I’m Pretty by Piedra Lubitsch

Piedra Lubitsch is currently showing at Nordan Art a collection of fifteen photographs named Self-portaits (teleport poster can be found in front of the gallery to the left of the main entrance, http://slurl.com/secondlife/Nordan%20om%20Jorden/138/50/2502). To me, these images are reflections of the artist’s self and offer a glimpse into her internal world. There is one photograph in particular, I’m Pretty, that intrigues me. It depicts the upper part of a female body, the head is covered with a brown bag, on which is written “I’m Pretty.” I asked Piedra to elaborate on this work and below please find her thoughts.

I decided to make this picture, I’m Pretty or the girl with the paper bag head, by seeing it first at http://bemorenice.tumblr.com/post/3566237311/petapeta-100-ziza-qip-ru. So I thought I would create a simple bag with the message “I’m pretty,” I’m nice, look at me, post it in second life and wear it, and I must say it is a very comfortable bag. Trying to find the author of this image I found nothing but a lot of other blogs using this image for different purposes, and I guess the story of the paper bag head is an old story; the girl, or the boy, who you only want to have sex with a paper bag in the head, though this one is sending a message. I think it is among and above all other things a joke. A joke to laugh of the everyday tragedy of all women trying to be pretty, for different purposes or for anything in life mostly, a gender tragedy. Please, all comments and opinions are more than welcome.

La Mer and No Distance by Simotron Aquila

I feel priveledged to have Simotron Aquila show her work a second time at Nordan Art. This time it’s about communication and her two works, La Mer and No Distance, are connected in the sense that they both relate to ways of expressing ourselves. Below please find Simotron’s thoughts on these installations. Photos above by Simotron Aquila. This exhibit will come to an end on November 19, 2011, come check it out, here is the slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Nordan%20om%20Jorden/18/93/25. 

Both installations are a reflection upon communication and our way of telling about ourselves: fragmented, instantaneous, anonymous and sometimes, left to chance.

When we share photo, preferences, interests, desires… we release (we leave free) some information about us. Like messages in the bottle, these information don’t have a precise recipient and don’t have a defined form: we don’t know if and who will read them; we don’t know which information (and in which order) will be read; we don’t know in which manner them will be interpreted, neither if someone will share them again. Like for the messages guarded in the bottles of “La mer” is, we offer a key of reading for these information, for example dividing them in categories or putting them in evidence, but will be the reader to isolate the message from the context and to label it, that is to give it a precise meaning in base to the search that has conducted him/her “to meet us.”

A different form of communication is that one that throws “a direct bridge” between sender and recipient of the message. In this case, they are involved in something very similar to a conversation. “No distance” represents exactly how it’s easy for us to discuss and to share information with people never met for real and with which, if we like it, we can have a daily chat. Physical distances lose their importance and we get to build relationships and communities, virtual but based on common interests and projects. So, if for “La mer” I’ve imagined a mutable environment, as mutable is the meaning of the information at changing of the context, in “No distance” I’ve built an incorporeal and pulsating urban landscape, but in which there appear some domestic objects like the clothes pegs, to remember that this social and common experience is lived alone and inside our own private space.

Claudia222 Jewell at Burn2 2011

Claudia222 Jewell is another artist of only six selected who will be presenting her work at the Second Life event Burn2 this year. She has previously exhibited at Pirats and Nordan Art. Presently, together with five other major Second Life artists, she is involved in a large LEA project, The Path, which will open on October 14, 2011. I am very excited to post on this blog today, on press day, in advance of the Burn 2 opening on October 1, 2011, Claudia’s statement on her powerful work “The Sacrifice.” Please see below for Claudia’s thoughts on her creation. Go check out her brilliant contribution at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Silver%20Seed/124/201/27. Photo above by Claudia222 Jewell.

This is a male. It has been created in such a way as to be viewed in all kinds of light. The front and the back have different meanings. The front shows us the feeling we get when we overcome pain, perhaps even the strenght we feel and the belief we have in ourselves. The back represents the depth we feel when facing threatening painful situation. Generally, this creation represents a desire to overcome death or the fear of death. Ultimately, perhaps the meaning probably comes closer to becoming enlightened by pain; there is an almost spiritual effect. Importantly, this experience of of pain is manifested in many cultures as a test one needs to pass in order to become an adult; it is the rite of passage.

Rebeca Bashly at Burn2 2011

Rebeca Bashly is one of only six selected artists presenting her work at the Second Life event Burn2 this year. She built, together with Igor Ballyhoo, Snowcrash at UTSA ArtSpace and has her own space, the Ice Gallery, also at UTSA ArtSpace. Rebeca previously exhibited at Nordan Art and is currently working on a large sim project for the LEA Full Sim Art Series that will open to the public on October 1, 2011. I’m excited to post on this blog today, on press day, in advance of the Burn 2 opening on October 1, 2011, Rebeca’s statement on her gorgeous work “I Said I Will.” Please see below for Rebeca’s thoughts on her creation. Go and check out her build at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Black%20Rock/80/117/25. Photo above by Rebeca Bashly.

This work is about making choices and about time passing. It is about a woman’s struggle with the conflict of seeing herself both as a seductress and a woman in good standing. The red dress represents a craving for passion and the suitcases, representing the past, is the inherent luggage we always carry around with us. Importantly, the hourglass is cracked, indicating that no matter where you are, there will always be a way out. Ultimately, this is about waiting and about wanting to leave and about having lost ones face in the process.

Fantasy by Anley Piers

People have been asking me about the meaning of Anley Piers’ installation Fantasy, which can currently be seen at Nordan Art. I finally decided to ask Anley to share with us some of the thoughts behind this work. Below please find her comments on her build: 

This work is dear to my heart, it is a composition of several of my works, created especially for Nordan Art. It integrates many of my creations, a dark side of today’s society…a glimmer of hope melted into a still life.The most important meaning of it is my build with the raven and the “angel” (redemption) that express a simple message: no matter the mistakes one can make in life, there is always forgiveness. Another meaningful part is “the hand” out of a damaged wall (which is representative of life) and a dream that touches the fingertips…it represents “hope.” And the final point “the keys and locks” which represent “freedom,” the desire to have a life and a better world. All of this in a dark fantasy decor, less hard and explicit than my previous works. I know in advance that visitors will each find their own meaning in this work and it will probably be perceived differently from what I wanted. Nevertheless, people who know me will find themselves understanding what I have meant to express with this work.  A big thank you to Flora, who gave me the space needed to carry out this work and to all of those who have enjoyed this build.

Anley Piers’ installation Fantasy can be seen at Nordan Art until September 10, 2011, come and take a look, here is the slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Nordan%20om%20Jorden/18/93/25.

Macrophotographs by Lalie Sorbet

The photographer Lalie Sorbet is currently showing her macrophotographs, fourteen of them, at Nordan Art. People are fascinated by these works and have approached both Lalie and myself individually, curious about how they came about. I finally asked Lalie about it, and this is what she had to say about the process:

The macrophotographs at Nordan Art  have been taken in a little evergreen forest near the Bay of Bengal in South India. Thanks to an macro lens, the Canon MPE-65, I discovered the amazing world of insects and spiders. Facing the beauty of this world, I felt a lot of respect and decided to follow an ethic! I never touched or moved insects, I just ran after them for hours. I have the will to show them in the most natural way. I don’t color or change anything with photoshop, I just crop the picture if there needs and adjust levels. I never use additional light.

Check out these images in the room to the left on the ground floor: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Nordan%20om%20Jorden/19/105/25. Exhibit goes until September 10, 2011.

Pascha

People are overcome by Paola Tauber’s work “Pascha.” This picture shows a naked woman crucified. There is a something sensual, yet also provoking about this work. I asked Paola to comment on this image and these are her words:

I don’t know what possessed me! I did it during Easter, so obviously there’s a reference/irreverence there to this ancient celebration. Or maybe it was too many chocolate Easter eggs?

Come and check out this work and others by Paola Tauber, who is currently exhibiting at Nordan Art. Here’s the slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Nordan%20om%20Jorden/21/105/25

The Story of NinnaNanna

Kicca Igaly has created the most beautiful statue. The statue, NinnaNanna, consists of two abstract figures, one large and one smaller, who are embracing in a layer of blue surrounded by transparent star-speckled grey. When you click this figure a sweet tune starts playing. I asked Kicca to tell me the story behind NinnaNanna and this is what she told me:

When I created ” NinnaNanna,” I was thinking to something of sweet and tender. It’s the memory of a feeling that persists: that of having had in his arms a child and the remember a melody, sung in a low voice, that accompanied those moments. When me hugged  my baby just newborn.  I remembered that my friend Nessuno Myoo, in RL, is a good musician, so I asked him do to me a favor: write a sweet music to be included inside the work to make  the observer to share a moment of magic.

This is the story of NinnaNanna. Kicca is currently exhibiting at Nordan Art and her work, including NinnaNanna, can be seen there.