Yes, there is a paying audience for great Second Life art, and yes, they are willing to pay quite a lot to keep it thriving. That's my take to some pretty impressive news: Last night, the Toronto-based artist known as Bryn Oh in SL raised over $6000 in crowdfunder donations to restore and maintain her SL work Immersiva for a year. Just as impressive (and let me break this down):
- Bryn's original goal was to raise $5400 in 60 days. Instead, she raised over $6000 in about a single day.
- There was so much enthusiasm for Bryn's crowdfunder, IndieGoGo put it on the site's front page. (It's still up there now.)
- Along with filmmaker Peter Greenaway, who contributed enough to pay sim tier costs for six months, there were other large donations: One individual donated $1000, a company donated $500, three folks put in between $100 and 250.
"[I] had wondered if 60 days was enough so it was very heartwarming to see it achieved in one day," Bryn Tells me. "Indiegogo will keep the campaign going for the 60 day duration then transfer whatever amount is donated to me on the following morning." The $1000 donor was educator Selby Evans (Thinkerer Melville in SL), with $500 from Entermeta. See all the donors here.
More updates soon, but the bottom line is this: Immersiva will rise again. And with it, the chances more great, crowdfunded innovations in SL.
Wow, congratulations Bryn! This is incredible. Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Jon Brouchoud | Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 02:34 PM
By the time I read your original article and went to contribute it was already passed it's target. I am pleased to see how much Bryn's art is appreciated, and hope that LL is taking notice.
Posted by: Hitomi Tiponi | Friday, January 20, 2012 at 12:16 AM
Wonderful news!
I just wish all that contributed will also devote a bit of their free time to support non profit worlds like Os grid, just with a visit and a bit of explore!
Perhaps then, Os grid will be understand as a non profit world, where all can do a bit to make it grow, just for going there.
And there is so much that Os grid already have and so much more it needs.
Posted by: foneco zuzu | Friday, January 20, 2012 at 09:58 AM
private donations for public art..nice. so unlike most of the valley where corporate art buys end up in private lobbies and offices online.
Posted by: bobo | Monday, January 23, 2012 at 10:17 AM