CNN iReport

Second Life provides opportunities for both artists and other avatars to explore aspects of art not possible or easily done in Real Life. Art works can be immersive or utilize scripting to make them responsive to the viewer, they can be totally created inside of SL or made outside of SL and then brought in. The scope seems to be endless. One sim, Art Box, allows avatars to create their own artworks by becoming a part of the piece.

Art Box opened in April, 2009. The idea came about because of a machinima made by one of the owners, Frankie Rockett. This machinima is called “Nighthawks” and based on the iconic scene depicted in Edward Hopper’s painting of the same name. (to see the machinima go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFz18zAjpGo) Once the film had been made Rockett and his partner Violet Sweetwater felt that it was a shame to let the set go to waste, so they added poseballs and opened the set to the SL public. Frankie and Violet then chose other well-known artworks such as “The Scream” (Edvard Munch), “Christina’s World” (Andrew Wyeth) and “American Gothic” (Grant Wood), created the sets and added them to the sim and thus Art Box was born. Since then they have created more sets and added them weekly, so by now there are a good number to choose from.

The sets are built by Frankie and Violet together. Frankie says “we work really well together, complimentary skills and ideas”. Their partnership started when the “Nighthawks” machinima was made. According to Frankie “WE were starting out then, I did most of the set but Violet assisted in the machinima production, great facilitator. It was after that the design and building partnership really flourished”. Violet explained how artworks are chosen. “We do a lot of research finding pictures that *generally* include a person or persons facing foward but an interesting background. We need to have an element of build to make it interesting. Recently, we've stepped away from that just slightly. Two examples- the Jackson Pollack set and Zebegen by Victor Vasarely.” Frankie added “Also a mix of popular crowd pleasers and some things that appeal to us either aesthetically or for providing technical challenges in their execution.”

Frankie came to SL 3 or 4 years ago to set up a professional machinima business. Clients have included Intel, Microsoft, HBO and the government of Mexico. Violet arrived more recently, having discovered SL in an interesting way. She said “I read that Google had a competitive product. I follow Google (the stock) and wanted to see what the competitor was about.” They met up in SL and have now formed a partnership that has lead to the creation of Art Box, among other things.

I was privileged to be shown one of the works they are currently translating into a set. It is a Japanese woodblock print by one of the most famous practitioners of this art in Japan, Katsushika Hokusai. It is called “People Crossing an Arched Bridge” and was done in either the late 18^th or early 19^th Century. Violet and Frankie have added autumn leaves that gently drift down onto the scene.

Art Box is a fun and interactive sim. Individuals and groups can come in and take pictures, perhaps to be used in profiles or for decoration. It is well worth a visit.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Klaw/28/19/43

1.     Hibiscus as Christine Keeler

2.     Attack of the 50 Foot Woman

3.     Zebegen

4.   Christina's World

5.     Nighthawks

6.     Artist in residence

7.     Hiroshige work in process

8.  Frankie Rockett and Violet Sweetwater