Kentucky Dreaming: AM Radio's Latest Metaverse Installation
Photo by Poid Mahovlich
Ah Kentucky, proud exporter of thoroughbred horses, fine whiskey... and now, metaverse art. The University of Kentucky's site in SL (direct SLURL teleport at this link) is now host to AM Radio's latest work of immersive art, another long highway stretching into nowhere, anchored by a mystical tree.
"[They] invited me to utilize the space", AM explains simply. He built the dreamscape gratis. "I would reject payment even if offered."
Many of AM's previous works, while gorgeously wrought, allowed for little direct interaction (a shortcoming in my view), but this one integrates you into his reality. The road is strewn with physics-enabled umbrellas, which skitter off in satisfying directions, when you kick them. ("Oddly satisfying isn't it?", says AM, as I run down the road.) And sometimes, as Wizard Gynoid reports, the umbrella can even take you and a group of friends into the stratosphere.
The interactivity doesn't end there:
Mr. Radio has also embedded "a Javascript displaying a particle attractor visualization." If you click the video player at the bottom of your Second Life viewer, he tells me, "It will load a html page, which contains Javascript, which creates a texture for the ground on the fly. Each time you visit, it will be different, and it is unique to every user. it's new every time you visit, and you can reset it by stopping and playing the media." This yields a dreamscape that's collectively shared, but simultaneously, experienced differently. Go with some friends, and see for yourself.
Always a pleasure to read about AM Radio's latest work.
Posted by: Ann Otoole | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 02:56 PM
"Many of AM's previous works, while gorgeously wrought, allowed for little direct interaction..." Oh, Hamlet, you are so wrong! Most of them have *many* hidden secrets. Ping me in-world for a tour :P
Posted by: Bettina Tizzy | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 03:26 PM
Would love a personal tour, Ms. Tizzy. Far as lack of interactivity, I mean that in most of AM's sites I'm familiar with, the objects mainly seem to be static, and the environment doesn't change from your involvement in it. Hidden secrets are nice, though.
Posted by: Hamlet Au | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 05:14 PM
Nice if its not as lifeless -- as its always been. Also, I love how everyone can be an artist in SL. (Also, a CEO too, lol.)
Posted by: Anonymus-Not | Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 04:30 AM
What a boring world it would be, Anonymous-Not (adoreable) if we all liked all of the same things. Bravo.
Posted by: Gahum Riptide | Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 09:09 AM
listen to bettina. if you think they're not interactive, you haven't spent enough time there yet. :) that's the beauty of it.
Posted by: thaumata strangelove | Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Hamlet, I totally agree with Bettina and Thaumata. AM Radio's builds, besides being just beautiful in their exquisite detail, and wonderful to just spend time in, also have much to interact with that is not apparent initially. You need to spend some time in them....time to explore, and find what is there. Not all is revealed on the surface.
I think his builds are some of the best that are found in SL, not only for their beauty, and the exquisite, careful detail that he puts into everything he does, but also for something less tangible. I always describe it as a certain emotional resonance that permeates so much of what he does. It is part of what makes so many people love being in his builds, and why so many return over and over again.
Posted by: Hitomi Mokusei | Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 09:19 PM
Anonymous-Not.... There is nothing lifeless at all about AM Radio's builds which I assume you are referring to in that somewhat oblique manner you used, and there is certainly no doubt that he is an artist in both SL and RL, whether you think so, or not.
That doesn't mean you have to agree with others who do consider what he does an artistic creation, nor do you have to like what he does, but I think if you are going to bother to take the time to post a comment to criticize someone's work, considering the tremendous amount of time and effort that go into any creation, then wouldn't it be more appropriate, and respectful to do that under your SL name, rather than an anonymous moniker?
Posted by: Hitomi Mokusei | Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Is there a list anywhere of AM Radio's other builds?
Posted by: miketually Aeon | Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 04:15 AM
The real art in AM's work, aside from meticulous attention to detail (which anyone with the patience of Job can do), is his remarkable use of light and shadow. One aspect of this installation that differs from most of his work is that the time of day is not fixed. I've spent a lot of time there in the last week and it's different every time because the light is different. I'm learning a lot from this piece--not just about building, but about seeing.
Posted by: Oriscus "Oz" Zauberflote | Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 08:29 AM
To miketually Aeon, Do a search on People and AM Radio, his builds are in his picks :D
It is a wonderful build
Posted by: Clarrice | Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 12:43 PM
The first ever voice interview with elusive Second Life artist AM Radio will broadcast as part of The Amy Freelunch Hour, on Arthole Radio, this Wednesday, November 26th:
Arahan Claveau: 9.00pm UK/GMT (1.00pm SL/PST)
Amy Freelunch: 10.30pm UK/GMT (2.30pm SL/PST)
-INTERMISSION-
Nebulosus Severine: 9.00pm US/EST (6.00pm SL/PST)
Amy Freelunch: 10.30pm US/EST (7.30pm SL/PST)
To listen to the stream, copy and paste this link into your streaming media player - http://slan13.ipr365.com:10320
Read more on Amy's blog - http://amyfreelunch.wordpress.com/
Posted by: Nebulosus Severine | Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 11:57 AM