Artemisia: Living with Art

SL Surreal: the Collected Works of Eves Rodenberger
Opening Sunday, August 29 at 11:00AM and showing through October
Galerie de la Vie (SLURL)

Eves and Galerie curator Apollo Reinard have installed a wonderful selection of the artist’s inworld landscape and still life portraits. Many of the scenes are familiar to long-time SL residents — from AM Radio’s Far Away to Sextan Shepherd’s Nemo sims — but the images are manipulated to give a feeling that is at once both more true-to-life and yet more strange and remote.

Eves Rodenberger’s childhood was filled with intense wonder of the world around her.  She found a creative joy in taking pictures to capture the beauty in that world.  Her passion for expression developed into a desire to tell stories and show everyone how amazing things are when viewed through the perspective of her own personal lens.

She entered the world of SL with that same passion of exploration.  After some time, it became clear that there were stories to tell which were only possible in this world of dreamy virtual landscapes. Exploration once again has infused her with a desire to tell stories.

Eves’s work can be seen in several galleries in SL, as well as on Flickr.

Galerie de la Vie is provided as a service to art by the residents of Artemisia.

Where: Galerie de la Vie, Artemisia
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Artemisia/186/104/26

Grand Opening Event: March 30, 2010
Time: 7-8 pm sl time
Curator: RobertSteven Smythe
Entertainment provided by Eth Tedeschi

RobertSteven Smythe returns to Galerie de la Vie to present a very special exhibit of images by well-known photographer Monroe Snook. We are delighted grateful to Robert for bringing this show to us.

Hidden Treasures Are Inside All of Us
by RobertSteven Smythe

“..that is one of my interests. How to make a flower not seem like a blossom…but something deeper,” says Monroe Snook while discussing the concept of the new exhibition “Hidden Treasures,” opening at the Galerie de la Vie in Artemisia, Tuesday March 30th at 7 pm sl time.

Monroe Snook, one of SL’s premier still photographers, will delight you with her whimsical, playful and thought-provoking images. Her insight into photography lies within her real life work as a floral photographer.  She creates images that show the sensuality of the flower. “Many of my floral images are indirectly sensual, the deep detail of real life is wonderful,” says Monroe.  Her Second Life photography is more illustrative in nature.  In my conversation with Monroe that December afternoon she had an idea and a concept for this new exhibition. I was privileged to see the creative process at work by one of the most creative artists in Second Life. “What I want to do ….is combine the two in one image (RL and SL), let me explore this idea with you first…see this image Sustain, see the way the two petals on the left create a pocket, they almost come together and touch. Now imagine an SL Avatar, black and white…nuzzled in that space, but so well done that you really have to look to see it and then look to see if it is real. I think that would be very unique.”

I agreed with Monroe and I am sure you will as well. Her new work called “Hidden Treasures” captures that enthusiasm and creativity that I saw when she talked about her vision for this show.  I know you will be amazed by the images, the blend of Second Life and Real Life — where does one life begin and where does one life end?

“Some of the most profound things in life are those you don’t notice right away.  They are very faint, often times difficult to see, the fleeting images of life that almost pass us by.  Once we see these “Hidden Treasures” our mind opens up to their possibility – they are suddenly all around you.”

Monroe Snook has loved photography from as early as she can remember.  Her first exhibits in SL showcased her RL floral works depicting macro images of sensual structures of nature’s plenty.   In early 2008, she became passionate about SL photography — growing her skill and range within this medium until today she is seen as one of SL’s top photographers.

'Wet Wind' by Monroe Snook (© by Snook 2010)

She uses all topics and ideas for her pieces with no one central theme.  Curiosity and exploration unify her work.  You can not predict from one piece to the other where Monroe’s work will lead, what thought will be provoked or emotion conjured from within. Her art consists of  vistas, period pieces, landscapes, seascapes, skyscapes, and fantasy. Her signatures are in color, lighting, and movement while using her SL photography and skill with the SL viewer to create stunning and emotional works.  In addition, Monroe uses digital dark-room technology when a piece calls for textures or layering beyond what the SL camera can provide such as lens blur, distance, and pure black and white.

In addition to fine art, Monroe is a top SL fashion photographer – with works for top designers and models.    Monroe marries her work with detailed hi-resolution fashion work with her love of SL locations to create custom, one-of-a-kind emotional pieces.  These may be commissioned or at times are on limited exhibit.  Many are in private collections.  You can also see many of Monroe’s piece at the Museum of SL Photography where she is a featured artist, Orange Island, the SL campus of Marymount University, and as a featured artist of Avatriat.

Don’t miss this new and exciting exhibition by Monroe Snook, “Hidden Treasures” at the Galerie de la Vie in Artemisia. March 30, 2010 at 7 pm sl time. Eth Tedeschi will play jazz standards live for your enjoyment. Curator is RobertSteven Smythe.

After a phenomenal run, the wonderful images by Hepahistos Semyorka are leaving the Galerie de la Vie. The mythical stories told in Hephaistos’s art will engage your imagination and stimulate new connections in your mind. Three large panels on the upper floor depict a journey through birth, life, and death. A special piece on the first floor was created especially for this show at Artemisia. They are all brilliant and vibrant masterpieces. Come visit with the artist Saturday Dec 5 at 10:30 SLT.

It has been such a privilege for the residents of Artemisia to have spent quality time with this beautiful work.  It has added significant depth to our experience of “Living with Art.” We thank Hephaistos for her generosity in sharing these images. And we thank curator Apollo Reinard for bring her to us and displaying her work so nicely in our space.

Opening Event: September 13th 2PM SL time

SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Artemisia/180/105/25

In the premiere show for the gallery’s new curator Apollo Reinard, Galerie de la Vie at Artemesia is proud to present the extraordinary art of Hephaistos Semyorka.  Her compositions are image/text collages that invoke mythical meaning and thoughtful contemplation.  ‘Heph’ will be present on Sunday to unveil several new works at 2:00.  There will be music and dancing following the opening event, hosted by Artemesia’s own DJ  Eth Tedeschi.

About the artist:

Hephaistos Semyorka’s “Mythworks” is an ongoing project of creating digital image/text collages. The works are dedicated to her namesake, Hephaistos, the fiery god of art and technology whom the ancient Greeks invoked to bring good things to human life. Mythically, art and technology are potent forms of sorcery, and they elicit both fears and fascinations for the ordinary mortal.

In the workings of the unconscious, images arrive first, trailing synchronistic textual connections to mythic gods and goddesses, to artists and scientists, to astonishing discoveries, and to seemingly mundane events of daily life. These connections affirm the truly mythical linkage of art, technology and physical incarnation. Consciously and unconsciously, the relation of art and technology touches all aspects of our embodied life on earth. It is an archetype, an energy field that generates powerful stories and fateful creations. The process of researching and collage is a psychic dialogue with this archetype.

In real life, Hephaistos is a working artist with a doctoral degree in mythological studies. For two decades, she has been a specialist in individual and organizational creativity, working with Fortune 100 and 500 companies, in North America and Europe, designing events where people in their personal and work incarnations experience radical creativity and living life as a work of art.

In her Second Life incarnation, Hephaistos is an AngelGate artist-resident and workshop leader and collaborator. Her AngelGate sky platform, Mythomorphosis, is designed for restful reflection and conversation. You are welcome any time. There, you may also choose to sleep in the circular Asclepius temple, to dream and be awakened by the dawn light!

http://slurl.com/secondlife/AngelGate/186/30/442

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.

Exhibition: The Entertainer
Artist: White Lebed
Where: Galerie de la Vie, Artemisia
May 16 through June 14, 2009
Opening Reception: Saturday May 16th from 10-11 am SL time

SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Artemisia/128/128/54

The residents of Artemisia and the Galerie de la Vie are proud to present the work of White Lebed. Her series of musician sculptures are the highlight of this exhibition.  The opening event is on Saturday, May 16th at 10 am SL time. During this reception the audience will be captivated by a light and musical presentation of her series of sculptures called “The Entertainer.” With the assistance of Mr. DJ Eth Tedeschi and RobertSteven Smythe, curator of the Galerie de la Vie, Lebed’s sculptures will come alive with music. You will not want to miss this unique event.

White remembers why she started the series. “My good friend Kolor Fall was writing an opera to be produced and performed on his new sim.  He asked me to make a few sculptures to decorate the sim and assist the viewers to understand his vision. Up to that point in my SL art career, I was making  large installations and semi-abstract conceptual art.  In RL I tend to let my media lead me and dictate to me what it wants to be.  It is almost like the material draws life from my hands and then holds it in sculpture form. When looking at a sculpture one may not be able to explain why it makes you feel happy or sad but you  clearly feel it. That X factor that one feels often in art I believed was created through the physical contact of the media. I was not sure that I could create such feeling and emotion in a semi-abstract or abstract form without touching and making physical contact with the media. To create that sensual effect not from a realistic approach but from a conceptual approach as in a semi-abstract sculpture was a difficult task.  The musician figures turned out to be much more “alive” than I expected.  They were, by design, semi-abstract but still carried a significant amount of emotions and feelings.  People responded to the sculptures the way I had hoped, but it surprised me. After doing this series, I feel that SL prims are a  more interesting art tool than I had previously thought.”

One sculpture in particular has a special place in White’s heart. “I was walking around San Francisco Marina with a couple of visiting friends.  Over the usual city sounds, the street music of a beautiful sax solo dominated our attention.   It was pretty good, clear and thoughtful music.  Then I saw the man who was playing. He was quite old, tired looking, seemed like life had taken a part of his soul. He looked as though he was sick and poor.  But he was playing so very powerful with a soulful sensual style that it made me take a second look. When I did I felt that he might be a lot happier and peaceful within himself than we might assume.” That feeling can be seen in the sculpture of the saxophone player, one of eight sculptures on display.

White Lebed’s exhibition “The Entertainer” is a must see this week on the SL art scene. Come early to get a seat to watch the opening ceremony and to be the first to see these sculptures. Opening Reception is on Saturday, May 16th at 10:00 am SL time. The residents or Artemisia want you to join them in this great exhibition through June 15, 2009. Artemisia – Living with Art.

Spring in Artemisia Opening

Rebirth of the land, colorful flowers appear, birds open our wintery ears, water from the melted snow replenishes streams, and the things that were just dreams at the turn of a new year are alive and well.  Join Galerie de la Vie in ringing in Spring 2009 with a celebration of color. Jazz Calhern, Goose Wycliffe, Caebrianna Champollion and Christian Sandell bring to Artemisia the awakening of Spring. Through colorful images representing life after winter and wonderful fountains bring the water of life one can see that the season for beauty, love and enchantment has arrived in Artemisia. The four artists that we have gathered for the gallery’s first Spring Extravaganza represent some of SL’s finest.

Christian Sandell, Caebrianna Champollion, Goose Wycliffe, and Jazz Calhern

Jazz Calhern has been involved with Second Life photography and photo art for over two years.  She has experimented with various types of photo art, from landscapes filled with color and movement to richly-lit portraits.  She has had extensive experience as a SL freelance photographer and still accepts assignments, although infrequently. Her work appears at various SL locations, including her own gallery, Jazz By The Sea.

Goose Wycliffe is a real life artist and photographer, with a BA in fine art photography from Southern Illinois University, USA. “I love the concept of looking at an image and knowing that in a sense you’re peering into the soul of the photographer.” She has a large portfolio of Second Life work which is currently showing at her gallery in Savelli. Goose’s latest collection will be based on the concept of rebirth or renewal.  This is a theme that is particularly close to her heart – as it expresses a personal journey that recently connected her first and Second Lives as intimately as anyone can.Caebrianna Champollion is a photographer/graphic Artist with over 20 years of RL experience. She has won numerous awards for her RL work, and donates her time to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, infant bereavement photography (www.nilmdts.com), The Heart Galleries (www.adoptuskids.org), and several other charity organizations in RL.  In SL she donates her time/work to Relay for life, the Heron Society, and Angel Dorei. “I love photography with all my heart, and my favorite genre will always be Children’s Portraiture.”

Christian Sandell creates and designs some of the most fascinating fountains in SL. Curator RobertSteven Smythe said that the first time he saw one of Christian’s fountains he knew that one day he would have him exhibit at a gallery.  “I did not know that one day I would have my own gallery because at the time I was doing exhibitions at Bissorte Marina. Now that I am curator for Galerie de la Vie I knew that his work would be perfect for a Spring show.

Please join the residents of Artemisia and Galerie de la Vie for the first Spring Extravaganza.  The opening reception was Thursday April 16 with the Eth Tedeschi our DJ for the evening. See the pictures with dancing around (and in) Christian’s fountain.

Galerie de la Vie, Artemisia

Now through April 14th

Reception April 2nd at 3:00 pm SL time

The exhibition “The Collector” is focused around the art collection of Sichel Seifert an art enthusiast who has been collecting and commissioning some of the finest artists in Second Life since early 2005. You will see as never before from the eyes of a collector and connoisseur of Second Life art. This last installment of “The Collector” displays the wonderful work of elros Tuominen and Glyph Graves, two of Second Life’s most colorful and inspiring artists.

Glyph Graves, “My art is currently focused on the interplay between structure and texture. As well as the normal digital tools of graphic and 3D modeling programs, I also freely make use of Linden Scripting Language as both my chisel and my paintbrush.  I’m constantly in a state of wonder (and occasionally, despair) at the depth and the dimensionality that’s available for the art of Second Life. I am also known for my work with slow alpha textures in complex sculpts but also work with interactive sound and solid Transformational pieces.”

Graves on Tuominen’s work, “elros creates beautiful textures and animates them in new and surprising ways, exploring  the  sculptures physical as well as textural space.  He has a romantic spirit that comes through strongly in his work, with the cubic form a major object of his affection.   My personal favorites though are his work with flex.”

elros Tuominen relates, “My work is  based on three basic points: light, colour and rhythm, and almost all the ideas come from own feelings and experiences, most of them, not all. I just create some music without sound, some alive watercolour, watercolours that never dry, and light, many light, giving those 3d pieces more depth and movement, it’s the main idea, movement, kinetic works, creating in a fourth dimension, a new dimension to play with and express myself, so maybe there’s some kind of futurism there too. With each work I try to create what I have envisioned after thinking about a concept, then I develop it, until I discover what I wanted to build—that’s a nice moment really…”

Tuominen on Graves work, “I love the sweet movements and dizzy transitions he builds, like flowers from a world called SL. I really like his pieces they are delicate and so smooth, like some kind of peace in this world…”

Don’t miss the last installment of “The Collector” a once in a lifetime exhibition now through April 14th. Opening reception April 2, 2009 at 3 pm SL time.. Please join the residents of Artemisia in this wonderful exhibition from Second Life’s greatest artists. Artemisia – Living with Art.

Galerie de la Vie, Artemisia

February 12th through March 26

Opening Night Reception: February 12 from 4:30-6:00 pm SL time

DJ Eth Tedeschi spinning tunes

Exhibition: The Collector

Starax, Pitney, Fairymeadow, Saarinen, elros, and Tripsa are just a few of the artists whose sculptures will be on display at Galerie de la Vie in Artemisia February 12th through March 26th.  This exhibition named “The Collector” is focused around the art collection of Sichel Seifert an art enthusiast who has been collecting and commissioning some of the finest artists in Second Life since early 2005. You will see as never before from the eyes of a collector and connoisseur of Second Life art. Selections from his vast collection will be shown in two consecutive three-week exhibitions. The artists’ works have never before been shown together as one exhibition.  This amazing collection represents a historical time line of sculptural work in Second Life. You will not want to miss this once in a lifetime exhibition.

When asked by RobertSteven Smythe, curator at Galerie de la Vie, why he has been such a prolific collector Sichel responded, “Ask yourself: What surrounds you in SL? Just the two: personal relationships, personal creations, and really nothing else (even if someone says SL has is own ‘spirit’ as well). Since I was rezzed there, I searched for the best of both. Got good friends, got beautiful creations.  And I keep searching.”

Collecting is a very personal endeavor and collectors must educate themselves on the subject of their passion. The best collectors contend that collecting should not begin as an investment, but that a collector should enjoy and purchase only items that appeal to them. Sculptures in Second Life have an appeal to Sichel that has continued from his first day in SL.

Following are some of his thoughts on the artists and their work, taken from his blog, Second Life Masterpieces (sichelseifert.wordpress.com):

“Starax Statosky is one of the most famous SL sculptor. Because of the high quality of his works, their rarity….he has become a sort of mythological figure. It must be recognized that he was a precursor of the whole SL artistic production….he remains the ‘SL Giotto,’ the ‘first’.”

“Meleni Fairymeadow is a true Second Life sculptress. She works with prims like they were marble or stones. Mostly, she does not use colours. Shadowing, is rare in her works. Simplicity, sometimes a youthful approach, is a feature of her sculptures. She likes allegorical subjects. Also classical and medieval topics appeal her.”

From an interview with elros Tuominen:

ss: Tell me about your first experience in Second Life.
eT: I only came here to feel somehow like floating flying, trying something different, but I was so amazed about everything and too worried about trying to dress myself LOL…. I thought some day, when I saw a gallery around, I would love to see my watercolours here RL ones…. and I opened a little gallery ) only paintings, but I discovered soon 3d ….

Quote taken from Digging in SL by Zulqadi Saarinen, “There are three things that I wanna do: create, create and create. We all will die and fade out one day, rich and poor alike. What would remain is what we contributed to make life more beautiful for others. Whoever you are, I love you.”

Don’t miss this rare exhibition to be shown in two parts. The show opens February 12, the second on March 6. Please join the residents of Artemisia and the Galerie de la Vie as we present this spectacular gathering of sculptures from Second Life’s greatest artists. Artemisia – Living with Art.

Complete List of artists:

Alizarin Goldflake, Meleni Fairymeadow, Kicca Igaly, Rezago Kokorin, Feathers Boa, Wolf Hartnell, Queen Edman, Steve Kilby, Stella Costello, Sabine Stonebender, Zulqadi Saarinen, elros Tuominen, Cheen Pitney, Colt Parx, Charlot Dickins, Pumpkin Tripsa, Starax Statosky, Light Waves, Eme10 Wind, Masterful Escape, PleaseWakeMeUp Idler and Glyph Graves.

Artemisia’s Galerie de la Vie proudly presents Introspective: Conscious Inner Thoughts, Desires and Sensations, a new show by Eme10 Wind and Rik Zwiers. Open 8 January 2009. Opening reception tba.

Eme10 Wind and Rik Zwiers bring thought provoking works to the new exhibition in Artemisia’s Galerie de la Vie. This introspective installation will spark the imagination and provide meaning to the experience and learning of what lies within our inner light and our dreams.

Themes of The Beacon Within is the theme for Eme10 Wind’s set of digitally produced images. They are sometimes photorealistic, other times abstract, but are all inspired by the source of light, whether a literal beacon of a lighthouse, or the more internal beacon of personal truth.

Eme10 Wind

Eme10 (the “10″ part is pronounced in Spanish: diez ) grew up in Caracas, Venezuela where she became a professor or Visual Arts and Appreciation. She has taught at all levels of secondary and higher education. For this exhibition she has created imagery that will compel the onlooker to reach inside and find their own Beacon Within. Everyone has something that drives them whether it is to excel spiritually, intellectually or in their work or craft. Eme10′s work is a mix of many techniques, a mix which depicts a multifaceted reality by incorporating illustration, digital painting and graphic design. She skillfully blends them with 3D modeling, rendering and raytracing techniques.  Where is your Beacon Within? Maybe you can find it while looking at Eme10 Winds digital images. Eme10 Wind explains her art and passion:

“I love to work with computer generated art, because I think it’s another way to artistic expression. To me, all of what I learned and explored in traditional arts is a familiar background to perceive and translate more of what surrounds us. Virtual worlds are amazing places in which we can expand as multiple beings, exchanging experiences and exploring ourselves. Expression in Art is multiple, and infinite, and always new. The so called ‘virtual’ field is only another dimension in which we can materialize our thoughts with less restraint and way more freedom. Art, is definitely everywhere. Whether we are aware of it or not, Art expression is like a collage of the many components of our daily lives, including ourselves.”

Rik Zwiers

Rik Zwiers, from the UK, says his art “has its roots in the Celtic ‘Otherworld,’ which was a magical realm (psychic and real) said to exist alongside ours and is an interesting precursor to the multiverse concept used so frequently in modern physics and science fiction.” The theme for his imagery in this exhibit, Crossover, depicts that otherworld dimension of dreams.  He refers to the series as “Dark Dreaming.” Many of the places featured in his work are, as Zwiers says, “based on real locations in the north of England and Wales where I spent most of my childhood exploring some of the most ancient and evocative landscapes in the British Isles.” Thousands of years ago there was a time when all of the Europe was Celtic and England was ruled almost entirely by Celts. Zwiers explains, “The locations in my Dark Dreaming work may be based on a real place, or just a thought or an emotion or a dream of that location. They are the Crossover between the physical places we know and love, and the semi conscious feelings they inspire in our hopes and dreams: the beacons of the mind.”

Wind and Zwiers have put together a wonderful combination of images to explore this introspective within us.  You won’t want to miss this provocative exhibition at Artemisia and the Galerie de la Vie. Open to the public January 8, 2009 with an opening reception to be announced. Artemisia – Living with Art.