Talk about sponsors and artist- my thoughts « By Alexander Fine Jewelry

Talk about sponsors and artist- my thoughts

27Jun09

When asked to explain my person expectations, well i had to really sit and think on this. how can i, a art supporter, and admirers of many artists even explain this, so.. let me begin by saying, My personal Expectations of a virtual artist are a bit radical then what most would probably do in any setting.
so let me first explain why I have these expectations, and why I feel them to be important in the setting we are in, here in the virtual realm.
First of all I do expect an exhibit to be prepared by the agreed date of opening that an artist and I decided on.

It is very important to keep a schedule so that the audience we are trying to reach will be at an opening and able to explore and perhaps ask questions of the virtual artist themselves. This way more people will see that there is more to a virtual realm then simply ‘social’ gatherings which I won’t go into, suffice it to say, by getting things going when we are suppose to can in many ways catch the attention of people who may later wish to support an artist themselves at a later time. It was the way I was introduced to the art world.

Also what I feel is important is for the theme to reach everyone who visits the installation on some level. i mean there are so many levels of the understanding of art that to reach an audience so drastic in lifestyles as well as their sense of what virtual is, will force an artist perhaps to be a lot more creative then the norm in order to transcend from real to virtual. A lot of individuals, who join a virtual platform, may not care for art at all, let alone virtual and may feel that Virtual art is not a true art form. By supporting the virtual arts with in Second life I hope with the cooperation of an Artist I support would change that thinking. I know on some level when I view art here, it has a personal translation to me; it’s not simply ‘pretty’.

One who sees something in virtual I would hope after visiting any exhibit, on my sims or any others will leave with a sense of understanding what was built on some level in their minds, a translation so to speak. Art in real life tends to be so much more obvious to art lovers, but in the virtual realm you want to bring that same sense to the individual who logs onto a pc and views this from their monitor and feel they have been touched by what they viewed on a similar level in comparison to that in real life.
So Creativity is my first expectation. For a Virtual artist to be completely free to work without limitations except a set opening date, and with one goal in mind. Create their environment, but have fun with it, and let it have a life so to speak of its own. Why? So others who visit the build can enjoy what they see and take with them an experience they can share with others.
This is where I feel immersive techniques can be very useful for future installations.

1. But that’s for another time to speak on. So to fully understand what I feel is important is these key points.
2. Reach the individuals who visit the installation, giving them some understanding of art form in the virtual world.
An experience they can share with friends and family.
3. And appreciate this type of art form as being unique and in its own way, true to the word Art.

So my lists of things I allow a Virtual artist who exhibits on my sims is the following,* because of course for the artist and I to achieve my expected outcome of the build itself, or installation, we must come to agreements and rules to make it all work.

Sharing any ideas of changes, or add on to the installation before or during the exhibit.
Also to provide me or my curator any information regarding previews and events that may take place on these installations.
What kind of installation it will be, and what is the name of it. For the exhibit to reach a wide range of individual, I’d like to know if it will be blogged about, or if either I or the artist will be interviewed. If there will be any photography site opened for the installation such as any flickr groups.

I expect the artist to speak and have a biography to be given out or otherwise information about their work be passed around to those viewing the exhibit.
I feel very strongly that an artist speak about what they are creating, and how they came to that idea at the opening of the Installation.
I do place the name of the installation on the description field of the land, so I ask prior to opening what that is, so it can be listed immediately.
I will not change the name of my sims, as I will politely say, that is my way of stating who the sponsor of the installation is. Although it is a topic that was brought up, I have done this so that it is obvious. Not solely for the reason of stating who the owner is, but also to have the proper questions directed to the owner, and artist.

Provide prim usage if needed, how long the space is available. In my case I have changed that. I guess it really depends on the build itself and how well accepted it is and how I feel about it.
How long will it take to set up and who has access to the sim during that time, and if estate rights are needed.
Exact date if possible of the opening event and it is very important that the artist attend.
If entertainment is desired, and who will arrange this or cover cost, and who’s involved in that. Although in most cases I will cover most of these costs, as I feel the artist should be left to create. In my case I have had this arranged by my curator, Calli Christensen. Whose organization of these events on my sims was exceptional.
How and where will the artist promote (to ensure coverage there is no multiple spamming of groups. )
Does the artist want to allow visitors to rez objects if so how will griefing or trash be dealt with?
Music stream if the artist wishes it. What kind and who will provide the URL
Will the artist want to hold regular events (example AM Radio had several events for his charity foundation that he supports) If they do, I wish to know what charity it is for and would like a URL provided to myself prior to the event, and given to the guests at the event.
Who will create poster images promotional text. Again this was done by my curator at majority of the openings. But for future venues i don’t expect her to provide these, perhaps another thing to think about in the art community, we do need more individuals who have experience with blogs, graphics and other skills to help sim owners promote and help artists who have very little time to do this on their own. Cost of this should be something discussed between sim owner and whom they contact to do these for them. I have noticed there is a great generosity when it comes to providing photography of the sims themselves by the average visitor.

To be kept informed of relevant information/details
If any machinia is being filmed on the sims i sponsor. I feel this is an important part of the installation itself, as credit I feel must be given to artist and sim owner. So permission I feel and condition should be explained before any machinima is being done well in advance. Also, I don’t want the artist disturbed if they are enhancing the installation, nor grant rez rights to just anyone.

We have seen this in many settings throughout second life, recognizing a sim, but no credit going to sim owners. In a sense, as a sim owner I feel a bit left out when no credit is given at all when something is filmed on my sim. This can be discouraging to any sim owner. The artist name should be mentioned as well, although I have not seen that as a problem.

As with AM Radios builds it was very popular, so this was a very valid thing to consider during his installations. I think the worst thing a sim owner can hear is “what a wonderful build you have here’ to the artist, and rarely is it asked who the owner is. I will give credit though to the artists I have sponsored, who were always quick to answer who sponsored the installation.

It is not an expectation, but more or less a courtesy to be mentioned, in any scenario be it a gallery of any kind, to sponsoring a sim for a major installation. As with any sponsor, The Land provided for an artist is something I don’t feel is mentioned enough and it should be, be it a company, or individual. I will go on and say yes its very costly to sponsor a sim, but most who enjoy arts will not have a problem, but I have seen, and myself felt at times that we are not acknowledge enough. but I will go on to say rarely have I encountered a problem, I have always been given credit in posts and photography.

I can see why the sponsorship is declining, but feel that if a fresh view is presented to a sponsor perhaps more individuals will feel … I guess the appropriate word here is proud of the part they played in a successful installation. I myself, in the previous installations that were closed recently, did feel as if I contributed in a way to the art community. Being thanked and invited to the various groups that were created for the photography, and in blogs. Perhaps these practices should be used for all sponsors, be it gallery owners or ones ready to donate their own parcel for a three day event, for example. If the one sponsoring feels important and given the right amount of credit, I do feel that more will be willing to provide more support to an artist.

I am not picking on any artist at all, but I can see why some art supporters out there feel as though they are not important enough. More and more providers now do expect more credit, but are often ignored.
If a simple notation be it on a famous photograph is given credit to an owner perhaps these art lovers will be more willing to give up their dollars and the land to continue supporting the virtual arts or an installation that second lifers have always loved, but the installation is now gone.
there is one important note i wish to add here, then im finished.
I believe its the little person who is really over looked majority of the time, when i say Little person i mean the individual who can only set up say a tiny parcel and dedicates their parcel to exhibit the few art pieces they can afford to put out.
Sure the larger sim owners need the attention too, because yea, they have the means to support larger venues but what needs to be worked on, is from the ground up. not from the top to the bottom. at one time i was just a little person starting at the bottom just like anyone else.
Granted i had a lot of art to exhibit and means to support the arts more, but to encourage this in others and motivate them, you need to show them in way that they matter too. In my eyes they are the backbone of sl virtual art. who does a new second lifer bump into first?
the second life general region areas, and there is where the basic smaller parcel owners matter the most and has the most potential to nuture the art world. without them, whose going to direct a potential supporter into the right direction to invest into the arts if they are interested in doing so?
So yes, one of the major things i feel should be given more thought if we want to gain more supporters, more interest in the arts, is to acknowledge these individuals.
the one working their tiny parcel in some unknown region in sl, and directs second lifers to bigger exhibits. and yes i know the gallery hud does this on so many levels, but i dont feel that is enough. Perhaps we all need to review this and find some way to not reward, thats not the right word, but to let those who do this know that their investment matters as much as say one like me who has multiple sims to and galleries to offer.

Notes on talk at Patron and Artists.

*Although as AM Radio commented there are far more artist now which makes it seem like land has diminished in a way, i agree to it to an extent. As i have said previous, if more parcel owners are approached as the huge sims owners are perhaps a bit more art will be available for the viewers of secondlife, and possibly talked about in blogs and twitter which seem to be the way of the future in the sense of communication.

AJordan

Alexandar Vargas