Artemisia: Living with Art

Artemisia Residents Exhibition 2009
Opening Event: June 18, 300 pm sl time
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Artemisia/176/109/26

Our wonderful curator, RobertSteven Smythe, is leaving his position at the Galerie due to rl obligations. This is his last opening as curator and the residents of Artemisia wish to publicly thank him for his excellent service over the last year. He has not only brought in landmark exhibitions by some of SL’s top artists, but he has also remained keenly aware that the Galerie would not exist but for the generous support of the residents of Artemisia.  His service to art and to us has been incalculable. He will be sorely missed. Here are his words about this new show:

The residents of Artemisia have long supported Galerie de la Vie. They are the embodiment of a true artists’ residential community in spirit and in what I truly believe is reality through a virtual existence. Artemisia – Living with Art.

As curator for the gallery the past several months I have come to understand that art and the exhibition is not about the number of people who attend the opening event or whether or not you have been selected by a blog to be “the show to see this week”, but the sustainability of the art to bring joy to those who see it over a long period of time. How many times did I as curator come back to look at the exhibit and notice something new and interesting that I had not noticed before—how often did visitors return to the same exhibit over and over again—and the best of all is when an exhibiting artist asks, “when can I exhibit again.” Art for the enjoyment of those who see it and appreciate it, the true meaning of what it meant to me as curator of Galerie de la Vie.

I have learned many things about SL from FreeWee Ling in my tenure here. One notable thing is to ask her early on when you have scripting questions or troubles. She took a chance on my inexperience and I was able, with the help of the residents and Free to bring Artemisia some very interesting and spectacular installations. We have had well known and not so well known artists exhibit in Galerie de la Vie in my tenure. It is now my pleasure to end my time at Artemisia and Galerie de la Vie with the Artemisians creative expressions. The people who have supported me and allowed me to take over a part of their community for the benefit of all SL art enthusiasts, I thank you. Please join me in presenting the Artemisia Residents Exhibition 2009 opening June 18 at 3:00 pm sl time.

Residents of Artemisia talk about what it means to live in this wonderful world that was created by Zephyre Zabelin:

Chinook Anatine:
Not being an artist, I am nevertheless continually challenged and inspired by the things I see as I walk about the environs that make up Artemisia. Be they large or small, simple or ornate, something is gently stirred to life inside me by what I chance to happen upon.It is an amazing waking dream where thoughts and whims can take flight and shape. That is my Artemisia.

Liddy Babenco:
I feel fortunate to have found a home here on beautiful Artemisia. Zephyre Zabelin, a RL artist, had created Artemisia for artists. When Zephyre left SL, FreeWee Ling was able to build on what Zephyre started. Since then I have found Artemisia to always be a place where an artist is free to create and exhibit. When there is time to play, there is always something to do – whether alone or with the great friends I have made here. For artists, art lovers, or builders there is no better place than Artemisia!

Allister Philbin:
I roamed SL for two years. No where that I visited is better than right here in Artemisia. Always something to do – from the bottom of the Bay to the concerts in the Treehouse. Interesting people living here, visitng the Galerie here. Room to build your dreams. Good friends. What more could you want?

Bittitee Benigni:
Artemisia has become a beautiful sanctuary and chrysalis. In its serene beauty I can reflect on my direction, find new paths and renew my confidence and strength. When I listen, truly listen, I can experience the gifts of learning, growth and meaningful change.Here I can safely struggle to move toward new heights, to learn to keep my heart open to see with those eyes the excitement and refreshed wonder that gives me full feelings of beauty and love. It is here that we can savor the sweetness of beauty by inspiring others, through devotion, to think, to feel, to believe, to hope, to live their lives in Art.

Mace Hawks:
I have lived in many places during my time here in SL. Under a dock, neath a waterfall, even on the tip of a mountain, but there is no place I have seen or lived in SL, that compares to this wonderful island. There are few places in either world where one can go to experience the finest in creative masterpieces and the simple pleasure of sitting in a field of flowers with a friend on a lazy afternoon, or wander into the tree house and be wooed by masterful musicians.

Artemisia was created by a wonderful woman named Zephyre. Her vision was to create an island in the midst of the ocean of commerce that is SL, where creative and talented artisans could live and produce their created ideas, and not have to worry about being a commodity of the land owner. This is one of the most wonderful things I have seen done in any world.

Today, sadly, Zep is gone from SL, but the dream lives on thanks to the wonderful guardianship of FreeWee Ling. She has taken the torch for Zep and continued to keep Artemisia from being a commercial venue.  So today, I wish to thank Zep and FreeWee for their ongoing contributions to the art world of SL and ask that if you see either of them that you thank them as well, for this gem we call Artemisia.

Eth Tedeschi & Zylina Straaf:
Coming to Artemisia has placed us amongst a real and living community in which we already feel right at home. It’s a beautiful place to exist, and there is inspiration all around to create. Put simply, Artemisia makes us smile – whether enjoying a performance at the treehouse, relaxing at home or creating new art.

FreeWee Ling:
Zephyre gave me this amazing opportunity to live in a place that serves art. I once told her I believe that our highest purpose is to serve the muse. To live a life in service to the creative energy that is the foundation of all creation. Zep’s idea was just to give people a place and to watch what they did with it. She was always so awed by creative people. And sharing that awe is serving the muse. That’s what I have tried to do with Artemisia — Continue to give people opportunities to share the awe. I am so blessed to live among with these beautiful, supportive, and passionately creative individuals. I love you all.