More Activities With The BBB

 
By Gemma Cleanslate

It has been a dizzying week with the Bellisserian Bureau of Bureaucracy. It is hard to keep up with all the activities going on! Tuesday There was a Meet and Greet in the Gallery where there was a showing art pieces in an exhibit called The Art of Travel. Amanda Tamatzui hosted with Dave (Lord Junibalya). There were many photos of travel places and ways to get there in the Gallery.

Michiel Bechir was the artist of the day. He spoke about his early life in art and his love of drawing from an early age and created some Comics in his teens and recently found some of them .They might appear somewhere in sl soon. He spoke of his love of travel and interacted with the audience answering questions.

I attended a party also at the Fairgrounds where Gιʂҽʅʅҽ Sƚɾҽҽƚҽɾ-LαƈσɱႦҽ (Giselle Lacombe) was the DJ and played great tunes for the attendees. Everyone is having such a good time . There is an ongoing attempt to get all the special visa stamps for this one week. As soon as people arrive at an event they start looking for the staff on the list I am doing well so far. It is not easy to capture a stamp from a dancer doing a stomping dance.

Wednesday The continent Sartori opened its embassy. Now all the continents have their own Embassy and Ambassador. It is similar in design but the Ambassador ,Bijoux Barr, art aficionado   has set her imprint on it . There is a marvelous Japanese garden outside the Embassy building. There was a meet and greet held there before the ceremony . Abnor Mole arrived and the ceremony was held on the porch of the Embassy. The Honorable Ambassador accepted the key and promised to bring the Continent residents and Bellisseria closer together .

After the doors opened we took a look at the office that reflected the Ambassador herself then teleported over to the Fairgrounds for another great party . This party had Bsukmet Stormcrow as the entertainment who gave us some beautiful haunting music of original composition. It was a delightful party with many in attendance. Everyone turned out in their best formal wear.

Thursday morning many of the staff were back on the Fairgrounds to give those still hunting for special stamps a chance to grab them. I was happy to get two more. I am still hunting for one more elusive staff member with only three more days to get it! There was to be balloon tour but it was postponed and replaced by another boat tour with Captain Cʅαɯ Sƚɾҽҽƚҽɾ-LαƈσɱႦҽ (Claw Streeter) taking out a large boat and Yuki following him with a smaller one taking passengers who still needed to do the tour. I skipped that since I had completed it already. On to the rest of the week!

Gemma Cleanslate
 

Hope Gardens 2016 Photography Exhibition: Part 2

By Bixyl Shuftan

I was invited over to the Hope Gardens Photogrpahy Exhibition by Catalina Staheli, the team captain of "A Stand for Hope."  Last Friday on April 8, was when I headed over. Getting there turned out to be easier than planned as when i brought up my Second Life viewer, it was the first location listed in the login screen's Destination Guide.

I dropped in near the entrance of the exhibition, and ran into Catalina, who happily greeted me, then explained, "Everything is slowly coming together. The dream us going to be realized, and everyone who has taken part and come seen (it) has said they are very happy." When I told her about the place being in the Destinations Guife, she was thrilled, "That's so wonderful! I applied, but wasn't sure it it would happen."

She offered me a tour, "To start with, this whole dream came about a year and a half ago when a friend of mine was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. He was in SL, but after his diagnosis, he didn't want anyone to know. (He) did not want to go to ACS Island, did not want to join a team or tell anyone. And that just ... always stuck with me ... that there might be people who didn't want anyone to know but who were facing this fight and doing so along. So the dream was to create a safe haven where people could come that wasn't quite as obvious as ACS Island, where my friend said that he didn't want to go because he felt like people would 'know.'" 

"And so the dream for this was to create somewhere people could come, whether at 3PM with all of their friends, or 2AM all alone ... and hear the stories of those who were going through their battles, or who had gone through the fight. And the idea of tying it in with photography was a way to give those who shared their stories a gift, a way to say thank you. So in exchange for their stories, they received the portraits last year. And last year it was only survivors that could take part."

"This year, we changed it a bit and opened it up to caregivers as well. And one thing that was said over and over again, as I spoke with these amazing people ... was how many of them shared that this was the hardest thing that they ever had to do, sharing their stories, writing them down and reliving those experiences. But many also shared with me that when they were originally diagnosed, they couldn't say the word 'cancer.' They couldn't tell anyone for quite awhile. And so, this was a place, I though ... you can come to and not have to say it just yet ... you can hear the stories without having to open up that painful conversation of 'I have cancer. Can you tell me what your journey was like?' "

I asked how many took part. Catalina told me, "Last year the goal was 20 participants. We ended up with 19, though sadly one of them, Riko Kamachi, passed away from brain cancer in February, and was gone before we were able to take her pictures or get her story. So instead, we collected the stories from everyone else, their memories of her and their times together. At first her friends thought they'd have to withdraw her from the exhibition, and I said, 'No, No, NO!' We will find a way. So people donated their pictures and memories, and she was there with us at the exhibition."

Second Life Newser wrote about a memorial to Riko in February. 

Catalina went on, "This year, we've got 25 participants, both survivors caregivers, and those who have walked both journeys, along with twenty amazing photographers helping me take the pictures. Both years, we've done a custom build, something that was made just for this event, perfect to celebrate and remember the stories and photography woven together, and Mel (Melodie Jigsaw) has been amazing in helping that happen. And like last year, this year due to a generous lady's donation, we're going to be able to keep the exhibition up the entire Relay season.

"And this year, we've added something new, which I am very excited about," Catalina told me, "Each tree and lamp post have affixed to them a plaque that people can claim to honor or remember someone special. It is my hope that as the season goes on, this whole avenue will feature many names, reasons, hopes, and more. We've called them 'Hope Plaques.' "

"And the other exciting new thing we have this year ... " Catalina paused her discussion when someone inquired about Nitroglobus, whom had passed away from cancer earlier this year. She soon continued, taking me, and Isa Messioptra whom had joined us, to a set of auction boards, "The other new addition this year is that each photographer has agreed to do a donation to auction something, whether photo sessions, or portraits. As well as others have donated some amazing gifts. She listed the people and groups/publications on the boards, which included Wildstar Beaumont, whom offered, "fifty landscape portraits of the winning bidder's choice," and she herself offered a portfolio package of ten single portraits." 

"It's an incredible list, and I'm very very excited to see how everything does," Catalina grinned, "This was changed from last year. Last year, we asked people to sponsor a participant with a 10,000 L donation. This year, we're doing the auctions instead. Each photographer has done such an amazing job. It's mind-blowing to see the different interpretations and perspectives on things. And like last year, this year's exhibition is biased off a song. As you look around, you'll see lyrics up on the walls to the song 'Hope Can Change Everything.' It is what started the inspiration for everything."

"We all did it together," Catalina grinned, "This would never have been possible alone. And Mel has gone through and done this navmesh model to make it as lag free as we can, and deleting scripts as much as we can. We've said come on over at 11. The unveiling is going to be at noon. I am sure it will be a success. And we've got Blake Hambleton to open the exhibit for us (big grin). What's really great is Renee, as well as about four others, are all re turning participants from last year." Isa commented, "I know Renee is happy to be a part of it. So one of the wonderful things is that people will be able to see their stories progress and how the last year's journey has been."

It was about this point we heard, "BIXYL! CAT!" Catalina looked over and grinned, "And there's Mel." We were quickly joined by Melodie Jigsaw, "I loves landing on Cat's head (smile)." A few words were exchanged between the three women, then Catalina told Melodie, "I'm going to steal Isa away for a moment. Going to check her pictures (big grin). Melodie giggled, "Once things rezz, I have a few details to deal with." She then asked me if I had a chance to look around. Telling her I'd been chatting with Catalina since arriving, she commented with a smile, "(the) Destination Guide will be both a blessing and a curse. ... hard to keep things a surprise! The big picture reveal (smile). (But the) traffic is good! (We) might get some new folks interested in Relay For Life, the more the merrier!"

"Good thing we were mostly ready," Melodie told me with a smile. I asked her what wasn't, and she answered with a laugh, "We're missing Cat's pics, and a story or two (laughter). It was 5AM opening day before she was done last year; too early to panic yet (smile)." Asking her how long the event lasted, she answered, "It starts at 11 on Saturday (April 9) -  and we have DJs all day - all weekend - and throughout the week. It ends Sunday at 6 I think with the auctions ending. But double check all that with Cat. ... I'm just the sidekick (grin)."

"We're really proud of everyone participating this year," Melodie told me, "all the survivors AND caregivers ... and all the photographers. It's added a new level of emotion to have had different photographers interpreting the survivors and caregivers stories. And we're wondering how the hell we're gonna beat this next year! (laughter) But you know Cat - she dreams big! (grin) Fun to try to bring her dreams to life." She looked around, "This wasn't what either of us had in our hears - but it just grew and turned into a nice set up. I hope everyone likes it, but - don't tell - I get lost in there (laughter)." She joked she was good at walking in circles.

Melodie then bade farewell, "Okay, I'm off! Have a great night, Bix. Thanks for coming by!" I then began looking around. There were a number of artworks, some sculptures, but what caught my eye were the portraits. Clicking on them gave me a notecard of the story of the person pictured. If you're a regular at Relay like myself, you may find that behind the happy little sugar glider, behind the girl in the rubber suit, and behind a number of other men and women, there are tales that may add a new layer of detail to the avatars you thought you knew.

Saint Kitts Isle (138, 56, 21)



Krysta Ember did this video of the exhibition, (Click here if the video fails to play)

To check out Gemma Cleanslate's article, Click here.

Bixyl Shuftan 

The Crhistmas Truce Exhibit

By Bixyl Shuftan

Over the Holidays, there was an exhibit in the WW2 Combat RP area that covered an event not of the Second World War, but of the first. It was a hundred years ago in which Europe was locked in what was then called "The Great War." After the initial German march into France was stopped, both sides dug in and the Western Front was locked in the stalemate of trench warfare, with no end in sight.

Although there were truces in the fighting so both sides could tend to their dead and wounded, in December 1914, something very different took place. The "Christmas Truce" was unique in that so many soldiers took part and that there was not only a lack of fighting but soldiers from opposing sides often meeting up to chat or even exchange items. Although there had been calls from the Pope for a truce, and some officers and generals wanted at least a break in the fighting, what happened came about through the spontaneous combined actions of the infantrymen. For a short time in this war marked by so much death destruction and misery, there was peace.

A hundred years later in Second Life, the New Bastogne region had an exhibit about the Christmas Truce, "(Many visitors have) already seen the Christmas Truce Exhibit on Ardennes sim. On the exhibit you will find period time photos, press and the most important, the individual histories of who lived it. Don't miss this great exhibit."

At Homely Isle,there were a number of photographs and descriptions up for display, describing scenes of how the Christmas Truce came to be.

We were in the front line, we were about 300 yards from the Germans. And we had, I think on Christmas Eve, we'd been singing carols and this that and the other, and the Germans had been doing the same. And we'd been shouting to each other, sometimes rude remarks more often just joking remarks.

Anyway, eventually a German said, "Tomorrow you no shoot, we no shoot." And the morning came and we didn't shoot and they didn't shoot. So then we began to pop our heads over the side and jump down quickly in case they shot but they didn't shoot. And then we saw a German standing up, waving his arms and we didn't shoot and so on, and so it gradually grew.

More than a hundred thousand soldiers would take part in the truce. While it was often just simply leaving one another alone, there were numerous examples of the soldiers getting out into No-Mans-Land and chatting with one another, exchanging items such as tobacco with one another, even exchanging Christmas gifts, often alcoholic drinks. There were even soccer matches set up between the two sides.

A Scottish soldier appeared with a football, which seemed to come from nowhere, and a few minutes later a real football match got underway. The Scots marked their goal with their strange caps, and we did the same with ours. It was far from easy to play on the frozen ground, but we continued, keeping rigorously to the rules, despite that it only lasted an hour, and that we had no referee. A great many of the passes went wide, but all the amateaur footballers, although they must have been very tired, played with huge enthusiasm.

One might think after weeks of stalemate someone among the leadership might have suggested making the truce official and give the governments a chance to negotiate, especially with the Germans whom were fighting a two front war. But it was not to be. Eventually the generals on both sides grew more irritated with the truce, and began ordering the fighting to resume under threat of punishment. The following year, soldiers were warned they faced court-martial, even execution, if they fraternized with the enemy. Some smaller truces still came about in that year and the next, but there would never again be another Christmas Truce like 1914 had seen.

The Christmas Truce Exhibit remained up after New Years, and will be taken down tomorrow on January 10.

Homely Isle (98/135/31)

Bixyl Shuftan

The End of the 1000 Avatars Exhibit

On the afternoon of Sunday June 3, 2012, Gracie Kendal's 1000 Avatars exhibit came to a close. Before the end, the artist threw a party at Noon SL time to celebrate it's success, and a number of friends and fans came by during the time. Among them were artists Scottius Polke and Wizard Gynoid, and blogger Treminari Huet.


Gracie's friend Kaj Juutilainen DJed for the event high above the Coyote sim. During the time people talked about when they and friends had their pictures taken, about the mixed reality art show she held in both Second Life and a Los Angeles art gallery about a month earlier, and general joking around, such as the "crab dance" gestures.

Finally at five minutes after 3PM, Gracie asked, "Are we ready? … Oh, we may want to fly, 'cuz you may fall (laughter). … Ready to take down the installation. (smile)" Scottius began chanting, "Tear down the wall! Tear down the wall!" Gracie laughed, "Hahaha Scottie." Then she turned to the DJ, "Ohhh Kaj, some Floyd? 'Tear Down The Wall?' Heeheehee." "Great call Gracie!" one of the other attendees cheered, and soon Pink Floyd's "The Wall" came up.

"Okay," Gracie told, "we will count down. I'll start with 10." "These are going to be Gracie's Walls of Jericho," someone commented. And as people started flying, "Fly peeps," Gracie did the countdown, "Okay, here we go … 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 … Wait!" "Oh my God!" "Just kidding (grin)." And a few people laughed.

"There we go!" And with Gracie's announcement the place began to crumble. The 2000 avatar pictures became individual bricks as the bonds holding them began loosening, and they began plummeting down. The floor came apart too, and also fell down in chunks, "Whoah!" "Wow." "Oh wait, there go my keys!" ""Oh my God! They are all going separately." "(singing) All in all, you're just another prim in the wall."

And soon, there was nothing left of the build, save the artist and the others whom were there, floating around, "Damn, that was cool." "That rawked!!" Gracie grinned, "Hey, I could always rez it and do it again (laughter)." For a few minutes, everyone continued to hang around. Then everyone began to head their separate ways.







And so the 1000 Avatar Project is over. But it still exists in the minds of the 2000 people who took part and numerous others whom stopped by, and of course numerous Flickr pages, articles and pictures, and numerous screenshots in who-knows-how-many computers.

"It’s been a great run these past couple years. The 1000 Avatars project has been a wonderful experience for me. I am so lucky to have met all the people and made so many new friends. Online identity is still very important to me and I definitely continue to work on other art projects relating to it."



For more information on Gracie Kendal's 1000 Avatar Project, go to it's website at http://1000avatars.wordpress.com/ . 


"Thank you to all who attended the fun and exciting event. You guys rock!!!"

Bixyl Shuftan