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Second Life Mesh Sandbox Treasures: featuring Claudia222 Jewell Read More ...

Mikati brings a splash of color to Burning Life! Read More ...

Aussie Vamp Fashionisto Winter Jefferson is this weeks featured Koinup user: Read More ...

Havok 2k10 Physics Testing on Beta Grid

Posted by Cole Marie - 5 comments


Havok 2k10 on beta grid inspires a new look at creation within SL. Physics have always been a major issue and limitation in many interactive art installations in Second Life. Seeing Rob Danton play with the physics in the upgraded Havok engine make me very hopeful for the potential of experimental art within Second Life. With the new engine you will easily be able to create zero gravity simulations and surreal environments.

Imagine what will be possible once Havok 2k10 comes to main grid. The problem which arises though with enabling the prims to be affected by physics again is the lag. The least lag you will get with prims is when you make phantom objects because they are completely out of the physics in SL. Creating a phantom prim means the sim doesn't even know they are there and as a result there are no computations to make. Enabling phantom physical prims makes no sense either though because it would not detect collisions. Meaning your prims would just drift away through walls and land.

Everything in this video could have been done with an LSL script (prim collision trigger and llsetBouyancy) but it is nice that this is going in as a prim property which removes the need for a script to perform this task. I am excited to see what creators like Selavy Oh and Desdemona Enfield will begin to do once we have this fully implemented into Second Life. Havok upgrade, come to main grid already! Thanks!

Koinup Users of the Week: Betty Rogan and Carthalis Rossini

Posted by Cole Marie - 4 comments

AHHHH! Was a very busy week with Second Life Birthday going on and so I was not able to get around to the Koinup featured user of the week last week. So this week I decided to feature two users who contribute a lot to the Koinup and SL community. These two are avid explorers and supporters of the community at large. It is people like them who keep things interesting.


"Bloom" from Betty Rogan is a shot featuring a couture gown from Eshi.

<a href="http://www.koinup.com/Betty_Rogan/work/328542/">Little Bee Machinima</a> - a <a href="http://www.koinup.com/in-second-life/on-videos/">Second Life Machinima</a> by <a href="http://www.koinup.com/Betty_Rogan/">Betty_Rogan</a> on <a href="http://www.koinup.com">Koinup</a>
"Little Bee" sums up Betty pretty well. For those of you who might not know, she can often be seen riding on her little bike as her tiny bee self.
This is how I will always remember her.

Visit Betty on Koinup here: http://www.koinup.com/Betty_Rogan/



"The Face" by Carthalis Rossini is an eerie but magical shot which captures the essence of VR creations very well I think.
The humanity within the machinery.


"The End of Times" is a stunningly realistic look at "Thinis" which I actually wrote about here a few weeks back. The desolate and atmospheric sim is preserved accurately in this stunning photo.

Visit Carthalis on Koinup here: http://www.koinup.com/Carthalis/

"Adjacent"

Posted by Cole Marie - 1 comments



Patrick Faith (aka Kolor Fall) shares a glimpse into his new work. His latest video is a piece which invites the viewer to create their own image while observing his work in progress. It displays his new technique of mixed oils with modern mathematics. Some techniques are from 30000 b.c while others are from the 13th - 15th century but the artistic concept is modern. You can see his new film "Adjacent" below:

SL8 Bday - Highlights and Things to Grab!

Posted by Cole Marie - 3 comments

Blogs are little monsters sometimes. (Always creeping up on you to remind you that you are behind) So much going on and so little time for it all! Story of my SL. It has been very hectic so far trying to see everything at the Birthday event. Fun as well!



Among the installments and displays I have clearly picked my favorite of the entire event. The "Magic soul of prims" build created by pallina60 Loon. This has to be one of the most creative uses of machinima coupled with storytelling I think that I have seen so far. The idea of the prims giving off shadows of their true nature was really sweet. I could explain it to you but I think you are better off watching her machinima.



Really you should go visit the display while you still can.
You can find "Magic soul of prims" here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Stunning/231/27/23



On a very different note. Naxos Loon happened to be on the SLBday sims at the same time I was and teleported me to see "Tropical Creations Interactive Dolphin Trick Show". Yes. Dolphin trick show. This is a very cleverly scripted dolphin trick area where you can feed them or attempt to ride them for as long as possible. The riding of the dolphins is a mini-game in which you try and stay on as long as possible before they throw you off. Tropical Creations is currently running shows three times a day (as far as I am aware). Try and catch one if you can! (or just visit and try and beat my score)

Visit Tropical Creations Interactive Dolphin Trick Show:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Spectacular/37/66/21

Ok, NOW for the goodies that you can grab while running around!


The Italian Taste at SL8B has a creative setup with information about their community coupled with some pretty awesome gifts from a good handful of creators. Come by and pick them up before they are gone!

Visit The Italian Taste: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Astonish/167/101/22


Sanura Sakai and Andel Rhiadra are giving you some mouth-watering goodies!
Come grabby grab and check out the plot so sweet looking that it almost gives me a toothache -_-

Grab some pressies: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Astonish/181/59/22



Portals to unlimited imagination created by Thorno Heliosense and Nathaniel Lorefield is a colorful fantasy build with a built-in leaf ride. The birthday gift they are sharing with everyone I actually pictured above which I am holding in the bottom frame. This leaf umbrella is super adorable because of the particles which fall onto the top of the leaf simulating raindrops. I suggest getting one for the sheer "awwww" factor!

Get yours here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Magnificent/109/241/22


To wrap it all up for now and I am still very much far behind on what I have been meaning to see .__. I leave you with a random picture of myself and SLBday staff with crabs on our heads.



More SLBday to come!

For your SL8B

Posted by Karro Lean - 1 comments

Sometimes I think there are so many things to say and we can not say for real. There are so many things ready to be expressed, but we dare not do so if it it seems complicated. Often we give up and we prefer to do nothing. At times I wonder if there are other worlds, parallel, which are more open to forms of expression (like Second Life) which allow and permit an infinite number of means of expression. So, for your 8th birthday Second Life, I leave you here this little thing.

FoR youR SL8B

SL8Bday gets Kawaii!

Posted by Cole Marie - 0 comments


(stopping in to the Volunteer area to say hi to Honour McMillan)
cookie?


Day Three into SLBday! Slowly but surely skipping around the sims to meetup with artists, friends, performers, and residents. The atmosphere at the event so far seems generally positive minus the to be expected stage security who are bored looking for people to pick on and upsetting people here and there. Other than that it seems to be running smoothly aside from a few technical issues. I am having fun so far! Faerie Hax and Dunan Wilder join me this afternoon for a trip across the sims.




One of my personal favorites today was "Kawaii in Second Life" by Drusus DuCasse. The thing I liked most about this build was the thought and heart put into it. It was very simple and easy to visit. It shared a lot about the designers personal thoughts on friendship and virtual worlds. The build was very kawaii indeed. I kept "awwwing" at the photographs on the walls with the quotes beside them. I have shared but a few pictures from here and saved the sweet ending for you to see yourself! At the end are a few gifts you can grab as well.

Visit Kawaii in Second Life: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Dazzle/66/80/22




Solkide Auer's "A walk in a dream" is a neon tower of light and color. When Dunan, Faerie, and I arrived at the build he was there and gave us a little insight into his build. He shares: "I have discovered many things in this world and in me. SL has given me the ability to create. Before, for me, it was only a dream to do something like this and now this dream is a reality. Then again, it's always a dream. I live always this dream." This is what I find to be one of the best qualities about SL. People creating who might not have had the ability to do so, or might not have noticed the ability to create within themselves.

Visit A walk in a dream:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Pizzazz/106/192/37



CAKE! http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Pizzazz/6/28/22

Before I go on. I would just like to say. The FOUR SIM WIDE CAKE.
Is very epic. Tao Mistwalker you rock!



Moving on! Next stop we have "MagiMorphosis". This is the Grendel crews madness. MagiMorphosis is a collaboration between Grendel's Children staff and artist Skycat Ranger. Skycat is the artist responsible for all the lovely paintings on the walls. As for the build team. Those on the official list are Flea Bussy, Toady Nakamura and Cacia Escape. Those who contributed off site are Pyewacket Bellman, Rris Greenfield and RaptonX Zorger. Toady Nakamura was the primary designer and scripter of the build. Pyewacket composed many of the sounds specifically for this project. Rris assisted with some of the scripts, most noteably the Featherfall script. (the featherfall you will understand when you reach the top of the build and grab yourself a quill!) RaptonX Zorger and Flea Bussy both brovided Particle effects both for the drop tunnel and the fireworks. Do make sure to visit this area everyday! There is a gift there every single day which changes and will not be released again. The gifts get changed between 11am and 12:30pm SLT. No repeats!

Visit MagiMorphosis: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Dazzle/110/144/47




"Together" by Mikati Slade really captures the beauty of events like Second Life Birthday. This Japanese Pop-style exhibit is a real treasure when it comes to the thought behind it. Mikati shares: "People are often inhibited by numerous limits and handicaps. Such as their appearance, gender, or age. In envisioning a better future, it makes sense to try to address this issue. In Second Life, people can push aside some of the obstacles that trouble them in real life and live, work, and develop relationships in a freer environment. It's the vision of a better future materialized in Second Life today. This is the magic of Second Life." I think that sums it up rather well. Do visit here and grab your gifts Mikati is sharing during the duration of the event!

Visit Together: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Dazzle/40/136/22



Last but not least, we wrap up with "The Magic of Perception". A collaborative effort between Elliena Bulmer and Harter Fall. This abstract built is a play on exactly that. Perception. A build which is better explored in person yourself so I recommend a personal trip. Scripted by Elliena and actualized by Harter, this build is a good example of community at work. Fans of optical distortions and illusions, this is a build for you!

Visit The Magic of Perception: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Spectacular/39/104/22



Thanks to Faerie and Dunan for keeping me company this afternoon!
Was fun to run around with you two.

Until tomorrow folks! More SL Birthday to come!

SL8 Bday - The Magic of SL

Posted by Cole Marie - 3 comments


GOOD MORNING SLBday-ers! Or Good Afternoon... or evening. Or whatever. You get the point. A few cups of coffee down and many many sites and sims to explore yet! Met with Daniel Voyager this morning on accident while checking up on my site. We swapped a few landmarks and went about our business. (You should check out his Flickr where he is uploading as we speak parcels from the event as he makes his rounds for the day)



First stop I made this morning was over at the Ciudad de Mexico display! Built by the talented Patch Thibaud this setup was nothing less than you would expect from the master builder. The sims are owned and operated by Thalia Heckroth. She dedicates much time and effort to her ever expanding projects and it was nice to stop in and see them at the event. I really do find the Ciudad sims to be extremely fun to explore and hang out in.
(I have spent a lot of time over at those sims and highly advise people to visit)

Visit Ciudad at SL Bday: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Captivate/120/192/22


Claudia222 Jewell has her trademark organic displays down to an art. That is no exception with her display here at SL Bday. Titled "Honey Swamp", this build is once again a fine example of creative sculpting, superb texture work, and fine use of windlight design. I really enjoy to see each new thing she does.

Visit Honey Swamp: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Impressive/146/32/22


KirstenLee's display at SL Birthday "Kirstens Viewer: A Different View" is well. Different. For the nerdy inclined there are plenty of inside SL jokes littered through this parcel. This build is very much a good example of personality combined with skill. If you have not seen it yet I suggest a little visit when you can. It is quirky, unusual, and funny. (much like its creator)

Visit Kirsten's Viewer - A Different View:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Impressive/108/68/22


Sand Castle Studios presents World Of Pure Imagination. Reed Steamroller shares a small piece of his magical creations with Second Life Birthday visitors this year. Upon visiting to the right of the parcel sign there is a small blue gift box. (I have pictured this in the photo above in the top right corner) Inside the box is a gift titled "The Tree of Life". It is a nice souvenir to take with you after stopping by. Don't forget to grab one for yourself!

Visit World of Pure Imagination: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Dazzle/139/108/22


Koto Nizna has a sweet and thoughtful display here this year. Make My Day is his first virtual solo exhibition and "YARN FACTORY ART PROJECTS" first feature exhibition as well. The concept is all about noobs and freebies. Koto has disassembled and reassembled some of his stuff that he got from some freebie stores when he was about a month old in Second Life. It is something like an assemblage installation in RL. Almost 80 percent of the materials he used in this show are premade and 100 percent freebie. Koto also shares SL photography of noobs around the info hubs and welcome area as his subjects.

Visit Make My Day: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Dazzle/108/19/22

Ah the beauty of Second Life. Random meet-ups as you juggle tasks. As I was wrapping up this post I ran into the lovely Faerie Hax and Dunan Wilder! The three of us will be making the rounds at Bday tomorrow so I look forward to blogging with them. It is always a pleasure to see the ladies who have been supporting the community for so many years I lost count now but anyhow. They were looking so cute I had to put them up here as well. We were hiding faerie style amongst the grass of Claudias swamp!



Stay tuned for more SL Bday to come!



SL8Bday opens tomorrow morning!

Posted by Cole Marie - 2 comments

10:30 A.M. SLT on Monday, the gates to Second Life's birthday finally open! This year the theme is "The magic of Second Life". The 20 sim event is host to a plethora of artists, musicians, speakers, merchants, residents, and social figures. The gates close up again on Saturday, July 2 at 11:59 p.m. SLT. The opening celebrations begin at 11 a.m SLT after Kim Linden speaks.

I will be making my rounds across the sims as much as possible and will try and cover as much as I am able to for the duration of the event. Took some time out this evening to get a few places under my belt. Here are a few of the places I enjoyed so far.


Portraits the White Gallery by Aeon Perian
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Magnificent/62/173/22

This spot Aeon setup for visitors is a look into his Portrait work across his time in SL. I enjoyed the setup of the build and the space is nice to be in. The mini gallery is also well spaced out. The portraits themselves are very pretty as well. Outside in the center of the build is a setup scene for taking a picture of your visit there. Nice idea ^^


Toroidal Human Anatomy: a short story of how a prim becomes human by Vola Le
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Captivate/179/78/22

The title of this build really speaks for itself. I just wanted to add also that when you visit the build, Vola has a gift set out. Inside the package is an avatar based around the build presented. Neat little setup.


"Printers of the Mind": The Art of Printing in Second Life
by Villain Baroque, Ephraim Dalglish, and Trilby Minotaur
Slurl: http://slurl.com/secondlife/SL8B%20Captivate/33/31/22

This build is much better on film and I have made a note to put that down as a spot to film. Really informative area which teaches a little about the history of printing with a creative SL twist in places here and there. Some super well-made animated printing presses there! I found the press which creates SL8th Bday posters to be especially cute but there are a lot of things to read and see here.


SL8B Bay City Build: The Magic of Community by Marianne McCann

Ever community minded Marianne McCann setup this area for Bay City residents. She also created a machinima for it which I will share below. Other Bay City Residents provided the banners on the outside of the structure and the text on some of the walls. I've always really liked Marianne's positive attitude and quirky personality which really comes out in the Bay City build.
(especially Marianne's fondness for particles which always makes me happy)



These are a few places I think you should stop in to check out! Clearly not all but I'll be chipping away at the blog over the next few weeks as much as I can. Stay tuned!


Uncovering the world of Uranometria

Posted by Karro Lean - 3 comments

Yes, I know it's the weekend, and I have a multitude of things to do. Never-the-less, I allow myself a few minutes here to share my morning visit in Second Life at Ecologia Island. Just a few words because visiting there is just such a surprise! The photo I would like to share with you this afternoon is the front of an impressive area created by Alpha Auer named "Uranometria!" I am going back as soon as possible!
Do visit. It is breathtaking! As is usual, miss Alpha outdoes herself once again!
~~








*editors note: This is Cole chiming in to thank Karro for posting this in the blog after I begged her to when I saw this photo in her koinup stream. THANKS KARRO YOU ROCK!

Larkworthy Antfarm - "Susa Bubble's Skin"

Posted by Cole Marie - 2 comments



Larkworthy Antfarm presents "Susa Bubble's Skin."
Her latest machinima was filmed in works from Rose Borchovski and Igor Ballyhoo with music from Soleil. She has been practicing away at machinima and has been an avid and supportive member of the community. Uploading her first machinima nearly three years ago, Larkworthy has created over 100 machinimas since. Lark shares: "I imagined this being about Rose not Susa." Which echoes the words she adds to the video, wondering: "What happens when a girl's skin grows so tight, it can no longer contain her?"

Watch more machinima from Larkworthy here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Larkworthy


Sea Salts-Zigana

Posted by Hybie Mynx - 3 comments

It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside when I come across beautifully
landscaped places, regardless if it is a sim that has a store on it, I have 
to give them props for not throwing a store on some grass and calling it a day.

The place photographed today is called Zigana owned by Nalena Fairey 
and the store sells home and garden in the shabby chic/boho variety.
Although, if shopping is not your thing, take a stroll down the path to the gorgeous 
wilderness and take some lovely snapshots of yourself.




Click here to visit Sea Salts-Zigana


Koinup User of the Week: Piatto

Posted by Cole Marie - 1 comments

<a href="http://www.koinup.com/Piatto/work/260710/">Piatto/Shining Heart Machinema...</a> - a <a href="http://www.koinup.com/in-second-life/on-videos/">Second Life Machinima</a> by <a href="http://www.koinup.com/Piatto/">Piatto</a> on <a href="http://www.koinup.com">Koinup</a>

The featured Koinup page this week belongs to the group "Piatto"! Sharing dramatic and developed machinima skills, this video is both playful and well shot. The intro is put together very well and the walking versus crowd scenes surprised me with the mix of sound, video, and editing. Not only does Piatto share these slices of their virtual world in video form but boast a tidy little photography gallery also for you to browse!

To find out more about Piatto you can find them on Koinup here:
http://www.koinup.com/Piatto/works/


[Who is Piatto?]
'Piatto' is a virtual unit in Second Life whose produced by M2J Production.
Since May 2007, members are chosen by the public.

[Member]
Orie Matova (Vocalist)
Beyonce Qunhua (Dancer)
Tammy Lytton (Dancer)

-Piatto's Web site-
http://piatto.blog-sim.com/
(all text is japanese)

-Piatto Myspace-
http://www.myspace.com/piattopiatto


A doll named Ling Serenity

Posted by Karro Lean - 2 comments


I often go to see photos posted by others on Flickr, but especially on Koinup. This site is especially dedicated to virtual worlds. It is how I found almost all the new places to visit in Second Life (well now I just gave away my secret). So when I teleported in Karazhan after seeing it on Koinup I knew full well that the place would please me by its refinement and atmosphere.

 I was not expecting to discover the work of Melina Moreno, aka Serenity Ling in SL. This passion for Japanese culture draws its inspiration from Japanese manga and animation. Digital illustrator and painter, she realizes in SL a very personal approach about the avatar ... Her way of seeing things is very interesting and raises many questions: Are we as dolls? Puppets? On a string? ... but so fun so we?
OuVerTure
Visit Karazhan: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Karazhan/188/76/11




THE BOG: Ecosystem on the dark side of the moon

Posted by Cole Marie - 3 comments





What exactly is Dark Moon? I took a small step into the world of Nepherses Amat to find out. When you first approach the entrance you have several options that you may choose to begin your journey. No matter which path you take, you will be led into a magical area littered with vivid plantlife. Crawling with strange ridable seed pods, lilys, and hovering landscapes this is a land of variance.



To make a long story short, this mystical sim hosts an ecosystem thriving with strange mythical plant(beings? o.O). The plants that thrive here are colorful and ever-changing. As far as I understand there are even flying hippo(babies?). Your guess is as good as mine. When you come to visit this universe please allow for some serious exploring time as there is much to be seen.




It would take me many many words and hours of exploring and researching to really fully understand the inner-workings of the sim and all of the organic inhabitants. If you are interested in learning more about the sim and the ecosystem of Dark Moon there is an article Nepherses has availiable here:
THE BOG: Ecosystem of Dark Moon

Click here to visit Dark Moon:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Dark%20Moon/80/167/20


Calling all SL8 Bday participants!

Posted by Cole Marie - 13 comments




I will be covering the Birthday event for its duration here and if you want to point me in the direction of your favorite events or places feel free to leave SLURLS in the comments below!



India Ink presents Nova Faerye!

Posted by Cole Marie - 2 comments




Nova Monroe and Trindolyn Beck invite you to a new opening on Monday, June 13th from 7-9pm SLT! Nova Monroe (Nova Faerye in SL) does pencil caricatures of friends and famous people like Audrey Hepburn and Debbie Harry. They are very simple mono-toned sketches but quite elegant. Digital Artist Trindolyn Beck caught wind when she asked him about a venue and he thought, "What the hell, why not?" So he built a second gallery up in the air. She also dances with ElizaRose Gloom's "DangerDolls" troupe in SL and models for Byrne's "Dr Sketchies".

You can find both Trindolyn's work and Nova's in one spot. At India Ink!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Twomoons%20Island/201/190/34


Enchanting new garden opens on Friday!

Posted by Cole Marie - 0 comments



Friday is fantastically fantasy with painter/illustrator duo Cadel Aboubakar and Ling Serenity. This talented pair would like to extend an invite to you to join them at their opening of "Cadeling Garden"
Friday, June 10th at 1:30 PM SLT .

This enchanting garden is a soft poetic place which serves well to frame the presentation of their bodies of work. Photographers, Writers, Art lovers, and those who love some good music will enjoy an event like this. Come early or you will be sad when I cannot TP you into the sim and I will say
"but I did tell you to come early..."

When you do arrive please say hello to the ever-present totem Kokeshi Ling Serenity, who is the mascot of the sim. Come step into the minds of beautiful creators and join us for an event you won't want to miss!


SLURL to Cadeling Garden: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Karazhan/131/128/27

Of metamorphosis and chrysalides

Posted by Karro Lean - 2 comments

In Second Life all of the creations that I have discovered since my first steps inworld have been immensely fun for me (and how wonderful all!!!), I find yet another expression which is more intriguing, or even confusing but in any case, a build so singular and unique that it speaks to me every time I visit it. As if Claudia222 Jewell was in full bloom, surrounded and cocooned in her creation. Part creator and part protected, she manages to draw out intact/pure the mysterious magic of SL.

Baby Bird

SommeiL de ChrySaLide

eN ToN aNTre