Feed a Smile Art Gallery, Part of the Feed a Smile Charity for Live and Learn in Kenya
This month, we are delighted to showcase the remarkable talents of two exceptional AI artists: Hermes Kondor and Rob Fossett. Rob’s captivating exhibit, situated outside the Feed A Smile art gallery at Lavender Field, presents a unique blend of AI artistry. Through dynamic, moving prims, Rob’s artwork features photographs of individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. His work aims to emphasize the importance of seeing beyond race and recognizing the inherent humanity within each individual. By focusing on the person within, Rob’s art underscores the shared similarities that unite us all.
Meanwhile, inside the art gallery, Hermes Kondor’s exhibit offers a stunning display of imagined portraits of women. Using a masterful combination of artistic elements, Hermes skillfully conveys emotions and passions through the vibrant use of color. The walls of the gallery are adorned with exquisite artwork, each piece serving as a testament to Hermes’ creative vision and talent
What makes these exhibitions even more meaningful is that all proceeds from the sale of the artwork will be donated to the Feed A Smile foundation. This generous contribution will support the noble cause of providing meals to the children at the Live & Learn in Kenya school. With 565 children relying on these meals each day, the assistance provided by Hermes and Rob’s donations is invaluable. Thanks to their generosity, and the amazing individuals like Brique Topaz, the vital work of Feed A Smile continues to make a positive impact on the lives of these beautiful children.
– Angela Thespian
Nitroglobus Gallery
In the evocative space of Nitroglobus Gallery, Mihailsk, affectionately known as Miha, unveils “LOST.” This return to the site of his Second Life (SL) artistic debut is marked by a deeply personal exhibit: a monochromatic journey shaped by the tragic loss of his beloved partner. Miha’s minimalist photography transcends mere visual appeal, delving into a narrative of love, of loss, and fortitude.
As I traverse the expansive, sombre-toned gallery, each photograph— from the solitary avatar cast in shadows to the architectural forms and shapes captured in stark relief—evokes a spectrum of emotions. In “Mute Pain,” the struggle in articulating grief and the resulting loneliness is palpable. “Wish” conjures a shared longing for reunion, and I imagine myself sitting beside Mihailsk, sharing in his yearning for a reunion. “Mirage” and “Fading” reflect on the ephemeral nature of memories and dreams, hinting at the necessity of letting go, that a part of us has to diminish for us to move on. Yet, it is in “Steps” and “Still Standing” that Miha’s resilience shines brightest, embodying the strength to persevere.
“LOST” is more than an exhibition; it’s an invitation to journey alongside Mihailsk, to empathize with his sorrow and admire his courage. While your interpretations may vary, I am certain that the universal themes of human experience will resonate deeply, making “LOST” an essential visit.
– Jude Elowyn
IMAGO Art Gallery
While visiting the IMAGOLand and Art Galleries, amongst the many levels of art to choose from, I came upon Mareea Farrasco’s artistic interpretation of a poem by Guillaume Apollinaire, written just 1 year before the beginning of World War I, called Autumn Crocuses. Farrasco’s AI creations serve as both a tribute to the enduring power of Apollinaire’s words and a haunting reminder of the fragile beauty of life in the face of impending darkness. Following the tone of the poem, it’s as if every pixel tells a tale of love and loss against the backdrop of the impending storm.
As visitors navigate through Farrasco’s gallery, they begin to feel an underlying tension to a world on the brink of cataclysmic change, where the delicate beauty of crocuses and the gentle rustle of autumn leaves are juxtaposed against the looming specter of war. Through her artful manipulation of light and color, Farrasco captures the tumultuous, yet sweet emotions of the era of innocence, inviting visitors to contemplate the fragile balance between hope and despair.
But amidst the flowers and purple tones of Farrasco’s reflections lies a glimmer of defiance — a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Through her evocative imagery and poignant symbolism, she reminds us that even in the darkest of times, art has the power to transcend the boundaries of fear and uncertainty, offering solace and inspiration to all who dare to dream.
– Amii Thespian
Kowloon Locker Festival
This is a fun exhibit that opened January 27th where participants were tasked to join the group and make a small payment of $L30 to receive a locker to decorate. Once placed, they were able to decorate following the guidelines provided. The outcome was a fun journey through various lockers lined up on a wall. Each locker has a quirky personality of its own. One locker holds a washing machine with cleaning supplies and gloves giving the slice-of-life feeling of a sometimes-mundane everyday task which made it all the more relatable.
Another locker opens to reveal steps leading down into a subway system. Most of the lockers are elaborately put together while some are as simple as a hand holding a delicate feather. Some lockers have interactive elements to them, videos to watch, and objects to click.
The excitement is not knowing what you will see as you venture down the row of lockers, engaging with each one. I won’t spoil the rest so visit for yourself and experience this exhibit before it ends.
This was truly a unique display and I’d love to see many more of its kind where a community collaboration turns something as simple as school lockers into a full exhibition of fun! Come with your curiosity, bring a friend, and make sure to share with others!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/kowloon/135/17/22
– Kairi Cristole
The Monocle Man
Starting the New Year with a new look and a grand opening, The New Monocle Man introduced their fresh gallery and new concept. Monocle Man allows artists to showcase their work for a reasonable L$50 a month, perfect for shy beginners and seasoned artists alike. The vibe is welcoming and encouraging, which makes it all the more attractive. If interested, join the group by clicking the bicycle in the middle of the square then choose an available shop and pay the low cost to start. Exhibits are live for half a month with the possibility of extension.
On exhibit now is Caly Applewhyte with gorgeous portraits from the BAROCK, Cabaret, and Grafik collections each highlighting the techniques of milestones in art history. The amazing Ed Rhode shares shots from his travels around the grid. He has an excellent eye for landscapes. Unique multi-medium art from Elvira Mistwood of 9 Muses Art Gallery. Bright and lively landscapes from Willow (cutewillow.carlberg) of Willow’s Fine Art Gallery. I was the most drawn to the photo titled ‘Hints of Gold Paint the Night Sky’. Artist Duraya showcases thought-provoking eccentric dreams in visual form. In provocative black and white are the photos of Tory King for the HOTEL exhibit, an erotic fantasy captured in intimate shots. There are many more artists to enjoy.
The main gallery holds the works of Lynx Luga (lynx.iuga) in the showcase ‘Taboo’. This event is comprised of intoxicating depictions of sensually stimulating pieces. There is so much beauty to be seen in the forbidden desires. Roam the galleries, meet with friends, and enjoy the art.
– Kairi Cristole
Serena Arts Centre
The Pagan Lane Exhibit at Serena Arts Centre is a showcase of his most recent artwork. The opening was held on February 10th.
In this collection of works, his art style stands out for the ability to portray emotions with depth using color and dark spaces. This is observed in the pieces titled ‘Rage’ and ‘Chaos’, I was drawn to the darkness of each with the color flickering like the simmering of lava or spiraling into the pit of darkness, respectively. I admire how a piece like ‘Persephone’ can have complexity in telling its story. Laying with her fingers tilting a bowl that scattered pomegranate seeds across white sheets, we see a visual of the myth symbolizing the change in seasons and the inevitable cycle of life and death.
Abstract works like ‘Flow’ draw interest to the color palette and pattern that does as its name describes. There are statement pieces like ‘Fool in Love’ where a man has a target on his heart that is littered with arrows as he falls.
A favorite of mine is ‘Tribute to Yemoja’ which celebrates the goddess of the river, Yemoja. In Nigerian beliefs, there are 400 gods – called òrìsà in the Yoruba language with each representing a force of nature. Yemoja is considered the mother of them all, a symbolic importance of water to life. There is so much beauty in the way each image holds a piece of something greater. The enjoyment is in learning about the roots of the pieces Pagan Lane has created and shared.
– Kairi Cristole
