Cajsa's Choices: How Kake Broek Turns Second Life Images Into Satirical Art

Cajsa Lilliehook covers the best in virtual world screenshot art and digital painting

Sometimes when you come across a new artist, there is this shock of recognition. I felt that when I first discovered Kake Broek’s work. Not that his art is like anything I would do; I am not that imaginative. It’s not like anyone else is either. It is not the style I recognized, it was the sensibility, seeing the absurd in contemporary life and challenging us to laugh, even when what we laugh at is painful.

It’s worth digging deep into his photostream. He satirizes pop culture, politicians, and Second Life. His avatar is incredibly versatile, seemingly able to represent anyone and everyone: Broek as Osama, as Spock, as Mao, as Trump, and as dozens of others, all instantly recognizable in their absurdity.

Broek does not think of himself as an artist, but more as a craftsman, a collage-maker. Art or craft is an eternal debate, but if we think of art as the expression of emotion, then we know with certainty, Broek is an artist. His work is deeply emotional, even when the predominant emotion is humor.  To learn more about Broek and his creative worldview, read my conversation with him below:  

"Trump proposal would mean crippling cuts to conservation programs key to bird survival and welfare."

How would you describe your art work?

"Pop art is a way of liking things." I would like to say that I am in complete agreement with the view that Andy Warhol expressed so clearly. Simply put, it seems that I may well be on a kind of "pop art" way, but I must confess to you that I'm certainly not an artist, at most just a 2D collage maker using the cartooning format the Second Life graphic design provides us.

Considering the fact that Second Life metaverse is nothing more than a live cartoon, how could it be otherwise? That should say it all about concerning the formal aspect. Clearly the subject matter of my factitious snapshots appear generally more inclined to sociology, marketing, mass madness and psycho-political than as a kind of overly aesthetic flowery wallpaper. So in the main, probably "Pop Satirical Cartoon" is the best way to describe my painterly manner.

But anyway, your own vision is more important than my narcissistic considerations, then if you feel like papering the ceiling of your bedroom with my drawings, go ahead!

"I’m late! I’m late! For a very important date." 

Where do you find inspiration?

Such like a nuclear flash from imagination to reality, passing by the grid and vice versa, ... the process of creativity still like ineffable. So where? In the animal kingdom! And everything which can explore the (SL) human condition with dark humor and irreverence may be subject to a new drawing, in line with the permanent stupidity of mankind, my inspiration has no limit. The past and these present days are abundant sources of absurdities and dismay, and a promising future is bright!

"Sooner or Never" -- Broek’s challenges convention without fear of offending

What artists inspire and motivate you? What's your process? How do you create and shoot your scenes?

All alone in the workshop of my mind, handy glass of Domaine Ramonet Montrachet Grand Cru, Jamaican incense aroma filling the room, and hidden on Magnum RC Sandbox 1. Scriptwriter, camera operator, set costumer, make-up artist, hair stylist, set dresser, property master and often actor, all at one time and even more. With the help of all those builders and stylists who for more than 10 years have fed my inventory.

 

"Meet the Residents" is one of Broek’s earliest works, from 2011.

What is your favorite photo?

I dunno! How to choose 1 from among over 1500 pictures on Flickr? Ya know for me, pictures are like girlfriends, I feel like answering with just one that the next newest one will be the fav! And at this time I really don't know, honestly what it's gonna be about. Only time will tell.

"Low-Tech Jihad" - many of Broek’s articles are inspired by news events and he often provides links to the stories the prompted his work.

Do you do art in your real life as well? Is there a connection between your RL and your art in SL?

I like to sculpt rancid yak butter as a hobby, elderly nudes sculpted in the round, antique and modern style. But obviously, that ephemeral real life artwork has nothing to do with the Second Life world.

What artists inspire and motivate you?

"Le Veau blanc" (The White Veal), an oil-on-canvas by Gustave Courbet, is definitely my favorite paintings. For the rest, there is so much diverse and various inspirations, such as German Dadaism, Russian Constructivism, American Pulp Art... From Homer Jay Simpson to Philip Rosedale, including George Orwell, Enzo Anselmo Ferrari and Sid Vicious, that's an over and over name-dropping because the pantheon of influences on me is just like an huge can of savory Chunky Minestrone Campbell Soup!

* * *

Broek does not just do collages. He is a video that only makes me wonder why he does not do more of them.

Broek’s art is on the surface amusing, but also deeply challenging. He does not just challenge us by refusing to conform to the conventions of beauty, but he challenges us to see the absurd, the lack of existential meaning in what society ranks most meaningful, and he asks us to think for ourselves, which is, of course, the most challenging thing of all.

His work can be found on Flickr and  in-world at The Amsterdam Gallery.

Cajsa Lilliehook joined Second Life in 2007 and has been enjoying the art of SL ever since. Disliking the common practice of critiquing poor photos, she decided to highlight good ones and explain why they work in hopes of inspiring with praise instead of criticism. Follow Cajsa on Flickr, on Twitter or on her blog.

Comments

[DrFran]

Kake's abilities are hard to categorize, hard to label. He would be seen as someone with ADHD if he wasn't so prodigious. Thank you for covering this one-of-a-kind artist.
His first language is French, and he has been kind enough to help me learn to speak better. Witness how well he spoke in English here.
Spend time with his Flickr stream and become acquainted with one of the most original and creative beings in SL.

Thanks for this article, Cajsa.

[Zussa Ryba]

I love Kake, he is a very nice person and the best avatar artist I ever met in my 10 years of Second Life experience. The best he ever made is the Greek guard. I also like his avatar with shoes made by holy books. You can love it or hate it.

[Kake Broek]

SURREAL SAD ENDING! ;<

Dear Kake Broek,
This email is notification that Linden Lab has terminated your access to the Second Life virtual world due to severe or repeated violations of the Second Life Terms and Conditions (available at https://www.lindenlab.com/legal/second-life-terms-and-conditions), Linden Lab Terms of Service (available at https://www.lindenlab.com/tos), or related policy. Your account has been permanently disabled. Depending on the nature of the recorded violations, additional alternate or household accounts may also have been disabled. Per the Terms of Service, you may not return to Second Life on any account, new or existing.
Violation: Terms and Conditions: Misrepresentation as Linden

Falsely identifying oneself as being a Linden Lab employee, a representative of Linden Lab, an official Mentor volunteer for Second Life or otherwise claiming or acting as if you are in position of authority within Second Life is a violation of the Second Life Terms and Conditions.

The decision to terminate your Second Life access was reached after investigating your use of the Second Life software and service. If you would like to appeal your termination, you may contact Second Life Support by opening a new support ticket with a subject of "abuse appeal".

Please provide relevant information that you believe would clarify the above violation. Linden Lab reserves sole discretion in determining whether to take any action on an appeal..../...

There is a new comment on your ticket. You can view your ticket by visiting https://lindenlab.freshdesk.com/helpdesk/tickets/1205034

You can also reply to this email to add your comment.

------------------------------
Ticket comment
Dakota Linden –
Hello Kake Broek,

Thank you for contacting us regarding this issue. Linden Lab has reviewed your appeal of our decision to permanently terminate your Second Life access.

The original decision to terminate your Second Life access was reached after investigation of your use of the Second Life software and service. Upon further examination of your case, we have determined that the permanent closure of your accounts was justified and correctly applied.

The evidence shows that you have severely or repeatedly violated the Second Life Terms of Service or Community Standards, and therefore your account and any alternate Second Life accounts are now permanently inaccessible.

This concludes our investigation of your appeal. Please consider the matter resolved, as no further communications on this matter will be sent.

Sincerely,

Account Specialist
Linden Lab

[Kake]

Hello Kake,

These accounts were terminated for Terms of Use and Community Guideline violations and will not be restored. You are no longer permitted to access or use SmugMug services, which includes SmugMug.com as well as Flickr.com. Attempts to create new accounts on either of these services will be deleted as well.

We're not at liberty to discuss the specifics of accounts closed for violations, but please see https://www.flickr.com/help/terms and https://www.flickr.com/help/guidelines/ for more information.

Regards,

Flickr Staff