Time to Say Goodbye…

Unfortunately, the time has come to close the gallery.  I’ve loved the time we’ve had together, the things that I have learned from all the artists… but it’s just time.  I’ve been fortunate to know every single artist here, they’ve shared so much with me, while sharing with their fans… and no one a bigger fan than me.

With that, the gallery is closing on December 8th, after a closing party of course!  The party will be 11 AM SLT… and I will post more information/details about it soon.

As for me, I will have other stuff to do – many of it art-related.  I want to create my own stuff, and expand on my jewelry-making, which is something I love to do.  I want to have events, which I will announce one big HUGE event soon — and i want to do events that are charity-related, too.  I really enjoy that.  I also want to spend more time with my friends.

What is a shame is that something as special as our gallery just didn’t catch on. And when that happens, something is wrong. I know where I could have done things differently, or better even… but I just believe there are too many galleries in Second Life.

Second Life is all about creation, and it takes creative people to make it run. It isn’t any wonder that there are so many galleries in SL, then, right?  I have rarely come across a pure consumer in SL, almost everyone I know has a finger in business or art or content creation… its wonderful!!!

But I tried to do something different, bring something different to the table. I was aware, as most were, that it wouldn’t be a money-making venture.  Not for me, nor for the artists… but being associated with a gallery as unique as this one was, I think that in itself was special.  Being associated with the other artists in the gallery, that was special, too.

As i mentioned before, more news to come regarding the last day. And until then… you all take care!

Jordan

Gallery Ownership in Second Life

My friend Morris Vig posted an interesting blog entry today . . . commenting on an announcement that went on the Art & Artist Network group last night…

Wanted new eager artists to display in an established gallery. Tempermental and complacent artists need not apply. Gallery owning artists will not be accepted for exhibit. Please IM [redacted] for an interview. No agents.

I found interesting the comment on the “tempermental” and the “complacent” artist need not apply . . . and while Morris prefers more “adult, professional” relationships with his artists (which, btw, he generally does have) — I just pretty much prefer to accept people as they are.

Let’s face it. Artists are quirky people. Some are tempermental, some are complacent, but geez, there is a whole world inbetween those two words!

As for agents, I’m very happy to attend any sacrifice of an agent avatar in Second Life. I have not found any professional relationship with an agent worthwhile in the slightest bit.

But let’s delve a little into the ownership of a gallery in Second Life. First off… you really gotta love art, dealing with artists and the art community in general if you want to make it in the long run. And don’t expect, don’t even DREAM of doing anything better than breakeven.. at least not for any length of time.

The gallery ownership thing is a lot of work. People have no idea — to keep it successful, you have to network, hold events and frankly, it is WORK. It is a job. Otherwise you can flush your lindens right down the toilet.

So, bottom line is — just love it. Make that the worthwhile thing about owning a gallery in second life. Just love it. Love the people you have contact with — the incredibly imaginative artists of Second Life… and embrace them, quirks, tempermental-ness, complacency and all.

But you can keep the agents. 😉

— J

Origin Rang at Oyster Bay

Another magical evening at Oyster Bay, where Origin Rang, the Japanese world-class pianist peformed a program of Liszt, Chopin and Rachmaninoff. Morris Vig and Isolde Flamand deserve kudos for bringing to Second Life such an incredible peformer. If you have not heard Origin Rang play, you MUST — even if you are not a classical music enthusiast!

And here is one of Douglas Story and Gracie Kendal, both artists at Skyline:

More pics at: http://picasaweb.google.com/jmorgenrote/OriginRangConcertAtOysterBay

and more Kronos Kirkorian pics!

http://picasaweb.google.com/laundra/OriginRang

Grimfiddle Dogpatch’s Opening at Skyline

Well! What a night! I must say that I enjoyed the opening of this space almost as much as anything in Second Life. Mariposa Upshaw and Grimfiddle Dogpatch put together some unique entertainment, with a wonderful geisha performance by Amatsu Okiya and awesome fireworks.

Okay, so I have to update the teleporters. I got it. Point taken. I’ll do it!

But we honestly had a spectacular turnout, and nearly everyone I talked to was blown away by the visual feast we had laid before us last night!

Please do visit not only Grim’s space, but the spaces of all the artists at the gallery — we’ve done all we could to cut down on the lag issues, merely by being up 500+m in the air… but i don’t have to tell anyone that if you go to the Gallery at a time when we’re not running an event, there is virtually no lag to speak of.

The infamous Kronos Kirkorian was on hand with his magic camera, and he captured dozens of great shots of the evening… check out his web album!

http://picasaweb.google.com/laundra/Grimfiddle

And, in the spirit of getting some visuals of my own, you can visit mine at this link!

http://picasaweb.google.com/jmorgenrote/GrimfiddleDogpatchSGalleryOpening

Demigod’s Playground Opening Oct. 8th

Demigod’s Playground, by Grimfiddle Dogpatch, opens Monday, October 8th at 6 PM SLT at the gallery.

We have several small events within the larger scope of the opening… the agenda is as follows:

6:00-6:30 — people arriving, enjoying the new space

6:30 — Geisha performance

There will be gorgeous dancers from Amatsu Okiya, attired in traditional Geisha Kimonos. They will be performing two dances.. Autumn Harvest Dance and Silver Moonlight, accompanied by traditional Japanese instruments. A traditional Tale of Love will also be performed.

7:00 — Spectacular fireworks observed from the rooftop

Below is a little statement, written by Grim:

My installation at the Artisan’s Galleria represents my first attempt at taking some of my artwork into a new dimension. With this installation I am not only bringing my 2-dimensional work into the world of Second Life but also utilizing the unique tools found here to allow visitors to step into the artwork itself.

I draw my inspiration from many cultural traditions. The common thread being that we are all passengers on “Spaceship Earth”. To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, ” If we do not hang together, we shall all certainly hang seperately.”

What all of my work challenges us to do is to set aside our own local interpretations of what is the one true “WAY” and begin to come to an accomodation that when the world changes, religions and mythologies struggle to respond. One central theme of my work is the concept of a “New Mythology”, together with the realities of the emergent global society. As a matrix within which to fit some of my ideas, I have developed a synthesis of the ancient mythology of Gaia, and the modern scientific theory that the earth and all of its systems represent a new paradigm for understanding our place within the panorama of human evolution and our place within the universe. I am interested in formulating a symbolic language that addresses the incredible diversity of our vast cultural heritages whle simultaneously embraceing individual psychology.