Windlight Magazine - July 2015

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 JULY 2015 INAUGURAL ISSUE

BRYN OH SKIP STAHELI SASUN STEINBECK RAGLANSHIRE ARTWALK NIKKI MATHIESON INARA PEY AND MORE!

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PUBLISHERS’ NOTE

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Welcome to Windlight Magazine!

Windlight Magazine is a joint venture with Avi Choice Productions, which brings you the Avi Choice Awards and Avi Choice Magazine. Windlight Magazine is a publication about the art and photography world of Second Life. The goal of Windlight Magazine is to support artists, photographers, galleries, and related events.

I was prompted to create Windlight Magazine, after discussing the arts with my partner, Emma Portilo and with my art mentor, Shakti Adored. Both of these very talented people will lend their talents to Windlight and help the magazine grow and reach new heights.

I would like to thank all of our initial advertisers, sponsors, and supporters who helped to bring Windlight Magazine to reality. Special thanks to Nikki Mathieson, who agreed to partner her Avi Choice brand with us.

I hope that you enjoy the magazine and continue to support the arts in Second Life.

Sincerely, Johannes1 Johannes1977 Publisher & Editor in Chief

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THE CREW

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JULY 2015 ISSUE PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF JOHN (JOHANNES1977) CO-PUBLISHER NIKKI MATHIESON SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS & PHOTOGRAPHERS EMMA PORTILO

SHAKTI ADORED INARA PEY KARA TRAPDOOR MARKETING JESSII2009 WARRHOL WEBSITE: www.windlightmagazine.com FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/windlightmagazine

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE 18 FEATURED STORY BRYN OH: THE ESSENCE OF AN ARTIST

PAGE 46 AN INSIDE LOOK AT SKIP STAHELI

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INARA PEY’S MODEM WORLD OF THE ARTS

PAGE 78 CURATOR’S CORNER WITH SHAKTI ADORED

PAGE 88 THE MANY FACES OF SASUN STEINBECK: SCRIPTOR, CREATOR, & LOVER OF THE ARTS PAGE 102 NIKKI MATHIESON: GIVING AVIS A CHOICE

PAGE 114 10 TINY YEARS IN THE MAKING: THE 2015 RAGLAN SHIRE ARTWALK

PAGE 118 FASHION ARTOGRAPHY FEATURING: ELESEREN BRIANNA, CHLOEELECTRA, ISSY FLATLEY, AND WICCA MERLIN 11

Serena Imagine Arts Center Serena Arts Center was created in 2009 with the purpose to showcase the works of Second Life's Artists. We are pleased to sponsor all of our artists by providing them a free venue to exhibit their works. In these years at Serena Art Center has been hosted around 45 exhibitions. Generally are present one or two artists monthly: painters, photographers, sculptors. We welcome painters, photographers and sculptors and usually we present one or two artists per month. Serena Imagine Arts Center is an open sky Gallery, surrounded by meadows, fields and green hills of Wolves Land. We are now presenting Orsini Tarantal - SL name of the Spanish painter Javier Escudero Cuervas Mont - and few photographs by Saya Lykin. The Wolves Land sim is open to all SL residents, for them to enjoy the peaceful environment. On the sim, Just Imagine brand and main store since 2008 has been creating quality clothes for Ladies who love simplicity, style and elegance.

Owner: Vita Theas Assistants: Luna Khalim & SalineDD 12

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FEATURED ARTICLE BRYN OH: THE ESSENCE OF AN ARTIST Writer: Emma Portilo

Bryn Oh. A name that rings synonymous with virtual art, frequently credited with advancing and promoting this rich medium beyond the virtual walls to the outer, RL world - and back again. An artist who is only virtual, who doesn't exist outside of the 1s and 0s that make up our electronic space and yet her impact has reached far and wide in both worlds. If you haven't heard the name Bryn Oh at one time or another in your SL, then I'd venture to guess you are very much a "noob."

When considering the "resume" of Bryn, you realize it most definitely takes the virtual art to RL. Books (in print RL), the IBM exhibit, print publications, web publications, tv, movies at the World Expo at Shanghai, the Canadian subway monitors, the 17th Biennial de Cerveira in Portugal, the universities.

Bryn has enriched our minds, souls, and even hearts through darkness, curiosity, beauty, and uniqueness. While the intent of this article began as an inquiry into Bryn, the artist - who is she as a person, it certainly didn't end up that way. Just as she has a way of captivating a visitor to one of her builds, she captivated the mind and took it on a quest, a journey, and enriched it. And that is why I am bringing to you the words that couldn't be spoken better than by Bryn herself.

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PHOTO BY: Eve Petlyakov

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WM: It has been regarded that you are a dark individual with a different train of thought. Theories of other sorts are about in variations. My first question is, if you were an observer on the outside looking in, how do you think you would see the mindset of the artist, Bryn Oh?

Bryn: That Oh that is a difficult question, what other theories!? I have sometimes wondered how people saw me. I think my work can be considered dark, but in most of my narratives they don't necessarily end so.

Daughter. The Daughter of gears collects the damaged parts of the Rabbicorn to her, and combines both hers and the Rabbicorns pieces together so that they are one. And for eternity they live happy together in her standby, while all the vines and weeds grow up around them in an obscuring cover.

Have you ever loved someone so deeply that you wished you could be inside them? that even making love was not close enough? The unassailable barrier between minds is from clumsy language and expression keeping us from truly being a part of one another. For the Daughter and the Rabbicorn they were connected in love in a way no human can be, and for eternity. But is it wrong that they do so in her standby? in an imaginary place while discarding reality? It is a parallel to the virtual relationships that so many question. It is meant to be debatable with no definitive answer.

My stories are not Hollywood cut and paste morality templates in black and white. Some characters are neither bad nor good, some outcomes are morally questionable. For example in "Standby" The Daughter of Gears and the Rabbicorn are both two obsolete and hunted machines. Outcasts in a society that has become obscene. The Daughter of Gears powers herself down and languishes in her "Standby" which is a white space where she lives with her happy All my stories, really, are attached to memories, perhaps like a computer this theme and to me none of them hibernating waiting to be activated really end in darkness. again.

The Rabbicorn finds her there and draws her out back into the "real world". In the end the Rabbicorn is destroyed while saving the

So I guess if I were to interpret the person who makes these stories I would say they are disappointed with the societies they see, the diamonds are forever slogans, the minivans, the 20

the backwards evolution from books to blogs to tweets to grunts. The technologies that insulate us, that, much like a wolf pack separating the fawn from the herd, they separate us yet give the impression we are even more together. If you spend hours on Facebook is that using social media or using anti-social media? I would say that this person is a dreamer with a touch of dark melancholy, but in the end a romantic.

away layers to discover things below to contemplate. I like to create work which lets a select few find and interpret hidden aspects, and in so doing allow people to feel like what they have uncovered is for them alone, not the surface that everyone shares. I hope that this creates a bond with my artwork that is remembered for a long time.

WM: If you could change one feature or aspect as a resident of SL about SL, what would that be?

WM: What is the ultimate goal for the art Bryn: Well currently that would be to work of Bryn Oh to accomplish? make it easier to control how others see Bryn: For me the goal is to create my work. For example, at most of my something that lingers with the person builds I have to put text boards up who experiences it. To create something explaining how to set shadow lighting, for people, like myself, who enjoy peeling 21

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windlight and various other tweaks. Ideally someone would arrive at an environment of mine and they would see it immediately as I composed it. The text breaks the immersion and is annoying. Experience tools might do that eventually.

WM: What is the most unusual request you have ever been asked in SL by a resident?

Bryn: I get a fair amount of unusual requests. Once someone asked to date me but.. well how to explain. I was talking to a person who I knew well then realized that they were continuing a conversation begun by another person I had been talking to who I also knew fairly well. I asked them about this and they admitted that they forgot which avatar they were in and were also that other person too. After a bit of gentle interrogation they admitted to having contacted me with 12 different avatars over the last year with the intention of finding out which I was attracted to. So a vampire, a man, a woman, an emo variation, a fantasy type version and so on. It was kind of surreal and left me a bit paranoid for a month hahaha.

WM: Do you feel you have inspired and mentored other artists in SL? Bryn: Oh I don't really know. That is for others artists to answer I

guess. Would feel nice if I did though.

WM: You have many newer pieces of your art available to purchase in your store, however, you have numerous older pieces as well that are not currently available. Are there requests for any of these older pieces and/or do you ever intend to make any of them available to the public again in some form or another?

Bryn: Many of my older pieces are quite primmy. They predate mesh and sculpties, and I never did count my prims back then so in some cases things got up to a thousand prims or so. Many can now be reduced to half that with the features-physics shape type change prim to convex hull trick, but even still they are still pretty big compared to the current SL where mesh artists can make incredible things that cost just a few prims. If people wanted older things they can just ask and I will haul them out and dust them off.

WM: From time to time, when visiting your installations, I've noticed you hanging somewhere about. It seems almost as if you are an observer of those seeing your work‌.nearly to the point that you are thinking perhaps that THEY are actually the work that you have been trying to achieve and that it is now complete. Might that be a correct interpretation?

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If not, what is it that appeals to you about seeming to be a part of the installation?

Bryn: When I look at a virtual world as an art medium I try to imagine what makes it unique over other mediums such as painting, sculpture, cinema etc. There are many unique traits but one is that you share the space with people from all over the world. So for me, the artwork is not just the story and aesthetic creation but rather the entire experience which includes the avatars that inhabit it. One part of me creates an immersive work and wishes just one visitor at a time to experience it so that they can become immersed, yet another part sees the avatar guest as a random aspect of the artwork as well, even the naked newbie bumping endlessly into a wall is, strangely, a part of the artwork to me. Not in the same way as the build and story.. but as a reflection of what this medium is currently. Also when I create a build, such as the Singularity of Kumiko, Imogen and the pigeons, Anna's Many Murders etc., they are composed with a lot of thought into how the avatar alone or in groups will react to the space and often you can discover ways they interact which is surprising. With the Singularity of Kumiko the build was very dark and the guests were equipped with a headlamp that worked like a flashlight in the dark space. Also roaming inside was Mr.

Zippers, a character which occasionally would attack people and was able to actually kill them (send them home). When I would watch I would see things like a group of five people walking through the woods, then they would hear Mr. Zippers coming though the squeak of his wheels. I could then see the flashlights frantically searching this way and that until Mr. Zippers was suddenly upon them, and then you would see everyone, or rather their headlamps, scatter in different directions. Mr. Zippers would pick one and usually kill them and then leave. Slowly you would see the flashlights in the dark seeking out one another again until they were all together minus one. So for me there was a pleasure in seeing the build how I imagine it actually working and creating the fear and anxiety that was intended.. or joy or laughter or whatever the build was meant to do.

WM: Considering the birth of an idea to the completion of the build, what is your favorite part of the process of creation of an installation?

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Bryn: For me each piece of the work is almost like a brushstroke, and as you keep adding brush strokes the overall picture starts to take form. So for example in Lobby Cam I would build each piece of a streetcar until it was complete and then add some details inside, the wheat around it and a tree, a fence, some mullen and so on. A pigeon on the roof. My favorite part is when I have completed a little portion of the whole that is of itself a completed artwork. Then if I move over to another part and build a bench under a shelter by the train tracks, then I can position my camera so that it sees this new completed part but also it shows the streetcar in the background. I can see it growing. So then the favorite part for me is adding the brush strokes in the form of scenes and seeing them all come together in an overall composition, but which is made up of tiny parts that are able to stand on their own as individual artworks.

Banksy or Swoon, from books like Watership down and Railsea, Oryx and Crake and others. From musicians ranging from Fever Ray, Saycet and Crystal Castles to the nostalgia of Vera Lynn, Ruth Ettings or Billy Holiday. Sometimes the inspiration is simply triggered by a few words or a particular colored stone I might find. The final work and the initial inspiration may, over time, become so different that it is hard to imagine how they could be connected. For example the Daughter of gears character was by seeing a strange bent branch on a tree. It made me imagine a leg, then that progressed to a leg on a robot girl etc.

WM: Do you ever have 'creativity block'? If so, how do you resolve that?

Bryn: I am fortunate in that I don't often have creativity blocks, but having said that I do get ennui. In those times when I am not feeling as creative as I could be, then I will focus WM: Where do you seek inspiration? on things which are a bit repetitive or Bryn: Most of my work is taking don't require me to be at a high level parts of my own life, wants, fears or of creativity, and I will work on these loves and then fashioning something things until my desire that helps to express it or release returns. So essentially I save the it. But then I also get inspiration repetitive work , such as putting from lots of different things. I like to leaves on a tree or .. what's the sit in nature and just watch all the word.. the times when I need to little insects or birds living their recreate existing things such as a lives. I get inspiration from other chair or bed or rug.. I save those for artists such as Georges DeLaTour, 38

a rainy day. When I am feeling very creative I will conceive of new stories and write them down, do poetry, think of and build characters like Anna, the Rabbicorn, The Daughter of gears, Gretchen and Teddy, Kumiko, Imogen and so on. The important thing is to do something everyday regardless of whether you wish to or not.

gift, others have gotten tattoos on their bodies of some of the characters.. most often the Rabbicorn. It is very flattering and rewarding for me to know some are affected by what I do to such a degree.

WM: What is your favorite installation?

Bryn: Oh what an evil question Emma. I would say that it is between WM: Were you always this creative in the trilogy of Daughter of gears/ life?

Rabbicorn /Standby and the Imogen Bryn: I have always been creative but and the pigeons/ the Singularity of not always was it appreciated Kumiko story. I can't pick which as it haha. My parents gave me all my would break the heart of the other. report cards from school last year WM: What does the future hold for when they discovered them while Immersiva and Bryn Oh? cleaning, and I read many of the early Bryn: I am not sure. I keep telling ones for the first time. Often the comments by teachers were variations myself that tier is too high and I of "... needs to focus..." Apparently I should close Immersiva, but I never was a dreamer. seem to do it. I have an idea for a new WM: What is the best reaction you've build called "The Party" which I might had to an installation? start building soon. In writing this, as Bryn: One person told me how they you can see, the words of Bryn spoke came to see the Rabbicorn story with louder and more true than any way I a man they had just met. At the end could hope to express what she has of the story he wept and she was put so well. drawn to his unguarded empathy. They eventually married in real Congratulations to Bryn Oh on her life and have been together happily Avi Choice win yesterday for for years now. They credit the "Favorite Sim Designer/Creator."

Rabbicorn story as being what brought them together. Last month someone asked for a signed Standby book to give to his wife as a wedding 39

PHOTO BY BLUESROCKE

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To see Bryn's machinima works:

Machinima links

Juniper - https:// www.youtube.com/watch? v=urmhu0jAZD8 Obedience - https:// www.youtube.com/watch? v=Enl18rX5K94 Imogen and the pigeons - https:// www.youtube.com/watch? v=eeDApXfgpoQ Standby - https:// www.youtube.com/watch? v=q8RgAuhcBOw

Singularity of Kumiko - https:// www.youtube.com/watch? v=JONF4tgTh34 26 tines - https:// www.youtube.com/watch? v=OgFG2XJIlfM Currently installed at Immersiva, "Lobby Cam", which can be viewed in SL here: http:// maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ Immersiva/127/100/23 Currently installed at LEA8, "Obedience", created by Bryn with which can be viewed in SL here: http://maps.secondlife.com/ secondlife/LEA1/39/215/125 WM

Virginia Alone - https:// www.youtube.com/watch? v=UyD1ybNmybc Lobby Cam - https:// www.youtube.com/watch? v=MZ6o9DgWz18 Anna's Many Murders - https:// www.youtube.com/watch? v=S9L7ck6fQB4

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AN INSIDE LOOK In this inaugural edition of Windlight Magazine we are pleased to focus our photography spotlight on the much sought after Skip Staheli. His story is one that is inspirational for hopefuls who aspire to the world of photography in SL. Skip began SL in 2007, not with a goal to become a photographer though he did have fun taking photos while exploring and taking snapshots of friends. Before he knew it friends of friends also wanted pictures and he was being asked to do more and more. And there you have it, a photographer was born!

About halfway through 2009 he began to realize more and more models and want-to-be models were seeking him out to create their contest entry photos. This is what he feels probably put him on the map. At this point in his SL career, the world Skip was creating for himself truly exploded!

When designer Nando Korobase of Angel Dessous offered him advertisement work, Skip saw an opportunity as a professional photographer that he is still grateful for, and also ended up having a lot of fun doing. Since that time, he has always kept busy.

Landscapes, the very whimsical, top notch ad work, and erotic photos all fill Skip's Flickr and his style has developed and grown over the years. When asked about what he likes photographing the most, he states he doesn't really have a favorite kind of theme or type of photo to shoot. He really loves everything and says that varying it keeps it exciting for him - he would be easily bored if he only created portraits or nudes or landscapes. Additionally, his techniques are kept fresh and exciting by varying the work he does.

However, he adds, "Maybe if I must say where my heart is in the most, that would be close ups and erotic work...ahhh, see I just can't pick."

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AN INSIDE LOOK AT SKIP STAHELI WRITTEN BY EMMA PORTILO PHOTOGRAPHY BY SKIP STAHELI

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It is with price that Skip states he has recently taken the honor at the Adult Awards in SL for "Best Erotic Photographer of 2015."

when it is delivered is very important to him. He hopes mostly that it is beyond their expectations and that they are touched by it. His goal with every client is to have reached As for his chosen setting Skip somewhere inside them and to show completes client work in his studio on them what he felt, or saw, in them. He a green canvas. His studio is a hopes they are so happy they want to beautiful sandy island with his outdoor book again right away and that they green screen and a relaxing seating become 'skip-aholics' for life! area atop a beautiful sandy hill. It's Always drawing as a child, but not quite a calming setting, one to easily really getting into it, Skip contributes help clients feel at ease. He reveals, "… his new-found passion for creativity as I'm one of those photographers, that is something that he has learned from in fact more of a Photoshop creative…" SL. If SL were to disappear tomorrow, and he goes on to say, "in my he would mostly miss the photos and beginning years, I had a crappy laptop would definitely find another platform with an even more lousy graphics card, to be able to do what he does now. He so shooting in-world was a pain for is truly addicted to this art form and me, no fun." has started drawing in RL again. For the last two years he has been He does shoot on location and enjoys enrolled in art classes and truly enjoys it a lot, but that kind of photo is just it very much. for him, something he does to relax, Never having been nervous about but prefers to use windlights in shooting a client, Skip does recalls an Firestorm and really loves to try them unusual client that didn't want him to all out, playing with them, and start the session before he talked to surprises even himself when he sees her about her personal life. He says, what each one does to his subject. "…she insisted to first sit down so she This, he says is so much fun. The rest is could tell her whole story, about SL, done in Photoshop and that is where why she left, had a terrible time RL, the magic starts. The client on a green and came back to SL again… etc." Skip background is, in fact, the start of his explained to her that they could talk painting canvas when he goes to during the shoot, something he always Photoshop. does, but she insisted saying she was the client and he should take time to What the clients feel about their photo first talk before work.

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Skip laughs recalling the memory. He goes on to say, "Anyway, I was a good boy, and did so (rolls eyes). So she started to talk. And talk..and talk.. (zzzzzzzzZzzzzzzzzzzz). When she finally was done, and I could start the photoshoot, she started to flirt (rolls eyes again, twice), and wanted after the shoot to 'hang out some'." Laughing again, Skips says he responded politely no because he really had to log off. He also states, "Now, maybe why I remember this specifically so well, is cause she disappeared after I gave her the photos, I never saw my money…"

so he could learn from the best, and then he could see how he adds all the special effects during the shoot. And Skip chuckles again.

So what does a famous photographer like Skip do for fun in SL? Firstly, he laughs at the reference of famous!

Then he responds, "What do I do for fun??? Duhhhh….making photos!! That IS fun for me :) Other than that, I'm not much in world, but when I am, I try to explore some, and dance some, sex some, and try my best to keep in touch with a handful of close friends." He then thoughtfully adds, "Ooooohhhh There are so many funny stories of his and I'm a shopaholic!" experiences that he says there are too many to mention! He does crack up Skip lends advice for those who are over being told about a friend who had interested in getting a start in been warned about him. She'd been photography or art in SL in saying, "… asked if she knew that Skip had a bad follow your heart, and go for it. I reputation and warned her that he had believe when you do something with lots of female model friends who had your heart, with passion, it will be visited him for photos and that he had successful. Stay close to yourself, don't threatened these women in a sexual copy others. Be unique!" He then goes way, they all had a bad experience with on to say, "And, be patient. When you him. About that particular remark Skip practice a lot, you will see you states, "So yeah…that's why all of my Improve. It's not that you decide today clients are so loyal and come back for to become an artist in whatever art, years and years, I threaten them sex- you will be it tomorrow, it takes time!" ually to do so!", and he laughs in his particularly casual and laid back Skip has found himself surprised, after manner. all of these years, that people keep coming to him for their photos and Skip recalls another time when an advertisements. He says he is truly aspiring photographer wanted to join blessed with a very loyal circle of some of his photoshoots with clients clients and friends - some of whom are 54

still from his original days in 2008/2009, a lifetime in SL and something that makes him feel very proud.

Windlight Magazine wishes Skip continued success with his passion and in his journey in both SL and RL and we thank you for taking time to share an inside look.

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INARA PEY’S MODEM WORLD OF THE ARTS WRITTEN BY: JOHN PHOTOGRAPHY: INARA PEY If you have been in Second Life for quite some time, you may have heard of Inara Pey. Inara is a n almost 9 year veteran of Second Life. She started blogging the alternative side of relationships, mostly D/S, but since 2011 she has written mostly about Second Life under the banner of her very popular blog, Modem World.

Modem World recently won an Avi Choice Award for Favorite Entertainment /Arts SL Blog or Website.

Modem World has been Inara’s platform to blog “the broader aspects of SL and things like creativity in Second Life, and also a desire to understand how the platform - and Linden Lab - works. “ I was able to catch up with Inara to discuss blogging, Second Life, and of course the arts!

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WM: You cover many things on your popular blog, Modem World, how do you make the decision to cover one topic over another?

Inara: My decision making is really down to subject matter and timing. there are a couple of areas I prefer not to blog about, as I feel these have plenty of exposure: fashion and products, so these are generally avoided. The only real exceptions are those products I've purchased and think others will like; and where fashion is concerned, if the event is charity related.

and photography shows, galleries, and creators to cover?

Inara: I am a member of a number of in-world art groups, so I track events through them; I also get sent a lot of invitations to events and openings, and I follow various artists as I really enjoy and appreciate their work.

Finally, I get a lot of recommendations through friends and other bloggers.

Again, as to precisely what gets covered does depend on time and what else I'm working on.

One thing I try to do - not always successfully - is avoid have back-toback articles on the same subject. So, As for the rest, I try to cover those things which fit the general thrust of for example, I try to avoid having a the blog: news about SL, Linden Lab, review of an art exhibit immediately virtual reality, augmented reality; etc., followed by another art review; I try to - all of which I have an interest in, and mix the content in the blog to help keep the reading fresh. This can so picking up on a fair proportion of the news is a case of keeping my eyes inevitably mean that some exhibitions fall by the wayside as there open :) . Similarly, my travelogue series and art coverage is largely based is so much to be covered, splitting on recommendations - either directly things up means that by the time I get to some, it's already too late. A further from people who point me towards complication on this is that I try to places, or indirectly as a result of reading other blogs. Anything I don't offer a mix between art offered cover is liable to be more a case of me through the LEA and art offered through private venues, with the bias either missing it (or by the time I do get to it, it's been really well reported (around 3:1) in favor of the latter. This, elsewhere) or because I simply run out and the fact I'm instinctively drawn to of time to blog it in a timely manner. certain artists, can also impact on the exhibitions I cover.

WM: How do you decide which art WM: Do you dabble in art or 66

photography yourself? If so do you have WM: What are some tips for new bloggers who would want to expand a gallery or have you did any shows? their reach and cover topics outside of INARA: I take in-world snaps of the their niche, like art and photography, as exhibits I visit, and I also take snaps of you do? the places I visit, the latter of which INARA: Tips for fellow bloggers? Well, undergo lightweight post processing. write about what interests you, first and Whether either of these makes me a foremost. try not to cover everything in photographer, I leave to others to decide. I have experimented with more the world, but rather keep to the things detailed post processing of my images you can cover honestly - that is, from the perspective of understand what you but again, whether this makes me an are writing about. If you want to write artist, I leave to others. about SL as a platform and the technology it uses, take the time to My photography taken in regions I've understand how the platform works, for visited is up on Flickr (https:// www.flickr.com/photos/inara-pey/), but example, attend in-world User Group I don't have my own gallery space, and meetings, etc. Find a voice for your I've only every been asked to display my writing that matches the subject matter; pieces in an exhibition twice - on both if you intend to report news, try to find occasions I was exceptionally flattered an objective voice and to stay away from (and surprised, as I don't classify myself editorializing with your own views that's not reporting news, that’s offering as a typical choice of exhibitions).

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opinion. while the latter does have its place in blogs and writing, it is also how misconceptions can become established as fact - so try to keep opinion and points of view to pieces people can recognized as a subjective position as far as possible. Above all, have something to say that people will be interested in hearing.

Don't try to cover everything, but at the same time, don't simply slip into a grove of writing because the subject matter seems popular. Try to cover too much, and you risk confusing people as to what you're actually writing about; slot yourself into a sector that is already well represented, and your voice might get drowned out.

Blog regularly. If you want to be read, this is a must. If you only blog three or four times a month, you're not going to develop a readership. Regular and steady is the key - although it can still

take months for you to build a reasonable following. Fortunately, things can become easier as time goes on, as increasing readership encourages more writing which generates more reading, and so on.

Make use of the social media as well to advertise yourself. There's a lot more on this that could be said, but I'll leave those points as right off the top of my head...

WM: What is your favorite all time art or photography gallery or show you have covered?

INARA: I'm afraid I don't have an "all time favorite" for show, gallery or artist. There are certain artists who hold a very strong fascination for me: Bryn Oh, Frankx Lefavre, Haveit Neox, Cica Ghost, Maya Paris, Claudia222 Jewell, Livio Korobase, Giovanna Cerise, Gem Preiz, to name a few, and I'm almost certain to cover their work as it does resonate so very strongly with me.

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with me.

Galleries I love visiting are Max Butoh’s marvelous Dathúil, which has the most amazing monthly exhibitions by artists and Holtwaye Art Space, co-managed by WayneNZ and Holter Rez; the Living Room, operated by Owl Dragonash and Daallee; the Rose Galleries at Angel Manor; MIC Imagin@rium operated by Mexi Lane. these are places which constantly draw me back again and again. But they are not the only place; SL has many rich and delightful galleries.

Windlight Magazine is very happy to have Inara as part of our family! You can read about her travels throughout Second Life on her official blog: Modemworld.wordpress.com https://www.flickr.com/photos/inara-pey/

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CURATOR’S CORNER BY SHAKTI ADORED Hello Art Lovers,

artist it can be difficult to separate yourself to view your work as an Welcome to the first edition of Windlight Magazine. So who is Shakti observer. This is what curators can do Adored, and what is she going to tell for an artist. us about the SL art world? I have In SL, our markets here are different almost 3 years experience in SL as a in several ways, but in reference to curator and a whole life art one aspect that can have a experience as an artist and art negative affect on the art market, but connoisseur. What I will be talking good for creativity, is that artists are about in my articles is not so much not necessarily limited from the pulse and the popular of the art producing or promoting..... anyscene, but how to make it more thing... The debate over good or bad viable and vibrant in SL. Also art is not what I intend to address. understanding the purposes and Which is so subjective and difficult differences of the aspects of it here. I to define, but can be done although like to dive right in with facts and with a lot of fringes. In RL there are analysis of situations and many challenges in producing, circumstances; not a lot of fluff. showing and selling art. Many of My expertise is in the visual arts. I those challenges barely exists in SL. have studied art from an early age Anyone can take a picture, put it on a and my views are broad yet my per- prim and put it somewhere for public sonal taste is more limited than that. viewing. They don't have to care To be a good curator, your what the public thinks of it. If viewers observation and understanding of art don't like it, they don't have to care. must have a wider scope than your If they want to show it they will. This own preferences. One also needs to is not to suggest that all artists don't understand the market, which more care. It is to say that "artists" in SL or less means, understanding what are not subject the same way as RL people think about when viewing art to opinions of curators. and considering it's purchase. As an 78

More often, it is that an artist has the love of curating is the discovery of talent but could use a little tweaking to new talent. The variations of prices in perfect their skill. If an artist has little art depending on factors of the artists or no RL experience with the art world work and experience contribute to the they may have less respect for health of the market. One thing an constructive criticism. This presents a artist often wants more than money, is long term problem in that there will to have their work grace someone's likely not be a progression or evolution wall. There is not enough of that of the art world in SL. These "artists" happening in SL like RL. Even the pauwill, upon not eventually receiving per in RL puts some pictures on their recognition and sales, will close their wall. Let's work on how to get a greatstudios. The aspect of watching artists er part of the SL population to put real grow in SL will not have a realistic original art work on their walls. mimic of RL. The good artists, and by good I mean not just talent and skill, Shakti Adored, SL Gallerista WM. but professionalism, will say, who cares if they go. The curators care. Part of 79

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THE MANY FACES OF SASUN STEINBECK: SCRIPTOR, CREATOR, & LOVER OF THE ARTS WRITTEN BY: JOHN When I first started investigating the art scene of Second Life, I had quite a hard time finding art galleries. Of course a simple search in Second Life yielded many but I felt that there had to be many more I was missing. A good friend of mine offered me a hud and pointed me to a webpage link. This webpage link listed over 200 art galleries in Second Life and provided information where I could obtain my own kiosk so that I could list my own art gallery on the website. After research a bit further, I discovered that the website and the kiosks were maintained by Sasun Steinbeck. These kiosks and the website were all free for artists and galleries to have a way to promote themselves. I was instantly intrigued that someone would provide such an enormous service for free and contacted Sasun, who readily agreed to be interviews for our inaugural edition of Windlight Magazine.

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WM: Tell us about yourself, how long parameters into a plain prim making it have you been in Second Life, why did take on completely bizarre, random you first join? shapes (aka "prim torture"). I was just amazed at how a few changes to a few SASUN: I've been in SL for 9 years. prim parameters could result in such Back in 2005 I read an article that weird, twisted prims. mentioned that all the content was user-created, which really piqued my That led me to create a script, nearly curiosity. I just had to see what kind of my first script, that would change a a place is left completely to the mad prim from one shape to another in a imaginings of the residents, and I set of discrete steps... making it morph immediately fell in love with the place. from one shape to another. I was completely fascinated just watching it WM: How did you get involved into morph. After further the art and photography development and texturing, just for scene in Second Life? fun I arranged a set of 8 copies of my prim in a circle, and figured out how to SASUN: What really fascinated me make them all obey simple commands, most once I learned a bit more about so they would all morph into a new, what SL was all about, was the power random shape at the same time. of scripting things. That's the "magic sauce" that makes something extra Thus was born my only real art project, cool in SL. So I spent some time my Morphing Sculpture! I received a learning how to script, which I had lot of encouragement from friends, very little experience with at the time. one of whom owned an art gallery, to One of the early freebie scripts I keep developing the idea and get it stumbled into was a script that seen. The Morphing Sculpture grew programmed some random parame- into a huge project with tons of ters into a plain prim making it take on features and ways for people to completely bizarre, random shapes customize and interact with it in fun (aka "prim torture"). I was just amazed ways. Next thing you know I was at how a few changes to a few prim selling it and I was in business! parameters could result in such weird, WM: Tell us about your art kiosks, how long have they been in twisted prims. existence and why did you create One of the early freebie scripts I the device? stumbled into was a script that programmed some random 90

SASUN: In the course of visiting art galleries to get my sculpture into, I found a short list of art galleries maintained by one of the Lindens that he gave out at a few kiosks around the grid. Quickly realizing it was out of date, I started sending the list owner lots of updates as I found more galleries around the grid. Soon, it just made more sense for me to just take over ownership of the list. At first I was updating it manually with embedded LMs in notecards. As the numbers grew rapidly along with the size of the grid and the SL population, that started taking a LOT of time to maintain. Some fancy scripty automation was in order!

surprised if there was another 100 or so, maybe more, that simply haven't heard about the list. It's easy to get on, just grab a kiosk, rez it at your gallery, configure it online, and you're in!

WM: Do you have any other tools in the works for artists,

photographers, and galleries?

SASUN: I do make a freebie sculpture/art frame/prim resizer and a fancy item giver which is great for making simple kiosks for an event announcement, such as a gallery opening. Just ask or come to my store to grab one!

WM: Who are your favorite artists in So I created a fancy networked gallery real life and Second Life? kiosk system to help maintain a list of SASUN: I really enjoy cutting edge locations (all based on where the innovation in the arts, so I find that kiosks were) as well as a way to my "favorite" changes all the time as I distribute the list. In time, the see new and exciting works coming notecard-based list moved to a out. My favorite art blog I try to keep web-only directory. All it took was a up with is http:// LOT of learning on how to create www.thisiscolossal.com/. You can find websites! a never-ending stream of astounding artists doing some absolutely WM: How many art kiosks are on the mind-blowing things on there. grid?

My favorites in Second Life are all people that have pushed the synthesis SASUN: You can see the current of scripting and art: Glyph Graves, count at http://sasun.info/ artgalleriesofsl.htm, which currently is Oberon Onmura, Dancoyote Antonelli, and Douglas Story. about 290. I'm sure there are many galleries not on the list. I would not be 91

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Glyph and Oberon are great scripters in their own right, whereas Dancoyote and Douglas are very good at recruiting other scripter specialists to help realize their artistic visions. They all realize that the combination of scripting, art, and design is where it's at!

Some of the best art on the grid today is happening largely due to the great work that the LEA (Linden Endowment for the Arts) organization is doing. Just search on "LEA" inworld and you'll find all kinds of cool exhibits and regions to explore! Highly recommended. Get involved with them, they are also in the business of granting free land for art installations.

Then go visit some of the galleries on my list! Visit a gallery, click a kiosk, get a HUD, wear it to make gallery exploration easy and fun. And rate some galleries!

Visit Sasun’s Art Galleries of SL list: http://sasun.info/artgalleriesofsl.htm

You can find other products from Sasun at her official marketplace store: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/1586 WM.

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NIKKI MATHIESON: GIVING AVIS A CHOICE WRITTEN BY: JOHN Nikki Mathieson has worn many hats in Second Life. From 2013 to 2014, she was the Relay For Life of Second Life Event Chair, spear heading back to back seasons which raised over $800,000 USD for cancer awareness and research. If you have gone to either the Home and Garden Expo or the SL Christmas Expo, you have Nikki to thank for creating these large shopping events, which bring together many avatars under one common theme.

Lastly if you have ever teleported to one of live singer’s Damien Carbenell performances, you surely will have seen Nikki greeting and dancing along, fulfilling her role as Damien’s manager. Of course there is the other large event Nikki is known for: The Avi Choice Awards. I was able to sit down with Nikki to discuss Avi Choice, her plans in Second Life for the next year and more.

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WM: Tell us how you first discovered Second Life NIKKI: I am a huge Big Brother fan and hung out on a forum that was all about Big Brother and just reality tv, in general. A group of girls who always chatted became good friends and they ended up trekking into second life in 2006, after a season of Big Brother had ended and they were looking for some new entertainment. I followed them in.

people who weren’t being nominated, who didn’t even create in SL necessarily, but each one had a story.. a real story. I knew that a magazine could be the place to present the individuals of Second Life and we can all get to know our community better.

WM: The Avi Choice Awards have grown from one award show to three currently a year! How do you determine the categories and the nominees?

WM: What inspired you to create the Avi NIKKI: There is the ability to suggest Choice Awards and Avi Choice Magazine? categories all year round, from our website. That list is always evolving. The NIKKI: The first Avi Choice Awards was in nominees are submitted by the SL 2011. At that time, there were no awards community during the nomination phase show going on, except Frolic Mills Best of of each award show. This process is SL, which wasn’t taking place often.. or currently being reanalyzed and we are in only took place a couple times, if I talks and discussion on how we might remember right. I was organizing my first better the entire Avi Choice Award Christmas Expo for RFL, and had been the process. It is always.. always a work in organizer for the Home & Garden Expo progress.. because we are proud of what (which I founded in 2008). Every time we the Avi’s are about and we want to do the had those events I so enjoyed interacting best we can to make it better. with the creators and designers who set up shop and brought their talent, WM: What is upcoming for the inspiration and just great presence to the remainder of the year for Avi Choice? Can events. I decided to do the first Avi you give us a hint on the Fashion Awards Choice Awards because I felt a strong for 2015? conviction to let them know how appreciated and important their work is NIKKI: I’m actually kicking around to our Second Life community. I held the another Awards Show, but won’t give you first one at the Expo because it was the more than that. lol There is one more perfect setting. Four years later, it was really needed though.. so we’ll see. The necessary to begin a magazine because Fashion Awards, huh? hmmm well.. it will the residents had really embraced the Avi be around the first of December this year Choice mission of just announcing from and will be full of a variety of great the second life rooftops, “Our Second Life entertainment and style, grace and Virtual World is amazing.” I had met awards. a .. bridge. Stay tuned!

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WM: Do you know if you will take Avi Choice to the upcoming new Second Life version 2.0?

NIKKI: Absolutely! I am thrilled and excited to see what’s ahead for all of us with the next Generation Platform.

sharing the wonder of art found in SL, I was very interested in having it be a partner type project with avi choice. This is what we do. Hello, community! Look at who you play and work and virtually live next to… I am WM: Is Avi Choice in other grids always open to other groups/ currently? If not what about in the magazines who want to network and future? Will we see Avi Choice in Open continue to spread the word that Sim or in InWorldz?

Second Life is full of good, talented NIKKI: Avi Choice is not in any other and skilled people. grid.. YET. Yes, I do plan to spread out WM: You are well known in the Relay and create a presence in other grids. For Life of Second Life Community, WM: You are of course, our partner with Windlight Magazine. What inspired you to partner with us?

having served as the past event chair in 2014 and 2013. Are you currently involved with Relay For Life?

NIKKI: The publisher is a good friend and has worked with me on Avi Choice work and also in Relay. We have had some fantastic Art Shows with Relay and I realize that there is much that our community is missing out on because art, photography and machinima aren’t involved in the next, great ‘shopping event’ on many second life corners, any given weekend. These artists tend to quietly and patiently create awe inspiring works of art .. for one main reason.. the art, itself. When John came to me and said, I am creating a magazine and

NIKKI: Oh yes and will always be in some capacity. I believe that we all have a responsibility to serve.. somewhere. We owe it to each other. Fighting cancer is a cause that is important, because it affects families in horrible ways. Families as in.. all of us. I do believe also, that The American Cancer Society’s mission to research and spread awareness on how cancer can totally be controlled is a good one to jump onboard with. I have looked at their statistics past and current. I believe in their overall mission and intent.

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10 TINY YEARS IN THE MAKING: THE 2015 RAGLAN SHIRE ARTWALK WRITER: JOHANNES1977 PHOTOS: KARMAGIRL AVRO In May of this year, the 10th Annual Raglan Shire Art Walk was held in Second Life. This annual art event, is free and open to anyone who wishes to display their artwork. The artwork can consist of real life images, photography, paintings, digital art, or Second Life based photography.

Sculptures are also welcome at this event.

While the emphasis of the Art Walk is art, music can be found throughout any Art Walk. This year’s Art Walk featured live performers, an opera singer, Blues Guitarist Grif Bamaisin, and tiny favorite live act Keeba Tammas & the Tiny Maniacs.

As previously mentioned, the Art Walk is held annually in the tiny community of Raglan Shire.

As a participant myself at this year’s Art Walk, I was able to catch up with this year’s coordinator, KarmaGirl Avro, to discuss the history and success of Art Walk 2015. KarmaGirl summed up the success of Art Walk 2015: “Art walk 2015 did meet with my expectations.

When I took over as organizer for 2014 art walk, my goal was to have about 2 dozen more ppl, or 125 total artists.

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My goal this year was the same and we had 150 artists. In addition to bringing back the much loved hedgiepillar, we also wanted to bring back some favorite events like the Changhigh Sister's Fireshow dance troupe and pianist Tia Rungray (who this year performed with artist Kerupa Flow).

We also had new things like the face painting booth and a hedpiepillar plushie as well as events like Opera singer Saramarie Philly and an original Poet Karima Hoisan.”

events in shire, the other being Shocktober, which I help a great deal with as well. My advice would be to do something different! Do something that's never been done, don't just put art on a hedge and call it art walk.

Also start 2 plus months in advance as I did, I started organizing for art walk in February, (our art walk starts beginning of May). I scoured the grid searching for artists that never participated in Art walk.

Anything that caught my eye, that I While Raglan Shire is a primarily tiny figured others would like or would look community, any avatar, whether large good in shire, I took pictures of it and or small can participate in the Art their names and personally invited Walks. KarmaGirl described the goal of them to art walk. I took months Art Walks as, “Art walk, like Raglan planning what events would fit in with Shire, has always been a place to theme, I even tried to get SL blue man encourage a positive and fun group but couldn't get a hold of environment for everyone as well as anyone. I joined groups not only in foster creativity. We enjoy art, music, Second Life but on Facebook and sent fun stories and games. We encourage notice after notice to get new talent people to come play and let their inner and artists to Art walk. It takes a lot of child out.” nagging to organize events in second Karma Girl did offer advice to anyone life, that's why I'm so good at it. “ who would like to attempt an event on Of course KarmaGirl was very lucky to the scale of Art Walk 2015L “Ha, have a great set of people to help her good luck with that! with this year’s Art Walk. “The actual Squabbit for hire for only 25K lindens! organizing of art walk was Joking. I, of course, organized art walk for free because it's one of my favorite 116

mainly me, but I could not have done it without the help of Sim owner Zayn Till and his hedges, as well as many artisans like Kage Stratten who designed posters stage/set many artisans like Kage Stratten who designed posters/banners, stage/set design and helped me with face painting booth, Panacea Pangaea who designed and scripted the hedgiepillar this year, as well as Caleb Kit, Jillan McMillan, Dagmar Klaar, Minie Rainbow, Shady Fox, and few others I'm probably forgetting.

For more information about Raglan Shire, check out the following websites: http://raglanshire.com/events/ Official Forums: http://raglanshire.com/rsforums/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ raglanshire/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaglanShire

KarmaGirl Avro’s Store: http://maps.secondlife.com/ secondlife/Raglan% 20Shire/200/116/22 200/116/22 WM 117

FASHION ARTOGRAPHY While Windlight Magazine is not a fashion magazine, we do see the combination of art, fashion, and of course photography. Fashion designs can be an art themselves and often feature unique, abstract features and accessories. In each issue we hope to bring you a little bit of what we call “Fashion Artography� and feature unique photos from various Second Life models. Very special thank you to Wicca Merlin, ChloeElectra, Eleseren Brianna, and Issy Flatley,for their unique styling, great fashion sense, and photography!

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ELESEREN BRIANNA

Sheer Circuit latex bodysuit - white (edited) - GALLACTIC

Passion - Skirt - [AD] Creations Otthild - Headpiece and Skirt (edited) Node Bustier - red - [sYs] Women's Classic Bikini Bottom - red - *Just Because* SC

Feldream Helmet - .aisling.

LadyOfHighgarden Bracers - Silver - .aisling.

Amore High Stiletto Boots - [LG] Boutique Hair - Smoking Room - Vanity Hair Makeup - Soiree, [mock], Madrid Solo, Nox Nails - Ombre - La Boheme (for slink hands)

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CHLOEELECTRA

CREDITS: Cry of Lares outfit by CHAMPAGNE!sparkling couture Kiele foot straps by Zibska All that Glitters eyeshadow in Gold by Madrid Solo Anja lipstick in Diva Red by Elysium Kate skin by Elysium PHOTOGRAPHY: CHLOEELECTRA 121

New Exclusive from Slackgirl for the Instruments June Round Phoenix couldn’t be more perfect for any queen, with its golden scales covering the top the dress covering the shoulders and rising into a high neck shimmering down to your hips in a aerometric style to the cream satin of the full mermaid style skirt enhancing every curve and bringing you out into the light, the outfit also comes with shoes in gold and has a dragon scale anklet (NOT SHOWN)

ISS

Phoenix also comes with its own jewelry set forged from gold the earring look like feathers fanned around a center diamond “sparking in the glow of the dragons breath that is perched ready to fly, also included is a headpiece with crystal tears dropping down from a gold band, The second release is the Dragon Shadow which comes in 8 color options, and applicators for most mesh heads. (see packs for compatibility), Dark liner lines the eye while the dragon scale shadow accentuates your eyes

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PHOTO & REVIEW BY ISSY FLATLEY

SY FLATLEY

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WICCA MERLIN

Outfit: [sys] – CAPITOL – NEW (My Attic) Head Piece: Wicca’s Wardrobe – “Ram Horn Mask” – NEW (Main store) Hair: Vanity Hair – “Guns & Pearls” Lipstick: Oceane Body Design – “Jade Lips Black Silver Stripes” Nail Polish: Nailed It! – “Monochrome” Earrings: Pure Poison – “Brandy Earrings”

Poses: PosESion Furniture: 22769 – “Flower Chair” – NEW (On9) Model & Photographer: Wicca Merlin

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WINDLIGHT MAGAZINE VOLUME 1: ISSUE 1 JULY 2015 WWW.WINDLIGHTMAGAZINE.COM

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