UWA
FRANKX LEFAVRE BELLE ROUSSEL
FROLIC MILLS PREHISTORIA THE DIRTY GRIND VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2016
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Welcome to the first issue of Windlight Magazine for 2016! In this Issue we review the winners of the University of Western Australia’s Pursue Impossible art and machinima contest. You will also find articles on Frolic Mills, Belle Roussel, The Dirty Grind, RP, Fantasy and Art, Dinosaurs in Second Life, and an article on fashion and art! As it is a new year, we have resolutions from the Windlight contributors and myself. 2016 has already brought many changes to my real and Second Life. When In the face of any change, it is important to remain calm, steady, and to keep a level head. I am fortunate to have friends and family in both worlds to support me as I go through expected and unexpected changes. I wish everyone a happy and great start to 2016 and I hope that you enjoy this issue! Very special thank you to our supporters, readers, artists, and contributors for their support for yet another year!
Johannes1977, Publisher & Editor In Chief
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
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JANUARY 2016 ISSUE
PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF: JOHANNES1977
FEATURED CONTRIBUTORS: EMMA PORTILO INARA PEY KARA TRAPDOOR JESSII2009 WARRHOL VERUCA TAMMAS SAOIRSEHEART RESIDENT ILYRA CHARDIN DAWNBEAM DREAMSCAPE ELESEREN BRIANNA
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: INARA PEY
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CREDITS
THE EDGE MODELS: WICCA MERLIN PARADOX MESSMER ANOUK LEFAVRE SPIRIT LLEWELLYN
WEBSITE: WWW.WINDLIGHTMAGAZINE.COM FACEBOOK: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/WINDLIGHTMAGAZINE TWITTER: WWW.TWITTER.COM/WINDLIGHTMAG GOOGLE PLUS: plus.google.com/u/0/114670578575147938083 TUMBLR: WINDLIGHTMAGAZINE.TUMBLR.COM
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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FEATURED STORY: UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA-PURSUING THE IMPOSSIBLE
WRITER INARA PEY PHOTOGRAPHY ON THIS PAGE: ELIZA WIERWRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE ARTICLE: INARA PEY
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On Sunday, December 13th, 2015, the Grand Finale of the University Of Western Australia’s (UWA) Pursue Impossible was held at the impressive UWA-BOSL Grand Amphitheatre. During the event, over L$500,000 was awarded in prizes to artists, machinima makers and those who took part in the audience participation competitions. The last in an impressive line of grand challenges organized under the umbrella of the UWA, the event was a very special celebration of artistic expression in Second Life.
event, Jayjay said:
“Today brings to an end the 6th year of the major art challenges at UWA, with 59 artworks by 61 different artists (2 entries were collaborations) in the running for the 3D Art Challenge and 43 machinima for Machinima VIII: PURSUE IMPOSSIBLE.
As announced on the web previously, this winners ceremony also marks the end of the yearly cycles of major art and film challenges at UWA. UWA still remains, the UWA Art Gallery still remains, and is in fact renewed, as Pursue Impossible took its theme FreeWee will take the helm fully when from the UWA’s clarion call to it comes to art, without me meddling, students in the physical world to and we have a new partner for art as achieve their fullest possible well, as the Main UWA Gallery will be potential by studying with the renamed the Windlight-UWA Gallery university. For artists and as Windlight Magazine will be machinima makers it sought to have providing support for the art them consider what their initiatives that FreeWee will run in “impossible” might be – personal, 2016. Much thanks to Johannes1977 part of their lives or those they know, for helping to make this happen. or a consideration of the things we deem to be impossible, but which yet It’s been an absolute pleasure for me be overcome, or illustrations of how to work with all of you over the course of these challenges, and over the the virtual encourages us to reach years, and especially to those who beyond the possible, etc. went above and beyond the call of The Grand Finale was hosted by the duty to make all of this a success. UWA’s Jayjay Zifanwe, with the UWA’s Thank you FreeWee Ling, curator of art curator, FreeWee Ling also on art at UWA & RL Honorary Fellow at hand to announce the special UWA. Thank you LaPiscean Liberty, co Curator’s awards in both the art and -host for Machinima VIII, machinima categories. Opening the champion of machinima of Second 38
Life. Also much thanks to those who have provided support and sponsorship which sees the overall prize pool standing at more than L$500,000 across both art and machinima.” Audience Participation Awards: There was a total prize pool of L$82,000 for the audience participation challenge, split equally between the 3D art and machinima categories. This saw members of the public invited to submit invited to what they thought the top 10 items in either or both of the categories would be, as decided by the Pursue Impossible adjudicating panel. In all 5 cash prizes were on offer, ranging from L$5,000 to L$12,000 in each category. The winners were: 3D Art Audience Participation: 1st place—Lalie Sorbet 2nd place-Ellie Thorkveld 3rd place-Morituna Watanbe 4th place-Pearl Grey 5th place-Lira Savira & Vivan Shan Machinima Audience Participation: 1st place-Karmina Holsan 2nd place-Lalie Sorbet 3rd place-Pearl Grey 4th place-Zakali 5th place-MAagicfairy Merlin
Art Awards: Note that SLurls are given with the titles of all winning pieces, and all the entries into the Pursue Impossible 3D art challenge can still be viewed (as of writing) at the UWA art gallery. There were no fewer than four 10th places winners, all tied on a total of 16 points from the judge’s selections. The four winners each received a L$1,250 prize and were: Pursuing the Impossible – quadrapop Lane (Australia) The Gift – Secret Rage (USA) Perspectives – Pixels Sideways (USA) Dream – Mistero Hifeng (Italy) The ninth through seventh place prizes, all of L$5,000 each, were awarded to: 9th place: RACE: Human – PLANET: Earth – Sharni Azalee (Australia) 8th place: The Shadow of Quicksand – Haveit Neox (USA) 7th place: Impossible Geometry – Peli Dieterle (Germany) Due to a 5th place tie, there was no award for sixth place. The top five winners were:: Joint 5th place winner (L$7,500): Pursuing order is pursuing impossible – Takni Mistwalker & 39
Sharni Azalee: “RACE: Human – PLANET: Earth“, 9th place winner, in the UWA’s Grand Art Challenge Pursue Impossible
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The Bridge by Alpha Auer – the 1st place winner in the UWA’s Pursue Impossible Grand Art Challenge
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Misio2 (Spain / Australia) Joint 5th place winner (L$7,500): Rise Above the Mundane – Kazuhiro Aridian (USA) 4th place winner (L$20,000): Impossible Quest – Jipe Loon (France)
3rd place winner (L$30,000): Pursue the End of Homelessness – Nino Vichan (USA)
(L$35,000): Dream Within A Dream – Krystali Rabeni (UK) UWA Curator’s Choice Prize, selected by FreeWee Ling (L$25,000): Pursuing the Impossible – quadrapop Lane (Australia) Jayjay’s personal selection (L$5,000 each): Impossible today? … Possible tomorrow! by Dusty Canning (Australia) and Mars by Jesse Keyes (USA)
2nd place winner (L$40,000): Achieve Impossible – Carmsie Melodie Machinima Awards: (Australia) The MachinimUWA VIII: Pursue 1st place winner (L$60,000): The Impossible yielded over 40 short Bridge – Alpha Auer (Turkey) films, from which the adjudicating panel selected the following winners: UWA Special Prize and UWA CuraJoint 10th prize winner tor’s Choice Prize: (L$2,500): Magic Mirrors – Artistik Oluja (UK / Kuwait) In addition to the prizes above, Joint 10th prize winner the Pursue Impossible 3D Art C (L$2,500): Touching White – Haveit hallenge featured three additional Neox (USA) and Lilia Artis awards: the UWA Special Prize and (Switzerland) the UWA Curator’s Choice Prize, and Jayjay’s Personal Choice prize, which 9th prize winner (L$5,000): Ghost was awarded to mark the conclusion Race – Panda (France) of the Grand Art Challenges and the Joint 7th prize winner fact that since they were conceived in (L$5,000): Pursue Impossible? – Livio 2009, Jayjay has never had the Korobase (Italy) opportunity to vote on any entries Joint 7th prize winner other than as a member of the (L$5,000): Pursue Impossible – Sarah adjudicating panel. These were Whitney (USA) awarded as follows: 6th prize winner: (L$5,000): Folding UWA Special Prize, selected by the UWA members of the judging panel Time – Chic Aeon (USA) 44
5th prize winner (L$20,000): Parallel Universes – JaeSang (USA) 4th prize winner (L$30,000): Don’t Look Back – Vilvi Rae (Finland)
Jayjay’s personal choice (L$7,500): Chasing a Butterfly – Natascha Randt (Germany) & Karina Hoisan (Costa Rica)
3rd prize winner (L$40,000): Tis an Egg – Haveit Neox (USA) and Lilia Artis (Switzerland)
Second Life has been immeasurably enriched by all of these activities. 2nd prize winner (L$50,000): Death of While the UWA will continue to have Death? – Tutsy Navarathna (France / a presence in Second Life, and indeed the UWA art spaces will continue India) under the patronage of Johannes1997 1st prize winner (L$60,000): Pursue Resident – another individual who has Impossible – Kobuk Farshore (USA) had a remarkable and wholly positive impact on the world of art in Second Life -, with FreeWee remaining at the MachinimUWA Special Awards helm, I would like to pass on my In addition to the prizes above, the MachinimUWA VIII Pursue Impossible personal thanks to Jayjay for all of his work over the years, and for his challenge saw the following special encouragement to and support of awards made: artists across Second Life through UWA Special Prize was selected by these challenges and events. UWA members of the panel for the Related Links film starting at the same point as the UWA created Pursue Impossible UWA Art Gallery SLurl TV advert (L$17,500): Pursue Impos- Pursue Impossible 3D art entries with direct SLurls sible on UWA Today – Diana Al Martini (Indonesia) Pursue Impossible MachinimUWA entires with links WM UWA Special Prize was selected by UWA members of the panel for the film best encapsulating the UWA P ursue Impossible spirit (L$17,500): Tis an Egg – Haveit Neox (USA) and Lilia Artis (Switzerland)
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AN INSIDE LOOK AT FRANKX LEFAVRE WRITER: JOHN PHOTOGRAPHY: FRANKX LEFAVRE
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WM: Tell our readers about yourself. FRANKX: I don't know if what I do fits How did you first discover SL, what into any I genre and I don't attempt has kept you here for so many years? to do anything that is of any particular style or form as that in itself is , I think, too limiting. FRANKX: I first heard of SL in the media in a story about a self made What I like to do is push things and millionaire in real estate in the experiment if I can, especially when I virtual world in back in 2007. Then have the opportunities to do full sim quite by coincidence a friend installations. mentioned SL to me and I gave it a try Thematically this leaves the field wide and have been here ever since. open and gives me the freedom to What's kept me here are the people work on anything that has and the freedom of the creative captured my interest or imagination. environment which is always c I do like to work with light , I think hanging and ripe for light is the quintessential element in experimentation. both rl and sl art and I can spend The fact that I can sit here in hours working on shading , windlight Australia and talk to someone from settings, ambient and projected light say America, Europe, Russia or and textures to get the result that I've Japan , to name only a few countries, originally imagined. about art , politics or anything else that comes to mind and also see their WM: What are the inspirations for work and that they can see mine is your artwork? something that I love. In reality I am a chef, with absolutely no training or FRANKX: Getting the original idea for education in the arts at all . something new or taking an idea and Everything in relation to the technical working it so that it appears in a 3D side of both SL and any programs I use representation is, as Edison said, "10% such as Blender, Gimp and inspiration and 90% anything else I can get my hands on is perspiration". all self taught by trial and error and The inspirations for what I've done so using the resources of the net. far are diverse. Some if not most of it comes from my own imagination as in WM: Describe your artwork. What the installation Insidious: The Spread type of genre does it fit in? 52
Of Ideas.
we expect from you in 2016? Anything new on the horizon?
Some from artworks I've seen as in Gustav Dore's for Cocytus : the 9th FRANKX: I have just received an Circle of Hell from Dante's Inferno and Artist in Residence grant for LEA's then probably the hardest thing to my round 10 for starting January 2016. mind was Qualia :The Sentience of This is will be a full sim installation Being which was inspired by Frank and its tentatively named Apotheosis/ Jacksons philosophical thought Shimmer. experiment called Mary's room. Picasso's said "Everything you can This will take up a lot of my time as it imagine is real " and in the case of will be built, scripted , textured etc. virtual art , if it is technically possible, from scratch as usual. After that , who this what drives me to do what I do... knows? I don't usually plan anything or try to do . but I'll probably do something for the annual SLB celebrations , which I've The best inspiration sometimes is to done the last few years, and try to just close my eyes , put on some find other things to do to keep me music and let my mind explore the out of mischief. possibilities of its own imagination. If I can see something in my "minds eye" that is half the battle, the rest of it is making it into virtual reality. WM: Are you presently in any other virtual worlds? If so which ones? If not have you considered creating artwork in other virtual worlds? FRANKX: No , I'm not currently in any other virtual worlds though I've been asked to visit and perhaps try some of them out. The temptation is the pricing mainly but I find, for the moment, that I am busy enough in SL.
WM: What kind of art projects can 53
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You can further read about FrankX Lefavre by visiting the following links:
http://lea-sl.org/ http:// modemworld.wordpress.com/2014/06/1 4/insidious-the-spread-of-ideas/ http:// www.eddihaskell.com/2015/05/greatsecond-life-art-installations_12.html? zx=8937ac2bcc401717 https://vimeo.com/115904301WM
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THE RETURN OF FROLIC MILLS WRITER: JOHN PHOTOGRAPHY: FROLIC MILLS
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In December 2015, Frolic Mills had Second Life abuzz with the debut of his new project, The Release Shopping Network. The Release Shopping Network features some of the top Second Life creators and designers. Each creator and designer will have exclusive items with prices up to 20% off. Windlight was able to interview the brainchild of this new way to shop, Frolic Mills:
WM: You are very much known for your contributions to the Second Life fashion industry. Are you returning to this industry at all in the near future? FROLIC: In a way, I already have. RELEASE SHOPPING NETWORK is all about pushing fashion forward. Expect a lot more from me in 2016 and 2017!
WM: You have done it all in Second Life! From model to business owner, to event planner. Now you have returned with The Release Shopping Network. Tell our readers about this new venture.
WM: As we are an art magazine, I was surprised to find your connection to artists. I was speaking with Bryn Oh recently and she mentioned how she worked with you on various projects. How important do you think it is to combine art and fashion in Second Life?
FROLIC: RELEASE SHOPPING NETWORK is a fantastic way to unite all the new releases from the best designers in Second Life and offer them to the public in one screen, where they can buy them at 20% discount and even before the releases hit the stores.
FROLIC: Fashion is art. But yes, presenting fashion in Bryn Oh’s creative light has been one of my biggest joys. She is just wonderful to work with. I always tried to make my presentations as artistic as possible. To me it was always about presenting the best of sl in imaginative ways.
WM: How can a merchant be a part of the network? What are the requirements?
WM: Much has been made about Sansar and the future of Second Life. Will we see Frolic Mills in Sansar?
FROLIC: We are asking for original mesh designs only. That’s the only requirement.
FROLIC: You bet!
WM: What are some of your New 72
Year's resolutions? FROLIC: I think the same as everyone else's‌ diet, exercise, stop smoking, etc. But the one resolution that always sticks the best, is to forget all my new year’s resolution as quickly as possible. WM For more information about The Release Shopping Network, please contact Frolic Mills directly in Second Life.
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BELLE ROUSSEL: THE ART OF JEWELRY MAKING
WRITER: JOHN PHOTOGRAPHY: BELLE ROUSSEL
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WM: Chop Zuey has been a staple in SL for 6 years now. Tell our readers how did you first discover SL and why did you decide to get into jewelry and clothing making?
collections of jeweler done. Thus, the birth of Chop Zuey Couture Jeweler. I made it a franchise and gave it out to all my loyal and wonderful dancers who wanted to be part of it. Most of them are still with me today working BELLE: Thanks John, I'm honored to and making great money with Chop be here with you today. :) Zuey. I have since opened the franchise up to anyone in SL, and it’s I found SL by an episode on CSI a few been a great experience. Chop Zuey is years back. I went online to see what truly a family. it was all about ..... that was back in 2007... I haven't logged out since. WM: What are your inspirations for your pieces? I noticed that they are Becoming a Jeweler Designer in SL is a very detailed and intricately made. bit of an odd story for me.... Well, the story goes like this: I used to own BELLE: Really, this is the trickiest clubs in SL, big clubs that were very part. Inspiration. It's so easy to let the successful. When we had to close my ego take over and before you know it last club down suddenly due to real you have lost your way. I see it life problems that my business partner happen ALL the time to people and I was having at the time, I was left with really try very hard to monitor myself many unemployed dancers. These and check my actions and attitudes were people that had been with me and behavior and feelings, etc. But I for years -- loyal, hardworking, people, really do pray a lot. I pray that I can be many good friends -- and I felt terrible the best and most useful instrument about it. They had no warning that we to any and all Inspiration that chooses were closing; none of us did. So, I to come to me. decided I was going to open some kind of business that I could share with You know, you just have to take them to help them make money. At Inspiration from wherever you can find the time I had no experience with it. It really can be anything, from building, I mean seriously, I could just meditating on nature, or maybe a about rezz a prim. And I don't know sound I hear somewhere, or the how I got Jeweler into my head, but I movement of a flower... It really can got to work immediately, and in two be anything. And as an artist, it is my weeks’ time, I had about 5 or 6 job and my responsibility to remain as 82
open as possible to Inspiration - no matter from wherever it may choose to come. I just pray it comes to me :)
that collection, I realized I could possible do more to help the animals of our Planet. That's when I decided to hold a Animal Tribute Campaign But when all else fails, I am always every year at Christmas that would doinspired by the Classics. I’m amazed at nate 100% of the proceeds to WWF. their tenacity to survive all the noise We are in our fourth year of that camwe have to battle in the world every paign and its be very rewarding to me day -- bills, job, relationships, and on to participate and give back in that and on. The fact that the Classics in art way. and music and theatre and philosophy and spirituality remain beloved time WM: As a successful SL business after time is an inspiration to me for owner, what are some tips you may sure. They are like containers of truth have for both new and established -- sustaining what is real for us. If business owners in SL? maybe I hear some great music, it will put me in the mood to create some BELLE: I think entering any field or new designs, and I just go from there. new endeavor - my advice would be to cultivate three qualities - Patience, WM: You seem to support charity a Tenacity and Passion. Throw some great deal and I had the honor of hard work into the mix its going to be working with you for Team Diabetes's hard to fail. recent event. What other charities do you support? WM: What can we expect from Chop Zuey in 2016 and beyond? BELLE: I sponsored many Relay for Life events and even created the first BELLE: Well, I have things I want to Diamond Gown which they auctioned accomplish, but they will remain a off for a record 250,000L. But my surprise :) passion is for the animals. I am a big animal Activist... in another lifetime I However, I can promise you that I will could have easily pursued that as my continue to bring you the most main career........After debuting The beautiful and inspired jewelry Animal Speaks Collection back in 2011 possible and also continue to grow the (which has a portion of its proceeds Chop Zuey Family! WM donated to WWF), and seeing the amazing and very positive response to http://chopzuey.wordpress.com/ 83
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INSPIRATIONS WITH ILYRA: IS THIS FANTASY? IS THIS REAL LIFE?
WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHY: ILYRA CHARDIN
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[Is this the real life?] Is this just fantasy? I grew up reading science fiction, fantasy, sci fi / fantasy crossover, and speculative fiction. I occasionally read other genres, but I loved the adventure and the way these books inspired my imagination. I could see myself soaring on the back of a dragon, hiding in the shadows of a rustic, medieval-looking town, traveling with companions on a grand quest, and outrunning the bad guys. These books opened doors to worlds where magic and unicorns were real and where I could be anything and go anywhere that my imagination would bring me. When I joined Second Life, prim hair was just phasing out to be replaced by flexi hair. I started as a human, trying to make my avatar look as much like my real life self as I could, and within a month of joining, I made an alternate look (same main av) with a new body and these great Elven ears and fantasy clothes. I wasn’t alone. In October 2006, which was before my time, Wired Magazine published an article called, “Second Life: Facts for the Visitor.” Elves were listed as the second ethnic group, behind – and this made me giggle a lot – blingtards. 92
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Remember bling? I do! Even though I worldwide. In conjunction with Peter was not around in 2006, it was still Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings, A around when I joined. But I digress. Game of Thrones has brought the genre of fantasy into the mainstream. WM. Things haven’t changed much since 2006. GOOD: A Magazine for the Global Citizen published an article in March 2015, entitled, “Second Life is Staying Alive.” They changed the category from ethnic group to subculture, but still showed Elves as number two in their list. I am not alone in my love of Fantasy, and although I’ve shed my Elven ears, I still love to travel the grid in search of magic, elves, fairies, unicorns, dragons, mermaids and a host of other imaginative beings and creatures. I love to find builds that bring me back to towns that could have easily found themselves as part of the adventure in books such as Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, Eddings’ The Belgariad, Feist’s Riftwar, Weis and Hickman’s Dragonlance, and (to me) the unforgettable Thieves World Anthologies, which brought together some of the best science fiction and fantasy writers to write short stories set in Aspirin’s fantasy world. I am not alone in this love, whether Second Life or Real Life. George RR Martins’ A Game of Thrones has captured the imagination of millions 100
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VOYAGES WITH VEE: JURASSIC VEE
WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHY : VEE TAMMAS
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There are days when I look at my almost nine year old avatar and feel that, compared to the newer, flashier, skins and shapes, I’m a dinosaur in this virtual world of SL. Which is why I thought communing with creatures and fossils older than myself might be a good way to spend an afternoon. So I unearthed my old explorer outfit, strapped on my pith helmet, and went off in search of the dinosaurs! First stop, the Vienna Museum of Natural History to see some interactive reptile displays. http://maps.secondlife.com/ secondlife/Forum%20Europe/65/79/31 I love folding and unfolding the frills of the Dilophosaurus and making the Allosaurus growl. An added bonus is the exhibit on Steampunk sculptures by Bryn Oh on the second level. Well worth a hop upstairs to see the metallic insects and inventive creations of such a talented artist. The spin around the museum just whetted my appetite for more so I laced up my boots and flew over to Prehistorica - the Dawn Kingdoms and land of the dinosaurs http://maps.secondlife.com/ secondlife/Fort% 20Nowhere/129/74/1102. The landmark will drop you into the welcome center and from there you can take a time travel portal (very cool) back to meet some creatures from the past. It’s so much fun to take a peek at a time when dinosaurs ruled the earth. Wandering around I encountered at least six different species, 110
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all oblivious to Vee, the intrepid explorer. If you have a dinosaur avatar of your own you can wear it and roam the sim interacting with the visitors or just enjoying the view. And speaking of views, there is plenty of lush scenery around for those interested in photography. Have fun exploring! WM
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AN ELF IN A MODERN WORLD: GODMODDING IN RP
WRITER AND PHOTOGRPHY: DAWNBEAM DREAMSCAPE
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Were you one of the lucky ones who explored fantasy at a young age? Space stories and superheroes, princesses and strong bold knights? Did a towel tied around your neck give you superpowers? Fantasy remains one of the very simple pleasures in life, even as adults. We can go anywhere and be anything we care to be! Last month we spoke about developing your character. This is an ongoing process, and just as your real life experiences tend to fashion your personality, so it is with your fantasy character. By achieving this, your character becomes believable, richer, and more interesting.
village, where the villagers are all equal in status and statute. They have lived in the village since the beginning of time in this manner. You come to the village with the title, King, Queen, Prince, Princess, etc. Even when you learn the ways of the village, you keep the name, or keep the information in your background story, acting as if you are royalty.
What you don’t realize is the villagers are laughing at you behind your back. “All hail to the newfound King.” This is one of the ways to quickly become unwelcome in a new place. No one cares to interact with a superior, high and mighty individual. Let’s face it, if you want to be a “ruler”, above all others, with There are, however, things to superior abilities, you had better have avoid. Some of these missteps are so enough money to support your own common that many people do not role play area. Most of the rest of us even know they are committing them. ordinary people do not fantasize as being “ruled” and the thought of living This month we will speak of is in a monarchy in my fantasy world is godmodding or godmoding. This not very likely! All characters need happens frequently with new role balance. Just as in life, we are not players, who display their immaturity perfect, no role play character should by giving their characters unbelievable be either. We all have a dark side, abilities and skills. with positive and negative aspects. Learn everything you can There are numerous examples of how about your character before you we godmode. The first is usually in the begin! When you role play you are character creation itself. A new telling a story about your character character wants to join an established every time you interact with role play. Let’s say it is a medieval someone. Make sure your facts are 122
straight and credible. Research, research, research!
Naturel”, is just asking for problems.
“God-modding, is forcing reactions Another way you can do this is the upon other characters. In laymen’s manner of dress you sport. Come on terms, saying what other players are ladies, women in medieval times did doing. God-modding can also include not wear stiletto heels. Although, having the ‘perfect’ character these babies could be used as a meaning you have no flaws, no deadly weapons! Ridiculous in a weaknesses, and can never get hit medieval setting where the paths are during a fight. God-modding isn’t just cobblestone at best, and the rest is irritating, many people refuse to RP earth and mud. Just imagine getting with people who god-mod, or have a caught on a muddy footpath and reputation of god-modding.” sinking down 5 inches with Duri, Reign of Blood and Terrifyingly these! Staying with the medieval Yours (3) theme, wearing tight, body revealing clothing would not happen, unless This statement obviously makes it your clothing was falling off of your very clear that your character can not body because you were that only be perfect, have superior powers poor. You would likely end up in a pot that are unrealistic, but most of tar with feathers applied, or at least important, you can not announce the in the stockades for the entire village reactions or actions of the people you to scorn and ridicule you. Cover up are role playing with. An example of those cracks! announcing reactions might be Stay in theme with the area you are role playing! That being said, there are fantasy sims that do permit exposure of body parts. If this is what you want, running around the forest half nude, or swimming in the oceans, lakes and rivers bare chested, then the burden falls on you to find these areas. Coming to a moderate sim in any less than a conservative way, stating that you are permitted to break the established rules because you come from the planet, “Au
something as follows: “Dawn throws an acorn at Willing hitting him below his left eye, causing his eye to swell shut.” This seems very simple and even possibly innocent, however, this removes all actions and reactions for Willing. A better statement would be: “Dawn throws an acorn aimed at Willing’s head.” 123
Who knows at this point if Willing will sit there and allow the acorn to hit him, if he will get up quickly and be hit in another body part, if he will duck down hearing the acorn fly by his ear, etc. etc. God- modding can take place in intimate situations as well.
you, giving them examples of their own words, and where they overstepped the role play guidelines is much better. Let them know up front that others find that type of role play to be irritating, boring and may react in negative ways to their character. It is inconsiderate to any “Willing kisses Dawn’s neck, as he other character they interact with. watches the shiver bumps rise.” Give them specific illustrations of how Although it is very likely that Dawn they could have improved. Encourage may get shiver bumps if Willing kisses them to practice with your help. This her neck, the better statement would lets them know you feel they are have been: worthy of the time you will invest. In a few cases, you may find the person is “Willing kisses Dawn’s neck, waiting not willing to listen to any suggestions, for her reaction.” and problems will escalate. In this case, they might be happier in a new The interaction is left open in the later area, do not hesitate to suggest that case and true role play is unbarred. they find a new place on their own. You can continue knowing you attempted to help the person, and How do you help those who practice they refused. This type of player is not godmodding? The initial, but going to be happy in any area where overactive way is to ban them. The they interact with others. problem here, although they are no longer in your area, but they have not Benjamin Franklin said: learned that it was the godmodding “Tell me and I forget...Teach me and I that caused the issue. Many who remember...Involve me and I learn.” practice godmodding do not even WM. know the meaning what they are doing, they are very young, or they have never been told. They go away being very angry, confrontational, and vengeful. If you can get the person to listen to 124
“To raise really intelligent children, read them fairy tales� ~* Albert Einstein
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THE DIRTY GRIND INDEPENDENT ARTIST COMMUNITY
WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHY: KARA TRAPDOOR
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The Dirty Grind Independent Artist Community at Jasmine's Hollow has been a popular artist community for 2 ½ years in Second Life. The sim owned and managed by partners Lisa Witt (Jasmine0alaya) and Ian Witt (Ian.mcconach) showcases members of the artist community focusing on the various artists and live musicians in Second Life.
community. Visitors and residents can enjoy the ever changing stage area and artists live music and visual art as well as this absolutely beautiful sim. Lisa and Ian are a lot of fun and friendly and it's always exciting to see what outfit or costume Lisa will be wearing at the next show and how she has changed or decorated the sim. They say, "Our goal...our passion has always been to provide a haven for artists in which creativity and Over the years their sim has been adorned with art by some of Second community flourishes. We are here for our artists and wish to extend our Life's premier artists, while their reach as a service organization." They stages have hosted a wide range of live musicians. They have traditionally both reportedly have first life experience in music and business. The held live shows every week on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, Dirty Grind has received multiple Avi Choice Awards nominations. as well as special events. Not only is their live music stage area fun entertainment for visitors but the entire sim is a feast of sights and sounds generally in grand eclectic steampunk style. Although the sim landscaping and seasons change, most of the main attractions are consistent including a whimsical town square, adorable chapel, sky builds to explore, discovery booths, beautiful landscaping and lighting, hidden areas to find, several rental homes, shopping, The Rebakery, casual hang out areas, game area, The Radio Grind radio station streaming SL musician music, and much more available to guests and residents of the 134
Some of their artists and performers have included: Anidi Huet, Bat Masters, Benski Korhonen, Beth Odets, Billy Thunders, David Csiszer, DennyMac, Doug Lind, Effinjay, Grace McDunnough, Gweeb, Gypsy Dhrua, KatRose Serendipity, Ke Aloha, Kiesta Aljon, Kinagree-Smith, Lyndon Heart, Phemie Alcott, Reggie Sunset, Ren Enberg & Quai Franklin, Sassy Nitely, Sina Souza, Senjata Witt, Shannon Oherlihy, Suzen Juel, TerryLynn Melody, Tallulah Winterwolf, The Matthew Show, The Vinnie Show, Toysoldier Thor, Wald Schridde, and Winston Ackland.
The most recent artistic exhibit was entertainment: developed by Lisa herself with a http://216.155.128.202:8079/ multi-level installation celebrating 150 Facebook page: https:// years of Alice in Wonderland from her www.facebook.com/TheDirtyGrindSL private collection. She has curated WM. pieces of art from Second Life artists to help her express what wonderland is to her. With this installation she stated: “I have the honor of joining our immensely talented family of artists to help us celebrate the wonder and creativity of the human soul.� However her immense creativity is ever present in the ongoing development of the sim itself as well, along with her partner and co-builder Ian. Prior to that they celebrated their 2nd anniversary this past summer with a carnival of the arts sim-wide theme with featured artist Sina Souza. One can continue to find various artist pieces blended throughout the sim design. Be sure to stop by for some great art and music shows and enjoy exploring a unique sim while there and discover, connect, and purchase from The Dirty Grind Independent Artist Community family of artist. Celebrate and embrace the arts. Jasmine's Hollow and The Dirty Grind is located at Fender (117, 141, 25) The Dirty Grind Web site can be found at : http://www.thedirtygrind.com/ Radio Grind 24/7/365 SL live musician
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WINDLIGHT CONTRIBUTOR’S 2016 NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS
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Stop getting too attached to certain people. A little more RL /SL balance. Clean up inventory. Be a better friend and focus on the one I'm with. Stop taking stuff so seriously. Always remember to wear clean underwear, or any underwear, or at least an alpha. Embrace my inner child as often as possible. Go easier on myself. Thank people more for their hard work and cool things they make and do. Try something new as often as possible. And in reality they tend to be about the same every year and never really pan out.. so my stand-by is "I'm not doing resolutions this year, nobody likes a skinny sober bitch anyway". Can I say that bad word in the magazine? Oh, well. ; )
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1. I will play more 2. I will love harder 3. I will explore different avenues 4. I will take better care of myself 5. I will smile more 6. I will let my true friends know how much they mean to me
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1. Don't make resolutions 2. Break any that I make 3. Never work as a trash collector in SL 4. Never work as a librarian in SL 5. Never work in a medical clinic in SL 6. Lose weight -always on the list 7. See number 6 8. Always keep an independent spirit 9. Not think about the past too much 10. Find new and exciting places to write about t
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THE ART OF SECOND LIFE FASHION
WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHY: ELESEREN BRIANNA
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It is a great pleasure and an honor to have been asked to be the first Fashion contributor to Windlight. I have so many ideas, and I intend to explore Fashion and styling in SL across future issues. Fashion is one of the most obvious creative expressions around us as we live our second lives, though perhaps we rarely think of it that way. Good or bad, someone took something from their imagination and following a personal vision, and through the use of skill, made that into an object that others could see and interact with.
transformation, change, evolution, through fashion that actually reflects all of these, whether it is a dress buried in the ground for a while, or a dress that partially dissolves and becomes something else when a model wearing it stands in a shower of water.
The intellectual Japanese Fashion Designer, Yohji Yamamoto explores 'anti-fashion' in a similar way to artists who have explored 'anti-art'. In his designs he focuses on form, and touch, and color, and abstract ideas such as balance, while debating what Fashion actually is. He even moves Debate has continued for years considering Fashion as Art, considering between artists, designers, and it a unique form of expression and academics as to whether Fashion is stating that 'If Fashion was Art, it truly Art, at least in the Fine Art sense. would not be in Fashion'. The great real life Fashion Designer Zandra Rhodes is very much of the These are not mere makers of clothes. opinion that Fashion is an art form, for True, other well known Designers may her it is about exploring beauty and focus more on the exquisite craft aesthetics, and exploring too what involved in Haute Couture, and in the beauty actually is. production of incredible objects of skill and beauty, but is that so different Other designers, such as Alexander from an artist who eschews great McQueen, created designs that were concepts and focuses instead on intended to evoke a reaction, and to striving to use his skill and his leave an emotional mark. He explored preferred media in the service of paradoxes and juxtapositions, such as capturing his vision of aesthetic savagery and sophistication, and the perfection? nature of identity, through the clothes and accessories he made, and how he This sounds very remote from the styled them for the runway. simple manufacturing of clothes, and indeed it is. The debate around Hussein Chalayan is frank about whether Fashion is Art may be exploring concepts such as 168
because 'Fashion' covers everything from the latest mass manufactured skirt which vaguely copies a current trend, to the works of Designers like those above, which gain honored permanent places in the great Museum collections of the world. This same broad range exists in Second Life in the same way it exists in First Life. In my preparation for this article, I took a walk back through Second Life Fashion, through images and old magazines, to capture a sense of the journey and expression of Fashion in Second Life, and how it has evolved and is evolving. Fashion in Second Life has been influenced by notable developments in Second Life itself - the coming of flexi prims in 2006, sculpties in 2008, multiple layers in 2010 and of course mesh in 2011. All these have increased the options for creators. Designers have looked for ways of exploiting what is technically possible to create clothing and accessories that evoke Fashion Design in the real world.
Life and its building options. They have created remarkable designs which are not just approximations to real, but completely new and innovative, exploiting the aesthetic potentials of the building 'media' here. Second Life's unique world also shapes fashion here. The lack of gravity in SL for instance enables fashion that incorporates elements that float free, or would be impossibly heavy and cumbersome to wear in the real world. Other unique Second Life elements like scripting, animated textures, particles, have also been used. Avant garde in particular in Second Life has developed through the use of all these possibilities, very often resulting in designs and styles that are unique to Second Life Fashion.
Just as with Second Life artists, many fashion creators in SL have no real world design background or training. This does not stop their creative exploration, and development, which is limited only by their talent, skill and imagination. However design brands have been established by creators who Each technical advance has provided are artists and designers, or involved new ways to express qualities, of in the Arts, in the real world. Their cloth, of form, of decoration. sophisticated ideas and aesthetics Sometimes the aim is simply to copy have meant that truly original, or do close inspirations designs seen in memorable and beautiful designs have real life collections, but a number of been available to Second Life very talented designers have, like residents. Brands such as soraya Second Life Artists, explored the Vaher's Violator, Mila Tatham's Solidea unique qualities found only in Second 169
Folies, and Eshi Otawara's own design house are examples of these, which are still gracing the Second Life Fashion Scene.
Happily though there are still totally original designers in Second Life, and many are in areas of 'Fashion' design which are part of the unique Second Life culture. There isn't time or space to fully talk about it here, but the wonderful melting pot of communities in Second Life, covering role play, fantasy, steampunk, and fashion sub cultures from around the world (like Kawaii) feeds fashion for all on the Grid. This is helped by the many regular shopping and gacha events that cater to these communities, and are widely publicized across the Grid.
Technological developments in Second Life, including those mentioned above, together with gradually improving design technology and knowledge, have meant that Fashion in Second Life continues to get more and more sophisticated. As in real world Fashion, new generations of designers are also inspired by and feed off what went before, again adding to the complex and rich modern design scene in Second Life nowadays. Fashion artist/designers like Noke Yuitza of E.V.E. (and previously Fashion in SL has very often sought to ALEGRIA) make exquisite designs become more 'realistic' in its product, which feed into this unique SL culture, and developments such as mesh in and fuse superb artistry and design particular do help this enormously with a role play purpose (such as now. I don't know if this is always in Noke's stunning mer costume at service to creativity and originality. Enchantment Event recently). There does seem to be a trend in SL to Established fashion figures, like the get more and more faithful copies, or model Wicca Merlin, have also jumped at least near copies, of existing designs the fence from model to designer, and by real life Fashion Designers. It is true fuse a developed fashion and artistic that this is seductive for a lot of sense with the creative possibilities of customers, and makes business sense the fantasy genre. in these tough economic times. To me though, this is more like the real world Because of the wide promotion of the Chain Store diluting Haute Couture for shopping events previously the masses, and not the true and valid mentioned, and the wonderfully creative dialogue of a Designer being creative products often found within moved and inspired by an existing them, models and stylists are picking design, and taking their inspired up on these for their stylings, including thoughts down new routes. me. I love the richness of mixing couture with fantasy and role play 170
pieces, as for me this directly reflects on how top real life Designers such as Galliano and Lacroix for instance reinterpret and mix the hugely varied source material they sample for their ideas, finding new and fabulous syntheses. Within SL styling has developed as really an art form in itself, and a talented stylist can create looks that are truly artistic and push the designs they wear into new and innovative directions. All art feeds on itself, and for me that is clearly shown in styling. This has been quite a long and 'heavy' piece for my first article, but I wanted to set a kind of 'foundation' for future articles. It will be my total pleasure to explore current Fashion in Second Life, from designers, to stylists, and to show also how real life design trends can be interpreted with items found here. I hope you will join me on my explorations! WM
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MODEL: WICCA MERLIN Hat: [E.V.E] Studios – “Swing Alma Hat “Black Widow Gold” – NEW (Art in Hats 2015) Top: Wicca’s Wardrobe – “Xena Top” Pants: Wicca’s Wardrobe – “Lavinia Leggings” (for slink high feet only) Tattoo: [White~Widow] – “Vertigo” Makeup: Corvus – “Fighter” & Zibska – “Ltd Noir 14” Poses: Del May Location: Alpha Tribe
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MODEL: PARADOX MESSMER Hair: Equinox Hair Pearl RARE by [LAB737] ( Fantasy Gacha Carnival, ends Dec 6th) Necklace: Tube necklace by Gabriel ( Men Only Monthly, till Dec 12th) Wings: Skye Wings Silver (gacha item, 35L per play) by Du Jour Bracelets: Zipper Bracelet by NOMAD ( Men Only Monthly, till Dec 12th) Pants: Half pants with leggings by Gabriel ( Men Only Monthly, till Dec 12th) Tattoo: Disclosure by White Widow ( We <3 RP, December) Decor: Golden Altar by Noble Creations Pose: Warrior 2 from Warrior Set (new) by PosESioN 174
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MODEL: SPIRIT LLEWELLYN LANA BY GHEE Hair~ Argrace “Makoto”
Jewelry~ [7891] Cage Bracelet, roper stud earrings, 176
Makeup~ MUA Glam Set Madrid Solo Ensemble lash liner only
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MODEL: ANOUK LEFAVRE
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JANUARY & FEBRUARY W
AUTOPILOTPATTY POPPY, ELESEREN BRIANNA, TEMPEST ROSCA, GLITTERPR CARLEY NOONAN, WARM CLARITY, VICTORIA LENOIRRE, JA
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WINDLIGHT ART FELLOWS:
RINCESS DESTINY, JAMIE86 RESIDENT, JARLA CAPALINI, CEAKAY BALLYHOO, AZSINTHA RESIDENT, HANA HOOBINOO, & WICCA MERLIN
ollowing link for more information and the official application: .com/fellowship-program/ 193
RISTORANTE IVAN
This free self service restaurant is part of Windlight restaurant. **The restaurant is not a roleplay restau restaurant where you can bring your date or l Ristorante Ivanna is available for private parties, events, and functi 194
NNA窶年OW OPEN
t Art Gallery and is in the style of a romantic Italian urant where you have to pay to be served. It is a FREE loved one for a quiet and romantic setting. ** tions. Please contact Johannes1977 Resident for more information 195
WINDLIGHT MAGAZINE VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2016 WWW.WINDLIGHTMAGAZINE.COM
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