Le Six: A New Event For Designers, Photographers and Shoppers

By Klaus Bereznyak

"Le Six" is a new event connecting designers with photographers and shoppers on the wonderfully photogenic sim of Le Sixieme Sens. The event is a little unusual in that there is no rent or fee for designers, and there is a maximum price of 160L$ on any items offered.

Additionally, every month, there is a photo contest. Photographers are invited to create imagery using items from the current round of Le Six and shot at Le Sixieme Sens. They will need to join a group to get rezz rights. Between the 5th and 22nd of each month entrants can add their picture to the Flickr group, sit tight and hope for the best when the round is judged on the 26th.

The shopping area is on a platform high above the sim, formally laid out with stone vendors, hedges and statues, very much in keeping with the feel of  Le Sixieme Sens. In the October round I noticed a variety of offerings, all of a very high quality. Not surprisingly, clothing and accessories were in abundance, along with some seasonal decor, furniture, sculptures and art works. There was plenty here to give a photographer some ideas for a set piece.

 

From the platform, there was a teleport to the ground, so it would be possible to grab some stuff and go down straight away and shoot a roll of film.

Le Sixieme Sens boasts rustic and Tuscan themes, with lots of charming nooks to sit in, and atmospheric scenery - some rugged, some soft - carpeted with flowers and foliage. It is easy to spend a pleasant hour, just wandering and exploring.

 

Information about sponsors and participants, and instructions for the photo competition are available from the landing point at Le Six. Best of luck to all the designers and photographers - power to your pixels!

SLURL:        http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Le%20Sixieme%20Sens/81/59/1501 

Website:     https://www.le-six-event.com/

Flickr Pool:  https://www.flickr.com/groups/3131319@N22/

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/Lesixevent/

 

Klaus Bereznyak

 

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 

SL10B – Ego-Tripping with DrFran

By DrFran Babcock

You know how when you see a group picture, the only thing you really look at is yourself? If you are being honest with yourself, you know this is so. That’s why I did a double take as I walked by one of the builds at The Second Life™ Tenth Birthday (SL10B) and ran right into a very old picture of me! In fact, there are three times I show up at the event, and I will tell you about them

Giant Snail Racing Throughout History

I imagine that most readers don’t know that I was an announcer for the Snail Races long ago. I was probably the grid’s worst snail racer, but I found a niche adding color commentary to the races. My favorite memory of that time was when I shared about the true fact that snails had both male and female reproductive organs, and could make their own babies without any help. It was the first time that Treet TV lost the focus on the race. I still smile whenever I think about it.

RacerX Gullwing is the founding rabbit of the Snail Races. He has been running these races continuously almost since he was rezzed in 2004. I know of no other Second Life™ event that has run as long as the Snail Races. They have been on various sims. When I first starting to attend, they were on the old sim of Montmartre. They are now housed on Devon Dreams, where RacerX lives with his darling bride, Safra Nitely. With Safra and Tindallia Soothsayer, Racer pretty much creates a new theme for the races, and holds the races every week. At the build here at SL10B you can learn a lot about the history of the races, and get many freebie snail avatars. I recommend trying to race if you have a pretty fast computer, and you have never tried it before.

By the way, while at the build, be sure you check out my Snail Race Trading Card, displayed prominently on the wall surrounding the display.

Visit Giant Snail Racing Through History: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL10B%20Enchant/33/239/22

SL Newser Building at SL10B

This tall and majestic building, created by Qwark Allen, is the home of SL Newser for the duration of the celebration. You can take an elevator up to the observatory on top, where you will get a 360 degree view of SL10B. You can also see a recreation of the table around which we meet monthly to plan out story ideas and leads. It should not surprise you that this month we focused a lot of energy on SL10B.

SL Newser is one of the few remaining Second Life™ tabloids on the grid, and the reporters, my pals, are committed to bringing always the most recent, interesting, and informative news about ten-year-old SL.

While you are in the lobby, be sure to find the picture of me. That’s number two out of three.

SL Newser Building at SL10B: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL10B%20Astonish/186/73/23

Now & Then – Avatar Portrait Project by Kristine Kristan

The final place you will find DrFran is at the photography build of Kristine Kristan—a display worth visiting for the build alone—not just to see the photos there. Kristine had the genius idea of doing photo-montages of residents with their old avatars and their current avatars. This was a stunning use of the theme: Looking Forward, Looking Back.

I caught up with Kristine and asked her how she got led to this project:

Kristine: It just seemed like the obvious choice. I’ve been having fun with SL photography and digital editing for a few months, and I did a series of staged portraits of myself for a project.  I never had others pose for me. Once I knew I was accepted I started planning the build and the sets, and getting  the word out that I needed willing models. I was lucky to have both very good friends and some artists themselves pose for me. I was shooting portraits right up until the morning of opening day. I’m really happy with how it has all turned out. I think people are having fun with the “Do-it-Yourself” section, digging out those old avatars. It was just for SL10B though, so once its over I think I will put all the portraits in The Time Capsule and find something else to do!

What you will see at the Now & Then exhibit is a series of creative photographs of avatars that shows what they looked like when they were newbies, and what they look like now. Kristane’s photography skills really shine, because each individual photo is a gem. There are pictures of residents that might be well-known such as Crap Mariner (who looked like Toulouse Lautrec when he was new), Marianne McCann, and many others. If you look at these and think that you wish you had one, too, despair not. Just go upstairs and make your own.

Avatar Portrait Project Then & Now: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL10B%20Astonish/186/73/23

Oh, and before I go, please go see my exhibit. You will find dozens of free souvenirs from the history of this great virtual world.

Second Life™ Classy Souvenirs: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL10B%20Stupendous/24/100/62

Happy Birthday, Second Life™

DrFran Babcock