Alexa Linden, a long-time figure at Linden Lab, has announced her departure from the company in a post on X (formerly Twitter). The message, which read “Thank you all for the last 17 years! I guess I’m gone! #SecondLife I love you all 😭”, was later removed along with her profile.
This announcement comes amidst ongoing rumors regarding a potential sale of Linden Lab, the company that develops and manages the virtual world platform Second Life. In a comment on her post, Alexa Linden hinted that her departure may not be an isolated incident, stating “Other amazing people too. There goes 2 decades of knowledge.”
Currently, Linden Lab has not released any official statements regarding Alexa Linden’s departure or the rumors of a possible sale. The Second Life community is closely watching the developments of this situation, which could have a significant impact on the platform’s future.
It remains to be seen what Linden Lab’s next steps will be and how they will influence Second Life, which in recent years has faced increasing competition in the virtual world market.
Dear Art & Music Lovers, Join Us for a Night of Enchantment!
We are thrilled to invite you to Nocturnal Reverie, the 9th Art Showcase at the Canvas & Chill Lounge in the enchanting realm of Artsville. Prepare to immerse yourself in a world where creativity knows no bounds and art takes on a life of its own!
Event Schedule: Date: Friday, October 11th Time: 12 PM SLT
DJ Lineup: 12 PM SLT – DJ Pointbreak 1:30 PM SLT – DJ Relena
Featured Artists:
Discover the mesmerizing creations of our talented featured artists:
These extraordinary artists will showcase their captivating works, each piece echoing the themes of mystery and allure that define the night.
Dress Code: Embrace the spirit of the evening by donning anything dark, enchanting, mysterious, or dreamy! Let your imagination run wild and become part of the magical tapestry that weaves through the night.
As we gather under the starlit sky, let us celebrate creativity, connection, and the extraordinary power of art. Your presence adds a unique sparkle to our gathering, and we can’t wait to share this unforgettable evening with you!
Join us for Nocturnal Reverie and let the magic unfold!
Welcome to Noir’Wen City, where the boundaries of art, reality, and virtual existence intertwine in a breathtaking tapestry. The upcoming 1001 Caves Contest & Event, themed “ART WE REAL?”, invites artists and creators to embark on a journey of self-discovery, imagination, and artistic expression.
Contest Schedule
Registration: Until October 31, 2024
Artists and creators are invited to register for this free and compulsory contest until October 31, 2024. This registration is essential for receiving crucial information and ensuring smooth communication with all participants.
Creation Phase: Until December 31, 2024
From the contest’s launch to December 31, 2024, artists will have the opportunity to create their masterpieces. The month of January 2025 will be dedicated to setting up exhibitions, performances, and installation of contest boards.
Exhibition & Evaluation: February 1 – April 30, 2025
The artworks will be showcased for evaluation during these three months. The public will have the chance to vote for their favorite pieces, while specially selected juries—comprising members of the Noir’Wen team, reference artists, and an art journalist—will ensure a balanced assessment.
Proclamation of Results: May 2025
Join us in May 2025 for the announcement of contest results, culminating in a celebratory event filled with art, creativity, and community spirit.
Opening of the 1001 Caves Exhibitions & Festival: June 1, 2025
On June 1, 2025, we will unveil the “WE ARE ART” exhibition, showcasing the winning and selected artworks across various themes.
The 1001 Caves Festival “WE ARE ART”: June – August 2025
Prepare for an artistic extravaganza!
Throughout June, July, and August 2025, Noir’Wen City will host a vibrant festival, offering a special artistic program celebrating creativity in all its forms.
Contest Themes The event encourages participants to explore seven thought-provoking themes, each prompting introspection and exploration:
ART WE REAL? My Avatar’s Life & Reality – Who Am I? Reality often feels like a dream, and as we traverse the landscapes of Second Life, we ponder our existence and the nature of our avatars. Are we crafting our avatars, or are they shaping our reality?
ART WE DESIRE? It’s Not All Mine – Desire, Sex & Pleasure – Are We Free? Explore the intricacies of desire and how it shapes our virtual lives. Are our avatars mere reflections of our yearnings, or do they uncover deeper truths about our desires?
ART WE UNIVERSE? Metalife – Space & Time – A Quantic World Delve into the mysteries of the cosmos and the intricate connections between our existence and the universe. What are the fundamental truths of our reality?
ART WE THINKING? “I Pixel, Therefore I Am” – Are We What We Think? Challenge your perceptions of ideology, ethics, and the role of our avatars in shaping our thoughts and beliefs.
ART WE FEELING? Loving – Hating – Emoting – Therapy for Super Dummies Explore the emotional landscapes of Second Life, where avatars experience love, hate, and everything in between. Can we be our own therapists in this digital realm?
ART WE GOD? TP Me – Beliefs & Spirituality Consider the divine in our virtual creations. Are we mere creations of our own imagination, or do we hold divine powers within our avatars?
ART WE DYING? Is My Avatar Eternal? Reflect on the permanence and transience of existence. What does it mean for our avatars in a world where change is the only constant?
Participate and Contribute This contest is a chance for you to contribute your voice and vision to an event that celebrates art in its many forms. Participate in the art contest, engage in the evaluation of artworks, and immerse yourself in the exhibitions and performances.
For further information, the contest rules are accessible from our team members or in the entrance hall of 1001 Caves—just take the subway to City Hall Station in Central Place.
Key Contacts
NieuwenHove – General Organisation Belice Benoir – General Organisation & Artistic Management alicia.beattie (Lilli B) – Inspirations and Framing nathalie.monday (Nathalie Monday Stenvaag) – Organisation & Communication loreleil Coeur – Organisation & Events Grace Blakewell – Organisation & Music talliacute – Event Assistant & Support
Join us in Noir’Wen City for this extraordinary artistic journey, and let your creativity flow through the 1001 Caves Contest & Event. Together, let’s explore the question: “ART WE REAL?”
Will you answer the call?
Get ready to create, engage, and celebrate art like never before!
A decade after their initial collaboration, Sina Souza and Sabbian Paine reunite in the metaverse to explore the evolving nature of identity in a masked world
Introduction
In the virtual realm of Second Life, where the boundaries of identity are fluid and self-expression knows no bounds, artists Sina Souza and Sabbian Paine reunite for a poignant exhibition titled “The Faces We Have Lost.” This collaborative endeavor marks a decade since their first joint venture, “The Masks We Wear,” and revisits the complex themes of identity, masking, and the interplay between the virtual and the real.
Hosted within the digital walls of the renowned Nitroglobus Roof Art Gallery, “The Faces We Have Lost” is curated and presented by the gallery’s owner, Dido Haas. Haas, a prominent figure in the Second Life art scene, has long championed the work of both Souza and Paine, making Nitroglobus the ideal platform for this collaborative exploration of identity. Her keen eye for innovative and thought-provoking art ensures that “The Faces We Have Lost” reaches a wide and engaged audience within the metaverse and beyond.
Flyer made by David Silence.
A Dialogue Across Time and Platforms
“The Faces We Have Lost” is not merely an exhibition; it’s a dialogue that transcends time and platforms. It’s a conversation between two artists who, ten years prior, explored the masks we wear in a world increasingly reliant on virtual interactions. Now, in 2024, they delve into the faces we have lost, the fragments of our true selves that have been eroded or concealed beneath the masks we adopt for survival, conformity, or escape.
The exhibition’s virtual venue, Nitroglobus Gallery, adds another layer to this dialogue. Second Life, as a metaverse platform, is a space where individuals can experiment with identity, crafting avatars that may or may not reflect their real-world selves. This inherent fluidity of identity within the virtual world makes it a fertile ground for exploring the themes that Souza and Paine address.
Unmasking the Layers of Identity
Souza and Paine’s works are a visual feast of surrealism, each piece a window into the fragmented nature of identity in the digital age. Their artistic styles, while distinct, complement each other, creating a harmonious yet thought-provoking exhibition.
Souza’s works are characterized by their dreamlike quality, often featuring figures that seem to exist between worlds, their forms shifting and morphing. Her use of color is bold and expressive, creating a sense of both beauty and unease. Paine, on the other hand, leans towards a more graphic style, his works often incorporating text and symbols that add layers of meaning to the images.
The exhibition’s title, “The Faces We Have Lost,” is a poignant reminder of the cost of masking. In a world where we are constantly bombarded with images and expectations, it’s easy to lose sight of who we truly are. The masks we wear, whether physical or metaphorical, can become so ingrained that we forget the faces beneath them.
The Metaverse as a Mirror to Society
The choice of Second Life as the exhibition’s venue is significant. As a metaverse platform, Second Life allows users to create and inhabit virtual identities, offering a unique perspective on the concept of selfhood. In this virtual world, the lines between the real and the virtual become blurred, and the masks we wear can take on a new meaning.
Souza and Paine’s exhibition invites viewers to consider the ways in which our virtual identities shape our real-world selves. In a world where we are increasingly reliant on technology for communication and connection, the metaverse can serve as both a mirror and a mask, reflecting our true selves while also allowing us to conceal aspects of our identity that we may not wish to reveal.
A Collaborative Exploration of Selfhood
The collaborative nature of “The Faces We Have Lost” is central to its impact. Souza and Paine’s works, while distinct in style, engage in a visual dialogue, each piece responding to and enriching the other. This interplay between their artistic voices creates a dynamic and multi-layered exhibition that invites viewers to explore the complexities of identity from multiple perspectives.
Their collaboration also highlights the power of art to transcend boundaries, both physical and virtual. In a world that is increasingly interconnected, yet often fragmented, Souza and Paine’s exhibition reminds us of the shared human experience, the universal search for identity and meaning in a world that is constantly changing.
Conclusion
“The Faces We Have Lost” is more than just an art exhibition; it’s a reflection on the human condition in the digital age. Souza and Paine’s works invite us to consider the masks we wear, the faces we conceal, and the fragments of ourselves that we may have lost along the way. In the virtual realm of Second Life, these themes take on a new resonance, as the boundaries between the real and the virtual become increasingly blurred.
This exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of art’s ability to provoke thought, spark dialogue, and connect us to our shared humanity. In a world where we are often masked and fragmented, Souza and Paine’s works remind us of the importance of self-discovery and the enduring search for identity.
iLoveEvents.Online is a point of reference for everything that happens in Second Life. We are looking for motivated individuals with a keen eye for detail to join our team as Event Bloggers. In this role, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the growth of our community by documenting the most interesting events and providing accurate information to our readers.
Responsibilities:
Attend assigned virtual events in Second Life.
Take high-quality photographs of vendors at the events.
Gather key information about the events (vendor name, store link, product descriptions, etc.).
Input the collected data into a spreadsheet following our guidelines.
Upload the photographs and collected data to the WordPress platform.
Requirements:
Passion for the virtual world and interest in Second Life events.
Excellent photography skills.
Basic knowledge of WordPress (image and text uploading).
Proficiency with spreadsheets and data entry.
Accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to meet deadlines.
Teamwork and communication skills.
Willingness to attend assigned events.
What we offer:
Payment for each event covered.
Ongoing training and support from our team.
The opportunity to contribute to a growing platform.
A collaborative and stimulating work environment.
If you are interested in this position, please complete the following form:
Stepping into Cherishville, the Second Life sim meticulously crafted by photographers Lam Erin and Azaria, is like entering a living canvas. It’s a place where the quintessential beauty of autumn intertwines with a subtle touch of gothic mystique, creating an immersive experience that transcends the visual.
Here, the air is thick with a sense of tranquility and mystery, inviting exploration and quiet contemplation. Towering trees, their leaves ablaze in a fiery spectrum of reds, oranges, and yellows, paint a stark contrast against the muted gray sky. Leaves twirl and dance in the gentle breeze, falling like golden snowflakes to form a soft carpet underfoot.
The quaint village, with its charming stone houses, seems untouched by time. Traditional architecture and carefully chosen details evoke a sense of warmth and belonging, inviting you to imagine the lives lived within those walls.
The serene lake, nestled amidst a tapestry of foliage, offers a sanctuary of peace and tranquility. Its glassy surface mirrors the vibrant colors of the sky and surrounding trees, creating a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow. A weathered wooden pier stretches out towards the center of the lake, beckoning you to pause, breathe, and simply be.
Even the cemetery, with its timeworn tombstones and gothic motifs, is not a place of fear, but rather a space for reflection on the cycle of life and death. The atmosphere is one of solemnity and respect, a poignant reminder of those who came before.
Cherishville is more than just a visual feast; it’s an experience that engages all the senses. The rustling of leaves underfoot, the gentle lapping of water against the pier, the crispness of the autumn air – all contribute to the immersive nature of this virtual world.
This masterful blend of nature and art is a testament to the creative vision of its creators. Lam Erin and Azaria are both accomplished photographers, renowned for their ability to capture the essence of Second Life. Lam Erin is particularly known for his two Flickr accounts: one dedicated to showcasing the breathtaking landscapes of the virtual world, and another capturing the vibrancy of its lifestyle. Azaria also maintains a captivating Flickr account, filled with striking imagery. Their shared passion for black and white photography is evident in their work, adding a layer of depth and artistry to their portrayals of Second Life.
Every element within Cherishville, from the placement of objects to the subtle nuances of lighting, has been carefully curated to create a truly aesthetic experience. It’s no surprise that the sim is a favorite haunt for photographers, who find endless inspiration in its picturesque landscapes and evocative atmosphere.
As a photography enthusiast myself, I find myself drawn to capture the beauty of Cherishville. Each photograph is an attempt to bottle the essence of this magical place, to preserve a tangible memory of this experience. Whether framing a shot of the sun setting over the lake, capturing the intricate details of the village houses, or finding beauty in the melancholic stillness of the cemetery, Cherishville offers endless opportunities for creative expression.
But Cherishville is more than just a photographer’s paradise. It’s a place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, to reconnect with nature, and to find solace in its tranquility. It’s an invitation to slow down, to observe, to feel.
Wandering through the winding paths, I find myself drawn to the small details: the way the light filters through the leaves, the gentle sway of the trees in the breeze, the ripples on the surface of the lake. It’s in these moments of quiet observation that the true magic of Cherishville reveals itself.
This is a place to visit and revisit, an experience that lingers long after you’ve logged off. It’s an invitation to lose yourself in the beauty of the moment, to embrace the melancholic charm of autumn, and to discover the hidden depths of this virtual world.of everyday life, to reconnect with nature, and to find solace in its tranquility. It’s an invitation to slow down, to observe, to feel.
Wandering through the winding paths, I find myself drawn to the small details: the way the light filters through the leaves, the gentle sway of the trees in the breeze, the ripples on the surface of the lake. It’s in these moments of quiet observation that the true magic of Cherishville reveals itself.
This is a place to visit and revisit, an experience that lingers long after you’ve logged off. It’s an invitation to lose yourself in the beauty of the moment, to embrace the melancholic charm of autumn, and to discover the hidden depths of this virtual world.
Please note that I Love Events(TM) is not associated with Linden Research, Inc. or any of its affiliated companies or products, including Second Life (collectively known as "Linden Lab"). The opinions and views expressed on this site belong to the content creators and do not represent the views or opinions of Linden Lab or its employees, directors, officers, agents, or representatives. The usage of the SLBN logo by I Love Events(TM) does not indicate endorsement or representation by Linden Lab.
