Exploring LEA

The Linden Endowment for the Arts Sims may be the most underrated sims, in my opinion.  Most of LEA sims are Linden Labs endowed sims residents create art builds and perform in.  Most are land granted for a period of time following an application and proposal process.  The majority of SL's most well known artists and performers have either created or performed in a LEA sim at some point.  The sims usually are super creative, very well done and always enjoyable. I especially enjoy the large immersive 6 month full sim AIR/artist in residence builds. Unfortunately, other than openings, closings, and special events, they are usually not very crowded. This may be an ok, thing as one can explore without lag and most the spaces are open long enough for everyone to visit and not miss out. As great as many of them are though I always expect them to be fuller.  Anyway.. I"m going to take one pic in a few and post them here with direct links. But first if you want info. about LEA in general or info. on how to apply for a land grant, check out these LEA links:
LEA official page: http://lea-sl.org/
Here is their official blog: http://lindenarts.blogspot.com/
They are also in Facebook, Flickr, and all over.

Visit LEA2 here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA2/128/128/18
The first LEA sim I visited tonight was LEA 2 Ethereal Shapes by Noke Yuitza. This sim opened August 5th and has a full line up of great events.  The sim itself, as shown in the image, is dark with a lot of glowey, sparkly, things made for dreamers.  The landing info. states: "ETHEREAL SHAPES (Art installations by Noke Yuitza) Within the forms of faces, animals, flowers… in groups of stars, ink, glitter… There are 4 scenes: Dreamer, Galaxy, Ballet, and Eyes. The concept that brings them together is the dreamer that looks at how stars dances in a galaxy ballet." This is a good immersive experience. Be sure to take the sim windlights and surreal music that match the sim experience.  Here is my one photo...


Visit LEA24 here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA24/128/128/23
The next LEA sim I visited tonight was LEA 24 Echoes,, Metaphysics of Frequencies by LIvio Korobase.  The sim info. here states: "Some "invisible" elements seem have a strong effect on matter. They are all the unseen, intangible, but we hear them, we feel them.. Every phenomenon is a material trace of the invisible forces that generated it, an indissoluble fusion of content and form".
I have to say I had a really hard time trying to take just one image in this sim, as there is so much to see and do with lots of photogenic spaces and objects, so I gave up and took more pics as I played, viewed, listened and enjoyed and posted the rest on my Flickr which you can see if you click one of my pics that will take you to Flickr. I left myself in pics of this sim for perspective as it has a huge feel to it, well things are larger than life.  I also used the sim windlight for the pics but other lighting is good too. Fun explore!

  Part of the landing note sums up the basis of the experience though and I quote in part here: "How much do the "invisible" sounds influence our perception of the so called "reality" -are real or virtual  the same?  So, i created some ambients where sounds drives my vision, each sound resonating within me, a sensation that i have tried to translate into a 3D visual representation.
It Is important during your visit to turn on your viewer's sounds and your volume up, and  use camera controls to change the "point of view" of each audio sequence.
Wear headphones, put your best possible graphic card setting and good exploration. Good luck with horses and asteroids."


Visit LEA 15 here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA15/128/128/24
This is another super cool sim.  The landing info. states: "Welcome to Zun Design LEA slim design. Winter crystal Elven magic is the theme. Please touch the crystal dragons to use teleports. You can also explore by foot." This sim looked amazing upon landing but then had so many hidden gems upon further explore. I decided to call this my last explore for the night so I could take my time and enjoy it all.  I'm leaving this one with two images and a message to say if you visit this sim be sure to actually explore it all vs just thinking you might have cammed most of it after a bit.   This one has a lot of relaxing beautiful hang out or pose spots. I'll get back to more of the LEA sims another time but going to call it a night after this one is explored out.

salt, LEA7, by Eliza Wierwight

Visit Salt here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA7/128/128/19

Once again Eliza came through with an impressive immersive sim over at LEA 7 (Linden Endowment for the Arts) land grant sim. Eliza Wierwight is probably best know for her home and garden decor sim, "Patron" located here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Patron/128/128/21
But I actually have known Eliza the artist even longer.  She has always been very impressive with her art works as well as her quality home and garden items and Patron homes. I've blogged Eliza's products, especially her high end Christmas decor, many times, as well as her past art. This build contrasts her beautiful commercial work. LEA7 tells her story though this very creative build that I recommend visiting. The overall topic is about being broken and surviving, as you progress through the stations of this build.  It's a very deep exhibit and might be a little disturbing to some, considering the subject matters, but so so well done.  At times you will want your media on and there are notes indicating where it's needed and where to turn it off.

After I blogged this I found a link from Eliza's Facebook for this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Plv_Yu7QSS8&feature=share
After I listened to the video Eliza spoke of using real salt in making some of the textures.  The video is a very interesting interview of Eliza by Strawberry along with their tour.

 I grabbed this quote from her note card:
 "★Artist's statement on salt - framework★ As a fuller Immersive piece the philosophy of salt manifests in this way, I invite you to consider the journey through the installation as experiencing dining from a pre-set menu of somewhat unpalatable stories & truths. Some my own, some not, though all important to me irrespective of origin. I've quite deliberately misappropriating the term 'degustation'. This imparted itself as an ideal transition, as each segment-course is a unique work of its own volition. There are however other threads that drift through the work, as I've permitted myself a further interplay of symbolic references in relation to the accoutrements of sustenance. In the context of literal salt, a basic commodity that exists in most kitchens of the world, it became a metaphor for the things that wound us, a conduit​. ​Another​ thread ​meandering​ through this work relates to the Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi, embracing the unique, flawed or imperfect. Life ingratiates itself with such hardship at times. If we are the wounded, then let us embrace where possible those challenges & scars, and in surviving them or in our empathy for others that do, see ourselves as the beauty​. W​e are the fine art. Eliza Wierwight"
Official Poster by Eliza:
 


So, I went to visit with my friend August, took a bunch of pics in this cool sim, followed the story line around, then, rule breakers that we are, (not really) we hopped in the car behind the cordoned off restraint ropes to chat about it.




(to see many more pics click one to get to my Flickr, but better yet, just take the SLurl at the top of this post and visit for yourself!)

Sapiens, LEA29 by GEM Preiz

Visit Sapiens at LEA29 here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA29/149/129/27

This is a fun Linden Endowment for the Arts sim to explore by Gem Preiz

Here are some excerpts from the informational note: " It indeed explores the mythological theme of the labyrinth from which one cannot escape and which shelters unspeakable secrets......Overall, the installation contains 40 high-resolution fractal frames, each one made of 18 plates carefully joined. They approach 4 themes which mirror the characteristics of the hosting build, and try to emphasize them :  - technology - maze - darkness - confinement"   

Ok, there is a LOT more to it and the notes explain or you can just wander along but I'd recommended checking out the informational note at the landing as it gives good info. on lighting, how best to navigate, as well as information about the sim, artist, etc.  At first glance it looks it might be much of the same after you get started but please be sure to work your way through as there is some cool stuff as you progress ;)

Faces at LEA 23 by

Visit Faces here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA23/128/128/22

Today I explored Faces, an LEA 23 sim by Ilyra Chardin.  This is a very cool sim to explore with great concept and design. The landing area has info. about the sim, concept stats,  and the associated photography contest.  The sim is a cool exploration of the SL resident population by type.

 The sim info. reads: "What lies behind the FACES that we see?  Have you ever wondered about the person behind the avatar?  Wondered why they seemed so happy or perhaps why they seemed so bitter or angry?  This is their story. "

The landing area showcases large picture doorways into individual landscaped areas to explore.  The large pictures  or archetypes show various "types" of SL residents such as entertainer, fashion, business, role player and various types within these too. The landing area also provides some stats on the population of SL residents in general broken down by age, gender, income, education, etc etc. which I found interesting. I've often said and even discussed again today with a friend how there is such a variety of things to see and do in SL and how many people seem to find their niche that they like and don't venture out much and miss so much in SL.   That's fine if people are happy, however I do enjoy the variety of people, things, places, and stuff to do in SL and learning about it all.  This sim showcases some of that.  I only wish the doorway environments would have matched the type of venue or environment the presented avatar type portrayed, but they are great to wander into and enjoy nonetheless.  This sim is fun to explore SL possibilities or expand one's understanding of what may be available in SL, great for photography if your computer graphics aren't starting to fail like mine, and to learn a little more about your fellow residents.  Enjoy.

Dissected Soul by Theda Tammas at Split Screen LEA15

Visit  Dissected Soul by Theda Tammas at Split Screen LEA15 Here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA15/128/128/2


The sim notecard  reads: ""...I don’t know how many souls I have, I’ve changed at every moment, I always feel like a stranger.I’ve never seen or found myself..." -- Fernando Pessoa"

This is a cool build with sculptures that are somewhat shredded by the barbed wires of life or so it seems.  I think it's about identity issues but go and figure it out for yourself as it's fun to look at this large immersive build of figures wound in red lines/barely holding things together or maybe tangling things up.  Some figures are walking the fine line or are connected by just a bit of the red thread or maybe its a red string of  a heart piece that connects them or holds them keeping them from totally getting lost.  There is what my be a totally fractured heart in the middle and there is a figure holding up a mask .. seems to wont for more discussion of trials and tribulations one may encounter in life that tears them almost to pieces.  They may be healing and resealing, time and again changing in different ways or in how they present themselves as they try to discover themselves following a hardship.  But, really I don't know what it means so it's best just to go and see it because it's looks cool and is thought provoking. I have no clue what I just said but it seemed to make sense in my mind when I wrote it.... go check it out.  It looks interesting.... and I'm sure means something cool too.  Ask Divi . .he'll know ; )

LEA4, Spilling Juel Tones, by Suzen Juel

Visit LEA4, Spilling JueL Tones by Suzen Juel  here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA4/128/128/23

LEA4 hosted a live musicfest Saturday Jan 14th at her LEA4 sim.  This ia one of the Linden Endowment for the Arts full sim land grant areas.  Suzen Juel showcases her art and music and an immersive fantasy environment for us to enjoy. The sim info states, "Linden Endowment for the Arts
Dec 1- Feb 28th ... Spilling JueL Tones
www.suzenjuel.com
-you are encouraged to explore all parts of sim-
JAN 14th 2017 - 10 hour Live Musicfest
Mixed Reality Art Install. Music. Live Music. Creative discussions. Songwriting. Eye Candy."
There are plenty of sitting/pose places within this build and I had to visit a couple of times before I was satisfied I had seen most of the many interesting details.

Suzen is a singer/songwriter who you can find all over the grid besides this LEA build.  Check out her web site here: http://www.suzenjuel.com/

And now a few pictures.. and if you want to see more before visiting just click on one of these pics to go to my Flickr where there are a bunch more.  Happy exploring.

Immaculate Perception-Immaculate Reflection at LEA22

Visit here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA22/128/128/21

I'm loving another sim and wanted to share it.  This is LEA22, an artist in residence full sim installation that will probably run through the end of the year.  The landing info. states:
"IMMACULATE PERCEPTION - IMMACULATE REFLECTION

           by KRYSTALI RABENI        
         
There is no truth, there is only perception...immaculate perception. What you see is what you thought before you looked.

The installation is an eclectic mix of surreal art and virtually real art veiled in allegory. You will perceive the installation in your own way.

The immaculate perception of it is an immaculate reflection of the viewer. A very interesting abstraction proving that there is no truth, only perception.

Please enjoy and feel free to take photos or use for your machinima.

Krystali Rabeni"

I really could never say it better than that.  This exhibit is right up my alley.  I was amused, intrigued, delighted, entertained, puzzled (yes, I think the scrabble pieces spell honey for the bears) and the only thing I kept feeling was missing was a little more inter-activeness such as poses or maybe a ride on the string of a balloon or dandelion fluff or to be able to pose inside the bell jars or ride the elephants or something.  But the content made it interactive and immersive in it's own way.  It's large and its grand.  I love it.

Star Wars, The Untold Story LEA17

Visit here: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/LEA17/128/128/22

"Take a ride among the stars in a galaxy far, far away and witness the struggles between dark and light, good and evil in this series of dance performances inspired by the Star Wars universe.

Friday, August 19th, 9pm slt
& Saturday, August 20th, 3 pm slt"


This LEA AIR (Linden Endowment for the Arts, artist in residence) sim that will run through the end of the year is by Diiar Vader Shippe with assistance from  Darth Revan (royal.shippe):and the Monarchs. I ran into Darth Revan who told me "There are 4 choreographers on this one but each of us have two sets and 1 has one", ...choreographers as in builders and designers for the sets that include special effects, particles and everything. I caught a pic of Diiar and Darth Revan.  I tred to hold my exploration back for the shows though so just took a few quick pics for the blog.  There should be at least 3 show with the first two listed above. This is a cool full sim and I look forward to exploring more and enjoying the special shows.

And here is the LEA sim info. for this and the other LEA sims: http://lindenarts.blogspot.com/