Second Life was originally inspired by Burning Man and it once played host to Burning Life, an official Linden Lab-hosted tribute. This year the company ended its support for the project and it was re-dubbed Burn 2, now entirely a Resident-run event which launches this weekend. New World Notes' roving arts reporter ColeMarie Soleil shot this beautiful montage machinima, giving you some bright and shiny glimpses of what you can see in-person soon:
Virtual doors open October 16. Chestnut Rau has all the details in her weekly calendar.
Update, 11:25pm: Coley adds this analysis of Burn 2 versus last year's Burning Life
"Burning Life this year I think has more of the real spirit of Burning Man. Which is to say there is a visible sense of community. A lot of people working together all over. The difference between this Burn and the previous ones, I think, is that despite the controversy around the event. Many artists still came to help out regardless. There were many groups of negative thinking people who wanted this year to not do well. But the spirit of Burning Man I think is more there now than ever, due to the fact of people joining together anyway, despite the fact that it was dropped [by Linden]... I think what this year proves is even in adversity, artists will come together who care about creativity over anything else. I think that is what Burning Man is strong for too. Bonding together to do things."
ColeMarie Soleil covers the Second Life arts scene for New World Notes when inspiration strikes. Before joining SL, she was a studio musician, a wandering gypsy, a graphic designer, and a solo artist who's performed at Whiskey a Go Go in Los Angeles and the Apollo in Manhattan. See more of her machinima here.
Awesome vid. Just awesome. Ty Cole!
Posted by: Raven Haalan | Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 05:00 PM
'Tis awesome!
Cole, you captured so much of the inspiration and imagination brought onto the Playa. I see things I have not before. As a Ranger I have walked around the past few weeks, scanning the builds, looking for "errors". I see builds from new perspectives. TY! Great machinima!
I know the press had a short time to film yesterday, and there are so many noted builders and artists. But, there is so much more, some builders who should have been (or could have been) invited artists, have awesome stuff. Well, it's all about the experience. BE THERE
-Leondra
Posted by: Leondra | Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 05:57 PM
I thought AM Radio was supposed to contribute, but I didn't see his work in the vid (which is fantastic, BTW)...
Posted by: Remington Soup | Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 08:18 PM
Holy Coley!
Posted by: Little Lost Linden | Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 09:52 PM
XD Remmy.... AM did show at the event but his build did not film so well with the way it was constructed or I would have included it...
Posted by: ColeMarie Soleil | Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 10:44 PM
Great job, Cole! A little correction: The exhibit shown at 0:30 is not mine. It was created by Mikati Slade. I was simply a contributor. I'm glad you liked it enough to include it. Lots of great exhibits in this year's Burn. Come see them in-person :D
Posted by: Emily Lang | Friday, October 15, 2010 at 03:09 AM
Wow Coley. Great video. I can't wait to see it all for myself. And frankly, I worship at the feet of your flycam skillz.
Posted by: Nightflower | Friday, October 15, 2010 at 06:05 AM
Fantastic vid - will make sure I set aside a lot of time to look around, and be amazed.
Posted by: Hitomi Tiponi | Friday, October 15, 2010 at 06:28 AM