face to face discussion about all this earlier today and I’ve come to the conclusion that, at least for the time being, I should leave BiW.
I thank you all so much for reading my posts and for sharing your work with me and our audience. I am not leaving SL and hope to remain in touch with all of you and hope you will all keep me abreast of your latest artworks. Getting to know you all and writing about your work has been an absolute pleasure.
Be well,
Amy Freelunch/Wilson
AKA “the brooklyn beholder” This is the avatar for the project, he/she/it lives in the tower and comes down to look at anyone who comes to the stage- his/her/its’ P.O.V. is shown on the monitor on the wall at Jack the Pelican Presents (or will once the project officially starts in March look here for an opening announcement) A couple of good quotes about eyeballs:
