Callipygian Christensen

Finding works that strike a cord with the viewer can be a difficult and sometimes tedious task. After viewing several other galleries, I came across Callipygian Christensen. This SL artist uses her photographic and image manipulation skills to create unique images of the SL world (and the real one too). Essentially, the artist takes in world photographs (screenshots) and then modifies them via imaging software to enhance the visual experience.

I visited what is considered her main gallery in Shengri La and at first was somewhat unmoved by the first of the images that I saw. This, of course, is my own personal opinion as I am generally weary of landscape and nature photography. I was about to teleport out when I noticed a pair that stood out.


First, is one entitled “Kowloon Madam”. This image of a woman dressed in a complicated robe standing adjacent to a stairway. The composition is strong and pleasing to the eye and the use of strong light to dark contrast draws the viewers eye from the face of the model, down through the bow of the dress and then up the staircase which all lead back to the model. This allows the viewer to spend some time studding the rich textures of the garment. It is unfortunate that I was only able to capture a distorted version of this image. The pixelation was quite high and it is difficult to make out any fine details.


The second, “Chou Chou Tree”, is a stunning example of how a simple, minimal style can have such a broad impact. Although the message of a piano and a tree silhouetted against a setting sun escapes me, the visual impact is very intense. The lack of visible texture on the two main subjects is compensated by the almost turbulent foliage produced by the tree. This is compounded by the brilliant orange sunset highlighting the subjects without overpowering them.



Truly, these two images are remarkable. I would like to see more of this type of imagery from Christensen in the future.


Notes:

• Location: Shengri La
• Dates: Undisclosed
• Prices: L$600

Elin Egoyane at ZRM Gallery

After strolling through some of the galleries at ZRM, I came across a collection by Elin Egoyane. From a distance the images seemed like photographs, but on further inspection, they were indeed paintings.Although many of the works are of a rather excellent quality, three, in particular, stood out from the rest.



The first image, entitled African Thirst, depicts a young African drinking from a very orange bowl. Not much in terms of storyline but the sheer contrast difference between the dark background and dark skin with the bowl is striking at first glance. Your eye is immediately drawn to the bowl and you spend several moments exploring it's details before you even move onto the rest of the subject.



The second work is Still Going Strong. is a simple silhouette of a man (or woman) surrounded by what looks like some kind of stone structure with some onlookers or passer-by's. One can only assume from the title that this person is of an old age. I tend to think that this person is of some importance because the onlookers seem to be following their travels with some interest (note that the taller ones in the back seem to bee peering just over the heads of the ones in front to get a look). As you can tell, the image has enough complexity that it offers the viewer multiple stories. One can only imagine what adventure this individual has set off to.



The final work is entitled Hunter Then and Now. The realism of this image made me stop and take a very close look. It seems so lifelike that is could honestly pass for a photograph. I am not much of a African culture expert so I will have to believe that this is a hunter. The fact that there is only one subject in the image (other than the statue, which would be an ineffective hunter) leads me to believe that the author intended to show that the hunters in this particular culture have not changed. The level of detail in the dress is remarkable. That is to say, the technical skill required to produce something of such quality is notable. The colours, the way that the lighting is faithfully reproduced that you can almost reach out and feel the textures are all of a high quality and shows the level of dedication made by this artist.

All of the works in this gallery use a pastel crayon medium. Elin is a Dutch artist living in the Netherlands. She also uses different mediums and formats in her work

Notes:

• Location: Lawst Paradise
• Dates: Undisclosed
• Prices: L$300 - 500

Fragment Alter Exhibition at Da Vinci Isle

Today I visited the showing of works created by Fragment Alter. This Norwegian real life artist describes the 'theme' of this work as attempting to convey a message of stratification, or classification of people in a society. He also states that the other levels one may notice are "...beauty in suffering or the horror of normalcy". I, for one, do not see anything normal about these paintings in the slightest. Each one, though different, seem to have their own tone or mood.


The first thing I noticed about the work, which is in acrylic, is the detail they contain. It is easy to stop and loose yourself in their visual weight. One piece in particular, Three Trees, took me some time to even notice the trees! They blend so well into the image that they do not force you to realize them.




The artist states that the work invites the viewer to search for the hidden layers underneath the first. Be careful though, if you try too hard to see all of them, you may never return.


Notes:

• Location - Da Vinci Isle, Hall 2
• Dates - Feb 27 - Mar 20
• Price Range - L$600 - 1000

Sales Locations

Well, it looks like the state of the economy, lack of interest, buyouts or takeovers have once again reduced the availability of HoL products. OnRez and Final Destiny are no more it seems.

Urbane Plaza update

The HoL location at Urbane Plaza has been deleted for some reason. The land owners have sold suddenly and have given the residents little notice. Oh well, the the state of everything in SL lately I'm not surprised that this happens more often.

The Urbane listing has been removed from this blog and will be removed soon from all instances of HoL products

Another location

Thanks to the good people at OnRez, there is yet another location for my eyewear. This time it is at the very low lag area called Cinemax Island. They have been most helpful offering a small, clean space to display your items in a vendor (or two).

Great work!

Final Destiny Location

The Final Destiny location is now up and running. You can visit it by clicking this link