AVENUE Magazine May 2012 by AVENUE

n.44 5.2012

Stylist Takeshi Kiama Photographer Miaa Rebane

Publisher’s note

hen I first started AVENUE Magazine, I never would have fathomed what adventures would lay ahead for me. I never dreamt that as much as I envisioned AVENUE as a conduit between Second Life and our real world, that my own future would forever be changed. During the course of the second year of AVENUE Magazine’s operation, like most publishing houses will encounter on many occasions, it happened that we were one man short to help out with the layout designs. I was given a one hour tutorial on InDesign and after futzing around with several layouts, I realized that I really enjoyed doing this hands on. With a smidgen of Photoshop knowledge and my newly acquired InDesign

experience, I realized then that I wanted to learn more about Graphic Design and Digital Arts. Two years down the road, I am penning this in the early hours of the very day of my Commencement Ceremony, on the cusp of experiencing my first real bona fide graduation and a degree in Graphic Design + Digital Arts and recognized with High Honors within the Phi Theta Kappa fraternity. This was a momentous chapter in my life and education, and in part, I have to attribute this realization of my dreams to Second Life and everyone that supports AVENUE and me. I have been rather “absent” in the past two years due to this commitment to educational excellence, and I hope my

learnings and new visions can now be channeled back into Second Life as I return to the helm and take AVENUE into the next phase. I hope you will enjoy the journey together. Who would have thought that an innocent visit into Second Life would have taken me, us, to where we are now? Let’s be joyful and realize the potential of dreams and incredible journeys through this wonderful place and community called Second Life.

Rusch Raymaker Rusch Raymaker Publisher AVENUE

32 Cover Story JeSyLiLO

Edge of Style Back to white

154

Special Home and Garden Expo

Contents

Fashion 32 40 50 58 66 82 92 104 114

Cover Story JeSyLiLO miStyle Pure emotion Fashion Icon Luana Barzane Featured Designer Milk Motion Fashion Forward Sonate Trendspotting Ebony in Ivory Edge of Style Back to white Blogspot Godivas of SL Model of the Month Amazon Silverweb Lifestyle

120 138 154 166 178 184 190 200 208

AVENUE Magazine May 2012 cover Featuring LilO Glom of JeSyLiLO Photographer Miaa Rebane

Architecture reBourne Interiors Boogers Special Home and Garden Expo Interesting Sims Alirium For the Love of Ashraya Project Business Feature Pathlandia Perspectives Club of the Month Klub Kerrang DJ of the Month Seashell Dench Arts

216 226

Media Mojo Natasha Randt Inspirations

n.44 5.2012

Staff

Publisher Assistant Publisher | Marketing Director

Jesika Contepomi

Editor in Chief

Sensuous Soulstar

Creative Director | Photo Editor | Designer

n.44 5.2012

Rusch Raymaker

Paola Tauber

Senior Marketing Executive

Livia Mastroianni

Marketing Executives

Emlies Xeltentat Xandrah Sciavo

Augusta Carver Huckleberry Hax Lexie Jansma ShaiLi Alex Spruce Canning Umberto Giano YeriakTH Couturier

Writers

Boe Cortes Brie Wonder Cade Nansen Dantelicia Ethaniel Diconay Boa Kallisto Destiny Lulu Jameson Miaa Rebane Salvo Waydelich Strawberry Singh

Stylists

Annough Lykin Asia Rae BlackLiquid Tokyoska Nala Kurka Natasja Schumann Ozz Larsson Seashell Dench Sophy Meridoc Tillie Ariantho Natasha Randt Suite Sella Val Kendal Viola Rookswood Virginia Lupindo Xi Zane

AVENUE Magazine is published and managed by AVENUE Inc which owns and operates Couture AVENUE, AVENUE Models + Academy and AVENUE Marketing + PR. Online issues: issuu.com/avenue AVENUE Magazine blog: avenuemagazine.blogspot.com AVENUE Inc website: www.avenuesl.com

Photographers

Visit us inworld at: AVENUE at GOL 45.153.22 For exclusive updates, gifts, events and latest releases, join our inworld group: AVENUE Magazine Readers

Contributors

Press releases to: editorial@avenuesl.com Ad queries: ads@avenuesl.com Advertising and vendor requests: Jesika Contepomi Livia Mastroianni Xandrah Sciavo Emlies Xeltentat

Cover Story

Writer Sensuous Soulstar Photographer Miaa Rebane

JeSyLiLO skin for your every mood

t sounds so simple. “Be yourself and work your own way.” Yet this is a simple piece of advice that many choose not to heed…and in the end, they pay for it. But LilO Glom has dutifully followed her own advice, and the success that has followed is her testament to following the simplest of advice.

Owner of JeSyLiLO, the new powerhouse in skin selections, Glom has worked her way up the fashion ladder to create a brand that is not just full of high quality, impeccably designed skins, but she has managed to create looks that all walks of women in Second Life® can enjoy; from the casual woman, to the fashionistas and models that grace the runway. This month, AVENUE took a moment to sit down and chat with the superbly talented designer to find out just a little more about what makes her tick, and what inspires her to create the looks that make women feel beyond beautiful. Sensuous Soulstar: I’m so excited to be talking with you this month, and I don’t want to hold back anymore! Let’s jump right in to the questions! How long have you been creating skins in SL®, and was this your first business venture, or did you try your hand at something else first? LilO Glom: I started creating skins in 2010, and yes it’s my first business venture and I love it! SS: What was it that led you to get into designing skins? Was there a lack of quality skins in SL, or were you possibly looking to add more variety for women to choose from in their look? LG: Well, what led me to designing skins was that I’ve always loved changing my skin

from time to time, and I always wanted to have my own style from my own ideas in my look. After that, I found that my friends liked my work, so I opened my store and began working on it. SS: In your opinion, what have been the biggest factors in helping to get your brand noticed, especially with all of the choices that are out now? LG: A change in styles, respect for the customers and never looking at one’s self as famous so you will keep trying to be the best. SS: Let’s get a little into your inspirations. First, who or what inspires you personally in the looks that you choose for yourself? Do you try to get close to real life, or do you have a little more fun in what you choose to wear, including your skin and shape? I love to see how designers tend to dress themselves and mold their appearance vs. the designs and looks that they put out for others. Would you say that your personal style can be categorized, or styled after someone/something? Is there a particular look that you prefer over others? LG: Well, I never had one style. It’s always been back and forth with my skin and shape. As for what I feel they must look like, well, you can say that some skins make u feel “emo” and some make you feel like so cute with such a baby face that

you wear it with certain outfits, like a cute, baby pink dress and a cute hairstyle. On the other hand, some skins make you feel more like a doll with such a sexy and sharp face, so put on hotter clothes and hotter hair. So for me, it’s pretty back and forth depending on how I feel, and from what I see in my skin and shape. SS: Now let me ask that same question, but this time for your creations. Who or what inspires your looks? Do you pull from any real life looks, or do you try not to imitate real life? Where do you find that you pull the most inspiration from, or is it strictly just whatever looks that you feel you’d want to have as a woman?? LG: Inspiration is so hard for me; I don’t know when and where I find it! (Laughs) For some of the skins I was inspired to create them when I would meet with friends and I’d see their makeup. And some were from movies, and some were even from kids’ shows and pictures of models. I don’t know when and how, but when I do get inspired, I start working right away so as not to lose the idea. SS: I have to say that I absolutely adore your store, JeSyLiLO. Tell me a little about the name of the brand, and how it applies to the brand itself? What, if anything, were you hoping to portray with the name?

LG: Thanks hun! Well, as far as the name JeSyLiLO, it’s a funny thing! LiLO has been my nickname since 2006 when I played online games, and when I tried to join IMVU, it was hard to have just the name “Lilo,” and I hate to add numbers to a name, so I kept trying, and, at last, I added the word “JeSy,” so I became JeSyLiLO! I was that name from 2007 to 2009 on IMVU, so when I came to SL, I used it as the name for my store because I love it, and I never knew it would be so well known, as is my brand. Most usually just say J.L instead of JeSyLiLO. SS: Your skins are exquisite, and I’m sure you’ve been asked this plenty of times, but I have to know, do you have any desire or plans to expand into creating for men? Or, are your skills strictly for creating amazing looks for women only? LG: Thanks so much , and yes, there aren’t as many male in SL as there are female skins. I do like the female skins because I am really good with them, especially more than male skins since I am a female myself. But, I am trying my best to do some male skins, and I hope to create quality male skins like I do with female skins, so wish me luck! SS: How often do you strive to get out new releases, and

have you found that this is a realistic goal, or do you find yourself spending so much time perfecting a look that it’s hard to get out new things as often as you’d like? And what should we expect to see next from JeSyLiLO? LG: Honestly, I have limited time, so I don’t have the time to put out many new releases, as I am working. So it depends on how long am free to work in creating, then I will put new things out.

you will find that millions may like what you like, and love what you do. So, be yourself and never give up! To find your next high quality skin to match your mood in just the right way, stop by JeSyLiLO at JeSyLiLO 100.126.25.

And what can you expect to see next from JeSyLiLO? I still don’t know myself, trust me. (Laughs) SS: I want to thank you for taking to time out to answer my questions, and as always, I like to leave the readers on a positive note. With that being said, do you have any advice, a funny story or a lesson learned for our readers? LG: First of all, I want to thank you for these questions, and thanks for to the amazing AVENUE Magazine for this interview. You really do great work in SL, and I’m sure that people can see that, so thanks again. And I do have some advice for the readers: If you like something, do it. Never worry about what others say or do for you, just be yourself, work in your own way, and trust me,

miStyle

jewelry set: [LWL] | Terrarium (cactus)

Pure emotion Photographer, Model Miaa Rebane Guest Model Badon Rain

dress: Faster Pussycat | In the Mood For Love Cocktail Dress hair: Burley necklace: Glow Studio skin: Atomic

On Badon t-shirt: Guarded Cross | Dirty White V-Neck pants: Aleida | Cafu Baggy Pants shoes: Baiastice | Sportive Code hair: Magika earring: Rozoregalia | Gemma necklace: Kosh | Hangman On Miaa dress: Tram necktie: Tram shoes: Tram hair: Damselfly glasses: CheerNo

jumpsuit: Ison boots: Ison earrings: Glow Studio | Machina Earrings hair: Shag | Cherie [roots] skin: Atomic

Fashion Icon

The wonderful woman behind

Amarelo Manga Writer ShaiLi Alex Photographer Ozz Larsson

“I

love fashion and when I made my first outfit in Second Life®, it was a bikini, from that point on I realized that it was exactly what I wanted to do,” shares Luana Barzane. Sensual, elegant and colorful are striking features in all of Luana Barzane’s creations. Owner and designer of Amarelo Manga, Barzane is certainly a person with qualities sufficient to merit the title of Fashion Icon for this month, and, for the wonderful person she is, Barzane could hold that title at least the next three years. In 2010, Luana Barzane and Arturcosta Akina created Amarelo Manga with persistence and a very well defined goal: to release a high quality swimwear branch. The name, Amarelo Manga, means yellow mango, a fruit typical of tropical countries such as Brazil. “The idea of creating a brand in Second Life came, at first, by the personal need to find quality products with the face of Brazil, I was always looking for something in stores that referred to our colors, cuts and our personality. Before this, I decided to create the brand Amarelo Manga,” says Barzane. “Like any business, whether in real life or Second Life, one of the most difficult things was to make the brand become a reference in swimwear for an audience of

the highest quality; one which demands excellence, and my high expectations. We have received countless messages from satisfied customers of our products everyday, and no doubt it beats all expectations. So we’re nearly two years in, and establishing more and more each day.” The most interesting aspect of this brand is that it gives all the exclusiveness that an elegant woman desires. You may notice that all the creations of Barzane have something distinctive; they are special creations. For example, when you see someone wearing Amarelo Manga you can immediately tell where it’s from without having to ask. That’s why that brand is so admired in SL®. Barzane says exclusively for AVENUE Magazine, (of course, you readers are always the first to know) news that will please everyone! Have you thought about using all the colors in real life exactly as you do in SL? Well you’re in luck: Amarelo Manga is becoming a real brand! Barzane is already working on the first real life creations, and by the end of the year they will all be available for sale. What do you think? Find out more in our interview with the fashion diva herself. ShaiLi Alex: Amarelo Manga is a brand of brightly colored

creations. What might this say about your personality? How do you identify yourself through your work? Luana Barzane: I love the flora and fauna of my country, and the diversity of colors that they bring. I’m sure that colors bring joy, perhaps the most perfect translation of my work. I am an extremely cheerful and happy person, and I try to convey this feeling in my creations. SA: What is the main focus of your work? LB: The main focus of my job is to make swimwear with quality, elegance, style and taste. SA: Do your creations have a specific style? LB: Yes, cuts and shapes from Brazilian beachwear, which are certainly wonderful. Making women who use Amarelo Manga be in lush color, wherever she is, whether on the beach in Ibiza or a yacht in the Mediterranean Sea. SA: Where do you find much of your inspiration? LB: By the forms and colors that bring out Brazilian beachwear. Not to mention that I live less than 30 minutes from one of the best Brazilian beaches, so it certainly inspires me. You can look for Porto de Galinhas and see that beautiful sea and natural beauty makes my head boil over with inspiration.

SA: Amarelo Manga has a large following in the SL fashion market. To what do you attribute that success and how do you feel about this newfound success? LB: I attribute it to a lot of hard work, dedication, study and passion. I feel immensely happy to have my work recognized, and it certainly gives me more strength to continue creating more and more.

exuberance for everyone. We are in the process of creating the collection, and the real life shopping site. (Smiles) I would like to thank God first and the AVENUE team, especially for the sweetness and delicacy of this invitation. Visit the mainstore in-world today at Saint Lucia 17.94.23.

SA: What can your customers expect from your work? LB: I always say that when you buy an Amarelo Manga product, you’re not taking just an outfit, but an unmistakable style of wear. This is what my customers expect! SA: You now also offer mesh clothes. Was it difficult to adapt to this new technique? LB: I’m still in the early stages, but I love the new innovation. I do Blender specific classes for creating mesh clothes with a wonderful teacher, and soon we’ll have big news. SA: Do you have any new projects in the works at the moment? LB: Many. There is the High Summer collection with mesh items and, as always, with lots of color and elegance. There is the creation of a real life store Amarelo Manga selling products like those in Second Life, with quality swimwear and

Featured Designer

skirt: My Tutu tank: My Everyday Loose Tank (without the chest prim)

Blanco

by Diconay Boa

ome say “white” is a color; others say that it is the absence of color. Well, what exactly is “white?” There are several definitions for it. This month, AVENUE presents some of the designs of Marie Lauridsen, owner of Milk Motion, who shows us that “white” can be a fashion trend in itself, all while bringing a new vision and definition to the color. Take a look of some of the white designs that Milk Motion has to offer, and don’t you even dare not to visit the great Milk Motion store, and pick up some great items at Cupcake 151.80.30.

tank: My Everyday Loose Tank

skirt: High Waist Mesh Skirt

Fashion Forward

Sonate

by Dantelicia Ethaniel

Trendspotting

Ebony in Ivory Stylists, Models Applonia Criss and Jesika Contepomi Photographer Cade Nansen

Applonia dress: Nylon Outfitters headpiece: Chantkare shoes: Pixel Mode hair: Tutyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skin: Glam Affair Jesika top: Mon Tissu pants: R.icielli shoes: Nardcotix headpiece: Tableau Vivant hair: Unbra

Applonia dress: Chantkare hair: Boon skin: Glam Affair shoes: Pixel Mode

Jesika top: Chantkare skirt: sYs shoes: Nardcotix shoulder: Miamai hair: Urbanlutz

Edge of Style

t’s been a year since my last “AVENUE White Room” styles, so it is interesting to see how far white has travelled in terms of accessibility and quality over the year. Boy! Let me tell you, I was not disappointed in the quality. Skilled designers such as Ladies Who Lunch, SYS, Gizza and Chronokit are taking the leap and pushing the boundaries by creating high quality, detailed white items using various textures like linen, lace and quilted patch work. This may not sound new, especially in women stores, but for men, it is a big leap forward in terms of variety and diversity. The quantity of white items is still few and far between, but with a bit of searching, you won’t be disappointed with what you find. So give it a try, be bright and go white.

back

to white by Boe Cortes

Blogspot

Godivas of SL Assorted

fabulousness

Writer Xi Zane Photographer Viola Rookswood

he GODIVAs started as an inside joke between four friends in the summer of 2011. Ngozi Faith, Vikeejeah Xevion, Anigma Eulenburg, and myself did almost everything together back then. Our days were filled with Skype conversations that included Family Guy quotes and spontaneous singing. In the midst of all the goofiness, we styled, critiqued each other, and honed in on what made us sellable as models.

The original four of us were all varying shades of African American skin tones, and we all had our own personal style identity. Someone, I don’t remember who, made a comment about the four of us looking like a box of assorted chocolates. Just like that we had a new inside joke and the GODIVAs were born! We even went so far as to change display names and create group tags to our almost ridiculous nicknames. Now that I think about it, there had to have been a few people on our friend’s list who thought we became hookers. Seriously. Coco, Cinnamon, Mocha, and Blanca. They had to think we moonlit as escorts. It was Vikeejeah’s idea to turn our small sisterhood into a huge family. Fitting because she is a gohard or go-home type of person. She created an in-world group and we started inviting in all the people we loved, cherished, and admired. That’s how four GODIVAs became ten. The leap from ten to twentyone was a bit more strategic. We started the GODIVAs of SL blog by then, and by this point, at least one person a day asked if they could be a GODIVA. It became evident that we’d have to lay down some ground rules so that we could balance the aesthetic value of our blog while maintaining the integrity of our family.

The admission guidelines hinged on three major ideas that glued the original four of us together. First, because it’s a blog aimed for success right out the gate, the quality standards of each stylist had to be universal. Second, diversity is a must to create an interesting dynamic so each stylist had to have a fully realized signature look. Finally, and perhaps most important, you can’t take yourself too seriously, and you can’t have a soft skin. GODIVA group chat is a forum for us to say whatever we want about anything and everything. So, if we couldn’t see a nominee at a GODIVA family barbeque, then we had to say no. That said, there are a lot of people who fit the criteria, but we didn’t take them because we got to large to handle. “But…what is a GODIVA?” That is the number one question we all get asked. The question is answered in two parts; what others see, and what we see. I dug deeper first about our façade: how do we present ourselves? I asked the group. Vikeejeah, once the Blanca GODIVA but now the Noir GODIVA, started off the conversation. “It is about Go Diva/o, meaning go-getters; ambitious talented folks with great creativity who all have that in common.”

“Setting trends, standing out, and being yummy at the same time,” added Zachary Zufreur, the Matcha GODIVA Truffle. Diconay Boa, the Caramel GODIVA, got straight to the point. “GODIVA = Fashion Gurus.” Trust me, I know how completely arrogant that sounds. In my opinion, if you don’t believe you can obtain excellence, you don’t achieve it. All of us in this industry want to be something great. Being a GODIVA is about being the best stylist we can be. In striving for excellence, it’s important to know when you are off the mark. Between the twenty-one of us, we have enough fashion knowledge to write a few textbooks. Separately, we don’t know everything. Hence the formation of this group, even when it was just four. We lean on each other for support, knowledge, and stress release. “Being a GODIVA, to me, means being a part of a group of people that are becoming my family here, with endless amount of support and admiration for each other,” Sinontherocks Resident (Absinthe), the Amaretto GODIVA, said. “I have formed some tight friendships.”

has enough going on that they don’t have any need to undercut anyone else.” “I think its also having a base,” JosiahLee Resident (Josiah Lee Baxter), the Peanut Butter Truffle, chimed in. “Having friends that will pull you away from styling when you just need to have fun.” In my opinion, Aphrodite Brianna, the Banana Godiva, said it best. “GODIVAs mean a diverse group of people who enjoy just being able to be themselves, offer each other support, and have a laugh.” We aren’t an agency. We aren’t a sorority. We aren’t a secret society. We’re a fashion family. Follow the GODIVAs’ blog at www.godivasofsl.wordpress. com.

Viola Rookswood, the GODIVA Creme, agreed and added in: “It means looking out for each other. Everyone here

2012 we got it covered.

Join AVENUE Magazine. Proud to be your favored Second Life速 publication since 2008. Sit back and enjoy. www.avenuesl.com | www.issuu.com/avenue

Model of the Month

B The determination of

Amazon Silverweb Writer ShaiLi Alex Photographer Natasja Schumann

eautiful, creative, fashionable, photogenic and unique. These are some of the words used to describe the profile of May’s model of the month. I’m talking about Amazon Silverweb, whose career as a model has been a fantastic, and very successful, one. Silverweb began modeling in the Summer of 2010, with almost every Second Life® model’s right of passage, the JCNY Model’fest. “I had a serious obsession with shopping, and my friends urged me to try my hand at modeling. I had no clue what I was doing, other than returning to my skybox each day, laden with shopping bags, and piecing together outfits,” she says.

Silverweb finally decided she should try to gain some knowledge, and began taking classes. She began testing the water by entering a few more contests, none of which she won, but which helped her to learn more, and she decided that she “ did not want to be an ordinary model” says Silverweb. Her first real accomplishment was entering a contest for the Face Of Beningborough; “Bliss Beningborough’s designs had attracted me previously, because of her creativity, and unique interpretation, which had been exactly what I was looking for. It was an instant fit, and I enjoyed creating weird and wonderful outfits. To my surprise, I was crowned the Face Of Beningborough 2011. I think winning was a defining moment in my career because it gave me direction for what I wanted to achieve. I had found my forte, in avant-garde styling, and had the platform to share it with others.” From then on, Silverweb began blogging for several outlets and trying her hand at photography (which are things she does incredibly well), and which led to her meeting and gaining relationships with some of her fashion inspirations in SL®. “At the same time I was still hungry for knowledge, so I attended more classes, this time with AVENUE. I had heard

of their reputation, and was thrilled to be learning with them. Whilst learning, I began gaining experience in various fields from teaching, mall management, production and marketing. My modeling career began flourishing, and my hard work was starting to pay off. I began entering more styling contests, winning second place in the I Am Fierce Contest, becoming a finalist in season 2 of styling forward, and a finalist in Couture AVENUE. Along the way, I was also lucky enough to gain positions in several of the grid’s most prestigious agencies. My latest accomplishments include working as Designer Liaison for AVENUE, allowing me to be part of some spectacular events, such as our 4th year anniversary show, and of course the most recent Mix + Mesh Fair! After nearly two years of modeling, I have been blessed, and fortunate to have gained many wonderful experiences, and have met some amazing people along the way, and I can only hope my journey will continue,” she shares. To get where she is, she had to overcome several challenges, that is why Amazon Silverweb is considered one of the best SL models out there. Read more about Silverweb in the interview below. ShaiLi Alex: What were your main difficulties as a model, and how did you overcome them?

Amazon Silverweb: Maintaining my integrity is one of my main difficulties as a model, but one I have found peace with, by following my instincts, staying true to what I believe in, and by not taking myself so seriously. I came to Second Life to meet a variety of people from different backgrounds, and enjoy myself. When things get too hard, or start to not be enjoyable, that is when it is time to stop! SA: As a model, you have to adapt to many different styles. How do you handle it? AS: Adapting, for me, is the most exciting part of modeling. I can wake up one day and be anyone and wear anything I want. It’s the feeling I can change depending on how I feel, or what the weather is like or even taking inspiration from my surroundings, and I embrace it fully. SA: Besides being a model, how else do you spend your time in Second Life? AS: Other than modeling, and being an avid shopper, my time is spent as part of the AVENUE team, where I am lucky enough to hold the role of Designer Liaison, and Marketing Executive. I also hold the position of General Manager at House Of Beningborough, and Marketing manager at ISON. When I am not working, I spend my time shopping with friends, exploring

the Metaverse, learning new skills and meeting new people. SA: Usually the public thinks that a model’s life is very glamorous. Is that true? What glamour do you have in your routine and what is not so glamorous in a model’s life? AS: I think that modeling can make you feel glamorous when you are walking down the runway, or you see your picture in a magazine, but I also believe it is a lot of hard work, and I really have a lot of respect for Second Life models, because it takes dedication, strength and determination. My day to day routine is pretty low key, but I can feel glamorous when I am styling an outfit for a show, and then getting to feel and see the results of my work when on the runway. I think the least glamorous part of my routine is resizing and fitting everything so it fits to perfection, and the attention to detail that is involved to ensure you look your best. SA: How did it feel to be selected as a model for AVENUE? AS: It was honestly a dream come true, and a major milestone in my modeling career. I remember I was selected as a model for AVENUE after attending classes in the AVENUE Models Academy. I had begun classes after an unsuccessful casting, and had wanted to gain further knowledge and skills to

be able to progress and grow. I had attended other academies before, and although I had learned quite a lot, I was shocked and surprised to find there was a lot I did not know. After completing the Academy, I was sent a message asking that I attend an interview. I was so nervous and excited at the same time, but felt completely at ease talking with Kryptonia, and after a couple of weeks, I was asked if I wanted to become an AVENUE model. SA: Being an AVENUE model is a dream for many models, but only the best can be selected because AVENUE is one of the top agencies. How do you feel being an AVENUE model, and what do you think it can add to your career? AS: I honestly think that AVENUE was a turning point in my career; it filled me with the confidence to know I was good enough to be part of such a prestigious, professional and established agency with some of the grid’s most original, unique and creative minds whilst keeping me on my toes, encouraging me to continue learning, and experiencing what the fashion industry has to offer. It has not only inspired me to challenge myself, but it has allowed me to be part of a family.

AS: I cannot put into words how honored, and privileged I am to have even been considered as model of the month, let alone chosen, and it fills me with confidence, hope and belief. SA: What do you think is essential to becoming a good model? AS: I think strength, vision, and determination are great attributes to possess as a model. Along with a support system of people who can encourage, and inspire you, and of course the ability to enjoy, and have fun with what you do! SA: Where people can find a bit of your work? AS: You can find more about me by visiting my blog at amazonsilverweb.wordpress. com or my Flickr at http:// www.flickr.com/photos/ amazonsilverweb. SA: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers before we part? AS: I’d just like to say thank you once again for the opportunity to showcase my creativity as part of the AVENUE family, and for the honor and privilege of being chosen as model of the month.

SA: And how does it feel to be chosen as the Model of the Month?

Architecture

The future is now:

reBourneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dome House

Writer Umberto Giano Photographer Suite Sella

n March 1, 1982, Disney World opened its iconic Spaceship Earth attraction at the Epcot Center. Often described as an 18-story metallic golf ball, Spaceship Earth is easily one of the most recognizable landmarks on this planet. Set amidst the sparkling clean, larger-than-life, shining space-age facades of Future World, the attraction treated guests to a tour celebrating the history of human communication from our earliest, humble beginnings to a speculative conclusion that predicts a bright and happy future.

This was the essence of Modernism - the belief that new technology would uplift man and elevate the human condition. Modern design rejected antiquated use of decorative motifs and instead emphasized geometric shapes and the materials used in construction. Open floor plans became commonplace, and simplicity was the key factor, emphasizing clarity of form and the absence of clutter. Epcot was the last great gasp of the less nuanced, optimistic worldview of the mid-20th century that epitomized Modernism, before the rot of Post-Modernistic pessimism and cynicism infected our culture and dimmed our collective prospects. It stands today an anachronism; yet its vision of a world-wide mass communications grid and handheld phones with video capability is now a reality. Our world may not be the shining utopia Epcot designers projected, but thirty years later the technology is here, and the future is now. Many architects and home buyers throughout the world have embraced the clean, uncluttered, open elements of modern design through the years. Second Life is no different in that respect. Modern architecture has long been prolific here in our virtual world. Unfortunately, virtual builders have been enslaved by the dual

constraints of boxy traditional prims and prim count, hence much of these houses are, let’s be honest, plain and unattractive. When examining these concretetextured shoebox-shaped edifices one gets the feeling the designer sacrificed originality for build convenience. But there is an alternative to these cookie cutter structures. Danny Bourne, of reBourne Prefabs, offers an updated and contemporary homage to the Modern vision represented by Epcot’s geodesic sphere with his newest prefabricated release, the Dome House. The Dome House in-world is, in fact, a dome structure, consisting of wood and clear glass triangles in a steel frame that sits upon a foundation of natural stone and mortar. “The reBourne Dome House is a modern, contemporary structure,” says Danny, describing his glass and steel-textured geospheric dome prefabricated residence. However, when touring the Dome House, visitors are compelled to set aside all preconceived notions of modern design. Because the Dome House is neither boxy, nor cold, nor sterile. “There are hardly any sharp corners [in the Dome House],” notes Danny. “The use of as many round shapes as possible gives a

modern, yet organic feel to the house.” Also, wherever possible, Danny incorporates warm wood panels and planking as well as natural stone, with occasional flourishes of landscaping, such as the plants around the pool. The shape and use of materials give a warm and inviting feeling to the Dome House. The Dome House comes copy/mod and easy to rezz (as either a skybox or a home on the ground). Its features include an outdoor swimming pool with sylvia Petrov animations, an outdoor cocktail bar with animations, and an animated shower for couples on the bedroom level. A control panel allows the owner to change the color of the light in the home, turn the lights on and off, open/close the pool cover, choose from multiple background scenes for the skybox, and change the opacity of the geosphere window for maximum light or privacy. The mood in the house can be changed dramatically through these dynamic lighting and scenery options. Danny remarks, “This is definitely not an office in a sphere.” The Dome House perfectly illustrates the ever increasing role mesh plays in our virtual world. “Mesh gives me more

freedom to make the shapes that cannot be rendered with the in-world editor. Simply put, without mesh, a shape like this with such elaborate parts in it, like a geospheric window section, this home would not be here today … mesh also can be textured more precisely,” Danny states. Unlike some builders who now completely forgo traditional prims and sculpts in lieu of mesh, Danny refuses to limit himself and utilizes whatever makes the most sense for his purpose. “In most cases mesh produces a lower prim count (land impact),” he explains. “But where mesh generates a huge land impact, when you size it up in-world, a sculptured prim won’t do that. That’s also the reason why I still combine the traditional prims and sculpts from the in-world editor with mesh. Prim count matters.” His customers would agree, and at approximately 300 prims (without the optional spot lights and furniture), the Dome House is ideal for those who want a quality dwelling without breaking the bank on tier. For those who want a little extra bang for their buck, however, “the house and outdoor living space are equipped with many spotlights in the floors and ceilings that are controlled by a panel inside the house … it

costs sixty-eight prims in terms of land impact, but ... that’s optional for those who are low on prims.” ReBourne also offers a complete set of mesh furniture designed specifically for the house, including living room and bedroom furniture - even lounge chairs for the poolside deck. “The furniture of our prefabs are set for sale individually in each demo on our sim and are on Marketplace,” adds Danny. The Dome House serves as an appreciated contrast to the so-tired shabby and cluttered eclectic looks that currently pervade the grid. Modern in form, yet warm, due to its dependence on natural wood and stone textures, the Dome House is a design that embodies our conception of the future, yet deftly evades being pigeon-holed as sterile or science fiction. It is believable as a chic, warm, and inviting contemporary domicile for the avatar with a taste for the unique and finer things in SLife.

convincing candidate for your next home. This is no Disney attraction. This is contemporary, smart design, equally suitable for a cliff-side outcropping of a mountain resort or a hillside retreat on the ocean’s edge. The future is now, and it can be yours at reBourne. To celebrate the release of the Dome House, reBourne plans to offer it 50% off its retail price of L$9,500. (unfurnished) during the first 24 hours after its release this month. Visit reBourne to get the Dome House for yourself at reBourne 251.9.23.

Imagine yourself entertaining admiring guests on the woodplanked deck by the pool as you mix cocktails by the builtin outdoor hearth. Or picture yourself reading a good book in your living room, relaxing under the sun’s warm rays that shine through the steel and glass geodesic ceiling. Hold these images in your mind, and you’ll find the Dome House a

Interiors

Bo o g er s are for kids!

Writer Umberto Giano Photographer Brie Wonder

hile furniture shopping recently, I stumbled upon a curious shop at the Charming Story sim called Boogers. The name immediately caught my attention, and I felt compelled to investigate this odd concrete block of a store surrounded by scattered giant colorful legos. And there inside is where I saw it...a race car bed.

And not just any race car bed, a shiny red one in a roughlyFormula-One shape with huge tires and a kickass black tail fin that waves “seeya, punks!” to all the other drivers it passes on the track. It instantly transported me back to the day I first discovered race car beds as a child. I begged and pleaded with my parents for one and bitterly recall their “we’ll see” and “Christmas is coming” responses (which, by then, I already suspected was parental code for “No, you’ll never have one, kiddo, but Mama doesn’t want a scene in the middle of the mall right now”). For a long time afterward I silently harbored some serious malice towards my friends during sleepovers, gritting my teeth as they tucked themselves into their shiny plastic race car beds, while I had to make do on the floor in my hunter green sleeping bag that was already becoming uncomfortably small for my overly tall frame. Back in the present, I clicked on the bed and assumed a sleeping animation. My adult avatar looked ridiculously large poking through the race car bed. A bit embarrassed, I immediately jumped off and looked guiltily around to see if anyone caught me playing with a “toy.” Prior to this moment, I never understood the allure or purpose of having a child avatar. At best, child-sized avatars seemed like

a joke or an oddity to me, and sometimes even a bit creepy, I’ll admit. But now, as I eyed that tempting red hot race car bed, something changed. I relived those precious memories of a time before the responsibilities of adulthood, when my only mission on earth was to have fun...and I started to get it. I could hear the booming voice of the race track announcer echoing in my head, “Gentlemen, start your engines,” and I considered, “Maybe if my avatar was a little smaller...” Boogers opened this past December on the Second Life grid, offering furniture and clothing scaled to fit tiny tot and child-size avatars. Billed as a store for boys, Boogers’s owner, Zen Zarco, impishly notes, “The word ‘Boogers’ was chosen to ward off evil spirits and girls.” While its name may conjure sticky and gross images that repel the fairer gender, Boogers is chock full of fun, collectible furniture and clothing, designed to appeal to the imagination and adventurous spirit of a young man. “I am inspired by my real life son,” explains Zen. “He is eight years old, carefree, and full of imagination.” Likewise, Boogers emanates a light-hearted, whimsical vibe with items like the Puppet Show Theater Stage. This stage appears to have been made from a large old crate with kids’ bedsheets as

curtains. There’s enough room inside for three child avatars, and animations to perform a puppet show that will “amaze Mom, Dad, Gramma, Grampa, aunts, uncles, neighbors, teachers, dogs and cats!” Included with the theater is a small wooden box of puppets that any avatar can click to receive a sock puppet. Parents looking to furnish their son’s room need not look any further than Boogers. The Race Car Bed is just one of six bedroom set options available at Boogers, including such childhood favorites as pirate, space, and tree house themes. The Woodland Bedroom Set includes “everything you need for any adventurous kid!” The blue painted bed with woodland critter-textured bedding features sleeping animations and a cool super secret hiding animation under it. The accompanying craft table is covered in hand-colored coloring pages, scripted with “click to give” coloring pencils, and four different poof seats with animations “to draw and be silly.” This set also includes four beanbag chairs with fun animations, a rug, a bookcase, four sets of scripted resize curtains, and wall art. The crown jewel of this set, however, (and Zen’s personal favorite item) is the Super Top Secret Wardrobe. Scripted with a voice-driven locking script with

options to lock, add to access list, and set timer for doors, this amazing little blue painted wardrobe opens to reveal security camera monitors that allows “the lil man or woman of the house keep an eye on the home,” and the middle screen displays your own profile photo when touched. “Hide inside and lock it up!” Everything in the Woodland Set can be purchased together at a savings or separately in the mainstore, and, as with everything at Boogers, this bedroom is designed for tiny tot to child-sized avatars - adult-sized avatars may not fit animations properly. Zen also provides clothing and fun costumes for tiny tot and child avatars, with good looking sculpted shoes (including 5 different pairs in gachas), shirts, and shorts, most of which can be purchased separately or assembled in outfits perfectly suited for hanging at the playground or playing in dirt. And when mom drags you to church, you can clean up in the Lil Gents outfit, sold for L$200 in a choice of five colors, with a sweater vest, nice button down shirt and pants. Of course, no kid’s wardrobe would be complete without a homemade costume, and Boogers delivers with a complete pirate ensemble (including wooden sword, pirate’s hat, eye patch, skull and crossbones tee, and peg leg),

and a Mom’s Good Sheet Cape gacha in case you want shed your secret identity and save the world before dinner. Boogers even offers toys, such as the Double Sided Easel Chalkboard Whiteboard upon which an avatar can really white and draw, in nine different colors, while sitting on an animated stool. If your SL son is not so much an artist, then Boogers has that covered, too, with the classic Army Play Set. The Army Play Set includes helmets, army guns, and walkie talkies in pairs that are transferable, so Junior can loan gear to his best pal during their neighborhood wars. And if your little tyke plays too rough and gets a cut? No problem. Boogers sells Boo Boo Bandaids for scraped skins along with tube socks. Boogers is a much needed resource for all those who simply want to log in and be a little boy again for awhile, and Zen has thought of everything a boy could want, from imaginative furniture and fun clothing to cool toys. He even sells 18 animated gestures at L$25 apiece that include classics like “Yer a DoodieHead” and “Girls Have Cooties!” And parents don’t have to feel left out, because there are 18 additional animated gestures just for moms, such as “Clean up this mess!” and the eternal favorite “Because I Said So!”

Zen sums it up nicely, saying, “Being a child avatar is so much fun. I want kids and families to feel totally at home here. There’s stuff to play on, things to discover, and inspiration for kids’ rooms.” For those who want a matchymatchy pastel bedroom suite that looks like it was cut out of a Martha Stewart ad, Boogers may not be the appropriate place to shop. While Zen’s choice of slightly desaturated primary colors and funky retro hues are currently popular and pleasing to the eye, his Chest-O-Drawers is plastered with stickers (do you remember slapping dino stickers on your furniture as a kid?) with messy clothes rumpled in its half-opened drawers. Nothing quite matches in his Recycled bedroom set that appears to have been partially assembled from junkyard finds. And the Treasure bedroom set, well, it looks exactly as the name infers, like it was built by castaways on a desert island. As its moniker implies, Boogers is not the shop for your little princess, but Boogers is fun, and, rest assured, it is everything a boy (and maybe a tomboy) wants. While Zen says “making kids furniture isn’t much different than adult furniture,” he hopes his items “help people to relive their childhood.” Mission accomplished.

Special | Home & Garden Expo

ay 19th marks the opening of the 5th Annual Second Life® Home & Garden Expo, a grand display of Second Life décor and home design resources. The stupendous exhibition covers “all areas of home and land decor in SL®…from prefabs and furniture to flowers and swimming pools” and includes “many of SL’s greatest architects, furniture makers, gardeners and landscapers.”

The SL Home & Garden Expo Spotlight

Writer Umberto Giano Photographer Sophy Meridoc

Dutchie

Benefiting Relay For Life of Second Life, the fund raising campaign for the American Cancer Society, the SL Home & Garden Expo will encompass thirteen sims this year, making it the biggest and greatest expo yet. Imagine thirteen sims representing the newest innovations and styles of furnishings, landscaping, and homes, featuring strong established names alongside yet to be discovered new and charming boutiques. Visitors can wander the sims for days taking in the sights and still not see it all. There truly is nothing like the Home & Garden Expo in Second Life. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a shopper, builder, designer, scripter, or merely attending to donate to RFL or enjoy the excellent live entertainment provided by sponsors. And there’s an exciting development adding to the excitement of this year’s expo: the introduction of a revolutionary game-changer in SL build and design…mesh. “Mesh produces better shapes, better textures, and better shadows,” states Dutchie owner Froukje Hoorenbeek. “There is only so much you can do with sculpted prims, stretching and bending them, but with mesh we have control

over every vertex, so we can make much more precise and complicated shapes. Shapes that will not deform. We also have more control over how we can place textures and shadows on our builds with mesh, so we can choose which areas receive more detailed texture.” Froukje’s store Dutchie has made a name for itself on the grid for quality sculpted shapes, great textures, and wonderful animations. Customers love the wide selection, from furnishings and cottages to saddles, and small everyday items like stacks of books, pencils, candles, even animated yoga mats. Known for the abundance of quality adult animations built into many of her items, Froukje interjects, “We like to pretend SL sex doesn’t exist, but it is probably what keeps many of us around.” In recent months, however, Dutchie, like other top brands in SL, has made the big switch from sculpts to mesh. “I started creating in mesh about six months ago and am ecstatic with the results - all the control over shapes, textures, and shading is so freeing. For a 3D designer, the introduction of mesh to Second Life is as if you have been walking around with your ankles tied together, and suddenly someone cuts the cord, and you discover that you’re able to run for the first time.”

Froukje is not alone in her enthusiasm for mesh. Maxwell Graf, Colleen Desmoulins, Yelo Uriza, Further Monday, Domineaux Prospero, Frasha Boa, and Charlotte Bartlett were among the very first builders to experiment in mesh. “Their work is so much more realistic then anything that was ever done in sculpts,” notes Froukje, “I see a whole new level of beauty and realism developing in Second Life architecture and interiors right now.” Despite the zeal shown for mesh by top designers and builders, the amazing results of their recent mesh endeavors have not yet been embraced with great enthusiasm by the public, for various reasons. A sizable portion of SL consumers still haven’t upgraded to meshenabled viewers due to hardware constraints. But contributing to the slow acceptance of mesh could also be the fact that many with upgraded viewers haven’t yet seen the advantages of mesh in a virtual world. It takes a closer look to notice the amazing enhancements in realism and detail made possible by mesh. In order to close this enthusiasm gap, Froukje decided to sponsor a sim at the SL Home & Garden Expo that will serve as a “showcase of mesh design” to demonstrate its superiority to the public. The mesh showcase

sim title, “Dreamseeker Home Expo 4 Sponsored By: Dutchie,” gives her a chuckle. “That should be easy enough to remember... nice and short,” jokes Froukje, who then adds, “The Second Level sponsor of the sim is Maxwell Graf, the owner and designer of Rustica. “I invited the first home and garden designers who worked in mesh to share the sim with me in the Expo, so we could show what an enormous improvement mesh is over sculpted prims, and I am very proud of whom I am sharing the sim with: Rustica, The Loft, Trompe Loeil, Abiss Designs, The Domineaux Effect, Weather! or not?, Aria, and Scarlet Creative. The only theme on the sim is mesh. My own display will be around 98 percent mesh, and the other designers will showcase mesh as well.” A sneak peek of Froukje’s mesh exhibit reveals a pair of identical cottages on land reclaimed from the sea…a theme harkening to her Netherland roots. The homes are quaint brick structures with steep-slope roofs and stepped-gables characteristic of, appropriately enough, old-style Dutch architecture. The roofs’ peaks slag with age, a feature which would be impossible to render with as much perfection without mesh.

A tour of the cottages reveals grey tiled floors, rich with the patina accrued from generations of footsteps upon their cool surface, complemented by faded, aging paint on old plaster walls, all of which sets the perfect tone for the wonderfully detailed furnishings within the dwelling. The living space on the ground floor is occupied by a set of Biedermeier-style settee and chairs situated around an old wood burning stove (part of the Dutchie Biedermeier Antique Living Room Set with color changeable fabric plus table and cupboard). Froukje replicates the curves in the sofa’s lines and the graceful arch of the chairs’ arms with sublime perfection, without the blur or distortions common with sculpts, in the tastefully subdued mahogany textures. Froukje’s special touch animates the sofa along the theme of “a date turned into a wild ride” with 18 single and 63 adult couple animations. The nearby kitchen area (Dutchie Mesh Old Kitchen with 24 animations and 4 color options) features builtin cabinetry painted a muted cornflower blue. It hugs the interior of a corner wall with vintage hardware and appliances, all bathed and rendered in natural light and shadows. Completing the kitchen is a plank top, painted

white farm table accompanied by white-painted ladder back side chairs. The subtle curves in the legs and backs of the chairs, a direct result of the precision of the mesh construction process, impart a graceful rake and authentic feel. Leading visitors to the upper floor is an iron spiral staircase. The detail of shape and texture in the wrought iron’s decorative twists and functional curves is astounding and impossible to achieve with sculpts. The stairwell’s clarity of form almost overshadows the equally impressive contents of the upper room. The upper room’s partially exposed skeleton is an attic truss consisting of large ancient timbers, shaded in all the right places, that brilliantly frame the bare painted walls. The room functions as both bedroom and bath, featuring a beautiful brass bed, a distressed white painted armoire, and an amazing claw foot bathtub. The style, lines, and textures all hit the spot, conveying sophistication and simplicity without departing from the vintage feel of the home. The bed and the tub are the real superstars of the upper room. The Dutchie Mesh Summer Cuddle Bed is scripted to feature four color choices

and comes in three versions: PG, Adult, and Bondage, each complete with massive numbers of solo and couple animations and animation sequences for activities ranging from every day actions to the highly sensual and sexual. Equally animated with some of the “smoothest, most realistic, lengthy, high quality animations in SL” is the clawfoot bath tub (soon to be released). The tub itself is inspired by Froukje’s earlier sculpted claw foot bath tub, but there is no comparison between the appearance of the two. The design of the mesh version is an obvious cut above the older model. Froukje describes some of her enhancements. “The round shape of the bath itself is much smoother, and the copper parts are much more defined and certainly much better textured and shadowed. I want it to look delicate and old, but loved and well taken care of at the same time.” And she achieves just that, using mesh to create eggshell-thin tub walls textured in antique porcelain that form an elegant shape of restrained yet organic curves that almost seem to hover gracefully atop exquisite brass claw feet. Everything at the Dutchie exhibit is equally masterful,

including a flea market of sorts outside the second house, with dozens of smalls in mesh that include many commonplace items such as plants, bottles, a vintage radio, and a dish drying rack. “If I had to describe what your are going to see on sim 4 of the expo, it would be realism, high quality, perfect shapes, beautiful textures, and baked shadows,” says Froukje. “I would describe my own display as charming and nostalgic. Rustica has an astonishing medieval castle; The Loft will present the most gorgeous contemporary furniture; Abiss, of course, does modern design better than anyone else; and The Domineaux Effect is a fantastic new store.”

Second Life design and build. The Home Expo 4 sim is the vanguard of the mesh-inspired movement to elevate the beauty, quality, and realism of our virtual surroundings and our lifestyle on the grid. Don’t miss it.

Plan to browse Expo 4 to experience a preview of the radically enhanced appearance potential of your own future homes and gardens. Take your time and inspect the textures ... notice how they do not distort. Observe the crispness in the lines. Enjoy the purity of the consistent shapes that defy the shortcomings we’re all accustomed to in sculpted prims. “Dreamseeker Home Expo 4 Sponsored By: Dutchie” isn’t just a sim in the SL Home & Garden Expo. It is an opportunity to witness first hand the beginning of a revolutionary change in

Interesting Sims

Writer Lexie Jansma Photographer Sophy Meridoc

he delicate sound of a gentle bird calls greets you when you land near the well at Alirium. A swirl of gold, violet, and azure butterflies swirls up from the well hinting at a surprise hidden within and that is the first moment you know you are someplace special, someplace magical. Found among a copse of iridescent trees is a magical well that will transport you to a hidden world of imagination and beauty. This little hidden gem of a sim has so many little places for one to explore, take in, and find that you will discover something new on each visit.

Stroll through

AliriuM

A calm peacefulness comes over you as you descend into the well, which leads you to a dark place filled with lights and hundreds upon hundreds of swirling and dancing butterflies. What you do not realize is that you are in a much larger tree, deep within its trunk. Spreading out from the roots of the enchanted tree is a veritable forest of the seasons. Explore the winter wonderland forest with all the white and crystalline trees. It blends seamlessly into a spring time setting with lush green trees and fields of delicate colorful flowers. If you cannot get out for a tour of the autumn colors, you do not have to go far. The Alirium Gardens have plenty of brilliant reds, oranges, gold, and yellows to stroll among and remind you of the fall harvest. Tucked among the thicket of roots and forest are fun little additions that make you want to explore the entire gardens. A tiny little cabin is fully furnished and decorated so that you can sit and talk with that special someone and take in the calming atmosphere. A little boat sets out front so that the entire sim can be explored by the swamp, like waterways fraught with thousands of colorful lily pads and other aquatic life and plants. Alirium is not only home to several species of plants but little animals here and there, which add to the enchantment.

If you hate to leave all the lovely natural ambiance by Alir Flow behind, you can now take some of her amazing plants, trees, and fantasy grass home with you and recreate a bit of Alirium in your own backyard. Deep within the base of the magical tree is a small shop containing all of the plants and trees seen on the sim. Once you plant your magical garden you can then change it with each season as nearly all of the plants have the ability to change as your mood or one season passes into another. Come take in the magical peaceful enchantment of Alirium and then take a little bit of the magic home with you.

For the Love of

The Ashraya Project for the love of our children

Writer Xandrah Sciavo Photographers Virginia Lupindo

he Second Life速 platform has played a sizable role in many of our lives, providing opportunities for friendship, intellectual and artistic growth, and networking, as well as offering an active economy which supports the livelihood of many. Virtual communities such as SL速 have the ability to reflect the best of our real selves, and that includes the human capacity for compassion and generosity. Anna Sapphire, Miss Virtual World 2012, long held a dream of making a difference in both worlds, and she hoped to find a way to build a bridge between art and fashion to benefit the lives of underprivileged children, a cause which is very dear to her. Sapphire possesses the face of an angel and the heart of one, as well, and it is with this heart that she is the driving force behind The Ashraya Project, a monthlong event designed to provide support to children in need through an Indian organization called Ashraya.

The name of this Bangalorebased organization is a word meaning “shelter,” and the people behind Ashraya have been striving to provide just that, as well as hope and love, into the lives of several hundred children since the organization’s founding in 1982. Ashraya initially began providing outreach to impoverished youth due to grave concerns regarding the quality of care for those who were institutionalized. A nationwide deficit in resources and monetary support forced many families into poverty and the number of orphaned children throughout the country was climbing, sending countless children into orphanages and institutions that were already overcrowded. The founders of Ashraya believed that such places were useful only as a temporary placement for these youngsters and made it their mission to seek forever families for this growing population of orphans through adoption services. Today, Ashraya continues to provide for the basic needs of poverty-stricken youth and their families, as well as serving as one of the largest adoption advocacy organizations in the country. Ashraya also values education as a key component for a successful life and through various efforts has expanded to provide educational opportunities to children who may not have another means to benefit from a formal education.

Anna Sapphire first learned of Ashraya’s mission when she met an in-world acquaintance who had a real life personal experience with the organization. “One day through a common friend, I met a woman named Virginia Lupindo who started to tell me her story. She adopted a child through Ashraya, and she went to India to visit Bangalore, the city where the organization is based. She told me how this organization works, how it is composed mostly by local people, who, in my opinion, are the best to know what children really need because they have always lived there. Many are volunteers while others are Indian teachers, doctors and social workers.” Many of Sapphire’s previous charitable experiences, such as Art for Autism in 2010 and 2011, involved fundraising for children, and she had been searching for another established charity to continue this work. After meeting Lupindo and hearing about the adoption of her child and the important work Ashraya was doing in India, Sapphire visited the organization’s website to learn more. “I was really impressed by the possibility of sponsoring children not only in their basic needs, but also in their studies,” she says. “Through Ashraya sponsorship programs, you can sponsor a child or an entire class for one or more years. This is something that can really change their lives. It is not

a meal for one day or a week, but it is the possibility of a bright future where they can become what they dream, something that might be impossible for them without the help of this organization.” So began the planning for The Ashraya Project as Sapphire and her team prepare to leave a golden footprint on the world through what promises to be a successful charitable endeavor. The Ashraya Project is scheduled to take place in May and to run for the duration of the month. With what promises to be a fantastic kickoff, the team of volunteers is busy planning an opening day which will include two fashion shows highlighting exclusive offerings from a myriad of talented designers taking place in The Ashraya Project Fashion Fair, scheduled to run through the entire month with over 70 of SL’s top designers participating, and growing. In addition to the fashion fair and the Art Expo in which the works of talented and prominent SL artists and photographers will be on display and some even for purchase, the staff of The Ashraya Project has planned live concerts by Japanese band Ga-Go and the renowned Mankind Tracer, a live session with Lupindo, whose story about the adoption of her child, Krishna, through Ashraya served as the inspiration for The Ashraya Project, and live

celebration parties and auctions. Sponsors for The Ashraya Project include AVENUE Magazine, Best of Second Life Magazine, Best of Second Life Radio, BeStyle Magazine, Bonaire Estates, Haute Magazine, Homme Magazine, and Maneira Magazine. The Ashraya Project Event Schedule • Thu. May 3rd: Exclusive Opening to Bloggers and Press • Sat. May 5th: • 10.00 am SLT: 1st Fashion Show featuring the exclusive creations of the Fashion Fair • 12.00 pm SLT: Interview to Virginia Lupindo “How Ashraya Changed My Life” • 12.30 pm SLT: Celebration Party with DJs • 6.00 pm SLT: 2nd Fashion Show featuring the exclusive creations of the Fashion Fair • Sun. May 6th: Official Opening of The Ashraya Project Fashion Fair • Sun. May 13th, 11.00 pm SLT: Ga-Go Concert • Fri. May 18th, 2.00 pm SLT: Mankind Tracer Concert • Mon. May 28th, 12.00 pm SLT: Official Opening of The Ashraya Project Art Expo • Mon. June 4th, 12.00 pm SLT: Closing Party and Auctions Sapphire has high hopes for the success of The Ashraya Project, and this faith is driven by her wholehearted belief in the

values and mission of this charity. “My hope is to raise the largest funds possible to enable us to sponsor a full class of children for more than one year of studies,” Sapphire shares. And she has not been alone in planning for this goal; Sapphire wants to recognize team members Arialee Miles, Carley Benazzi, Daniele Eberhardt, Jax Aster, Kay Fairey, Leah McCullough, and Xandrah Sciavo for their participation in the project. “I am so touched by all of the people who offered me their help for this cause. It is so beautiful to see how this cause is touching people: staff members, designers, artists, and sponsors. I’m so grateful to them, and I’m sure people will respond. I hope everyone will have fun while at the same time doing something that can have a true impact on the real life of a child.” Offering a little something for everyone from the fashionista to the music lover and the fine art aficionado, The Ashraya Project is destined to earn a spot among some of the most notable charitable events in SL history, and Anna Sapphire and her team hope that you, too, will join hands with them as they take another step forward in making our world a better place by touching the life of a child. Visit The Ashraya Project today and help make a golden footprint in the life of a special child by visiting Bonaire dal Mare 128.10.23.

Business Feature

OpenSim

the brave new world of

Writer Spruce Canning Photographer Seashell Dench

Pathlandia T

he discovery of the New World has been debated by historians the world over. Some say that the Vikings discovered America in the 12th Century with a temporary settlement in Newfoundland. The universally accepted account of the discovery of the Americas was the voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492 when he made landfall in what is now known as the Bahamas.

In the case of virtual worlds, the discovery of the New World was in 2008 when several employees of Linden Lab® teleported from the main Second Life® grid to a grid created with the OpenSim® protocol that IBM had developed with the assistance of Linden Lab. Development of this new standard continued until Linden Lab drifted away from the concept of linking the grids together in a hypergrid. OpenSim developed in leaps and bounds to where it is, at least as stable as the main Second Life grid, if not more so. I, as well as many longtime residents of the Metaverse, have gone to many of the OpenSim grids such as Inworldz® and Reactiongrid®, but the most revolutionary development to come out of OpenSim, was the sim on a USB key drive, along with a viewer with OpenSim capability. AVENUE, in our spirit of adventure and discovery, teleported from one OpenSim grid (in this case, JokaydiaGrid®) to an actual grid on a USB key drive which is run by John Lester, known to many residents of the Metaverse as Pathfinder. We sat down at a campfire on a sim that was independent of Linden Lab, and we talked about what inspired Pathfinder to create his grid. “Opensim inspires me in its ability to allow anyone to create their own grid. Their own entire world. And then to connect that world to

other worlds via the hypergrid,” he shared as I looked around at the stable sim that we were conversing on. “I think that’s a very visionary idea. And it’s an idea that, at one time, was embraced by LL,” he added. As we looked around the sim, I asked if the hypergrid would be the future of the Metaverse. “I think the future of virtual worlds will be, largely, a matter of how they interconnect, and Opensim and the hypergrid are amazing technologies to do just that. That is what really inspires me.” And as I ventured further into the thought that OpenSim could be a viable alternative to SL®, Pathfinder continued to answer in a way that showed what some in the Metaverse have come to realize. “I think it depends on what you are looking for. SL has lots of users, and lots of commerce right now. Opensimbased grids are typically not so focused on buying/selling things. They are more focused on sharing and exploration.” I looked about at the sim and thought that this is what SL must have been like in the early days of its existence, with everything created in OpenSim truly owned by the people who had created such works. When I asked him that question, Pathfinder answered in a way that affirmed my thoughts on the matter within the Metaverse. “I think Opensim right now feels a lot

like what SL felt like in the early days, but with one big difference. The big difference in here is that the users truly own all the different Opensim worlds. And they are all interconnected via the Hypergrid. There’s no one company running the show here. It’s all community driven. And I think that’s a beautiful thing.” He continued, “I still love SL. It has value and is a great place for many people. But I like to spend my time exploring new frontiers, and Opensim is one of those frontiers right now.” We discussed the future of the Metaverse as a whole, including whether every Internet user will, at sometime in the near future, have an avatar as well as a social media presence and email address. Pathfinder shared that the Metaverse will explode in popularity and functionality, but clarified that “we need an intersection between virtual world software and augmented reality hardware for things to really take off. Once we have cheap and ubiquitous augmented reality goggles (like what Google is building), then things will explode.” He then compared the potential explosion of virtual worlds via augmented reality glasses to big projects such as the Google Glass project to the explosion of cellular telephone technology. “Cell phones only took off once they were small enough to fit in your pocket...I

think virtual worlds will only take off once you can jump into them from wherever you are (via glasses).” At the moment, Pathfinder is in development of the Jibe™ web based virtual world, as well as its Android version that one can use on a tablet or Smartphone. “Yes. I love Opensim, but I also spend a lot of time working on Jibe. Jibe has great potential. It’s just a different virtual world tool for different uses.” (You can find a summary of Jibe’s features at http://bit.ly/jibetechnology.) “[It] is all about web-based and mobile-based virtual world access,” Lester shared. As we looked around the sim for the waning minutes of the interview, I began to think of the possible explosion of popularity that would come if the Second Life grid were ever linked to OpenSim. Not to mention that with the advent of the Google Glass project, the Metaverse could become a household word and product. There are many new things coming through the Metaverse. “It will be as transformational as when cheap cell phones first appeared,” chimes Pathfinder. All of us who have spent so much time exploring virtual world software will suddenly have the ability to bring our worlds into the daily lives of people to combine physical and virtual spaces.

“We won’t be experiencing virtual worlds just in front of our desktop computers or on our tablets…That’s going to be pretty amazing,” adds Pathfinder. There is a new world out there, and the Hypergrid will bring the grids together in one global community, as SL has now blazed the way in virtual worlds. To travel and explore this new world, use the following links on how to travel to Pathlandia, and how to create a account on an OpenSim Grid, as well as to create an OpenSim grid: becunningandfulloftricks. com/2012/01/09/my-divastandalone-opensim-gridpathlandia becunningandfulloftricks. com/2010/10/07/a-virtualworld-in-my-hands-runningopensim-and-imprudence-on-ausb-key becunningandfulloftricks.com/ hypergrid-landmarks www.jokaydiagrid.com

Perspectives

Writer Huckleberry Hax Photographer Val Kendal

yberbullying is a topic of increasing urgency, chiefly because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s killing people. The suicide of Tyler Clementi in September 2010, itself only one of a sequence of gay teens who had taken their lives in reaction to bullying, resulted in new legislation in the states: The Tyler Clementi Higher Education AntiHarassment Act, which requires all schools that want federal funding to have in place antibullying policies and procedures. This is something we need to take seriously. Cyberbullying is coming out as more serious in its consequences than conventional bullying.

Are you a

cyberbully?

Why might this be? Research – as might be expected for such a new social phenomena – is still relatively thin, but the emerging picture really isn’t rocket science. Something posted online reaches a potentially much larger audience, plus electronic media is more pervasive and less easily escapable. If you’re bullied in the “conventional” manner at work or at school, there’s always home to escape to for some peace, but if home pleasures include such pursuits as Facebook, Twitter or – as we’ll come to later – Second Life®, there can be little peace found if the bullying takes place there also. I think there’s an additional element of importance also – an attack on identity – but we’ll come to that later. What makes cyberbullying so difficult to grasp is that it’s not an easy thing to identify while it’s taking place. In retrospect – after someone takes their life, for example – it can appear obvious that this has been going on to people inspecting the situation from the outside, but to the people involved at the time, including the bullies themselves, bullying behaviors often get seen as something else entirely. Five minutes after Tyler Clementi posted to Facebook that he was going to jump off the George Washington Bridge, Dharun Ravi, Tyler’s roommate who had exposed online his

homosexuality through video and tweets, sent Tyler messages apologizing for his behavior and expressing guilt for what had happened. Ravi subsequently claimed he had done so without seeing Tyler’s Facebook post, but whether he did or didn’t is unimportant in one respect: Ravi realized he had gone too far and that his behavior had had an effect far worse than he himself had realized it would. Perhaps this was the moment he realized he had been bullying. Few people, after all, actually want to think of themselves as a bully. Because, in the vast majority of cases, cyberbullying – all bullying, in fact – is not primarily about making the victim feel bad at all; bullying is about achieving status within a community. “Status” here can mean anything from simple acceptance, to friendship, to a dominant position, all depending on the particular needs and desires of the bully. So, one of the key components of bullying – not all bullying, but most bullying – is that it takes place in front of an audience. Sometimes that audience is one person – a remark about someone snickered into the ear of a friend – sometimes it’s a group of people; sometimes – as was the case with Dharun Ravi’s tweets – it’s over a hundred. With cyberbullying, the numbers can, of course, go a great deal higher than that.

But wait. A snickered remark in a friend’s ear is hardly what most people would regard as bullying, right? Where’s the harm in a private joke that the victim is never actually intended to hear? I certainly wouldn’t hold myself up as an example of a person who has never made a private remark to someone about someone else that we both know (or have head of), and it seems ridiculous to assert than no one should ever be allowed to say anything about anybody. Humor, after all, is one of the things that makes life great. The important thing to understand here, therefore, is that bullying is not a qualitatively different thing from these sorts of remarks; rather, it is a greatly exaggerated version of them. We make our jokes privately rather than openly precisely because we don’t want to hurt the subject’s feelings; but we still, nonetheless, make them because they earn us some social credit. Occasionally, our remarks get repeated and there comes that sickening feeling when we realize they’ve made it back to the subject. In SL®, there is also that terrible moment when we realize we’ve accidentally crossposted a remark about someone into public chat or, worse still, the subject’s own IM window; a phenomenon I refer to as “fatal cross-post.” That sickening feeling, feeling dreadful that you’ve upset someone with a glibly made remark they weren’t

supposed to hear, is our guide. The moment we lose sight of the importance of another person’s wellbeing, and consider that of secondary value to the credit gained by targeting them, is when we start taking our first steps into bullying. It’s also important to note that bullying is different from onetime harassment, which isn’t to say that harassment isn’t a bad thing. One-time harassment, which can range from single remarks to physical violence, tends to be based on prejudice rather than personal knowledge of a victim. A supporter of football team X out with his friends might shout at or attack a supporter of football team Y (a very honest football fan I know once told me he attacked fans supporting different teams because it made his friends like him more). A white male out with his friends might shout at or attack a black male. And so on. Horrific and traumatizing though these events can potentially be, they’re a different thing from being targeted over time for things that are personal to you. This is where cyberbullying I think, becomes really damaging. For many of us, our online identities – be it through social networking sites like Facebook or online worlds like Second Life - represent our ideal selves. I was bullied at school for wearing glasses; it bothered me a lot, but

it never made me depressed because being a person who wears glasses has never been for me a particularly important aspect of who I am. My online identity, however, is all about myself as a writer, which is a really important personal aspect of who I am; were a person or group of people to mount a sustained attack over time on my abilities as a writer, I can imagine that being a tremendously difficult thing to deal with. I might decide to abandon writing, which would feel like killing off a huge part of what I consider myself to be. It’s not that I’m saying attacks over less important personal attributes aren’t terrible things, but – as I said earlier – cyberbullying appears to be felt as more damaging than “conventional” bullying, and there has to be a reason for that. Bullying in SL, therefore, is all about exposing and ridiculing people publically, often for the things that are personally important to them. This can be done in chat at events, but can also spread out onto the wider web, for example by pasting chats or private IMs into blog posts. The latter is against SL terms of service and the former isn’t; regardless, if the function is to post conversations with the intention of ridiculing the people involved, this is an act of bullying.

But what of legitimate protest? What of demonstrations against oppressive regimes or organisations? I, after all, enjoy jokes about the current UK government and its policies as much as the next left-leaning citizen with an appreciation of finely-crafted sarcasm. Would legitimate revolutions and uprisings ever occur if people weren’t able to share their thoughts on their oppressors? What you have to ask yourself in such matters is how damaging actually are the actions of your target and how helpful actually a sustained attack on them to your cause is. In my experience of this in SL, these attacks take place over nothing more than a difference of opinion, and all they end up doing is polarizing debate – encouraging people to take sides – rather than actually opening up discussion in a meaningful way. The means end up defeating the purpose. And pay careful attention to the methods of the key perpetrators: if their actions are more about getting attention for themselves than they are about meaningfully advancing a debate, then their campaign is more about bullying than it is about any cause. What research has shown is that it’s the bystanders who give bullies their ultimate power: the people who stand by and say nothing and the people who support the bully (whether or

not they actually participate in bullying behavior themselves). People who are not victims of a bully don’t want to become victims and the safest place to be, therefore, is on the list of people approved of in some way by them. We justify this to ourselves, of course, by convincing ourselves that the bully isn’t a bully at all, but a protester, a lone voice of reason, or just a funny person that other people don’t get. Rationalisation (in psychological terms, the reduction of “dissonance”) is an extremely powerful thing and the key reason why people don’t realize that bullying has been taking place until it’s too late. Are you a cyberbully in SL? Are you a supportive bystander? Think about this carefully the next time you get involved in something that targets an individual. It will be an uncomfortable process, for sure (though less so than if you ever have to go through it after terrible consequences have come to pass), but if more people just stopped and asked themselves that question then bullying, perhaps, might just simply go away. Huckleberry Hax writes novels set in Second Life®. You can download these from www. huckleberryhax.blogspot.com.

Bullet Huckleberry Hax So. Let me see. What would be a good thing to say? Which weak spot shall I aim for? How many times will I hit him? And how will I dress it up, my dears, so that only he will know that my bullet has his name on it? What metaphor shall I use? What cultural references shall I throw in? Something classic? It will lend me more authority. After all, I’m not one of these kids, you know; it’s not like I’m posting teenage hate on Bebo. If you like, I am the sniper, sitting on a rooftop half a mile away. When my bullet hits, that boy will drop, and no one will know what hit him. Unless I tell them. And I’m not interested in putting one through his heart or through his eyes. My target is his soul. So. I need a setting. I need a clever context. A person in history, perhaps, with all the right associations (people can look it up on Wikipedia after and see just how learned and observant I am). Maybe an animal? Maybe a sky? Maybe a colour you add to fabric? Dare I play on words? I might just, you know; I might just. I can smile at those who see it and grin, a little cheekily, and I can show those who frown my middle fucking finger. I’m from the street, you see. I write haiku with

my knuckles. Of course, I’m not just one of those kids, you know. Then there is the issue of audience and timing, who I want to be there as witness and who I want as hapless, oblivious bystander. My moment, if it is right, will win me my longevity. And I will help the doubters through their dissonance by reminding them of what an utter fuckwit he was and by whispering in their ear just how much I love them. It is all so kinaesthetic. It is all such poetry. April 2009

Club of the Month

bulKKerrang

Writer YeriakTH Couturier Photographer Seashell Dench

ights now have a new name: Klub Kerrang. When itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to take a break and relax in the most stylish fashion, there is one perfect place to be, and that place is Klub Kerrang.

Here you will find a chic lounge atmosphere that reinvents the concept of relaxing and escaping the day after work. With this club, good times are guaranteed. To the beat of live music, our senses awaken in genuine harmony with the environment. This Club is the meeting point for lovers of the most high quality electronic rhythms. There is such a wide variety of all styles of music, with plenty of DJ mixes, and sexy dancers moving to the rhythm of the music we love, mesmerizing the crowd with their movement. This all just serves to enhance what promises to be night after night of exhilaration. AbbyRoad Resident, the owner of Klub Kerrang, gives us a warm welcome, and with absolute kindness and vibrant energy, gives us this interview. YeriakTH Couturier: Tell me what made you open a club in Second Life®? AR Resident: I open the club because I have worked in clubs the whole time I’ve played Second Life, and I wanted to try to do it on my own. I wanted a place where everyone could hang out and have fun. YC: What challenges or difficulties did you face when opening this club? AR: The hardest thing was getting my club known in Second

Life; it took a lot of hard work to get my name out there and I’m still working on that. YC: What words best describe or define Klub Kerrang? AR: The club is a place to have fun, listen to great music and meet amazing people. I have the best staff on Second Life, and I think all of my DJs are great, and different. My dancers do a great job making sure everyone has a good time. I’m very lucky. YC: Was this project a personal endeavor, or was there a team involved? AR: The club has always been teamwork; it takes a lot of dedication to run a club and I’ve been very lucky to have close friends that have helped me along the way. YC: Who are some of the people involved in the club? AR: My managers: Averadd Resident, Danil0v3x Mint, JonAlexandar and Madalyn Redrose. YC: How can our interested readers find out about events at the club? AR: We are going to start posting our events on the Second Life website and the clothing store Alter Ego does some advertising for the club. YC: Where did the name, Klub Kerrang, come from?

AR: I named my club after a magazine. (Smiles). It was my favorite magazine as a teenager, called “Kerrang.” YC: Was there any inspiration for the design of the club? AR: No. When I was thinking about opening a club, I wanted it to look clean, simple and open. I hate going to clubs with loads of advertisement boards and clutter. (Smiles) YC: What kind of music will be heard in a typical session here? AR: My DJs play all types of music, such as, Rock, Dub step, Top 40, hip-hop…we play it all.

YC: Are there any projects coming up that you want to share with the readers? AR: We want to expand our shifts. I want to add more shifts during the week and weekend. Maybe do more Linden Prize contests. YC: Thank you so much for your time and availability. You can’t miss the environment here. It’s Cosmopolitan and electric, and you’ll always enjoy the best company. Come out and end your day in the best possible way by visiting Kerrang 123.123.3509.

YC: When is the club typically open with events? AR: We have 3 shifts a night, 6 days a week. We open at 4pm SLT and close at 10pm SLT. On Friday and Saturday nights we have contests and themes. YC: What makes this club unique from others clubs in SL®? AR: I think we are very unique. My club is very laid back and relaxed, and I think my DJs and dancers make it unique. My DJs play all different types of music and always makes sure people have a great time at the club, and so do my dancers. YC: What would be the cocktail that best defines Klub Kerrang? AR: Cosmopolitan.

DJ of the month

bares her digital soul

Making music with

Seashell Dench Writer YeriakTH Couturier Photographer Annough Lykin

eashell Dench has the voice that makes you fall in love, and add to that a heart that captivates. A heart in tune with the purest senses, somehow able to mix peace and tranquility.

Dench captivates the heart of her listeners with her music, and all with a style that can be summed up in three words: elegance, sophistication and magnetism. Join us as we sit down with the woman herself and get to know a little more about this captivating musical maestro. YeriakTH Couturier: Tell me, what is it that made you decided to be a DJ? Seashell Dench: I think that has to do with my RL job. I’m a radio entertainer and I love to communicate. Communication can be done is several ways, not necessarily with words. Sharing music with people is one of my ways to communicate. When I got invited to be AVENUE’s Resident DJ, that was such a fulfilling moment in my SL® Life is beautiful, even the Second. (Smiles) YC: How are you able to combine the two facets of Top Model and professional DJ? SD: Actually, both activities help each other. Walking the runway, as a model, listening to the music someone is playing for the show makes me a better DJ at fashion shows. While I’m DJing, being a model myself, I have an extra sensitivity to what’s going on; I can adapt easier and help create a unique experience, with the music I play.

YC: What satisfactions do you get from both? SD: I love both passionately! Being a model, showcasing the creations that a designer took so long to put together and doing it well, is an honor. How much love and care, time and creativity do designers put in their creations! That has to be respected and be well represented. Being a DJ, more focused on fashion shows, is absolutely rewarding! It’s not just listening to the music I have and let’s do it. It takes a lot of time to choose the music I play in a fashion show. I like to watch dress rehearsals, feel the ambiance that the outfits and models create, their walks, everything counts. I like to ask the designers if they want to create a certain “atmosphere” and then, chose the music, take time to research, to listen and finally put it all together. YC: How do you prepare for a session Seashell? SD: I make sure I have time and I’m in the mood, really. It takes a lot of creativity to choose from the variety of music that I like and to keep finding new composers, new artists, and new sounds. When I have the time and the mood, I only need to know what I’m going to DJ for. The rest comes naturally. It takes me more than two days to prepare for a fashion show. I start choosing some basic tunes, and then I stop, do something

else and get back to the pc. Listen to what I have and then complete the set. YC: Which do you prefer: Acapella or Mix Remix? SD: Both. There are some situations when both mix together very well. YC: I can see some influences that stand out in your work, such as chill out, French Lounge, Soulful House, and so on. Can you tell me some other musical influences? SD: Definitely chill out and lounge! But that’s my personal choice, what I love to listen to. I really do a lot of research and watch real life fashion shows to feel the whole experience and the music is a great part of it. I’m discovering a whole new world of music that is created exclusively for fashion shows in real life. YC: What is your favorite type of session? SD: I’ve been researching techno, lately. Some people find techno quite repetitive. But I do love good techno in a high fashion show. YC: What would be the perfect mixture for you? SD: There are several perfect combinations. If I’m DJing for a party, obviously I’ll combine dance music, clubbing, electro and have a good party going

on. For a fashion show, the possibilities are endless: from classical music to heavy metal, it all depends on the atmosphere that we want to convey. YC: Which do you prefer: CD, vinyl or digital medium? SD: At the moment, I’m working with digital, of course. But when I started my career in Real Life as a radio DJ and entertainer, we worked with vinyl. And vinyl records are extremely trendy again, which is awesome! YC: Who are your icons of music? SD: I have two major music icons; two groups that can be included in what we call “independent music,” Dead Can Dance and This Mortal Coil. YC: Who would be your musical soulmate? SD: Cocteau Twins; their music sounds soft and sweet in terms of melody, but it’s extremely complex and elaborate. That’s pretty much me. (Smiles) YC: Let’s talk a little more about the woman behind the music. What moves the heart of Seashell Dench? SD: Oh...hard question to answer. (Smiles) What moves my heart? I’d say children and animals. I can’t resist any of them. And people who love me

every single day, even when I’m in a bad mood. I really do have a terrible temper. (Laughs) I just don’t show it often. My real life daughter moves my heart, my family, my special someone and yes, my job. I’m a passionate person in all I do. YC: Speaking of passion, can you tell me what you are passionate about? SD: I’m passionate about life. It looks like a cliché, but I am. When I was diagnosed with cervical cancer six years ago, I fully understood the meaning of being alive. Life is the most precious gift; I’m passionate about all aspects of life. As long as I live my life without hurting others, I refuse to accept any kind of rules that others may try to impose - whether they’re religious, political or social. I’m a free thinker. YC: And what do you hate? SD: I really don’t like judgmental attitudes and fanatic morality. I have only one rule in my life: live and let live. I have serious issues with narrow minded mentalities and personalities. But I’d like to say that I don’t hate people; what I dislike are some of the attitudes people have. We can change anytime, but we can’t change others. YC: Are you are perfectionist? SD: I’m a bit of a perfectionist,

yes. But I know that if I take that perfectionism to a certain limit, I won’t do anything, because I’ll be afraid to fail or make mistakes. Everything I do, I do with all my abilities and skills and I allow myself to make mistakes. YC: Alright, breathe deep, allow your mind to wander and let go. Open your eyes and tell us what is going through your mind? SD: At this moment, I’m deeply grateful for everything and everyone life brought my way. YC: What projects does the future hold for Seashell Dench? SD: Who knows what the future holds? I live life moment by moment and accept things as they come to me. I live in the present, don’t usually make plans for the future, because one simple choice, at a particular moment, can change whatever plans I had made. Living like this, every day is an adventure; every day brings something new. So, I’m open to whatever life brings my way. YC: Do you have a favorite quote to share? SD: “I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately, I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to put to rout all that was not life and not when I had come to die, discover that I had not

lived.” by Henry David Thoreau. This quote I have in my Second Life® profile, describing my real life. YC: Is there anything else you’d like to add or share with our readers? SD: Enjoy life to the fullest. Some things aren’t worth worrying about. We are lucky enough to live two lives, let’s live them well. Day by day. And by the way, this is the most interesting interview I’ve had the honor and pleasure to answer to. It had to be with my beloved AVENUE team! (Smiles)

Media Mojo

Natasha Randtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Mensch Ma chine

Writer Lexie Jansma Photographer Natasha Randt

ensch Machine is a hazy world of man and machine created by the prolific machinima artist Natascha Randt. Randt joined Second Life® in 2007 during the “hype.” Her stay was brief, quickly logging out after exploring a bit. Curiosity, however, would get the best of Randt, and she returned just two months later. It would be another year before she began her first foray into the world of machinima. “I had been watching the machinima created by Torley [Linden]. In 2008, I was in a sandbox with my friend Nicky. We rezzed all of our cars, trucks, and automobiles and stacked them up.” The ensuing automobile mess inspired Randt. “ I thought to myself ‘what happened before this accident?’ With the help of the German community, I created the idea for ‘The Hunt.’” You can find these early forays into machinima on YouTube®.

Randt explores many ideas and themes. “Mensch Machine” was inspired by the idea of man and machine; who controls whom? Randt bought the machines from Jenifer Belle, and was inspired by them. “I felt some of the machines looked menacing, very menacing, like the excavator. Other machines looked like great, uncanny mechanical animals. I wanted to explore the extent to which humans and machines combine and who controls whom.” The setting for the video is a misty morning in the twenties. “I wanted it to look like a military experiment was being filmed; a test drive between pilot and machine. It was important that the film have a documentary feel to it.” The process for creating a film for Randt is arduous, but rewarding, and one of her favorite parts of the process. For “Mensch Machine,” she wanted to the entire machinima to have a surreal look and was inspired by the movies of Einstein and Fritz Lang. The love of post-production requires a variety of tools including Fraps for in-world recording, and then Corel Videostudio, GIMP, Audacity, Musicmaker, and Reaper in the processing of the footage. Randt films the same thing over and over from several angles, so she has plenty of footage to work with. She then records

the audio separately, selects music, and adds special effects to create what is seen in her machinima. The entire thing is reviewed by several close friends before it is ever seen by the world. Inspiration for Randt’s work comes from many places. “I draw inspiration from both real life and SL®. Sometimes, memories or movie snippets will get stuck in my head. At times, it is music, reading, or the crazy things people in SL build.” A prime example of this is Randt’s interest in myths and legends, which she reads in her off time. “I am thinking about creating something based on the myths of Ragnarok, and all that it implies. You know, Norse myths, Valkyries and so on.” These are not the only inspiration that find their way into her work. Flight, airplanes, fashion, reviews, and instructional videos abound on Randt’s Youtube® channel, and show just how versatile she really is. You can check out all of Natascha Randt’s work at http://www.youtube.com/ user/NRandt. There is sure to be something for everyone. I suspect that as long as there is SL, Randt will continue to film it, inspiring a new generation of machinima artists, as she was inspired by the ones before her.

Inspirations

white noise Curated by Paola Tauber

artwork ÂŠ marimari Yuitza

artwork ÂŠ zozo raven

artwork ÂŠ Grazia Horwitz

artwork ÂŠ maclane mills

artwork ÂŠ YukaChoco Magic

artwork ÂŠ Margot Muhindra