131: Molly Bloom's art opening at Holtwaye Gallery

I've been a little out of touch with SL lately -- too busy in real life to blog a lot. So now that I'm a little more available, I thought I should get out there and mingle. Tonight I popped into SL intending on relaxing for a while. When the invitation came from my friend Holter at the Holtwaye Gallery (SLURL is here) to come and hear some music by performing artist Down Under and view the opening of an exhibition of interesting artworks by Molly Bloom, well, what's not to like?
   I'll say first off, the pictures are worth your time; go see the exhibition. They involve a clever use of three-dimensionality that engages the viewer in some "hmm, what am I seeing?" moments and it's a pleasant experience. Also the work is technically quite fine, great balance and rendering, and there's a kind of quirky sense of humour underlying the pictures that's very appealing. Like the artist is bringing you into her quirky worldview, and that's fun.
   A few friends were there; I was having some serious software issues and couldn't manage to grab more than the one photograph, but I wish I'd been able to get snapshots of my friends Cupric Router and Hotboy Lockjaw, and fellow blogger Ziggy Starsmith. (I'm sure he'll have some things to say about the event, here.) And a bunch of other nice people, 25 or 30 of them, all dancing and having a good time.
   Down Under was performing some 80s standards and was engaging the audience in a happy shared experience. And I started chatting with Holter only to learn that there had been quite a bit of controversy in the previous few hours. Apparently a musical group 'the follow' that had originally been booked to  perform at the show had canceled at the last minute -- because of the "demonic naked art" involved in two of the pictures. One of these is a very sexy naked .. imp? something like that ... that has a pair of strategically placed pasties. As well, it later turned out that the group would have refused the booking had they understood that Holtwaye Gallery was a "homosexual club". (Um, it's not.) Holter seems to have handled this with courage, tact, and grace under fire; he booked Down Under and the event came off on time, on schedule, and honestly, folks, you'd never have known there'd been any furor.  (Well done, Holter.) But the furor had just begun.
   I think a couple of other bloggers have talked about this story more knowledgeably than I can, and I encourage you to read what Molly Bloom has to say, if you're hooked into her with social media. She is quoted tonight in the blog Confessions of a Daddy Bear, and you will find artist and blogger Ziki Questi has talked with the gallery's curator Holter at Ziki Questi's Blog. I can't show you the art in any detail, because I don't have permission (I try to be respectful to people who are trying to sell SL images) but Ziki Questi has shown you images that will give you a much better idea of what brought about ... well, what I have to call a ridiculous reaction by 'the follow'. Cmon, it's 2015, you have to try to respect everyone, and it's all just a bunch of pixels anyways. Grow the fuck up.
   Be that as it may; I'm sure there are nuances to this situation of which I'm not aware, and I don't have the full story. Sounds like everybody should investigate this situation on their own in order to have an informed opinion.  I'm happy to make up my mind on inadequate evidence that I wouldn't book 'the follow' to play at an event and I don't like what they seem to have done; your mileage may vary. I will say this, though. In an age when recently a rinky-dink pizza parlour in the US can announce that it won't serve homosexuals, is thereupon closed by the furore and afterwards crowdfunds nearly a million dollars for its future needs from a bunch of anti-gay nitwits -- the best response to events like this is to go and look at the art, support Molly Bloom by buying something, and especially support Holtwaye Gallery. Holtwaye is doing exactly what it should do in bringing you great art with advanced themes and execution, and they deserve your support in the face of nonsense like this.

111: WayneNZ sits on my deck

WayneNZ and I live on opposite sides of the globe, so it took a little manoeuvring (and, for me, a re-education in the way that time zones work -- sorry, Wayne) to get this interview together. I'm glad I did! You'll know him from his work with Holtwaye Gallery, his art shows, or maybe as that hot blond guy that you saw out

dancing the other night LOL. He and his partner Holter give great parties, and as you'll see below he's an interesting philosophical guy.

[20:53] Rusty Redfield: Okay, let me just start this damn *click* tape recorder

[20:53] Rusty Redfield: Great! I'm here with Wayne -- WayneNZ, who is half of Holtwaye Gallery (SLURL attached).

[20:54] Rusty Redfield: say hi Wayne! <grin>

[20:54] Wayne (waynenz): Hey Rusty

[20:54] Rusty Redfield: you and your partner Holter run Holtwaye Gallery together and you are also a photographic artist who exhibits there and elsewhere. Do I have that right?

[20:55] Wayne (waynenz): thank you for having me over.  Yikes, yes, that sounds 

like a lot, and a bit more

[20:55] Rusty Redfield: haha you make it look easy.

[20:55] Wayne (waynenz): the price I pay for being creatively curious

[20:55] Wayne (waynenz): lol

[20:56] Rusty Redfield: oh my pleasure! Well, I've been to some GREAT parties at your gallery, and I've really enjoyed looking at the art, so ... it's my pleasure,  

I think people want to know about how these sorts of things work and what happens behind the scenes.

[20:56] Wayne (waynenz): but thank you

[20:56] Rusty Redfield: So you know the deal, I always ask the same questions <grin>

[20:56] Rusty Redfield: 1.  Why do you stay in Second Life?  What keeps you here?

[20:56] Wayne (waynenz): smiles and nods

[20:57] Wayne (waynenz): well, like with most creatives, it's the creative expression mostly

[20:57] Wayne (waynenz): but as I progressed in SL

[20:57] Wayne (waynenz): it also became so much more about the friendship and people you meet along 

the way from all over

[20:57] Rusty Redfield: Yes, I think that kind of sneaks up on creative types LOL

[20:58] Rusty Redfield: LOL OMG! The people who like my work are human beings! haha

[20:58] Wayne (waynenz): ha ha, well, we hope they are....who knows right?

[20:58] Rusty Redfield: yes.  Art is a solitary vice, somebody said.

[20:58] Rusty Redfield: well, your answer segues naturally into #2:

[20:59] Rusty Redfield: 2. What are the qualities that attract you to people in Second Life?

[21:00] Wayne (waynenz): hmmmmm, probably the same kinda qualities you find in RL.  Just generally people are nice, take the effort to be decent

[21:00] Rusty Redfield: <grin> well, in  

RL I am occasionally attracted to gorgeous guys because they stand out, but here, they're par for the course

[21:01] Wayne (waynenz): ha ha, oh yes....second life is very much a visual world, and after all, we are guy too...grins

[21:01] Rusty Redfield: yeah! I love the eye  candy here.  But I have to agree, it's the person behind the avatar that counts.

[21:01] Wayne (waynenz): it also about the diversity and endless talent I see in people

[21:02] Wayne (waynenz): by talent, I mean however big or small that may be

[21:02] Rusty Redfield: <grin> I look for people who are having fun.

[21:02] Wayne (waynenz): from someone simply arranging something in their home, to the big name builders and artists

[21:03] Rusty Redfield: we all work in our own little way.

[21:03] Wayne (waynenz): exactly

[21:03] Rusty Redfield: oh, man, that ALSO segues beautifully into the next question

[21:03] Rusty Redfield: are you sure you haven't done this before? ROFL

[21:03] Rusty Redfield: 3. What are you working on, as a form of artistic expression or in order to earn money, or both?

[21:03] Wayne (waynenz): ha ha, well, I am a follower of your blog

[21:03] Wayne (waynenz): lol

[21:03] Rusty Redfield: Now, you know I want to hear about it all LOL

[21:03] Wayne (waynenz): which I love btw

[21:03] Rusty Redfield: thank you!! I really enjoy doing it.

[21:04] Wayne (waynenz): you are welcome.

[21:04] Rusty Redfield: so to start off, I know you had a show at Chilipepper open last weekend.

[21:05] Wayne (waynenz): oh sorry, I missed that

[21:05] Wayne (waynenz): lol

[21:05] Rusty Redfield: no problem!! hhah I'll ask again

[21:05] Rusty Redfield: 3. What are you working on, as a form of artistic expression or in order to earn money, or both?

[21:05] Wayne (waynenz): In real life i am a graphic designer, so I earn my money there and not really in second life

[21:05] Rusty Redfield: understood.  It can pay a share of tier, though ...

[21:06] Wayne (waynenz): this is more of a creative outlet/escape

[21:06] Wayne (waynenz): lol

[21:06] Wayne (waynenz): it sure does

[21:06] Rusty Redfield: So, let's start with the show at Chilipepper.  What's that about?

[21:06] Wayne (waynenz): but as you know I run the gallery with the very talented and creative Holter, who is the Holt in Holtwaye

[21:06] Wayne (waynenz): ah yes

[21:07] Rusty Redfield: yes indeed -- as I grasp it, he's the curator and you're the artist?

[21:07] Rusty Redfield: but I bet those things overlap a lot

[21:07] Wayne (waynenz): yes he is

[21:07] Wayne (waynenz): so yes, Chillipepper

[21:07] Wayne (waynenz): My second exhibit in SL really

[21:07] Wayne (waynenz): Marc approached me to exhibit a sample of my work

[21:08] Rusty Redfield: Marc ... LOL

[21:08] Rusty Redfield: <grinning>

[21:08] Wayne (waynenz): it was weird having to pick my own work as we do this for our artists at the gallery

[21:09] Rusty Redfield: but you do do a lot of photography

[21:09] Rusty Redfield: do you have a Flickr stream?

[21:09] Wayne (waynenz): oh yes, usually when all my friends are offline, cause you know, I live on the other side of the world

[21:09] Wayne (waynenz): I do, let me grab that for you

[21:10] Rusty Redfield: I know people will love to see it.  The photos are great.  It was very strange for me for a moment ... Wayne you haven't heard this story LOL.

[21:10] Rusty Redfield: I went around Innsmouth and took abunch of pictures and so did you, and yours are like LIGHT YEARS better LOL

[21:11] Rusty Redfield: we even did the same shot, sort of, in the clutches of Cthulhu -- but yours was awesome

[21:11] Wayne (waynenz): lol, how funny, I loved that sim

[21:11] Rusty Redfield: me too

[21:11] Rusty Redfield: I'm a Lovecraft fan

[21:11] Wayne (waynenz): well, I was fortunate to encounter a space ship

[21:11] Wayne (waynenz): whispers - which I photoshoped in btw

[21:11] Wayne (waynenz): lol

[21:11] Rusty Redfield: see, this exhbition is so fun, you should see it

[21:11] Wayne (waynenz): Here is the link https://www.flickr.com/photos/98750211@N08/

[21:12] Rusty Redfield: great!

[21:12] Rusty Redfield: and I think I have a SLURL for the show

[21:12] Wayne (waynenz): I love stumbling about things, places and people

[21:12] Rusty Redfield: Chilipepper is the link.

[21:12] Wayne (waynenz): so yes my exhibit is a collection of works

[21:12] Rusty Redfield: I hope that's right.

[21:12] Wayne (waynenz): mostly two shots of the same scene

[21:12] Rusty Redfield: duality.

[21:13] Wayne (waynenz): yes.  smiles

[21:13] Rusty Redfield: folks, yes, I actually looked at the catalogue ROFL

[21:13] Wayne (waynenz): ha ha, good on ya

[21:14] Rusty Redfield: which is worth reading.  But Wayne's pictures have this great quality of ... intelligence, I guess I'd call it. You should see them.

[21:14] Wayne (waynenz): aaw, thank you Rusty

[21:14] Rusty Redfield: calls em like I sees em LOL

[21:14] Wayne (waynenz): well, that mirrors our goal at Holtwaye

[21:14] Rusty Redfield: yeah, you guys show a lot of good artists.  And it is a HUGE space.

[21:15] Wayne (waynenz): we like work that is stepped up to that next level, work that tells a story and is not just a snapshot

[21:15] Wayne (waynenz): omg yes

[21:15] Wayne (waynenz): lol

[21:15] Rusty Redfield: people, they have a WHALE out front.  It is a BIG space ROFL.

[21:15] Wayne (waynenz): the biggest gallery, literally, in SL. laughs

[21:15] Wayne (waynenz): well, Holter and I worked on the space together

[21:15] Rusty Redfield: and there are always three or four artists exhibiting at any given time, at least that I've seen.

[21:16] Wayne (waynenz): we wanted the space to be camera friendly and to focus on the artwork

[21:16] Wayne (waynenz): sure is.  Holter curates most of the shows and I manage to sneak in a few of my own exhibits, which he curates too

[21:17] Rusty Redfield: I intend to interview him about that at some near future point

[21:17] Wayne (waynenz): oh yay...he is very talented :-)

[21:17] Rusty Redfield: I don't know if he mentioned it, but he and I are talking about a guided tour of the gallery

[21:18] Wayne (waynenz): oh wow....love that

[21:18] Rusty Redfield: I'm interested in how he makes curatorial decisions ... maybe I'll learn something LOL and at least I'll print the results

[21:18] Rusty Redfield: oh and I can't let this slide without talking about the amazing parties you guys throw

[21:18] Wayne (waynenz): oh it's an interesting process, I am fortunate to listen to him at times when he mutters around thinking things out loud. LOL

[21:18] Rusty Redfield: haha you're the Watson!!

[21:19] Wayne (waynenz): ha ha

[21:19] Wayne (waynenz): yes, the events brings everything to life

[21:19] Rusty Redfield: I love that you have a group of people who obviously love to get dressed up

[21:19] Wayne (waynenz): whether they are opening exhibit events or just a good old bash, its sure brings the gallery to life

[21:20] Wayne (waynenz): ha ha, yes, we do love to use our gachas!

[21:20] Rusty Redfield: they're the kind of parties I always wanted to go to in Second Life -- killer costumes, outfits, people having fun in a very social way

[21:20] Wayne (waynenz): but we have a great following with the dress ups...and its amazing to see our supporters be 'our' art for an evening

[21:20] Rusty Redfield: so keep your eyes on your feed and if you see one coming up, have fun preparing for it!!

[21:21] Wayne (waynenz): hey, I hear ya!  You really see people's creativity shine at these events

[21:21] Rusty Redfield: so, summing up -- love the art, love the gallery, love the parties <laughing>

[21:21] Wayne (waynenz): ha ha

[21:22] Rusty Redfield: you guys are doing it right!

[21:22] Wayne (waynenz): makes three of us.

[21:22] Rusty Redfield: <smiling>

[21:22] Wayne (waynenz): well, its just a labour of love

[21:22] Rusty Redfield: let me segue to a question I ask on behalf of new Residents.

[21:22] Rusty Redfield: 4. If you could give advice to your earlier self in the first month that you spent in Second Life, what would you say?

[21:23] Wayne (waynenz): we love doing it.....I use to have homestead I use to do themed landscaping builds....some of the pics are on the flickr page

[21:23] Wayne (waynenz): oh, yikes, let me stop rambling

[21:23] Wayne (waynenz): lol

[21:23] Rusty Redfield: no, it's all good, but we have to save a little for next time <grinning>

[21:23] Wayne (waynenz): wow, my first month....hmmm

[21:24] Wayne (waynenz): suppose I would say slow down, look around and savour SL

[21:24] Wayne (waynenz): don't just rush into things

[21:24] Rusty Redfield: interesting!

[21:24] Wayne (waynenz): try everything and so much more

[21:24] Wayne (waynenz): ha ha

[21:24] Rusty Redfield: oh yeah

[21:24] Wayne (waynenz): oh oh, and

[21:25] Wayne (waynenz): don't forget just be yourself and a decent human being lol

[21:25] Rusty Redfield: that's a good one.

[21:25] Rusty Redfield: when I was very new here, I used to scour the blogosphere looking for things to do in SL

[21:26] Rusty Redfield: I think I kind of wished someone would have talked about why to do it, or how to think about it

[21:26] Wayne (waynenz): a good way to do that tho....always good to get a sense of what things are about

[21:26] Rusty Redfield: haha my other advice is, don't spend so damn much money

[21:26] Wayne (waynenz): omg yes!!

[21:26] Wayne (waynenz): you don't realise how it all adds up.

[21:27] Rusty Redfield: yeah, I fell hard and spent a fortune

[21:27] Wayne (waynenz): ouch

[21:27] Rusty Redfield: on stuff that I probably haven't looked at in a looooong time LOL

[21:27] Rusty Redfield: oh well.

[21:27] Rusty Redfield: it's how we learn, right?

[21:28] Wayne (waynenz): yes, social sites to give you that extra opportunity to see what's going on and to learn more about people

[21:28] Wayne (waynenz): sure is. smiles

[21:28] Rusty Redfield: so I have to confess something about my next question

[21:28] Wayne (waynenz): oh oh

[21:28] Rusty Redfield: I promised you I always ask the same question, but I've been tinkering with one of them

[21:28] Wayne (waynenz): yessss?

[21:28] Rusty Redfield: because people weren't grasping what I was getting at

[21:28] Rusty Redfield: my bad phrasing.

[21:28] Rusty Redfield: so let me try this one on you.

[21:29] Wayne (waynenz): aaah ok

[21:29] Rusty Redfield: 5. What is on your mind when you’re deciding how your avatar looks?

[21:29] Rusty Redfield: what I'm getting at is -- does your av look kind of like you in RL, or nothing at all like you in RL?

[21:29] Wayne (waynenz): being a graphic designer, cleanliness

[21:29] Wayne (waynenz): lol

[21:29] Wayne (waynenz): oh yes

[21:30] Wayne (waynenz): trying to find good blond hair and lighter body has been a huge challenge

[21:30] Wayne (waynenz): hence, I am always trying out new stuff and exploring

[21:30] Rusty Redfield: yeah, you and I are hair shoppers I know ROFL

[21:31] Wayne (waynenz): but yes, when deciding on my av, its things I like, things that resemble my rl look to some extent, give a few years variation LOL

[21:31] Rusty Redfield: and we ran into each other at that men's wear event ...

[21:31] Wayne (waynenz): we are!!

[21:31] Wayne (waynenz): we need to have a long hair night, like a bohemian night!! LOVE that

[21:31] Rusty Redfield: Jared Leto night ROFL

[21:31] Wayne (waynenz): lmao

[21:32] Wayne (waynenz): only if I can play the Doors!!!

[21:32] Rusty Redfield: oh yeah I do a mean Jim Morrison

[21:32] Rusty Redfield: you're on! ROFL

[21:32] Wayne (waynenz): lol love it

[21:32] Rusty Redfield: okay, one last question.

[21:32] Wayne (waynenz): will start growing my hair

[21:32] Wayne (waynenz): sure

[21:32] Rusty Redfield: I ask this one to get hints about where to go to enjoy SL

[21:32] Rusty Redfield: 6. What’s your favourite place to spend time in Second Life?

[21:33] Wayne (waynenz): yikes, I seem to spend alot of time at the gallery. LOL

[21:33] Rusty Redfield: that's fair

[21:33] Rusty Redfield: I mean, it's fun to work at the gallery, I bet

[21:33] Wayne (waynenz): but its more about places for me. I am fond of fantasy sims

[21:33] Wayne (waynenz): and beautiful landscaped sims, nature

[21:34] Wayne (waynenz): and for some inspiration I dip into LEA

[21:34] Rusty Redfield: I just learned about that.

[21:34] Wayne (waynenz): to see what the amazing artists are doing

[21:34] Wayne (waynenz): oh its a great region to go to

[21:34] Rusty Redfield: = Linden ... Endowment for the Arts? did I get that right?

[21:34] Rusty Redfield: so people can search for it.

[21:34] Wayne (waynenz): yup, that is it

[21:35] Rusty Redfield: that's great, thanks!

[21:35] Rusty Redfield: listen, I've really enjoyed this

[21:35] Wayne (waynenz): you're welcome

[21:35] Rusty Redfield: as you can tell, we went long -- sorry folks, it happens ROFL

[21:35] Wayne (waynenz): oh thank you Rusty

[21:35] Rusty Redfield: I always offer people the chance to say whatever they want at the end

[21:35] Rusty Redfield: philosophy -- ranting -- helpful hints

[21:35] Rusty Redfield: or what question should I have asked? LOL

[21:36] Wayne (waynenz): ha ha

[21:36] Wayne (waynenz): nope, you were great.  Must admit it is a challenge for an introvert

[21:36] Wayne (waynenz): lol

[21:36] Wayne (waynenz): creatives are like that

[21:36] Rusty Redfield: this is one on one

[21:36] Rusty Redfield: LOL

[21:36] Rusty Redfield: although I'm sure millions of people read this <belly laugh>

[21:37] Wayne (waynenz): lol...woot, yes, they should!!

[21:37] Rusty Redfield: from your lips to god's ear.  LOL

[21:37] Wayne (waynenz): ha ha, amen brother

[21:37] Wayne (waynenz): that sounded weird

[21:37] Wayne (waynenz): lol

[21:38] Rusty Redfield: so unless you want to stand on the soapbox for a minute -- I'll wind this up -- but the soapbox is right there for you

[21:38] Wayne (waynenz): oh dear, now that put the fear of god in me. LOL introvert on a soapbox.

[21:38] Rusty Redfield: <grin> then I'll let you off the hook.  I want people to be comfortable.

[21:39] Wayne (waynenz): ha ha, no its ok

[21:39] Rusty Redfield: So whatever links we didn't provide, I'll go back and put in.  let me just find my tape recorder here

[21:39] Rusty Redfield: and I'll thank you so much for your time in sitting down on my deck ...

[21:39] Wayne (waynenz): Thank, the gallery can be found but I will send you the LM

[21:39] Rusty Redfield: good, yes please.

[21:40] Rusty Redfield: and I'll shut the tape recorder off *click*

Apparently we were both in a talkative mood so I ran a little longer than usual, but I enjoyed the whole conversation.  Nobody is sure how long the exhibition at Chilipepper will be on, so if you'd like to see those pictures, sooner is better than later. And there are always multiple interesting exhibitions on at Holtwaye ... check it all out.  Thanks, Wayne!

067: Some VERY wild things!

I said it near the end: "This is the party that everyone will be pissed that they missed." I know my snapshots won't be doing it justice, and there will be a bunch of photographs out there by better photographers (I'll link them in when I find them). I'm not going to be the best photographer, but I'll try to be the first to bring you the flavour of this, the most awesome party I've been at in quite a

while. A LONG while.
   Holtwaye Art Space (SLURL here) had a party to celebrate the mounting of a display of fascinating art, curated by Holter and Wayne [waynenz Resident]. I'm going to have to head back to check out some more of the art, because I got completely lost in the amazing outfits everyone was wearing. The theme was "Where the wild things are ..." and

believe me, all the wild things were at the party. That's me looking like King of the Jungle, and compared to the rest of the wild things, not very awesome at all. I'm not going to even try to say "best outfit" but my friend Bock McMillan and his party looked really incredible. Hell, EVERYONE looked incredible.
   Cupric Router laid down awesome tracks. I'm not sure what to call it, I'm not

very good at figuring out these kinds of recherché musical styles. Maybe -- funky dance folk music?  Hipster bounce?  (Someone help me out in the comments!) It was really a refreshing change from dance music, although I like dance music. But this was an afternoon where I heard music I'd never heard before and wouldn't even know where to go looking for. And it was just as cool as

everything else about this party.
   I'm just going to let all these incredible outfits speak for themselves. There was so much going on, what with costumes and artwork and all, I crashed twice; some of these pictures may not be fully rezzed, but I'll give you them anyway. I was firing off pictures like a paparazzo at the Oscars, just to try to capture all this creative goodness.

   You know, when I first came into Second Life, this was the kind of event that I dimly imagined I would be attending all the time. I've had a lot of fun in SL, but I don't think I've been to more than a couple of events in all these years where people brought this level of energy and creativity and just fun. Thanks, Wayne and Holter and Cupric, for making this all possible. You made

my weekend!