|
"Sky Populus"- Wally |
This
month, several members of the Virtual
Ability community in Second Life® were celebrated for their artistic
contribution to The Freedom Project,
a 2d/3d art and film exhibit hosted by the University of Western Australia. This
unique participatory event is sponsored by the University, Virtual Ability, and
the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses.
Nearly forty artists and film makers from all over the world who
self-identify as having a disability or a chronic illness created amazing works
of art or films/machinima on the theme
of “Freedom,” showing how virtual worlds have in some way helped them or those
around them.
Their original works reflect profound metaphors and symbols of
universal impact, and clearly express the power of virtual worlds for fostering
self-growth, deepening understanding, creating community, and helping people go
beyond the difficulties and challenges of life.
Virtual Ability community participants:
|
"Speechless Freedom" (detail)- i. Silverweb |
Alysabelle shares an authored
piece that highlights the powerful interpersonal inspirations of discovering
community in Second Life®. iSkye Silverweb’s work is an engaging and potent three-dimensional
multi-media entry entitled “Speechless Freedom.”
Megadeus’s piece, “Mental Prison,” portrays emerging and hopeful
self-awareness, and Ronin1 Shippe shares four colorful abstracts with much
symbolism.
Roxie Marten’s “Gaze Upon the World” is an interactive 3D work,
inviting the viewer to direct participation in experiencing freedom’s impact on
life. Slatan Dryke’s “Yonder” is also three dimensional, and seems to draw
viewers into dialogue with the core of human essence, revealing hidden ability
and talent.
|
"Lotus of Enlightenment"- T. Evermore |
In her work “Lotus of Enlightenment,” Tarquin Evermore uses the
symbolic lotus flower to integrate and share insights on life, suffering, and
beauty. Barbie Alchemi and Fran Serenade touch on
similar themes in their collaborative work with Draxtor Despres: a moving film/machinima entitled “We Can Learn
& Grow & Heal Together.” Barbie and Fran, as well as Brenda Brodie,
join with several other artists in an amazing multi-media collaborative piece
“ParkArt Collaborative,” which extends across several inworld locations.
Wally (Landscapewallpiece) shares his work “Sky Populus”, a two
dimensional collage-based work integrating “the cast-away, the used, and the
overlooked” into a powerful, integrating composition with energy and strength. Mathilde
Vhargon’s work “Dancing with Impediments” captures movement and feeling.
Each of these original works, along with the works of others in the
exhibit, connects deeply through image, color, theme and meaning. They will be included in a printed book, published through the University of Western Australia. The book will feature the art from
the project.
In his book No Man is an Island,
poet, philosopher, social activist, and scholar Thomas Merton noted that, “Art enables us to find
ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” As you explore the rich
experience of The Freedom Project,
you’ll no doubt agree. You’ll probably find a part of yourself expressed there,
in the colors, shapes, words, images, and symbols of these artists’ profound articulations
of freedom.
To visit the exhibit, teleport
to The Freedom Project in Second Life®. Visit
The Freedom Project’s website for additional information on this exhibit and the artists
and sponsors. Alice Krueger (Gentle Heron) from Virtual
Ability, Inc., will also speak on a panel about The Freedom Project exhibit at the upcoming Virtual Worlds Best
Practices in Education (VWBPE) conference.