102: Joseph Nussbaum sits on my deck

I finally managed to connect with Joseph Nussbaum for an interview. Joe's been a neighbour of mine for quite a while, and I've always seen him as one of the reasons why my home sim, 3Bears, has such a big presence in the artistic community. Yes, 3Bears has nightclubs and shopping, but it also has a sculpture garden and galleries and lots of public art.

     So I've been pestering Joe for quite a while to sit down for an interview and this morning it all came together. I know he's been away from SL, pretty much, for a few months now and I'm happy to say that I think this interview signals his resting period is over for the moment.  We're lucky!

[10:21] Rusty Redfield: okay, let me 

*click* punch this button -- there.

[10:22] Rusty Redfield: Okay! I'm here with my friend and neighbour Joseph Nussbaum.

[10:22] Rusty Redfield: Welcome Joe!

[10:22] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): hey Rusty!

[10:22] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): Nice to be here

[10:22] Rusty Redfield: I've known Joe 

for AGES and admired his artwork, so I've asked him for an interview and we finally connected.

[10:23] Rusty Redfield: So -- Joe, I know you've been in SL for six or seven years ...

[10:23] Rusty Redfield: 1.  Why do you stay in Second Life?  What keeps you here?

[10:23] Joseph Nussbaum 

(edward.nussbaum): I've been here certainly for a long time - I joined actually many years ago, when I was living in Europe, but left, and then returned several years later

[10:24] Rusty Redfield: I had two accounts before this one, so I'm secretly an old hand myself LOL

[10:24] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): I got involved in 

the arts here when I saw what people were actually doing!

[10:24] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): hehe - I still have my original account too

[10:24] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): which is over 8 years old :-)

[10:24] Rusty Redfield: wow

[10:24] Rusty Redfield: I suspect mine 

would be, if I could remember the password ROFL

[10:25] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): but I started my artistic endevours by creating music for scultpures

[10:25] Rusty Redfield: I should say, for those who don't know, that Joe is involved with the artistic side of the sim where I live, 3Bears

[10:25] Rusty Redfield: not only as an art producer but as a curator, is that right?

[10:26] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): Yeah - I was out of SL for a few months and have only returned inthe last few days - I needed a rest

[10:26] Rusty Redfield: I was going to ask you about that.  It's something I've heard of before, taking a break; I think 

it's healthy and I gather you agree

[10:27] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): yeah - I was working at the Ursa Gallery at 3Bears, and also running some shows and whatnot here

[10:27] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): I work now mainly with photography and video

[10:27] Rusty Redfield: yes indeed

[10:27] Rusty Redfield: well, give me a minute, we'll circle back to that

[10:27] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): ok :-)

[10:27] Rusty Redfield: right now, my OCD wants to ask the questions in order <laughing>

[10:27] Rusty Redfield: 2. What are the qualities that attract you to people in Second Life?

[10:28] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): but I started by working in music, which is my major in RL

[10:28] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): aha ok

[10:28] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): The people in SL are much freer to create here

[10:28] Rusty Redfield: yes indeed

[10:29] Rusty Redfield: It's amazing how many pathways you can follow here

[10:29] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): Everybody comes into SL with a purpose - to meet people, to create, to do all kinds of things

[10:29] Rusty Redfield: those are the two main headings, for most people I know here

[10:30] Joseph Nussbaum 

(edward.nussbaum): yeah, and my time that I have been here has been enriching; I don't just come in here to take pictures, I have become friends with people from all over the world

[10:31] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): but in the art field, I enjoy creating structures and designs that take advantage of all the technical qualities available here in SL

[10:31] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): full stop.

[10:32] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): :-)

[10:32] Rusty Redfield: well, that brings me to #3, which is where you let loose LOL

[10:32] Rusty Redfield: go ahead, tell me ...

[10:32] Rusty Redfield: 3. What are you working on, as a form of artistic expression or in order to earn money, or both?

[10:32] Rusty Redfield: more videos?  (If you give me a link, I'll add it here for people to see your work)

[10:33] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): I do it as an outlet for artistic expression, but I don't mind making money as well

[10:33] Rusty Redfield: heh heh I know, right?

[10:34] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): I have made a lot of videos using pop music as a basis, but also my own music, too.

[10:34] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): I am currently working with other artists in SL to make some more linear-type films

[10:34] Rusty Redfield: I think my long-time readers will remember a piece from last summer -- I got onto it when you showed up with five friends at a Pride dance, all in little frog avatars

[10:34] Rusty Redfield: "I Want to Marry a Lighthouse Keeper"

[10:35] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): oh yes that video was fun :-)

[10:35] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): I have video sites around the web - I will try to get the addresses here, one of them is on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgtQSpSGmeGUrGfzl6FyW0g/videos

[10:36] Rusty Redfield: there you go, thanks! That saves me a lot of detective work!

[10:36] Rusty Redfield: who are you working with on the more linear-type films these days?

[10:36] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): http://www.dailymotion.com/bmstudios

[10:37] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): this is my Dailymotion website

[10:37] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): aha - I am working with a poet - his name is Colin Bell

[10:37] Rusty Redfield: I'm not sure how to express this -- is Dailymotion for one kind of video, and Youtube for another?

[10:37] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): I am working with him and Boris Twist, another great film maker in SL

[10:38] Rusty Redfield: Yes, I know Boris, I've definitely seen his work

[10:38] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): We will be creating some videos together. You can see one on YouTube - "Haiku" - let me get the address

[10:38] Rusty Redfield: <grin> this is the one I liked on Facebook, right?

[10:38] Rusty Redfield: beautiful soundscape

[10:38] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_0TzHGBK3k

[10:39] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): yeah that was it :-)

[10:39] Rusty Redfield: from a Gertrude Stein poem

[10:39] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): I also create advertisements (video and photos) for profile shots, commercials etc

[10:39] Rusty Redfield: you surely do!

[10:40] Rusty Redfield: You've done a few pictures for me, which I loved -- not showing anyone except the BF though <laughing>

[10:40] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): I made a few films for Sabor Skytower and Buck Mischief for some of his products for sale in SL

[10:40] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): lol!

[10:40] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): I also did a photography magazine called  "Angle Works", which I might start up again

[10:41] Rusty Redfield: Are you currently showing your print work, or curating any shows here in SL?

[10:41] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): not at the moment, no. I had a show at 3Bears up until I left last year, but that's closed now. I might set up a new show this year, maybe open a little gallery on my own, but thatr remains to be seen

[10:42] Rusty Redfield: the possibilities are endless!

[10:42] Rusty Redfield: but definitely, folks, check out the video.

[10:42] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): I like to use the context of SL to create works to be shown in RL, I haven't done a lot of shows in SL, I have to admit

[10:42] Rusty Redfield: So here's a question that I always ask for the benefit of new residents in SL ...

[10:42] 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?

[10:43] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): "Stop being so quiet - get out there and make noise!"

[10:43] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): :-)

[10:43] Rusty Redfield: hahaha!

[10:43] Rusty Redfield: good one!

[10:44] Rusty Redfield: but "walk the fine line between self-expression and griefing" LOL

[10:44] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): yes! no Griefing!

[10:44] Rusty Redfield: just a couple more questions.

[10:44] Rusty Redfield: for the fashionistas and fashionistos among us --

[10:44] Rusty Redfield: 5. What do you like most about the way that your avatar looks?

[10:46] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): I've really worked hard on my avatar to try to balance the look all over - I like the way the proportions fit. I of course have had help with it - a shout out to Buck Mischief for his eye for that!

[10:46] Rusty Redfield: well, that's pretty crucial, isn't it? everyone here has had help with their av, I think

[10:47] Rusty Redfield: I've heard from many people that mentoring is an important concept here

[10:47] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): I think so too - I keep tweaking at mine, improving it bit by bit - it is a slow process to get that correct proportion

[10:47] Rusty Redfield: ohh yes

[10:47] Rusty Redfield: tweaking is a constant process

[10:48] Rusty Redfield: balancing out different measurements

[10:48] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): yep - I also have a mesh body, so I have clothing for regular avi and mesh avi

[10:48] Rusty Redfield: me too -- we were talking about that before the recorder went on

[10:48] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): and different shapes to go with each

[10:49] Rusty Redfield: I love the mesh bodies, just tough to find certain clothing "looks" to go with, say, l'Uomo

[10:49] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): yeah - it's a constant search to find new stuff all the time, but I work at it

[10:50] Rusty Redfield: <grin> it's not shopping if it's work LOL

[10:50] Rusty Redfield: so, one last question

[10:50] Rusty Redfield: 6. What’s your favourite place to spend time in Second Life?

[10:50] Rusty Redfield: (I always love to hear these because it guides me to new things to see and do)

[10:51] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): Well, I've been gone for a while, but when I was here, I stayed at 3Bears (of course); but it had great relaxed parties and quiet times between

[10:51] Rusty Redfield: that's why I've lived here for quite a while

[10:51] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): I also enjoy checking out the LEA Sims to see what people are doing in the art world

[10:51] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): the "Linden Endowmwnt for the Arts" sims

[10:52] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): that is :-)

[10:52] Rusty Redfield: ahh good

[10:52] Rusty Redfield: thanks for that, I wasn't sure what LEA was

[10:52] Rusty Redfield: but yes, I've been there and it's pretty amazing stuff

[10:53] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): yeah - of course I enjoy some of the art galleries in SL , but Im not sure if they are still around since I left lol

[10:53] Rusty Redfield: <grin> I'll give you some recommendations after we shut off the recorder

[10:53] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): cool!

[10:53] Rusty Redfield: so, Joe, I do appreciate your sitting down with me today

[10:53] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): thanks for the time, Mr Rusty

[10:53] Rusty Redfield: I always ask if there's anything you want to get off your chest, or anything I forgot to ask

[10:53] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): I have enjoyed it

[10:53] Rusty Redfield: go ahead, philosophize

[10:55] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): not sure - I think that SL offers us the ability to do much more than just one kind of thing here in SL - there are many places to hear popular forms of music, for example, and I go to them myself, and enjoy it! But there are som many other things going on that are wild and crazy , and they deserve attention as well

[10:55] Rusty Redfield: <smiling> or as I put it, it's not all dancing, shopping, and fucking

[10:55] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): lots of unusual avant'garde concerts, ambient muci, cool new builds to see

[10:55] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): exactly!

[10:55] Rusty Redfield: so MUCH out there -- dig in!

[10:56] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): that's right! go for other things!

[10:56] Rusty Redfield: well, thanks again ... I'm delighted to know you're back inworld more often now

[10:56] Joseph Nussbaum (edward.nussbaum): thanks Rusty! I am happy to be back

[10:57] Rusty Redfield: okay, now, let me find the off button here *click*

Joe's a busy guy and I was happy to get a little of his time. Check out those videos and his other work; Joe always has something going on and it's always worth seeing. 

081: Two gallery exhibitions you'll need to see in person

Yesterday I got a notification about an art exhibition of portraits being held at F-Star Art Cafe in Gay Fun World; pictures by Folsom Carter, and the exhibition was called Focus. Alex Thaub and I weren't doing anything special so we decided to go have a look.
     Now, as a blogger, it's hard to talk about gallery shows. First and foremost, I'm very reluctant to just fire off a bunch

of snapshots of an artist's work and put them in my blog. There are copyright issues -- although many artists will forgive a blogger who's just trying to drive some traffic to their show, still, it can be an issue. So in general, you won't be seeing a catalogue raisonne from me; art is something you should go see yourself and form your own opinions.
     In this case, though, it would have

been useless, because Folsom Carter has created some very clever art here that takes into account that you're seeing it in Second Life. You're encouraged to use your shifting viewpoint by moving your camera, or by walking right into the artworks. It's hard to describe, but these pictures have been constructed by building up layers of transparent images in different shades, and -- as the

notecard says that you receive when you enter the exhibit, "Whether it's physical distance or the distance of memory, the way things look can often depend upon where you're standing. ... Each one is meant to be viewed from the edge of the frame, but also from inside it."
     My favourite was a very complex stand-alone piece with some odd angles to it that is -- partly -- a picture of

four men in a bathroom. Speaking personally, I think this level of complexity is where Folsom Carter should be focusing his attention in the future. The other portraits are interesting, and the basic premise is extremely clever; it seemed to work best for me when the artist pulled out all the stops and made the varying points of view a huge variable for looking at the work.

     Summing up, this is a small show with a smart idea at its core, and you should definitely go here to F-Star Art Cafe and check it out. The models, if you're interested, were Harry Kotalik, Connor James, Loch Wolfhunter, Graydirk Enoch, Ramses Mistwalker, Craig Cybertar, Kip Ashbourne, Alec Fenutzini, and Folsom Carter himself.
     Then Alex and I decided to go to have

a look at 3Bears' new skybox apartments ... which we didn't find. But we wandered around the main plaza area of 3Bears looking for a sales office.  There we found the Ursa Gallery which was showing recent works by my friend and neighbour Joseph Nussbaum, with an exhibition called Moving Pictures. So that was another group of interesting portraits and really, you know, for a blogger this is

like a sign from heaven that you're supposed to be blogging these two gallery shows, you know? It was irresistible.
     I had the same copyright problem with showing you my crummy snapshots of these pictures, but an even bigger problem means that you will HAVE to go and see this exhibit in person (Ursa Gallery is here); when it says "Moving

pictures", well, these are actually moving.  In fact they seem to my uneducated eye to be animated GIFs, although that's just a guess. They're portraits of individuals against neutral backgrounds, repeating the same action with a few moves. But this isn't just done because the technology was available; there's a lot of thought going on that went into why the pictures are

showing you this action, and the model Joe chose ... I can't say for sure what was on his mind, but this is definitely a set of pictures that made me think.  And I can't show them to you in anything but a static, still format, which defeats the purpose.
     So check out both these exhibitions of portraits; interesting and challenging work, that you'll need to see in person.