Virtual Artist Alliance Art Newsblog

check out our newsblog, yay!

cuz, you know- there's not enough art magz in Second Life as it is... :]

http://virtualartistsalliance.blogspot.com/

we're always looking for writers, too, so if you wanna join a laid-back bunch of crazy art and writing types, give me a holler!

What is the mission of the Virtual Artist alliance, you ask? t'is simple, my friends:

"... we're here to help promote, discuss, and generally enjoy virtual and digital art in all of its forms. We host a variety of events in the hopes of spreading the knowledge of art and culture, and also to raise money to help make the world a better place. We are a not-for-profit organization, so any proceeds we raise during our events are donated to alternating charities."

I really like your blog, but I gotta say I'm less than enthusiastic about the title. To me, the term "virtual artist' is a bit belittling. I'm not a "virtual" artist; I'm a real artist. I happen to apply my real art to virtual worlds, but that doesn't mean it's "virtual art". I'm real, and so is my work. The nature of the medium to which the work is applied doesn't change that.

A painter's canvas is a virtual world too, and so is an author's writing paper, but no one would give the painter or the author such a title, no matter how unintentionally, to imply that they or their works are not real. Why should it be any different for me just because my canvas of choice runs on electricity?

I'd be fine with "virtual world artist", but not "virtual artist". Make sense?

it does make sense :] and thank you for offering your view- i had not thought of it that way.

but i think this is a case in which one should not take the title so literally- after all, there are a lot of words in our language that have multiple meanings. (oh boy, copy and paste time- i apologize :] )"virtual" for example, can be defined as "1.being such in power, force, or effect, though not actually or expressly such" (dictionary.com, 'virtual') however, if one takes additional definitions into consideration, virtual could also mean "Existing in the mind, especially as a product of the imagination. (used mainly in literature)" or perhaps
"Computer Science Created, simulated, or carried on by means of a computer or computer network".

So you see, we're not suggesting that we're mirrors of artists- i'm aware that the people who make art in second life (myself included) are "actual" artists. In fact, if you take a look at my profile in-world, i say something to the effect of... erm... "i believe that art is about the act of creation, not the use of medium- for this reason i created the virtual artist alliance". or something like that :]

in any case, i do see where you are coming from- aside from changing the title of the group, would you have any suggestions for us so as to avoid any future confusion? further, if the title doesn't offend you too much, perhaps you'd be interested in writing with us? we like clever folks who make stuff, and tend to get along with them quite well, disagreements aside :]

Good luck with the site - looks great!

thank you! :]