BURN2 starts now!

Burn2 opens tomorrow and I am glad to give you a general overview of the show. In total there are 4 sims with lots of interesting exhibitions. There are balloons, cars and even elephant riding for you to get a first overview. Apmel and I has been fortunate enough to get a press tour, check his blogpost here

The theme this year is: "Rites of Passage" Six artists were invited to present. 2 of them have taken the theme in an excellent manner and I begin with them:

Claudia222 Jewell - THE SACRIFICE

You know Claudia from my post about mesh. The new work is not Mesh by wish of the organizers, but again great. Fascinating and terrifying. We see at two sides a young man at the center. On one side he looks anxious, on the other seriously, but triumphant. It is about the rites and trials that young people in all cultures on the threshold imposed to adulthood. Claudia commented that, particularly among young people, these rituals are often with blood, and some kind of sacrifice. This she wanted to show. The sculptures in the installation are different from every angle. Use the cam and look around. Claudia told me that she has already made so many photos, yet I managed a perspective that she had not discovered yet.

Oberon Omura -INCULCATION

From columns are coming 4 avatars (bots) blessing a 5.  in their midst, which seems to feel quite helpless. There is something inculcated into him. You hear religious ritual chants, Croatian Orthodox, as Oberon told me. This is about as by institutions such as Church knowledge will be transferred to the youth. The older use their authority given by the institution. The installation has a strong, mystical effect. Oberon works mostly with objects. When he began to use bots  he got much stronger reactions on his work, not just positive. This has led him also to use them here. A very touching work!

The next three works in my opinion more show personal development than rites:

RAG Randt & Fuschia Nightfire -PIXELUTION

 That work shows from bottom to top the Transformation from 2D to 3D installations, exactly that, what makes Second Life so fascinating.

Rebeca Bashly - UNTITLED

A woman without a face is sitting on suitcases in an hourglass. The face leaks along with sand from the bottom of the hourglass. For me, this work is a sad and beautiful symbol of how a person is lost in the changing roles in life. Especially for these transitions if for example the children leave home or work life ends are missing transition rituals in our culture. The result is that today many people in a really ridiculous way hold on the youth and oversee the fact that different stages of life have their own good sides.

Trill Zapatero - GRAIL QUEST

Many of you probably know the Arthurian legend, where the knights seek the holy grail. This Grail is a synonym for knowledge and truth. That is the theme in Trills grail. Climb up the ladder and enjoy yourselves in the beautiful and detailed installation. Quite a lot of things can be clicked and on the way we see that there are many different holy grails, so perspectives on life. At the center appear symbols of Tarot cards. That made me happy of course (my regular readers know that I work with Tarot myself). The cards represent here self-knowledge, without which we can not develop. Don't miss to step into the Pond which leads you to the final destination. This interesting cup is not only built super, but also an oasis of tranquility to relax.

Now to see on the Afghanistan sim: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Secret%20Gardens/201/57/23

Starlash Sweetwater - UNTITLED

For completeness, I list the sixth work of invited artists. The work is nice. But I must confess that the installation does not say anything to me and I have the feeling that I've seen it all better elsewhere.

Other interesting installations:

Mikati Slade

As always, Mikati packed the serious theme of the show into screaming bright colors of our consumer world. It represents hope and fear, but the rising stars show that hope at the end wins. Soooo nice!

Alex Craft

At the opposite  of RAG’s tower is an installation with a very nice story. Alex is only 3 weeks in SL and accidentally landed on Burn2. She is also RL artist and has created her first built here with the help of colleagues. And it is much better as many works I have seen in SL. Truly remarkable!



FIRST RESPONDER

In SL there is a sim, where can be practiced on the civil protection as RL simulation. Unfortunately it was quickly closed to the public, so I had no more chance of introducing you to it. Actually it was planned to close only during exercises. Too bad, it is in fact built great. Get an impression of it here on Burn2.

Maya Paris - SKELLY MER

My readers know Maya from her installation at Metales, which lasts only a few days more. So absolutely hurry if you haven’t seen yet! And you also know her great tower.

I guess Maya has used here a word game: Rites went to rides. And so is here instead the serious theme a funny carousel. As always, Maya offers a costume to wear. Sit on the carousel and the fun begins. Here the circle closes to Claudia's installation. You are already fearful when you see yourself in the costume! Hahaha!


Directly next to it:

Aeonia - IN DECISIONS

Members of Aeonia
To my left Moeuhane Sandalwood and to my right
Ally Aeon, Nik Gandt, Penelope Parx and Harter Fall

In our lives we constantly make decisions that determine our path and lead to new challenges. Not every road is a good decision - Beware the quicksand! In a humorous way the art group Aeonia covers the theme. I had a lot of fun.

And if after all these impressions your head is not already spinning, then go in here at In Desicions:

Phew, I hope I've found the most important places, most likely there are still some hidden jewels. Tomorrow ist the Grand Opening. Please let me give you some advises for your visit: Burn2 runs many scripts and already on the press day lag monsters circled over the ledge. Wear lag-friendly clothes, detach all scripts and Huds and bring patience with you to rez. The graphics settings should be at least medium, or you'll miss a lot of visual effects. Have fun!