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Classical Devotion at the Music Academy Online |
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Written by Sifriya Devin
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Classical music lovers and haters alike should take the time to experience the Music Academy Online area on the Utwig Sim. Designed as an immersive method of learning about the various time periods of Classical Music, this Sim is comprised of various builds that match the corresponding architectural theme of each time frame. For the lovers, it will be a fun fest of Classical appreciation. For the haters or non-fans, this Sim was designed to foster learning as they explore.
The Music Academy Online began as a website a few years ago devoted to the appreciation of Classical music. Once Second Life gained strides into the education field, the website was expanded to include this immersive area on the Utwig Sim. Its creator, Benton Wunderlich, started work here in January 2007 by allowing “builds emblematic of the specific time period” for each style of Classical music.
The builds associated with time periods are very rich in detail and unique as to choice for the representation of a certain era. For instance, to represent the Medieval Period (400-1450), the organizers chose to build Rosslyn Chapel. Inside detailing is impressive, and if your exploration is completed with enough detail, you could be rewarded with discovery of the Holy Grail.
To represent the Baroque(1600-1750) and Classical (1750-1810) periods, the visitor is delighted, but not surprised, to see an Italian Villa and model of Independence Hall. However, to represent the Romantic (1810-1850) period, the builder chose the Lizzie Borden House, complete with murdered father in the parlor. Wunderlich also decided to include contemporary music based on Classical scores in modern themed buildings. In keeping with the technical sphere of SL, some of the music included is from the computer gaming industry.
Within each building parcel, the visitor can listen to examples of the period music and read about various elements that make it unique. Composer profiles are also included as well as some historical context regarding issues of the time. Wunderlich feels that SL is the perfect tool for this form of learning as it allows an immersive and “disciplinary” approach. He describes the interactive nature of this area as somewhat of an “amusement park for classical music."
Immersive exploration is not the only enjoyable element on this island. There are monthly performances and a Second Life Cable Network (SLCN) TV show each Monday hosted by Wunderlich and others from the administration. The quality of this island is very high due to the quality builds, educational format and ease of navigation.
Music Academy Online
Utwig 95, 116, 23 (Mature) - Music Academy Online |
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Red Carpet Fashion Affair on Info Island |
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Written by Sifriya Devin
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One of the key elements necessary for leading a satisfying Second Life is great fashion. But let’s face it, good fashion can eat your Linden budget up very quickly. To help lead you to great fashion on a small budget, the librarians of Info Island have put together a fashion show
and exhibit featuring Fashion of the 20th Century with great fashion freebies rich in quality.
On October 25, Ka Castaignede, a volunteer for the Library Alliance, hosted Info Island’s first ever avatar fashion show to highlight “some of the great fashion freebies you can find in-world." The show was divided into two categories: casual wear and formal wear. With over a dozen models, the audience seemed surprised at the quality and variety available. The formal wear and period costumes were especially noted for their flexi features and beautiful textures, elements usually reserved for clothes with a price.
The fashion show was presented as an event to highlight the “20th century fashion display” created by Ka Castaignede. Visitors to the fashion exhibit next to the auditorium can pick up several different outfits of various historical and contemporary styles. However, the exhibit itself includes a wealth of fashion information just waiting to be gleaned. Cataignede has included numerous links to fashion bibliographies in the attempt to provide substantial information behind the images chosen for the exhibit. She has also included links to fashion museums and a timeline of fashion trends cleverly set up as the pick-up images for freebie distribution. Other subjects important to the fashion industry are also included here, such as international influences, trend setters, and the relationship between media and fashion.
As the number of newbie visitors to Info Island picks up, the timing of this exhibit could not be better. Cataignede took the unique approach of providing bibliographical fashion information alongside what every newbie is searching for…more freebies! Although, the success of the fashion show itself proves that even the more seasoned residents appreciate good quality freebies. Even though the fashion show is over, be sure to visit the exhibit through the end of this month to snatch up some of those hot freebies!
Info Island Fashion Exhibit:
Info Island 120, 113, 33 - Alliance Virtual Library - Info Island |
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Gallery Hopping, SL Style! |
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Written by Sifriya Devin
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Welcome to the RezLibris Arts and Entertainment section! We hope this section will become a helpful guide to some of the best and most interesting art, entertainment, book and publishing features of Second Life (SL). According to the overall Linden search engine in-world, there are over 2600 museums/galleries in Second Life, just waiting to be explored. The sheer number can be overwhelming when deciding where to begin. You might want to start by taking a page from some favorite real life activities and gather a few SL buddies to follow me as I get you started on your very own Second Life Gallery Hop!
One of the best places to begin would have to be the galleries of Info Island. The galleries here are diverse in content and chock full of information! The galleries are also not static as exhibits rotate about every six weeks with new artists being featured. In some instances, the gallery joins forces with other organizations such as real life Universities or cultural centers.
Some of the gallery options available on Info Island include |
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Arts & Entertainment
