People unfamiliar with Second Life could easily confuse this virtual world with some type of three-dimensional on-line game. Without going deep into game-theory, the most important difference is that, unlike a typical game which has a predetermined "story" structure with "obstacles", "achievements", "levels" and "goals", Second Life provides an open environment which people are able to create and tailor to their own wishes within the limits of the technology, and in which they may interact with others in any way they wish within the broadly-defined "Terms of Service" as set out by the providers of the service, Linden Lab.
The advent of the internet extended our conceptual platform for information sharing, collaboration and creativity. The implementation of the World Wide Web expanded and simplified that functionality, bringing it within the reach of the casual, non-technical user.
Second Life takes this expansion a step further, falling within the broad definition of "Web 2.0" by creating a virtual three-dimensional environment in which you are immersed in a space where artists are no longer limited by cost or the laws of space-time as we know it. Second Life implements exciting new avenues for artists as they may now create inside this three-dimensional environment in a manner impossible before now.
Art in Second Life is not uncoupled from our actual, physical lives. It evokes emotions and can inspire, reflecting back into the real world. A good and intense artwork involves the viewer emotionally, regardless of the setting. The immersive Second Life environment allows them to see this art as real, even it is "only" a virtual representation of the artist's imagination.
If I had to pick a single word to describe the whole of Second Life, it would be "ephemeral". While change is the only constant in our universe, Second Life takes this to extremes. Constant change is the norm rather than the exception. This can make it more difficult for artists to be recognized than it would be in a more constant world.
This is where the benefits of a non-profit gallery in Second Life attain a sharp focus. It is a perfect way to carry the experience of viewing carefully and thoughtfully curated exhibitions into this exciting world of constant change. As Second Life users carry their real world experience into the virtual world, the established and proven concept of a gallery where one is able to walk through and "touch" the exhibits delivers a familiar experience and bridges the gap between the virtual and real world. A virtual gallery affords artists the opportunity to showcase their sculptures and images within the established concept of a real world exhibition. This allows for an easy transition of established art into this world, while removing the limitations of cost and physical barriers to their creativity.
Central to the idea of an exhibition of virtual art is the involvement of the 3D personas (avatars) and the traditional elements of placed and catalogued exhibits. A virtual gallery reaches beyond this traditional concept by utilizing new aesthetic-technological dimensions and by the nature of the artwork itself, which has often a completely new, almost ephemeral quality.
Due to the fact that real world art can easily be brought into the virtual space, artists can not only create inside the virtual world but also present existing real world artwork to a completely new audience who might never set foot in a gallery. The barriers to entry are minimal or non-existant; there are no transportation costs and there is no need to find a parking space; the galleries are open all day, every day and there are no entry fees. The barriers between the visitor and the artists are similarly reduced; a more direct contact between artists and audience is possible, messages are delivered instantly or stored and forwarded as required; temporal and geophysical separations fall away. The virtual creations are freed from real world restrictions and often are of outstanding beauty as they may also be created by mixing real world art with virtual art.
An essential part of the creative process is the recognition and stringent protection of the artists' intellectual property rights. The Somerton Galleries take this responsibility very seriously. No pieces are exhibited which have been obtained without the requisite permissions. No pieces are for sale from the gallery. The artist should be contacted directly if the visitor wishes to obtain their own copy of any of the pieces on display.
A curated non-profit gallery in Second Life is able to bring all of these elements together and deliver an amazing experience for the visitor. Using tools like notecards and links to personal profiles or websites allows the visitor to gain a deeper insight into the artist's thinking and affords a smooth delivery of information, including "outside links" to more traditional websites and photo streams. A virtual gallery in Second Life offers most of the benefits of a physical visit to a museum or gallery but without the majority of the barriers to such a visit.
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