Toyshoppe’s Neighborhood

Story of the Unicorns

inkenzo
Dec 4, 2009
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Currency has flow, like a river sending water droplets down in a mass stream of rippling consciousness, capital has a way of moving between the obstructions to follow its destiny downstream. Some same it trickles up or down depending on your geography and magnetism -- I say any multitude of flows are possible when we take time to move with the forces at work.

Unicorns understood this before humans did. While we long for some singularity with the digital consciousness the unicorns became part of the etheric mass long ago, captured in the dreams of millions. Their stories are legion and they are like the gems of the gods, pawns in various cosmic games of intrigue given as tokens after an adventure. They are creatures of strength and beauty, seen more in natural history than in mythology as their images find their way into paintings of our heritage. Their origins are unknown: in China the unicorn is related to dragon and chimera while they may be cousins to the oryx or eland in the southern hemisphere.

The stories around the unicorns began as they were given to others in exchange for extraordinary adventures. A unicorn could only be awarded if the pursuit was true and the gift was needed. In some lore the unicorn would only come to virginal maidens but they seem to be quite friendly when appreciated, much like any precious gift. They have a special sparkle that has captivated artists and kings alike.

Unicorntapestry

Unicorns as currency may seem to flow upstream, capturing the light in the river and magnifying it. Perhaps they are like a spotlight to goodness, a mirror reflecting the sun to its brethren on earth. Unicorns do not blend in and receiving such a rare thing is always a memorable experience. I give them to honor those who have done something wonderful and extraordinary in their own journey and in the process of giving I ask that unicorn to remember the nature of the gift to hold in its heart as it passes through the ages. The unicorns we give will outlive us and because they are rare and ephemeral they capture value unlike the gifts we typically give -- plastic cards with magnetic strips on them carrying information to a plastic store with magnetic strips in the objects. This is not the kind of giving exchange I want to share with others: I want to share something strong and beautiful. I want to give you a unicorn.

Here are the people who have earned unicorns from me this year, and why:

Jean Russell: for extraordinary listening and care in network culture as @nurturegirl
Stacey Monk: for initiating the Tweetsgiving movement to help a school she cares about
Bill May: for being a rockstar in government virtual engagement through social media
David Hodgson: for assistance with the Thrivable network of leaders
Lightning Temple: for extraordinary feats of artistic achievement

I have received unicorns from:

The pink fairy Amber: delivered to a Lightning Temple meeting, named Megajoule Lunacorn
Jean and Jo: The green unicorn shirt with the corn as a horn from Threadless (thanks!)
Captain Cassie: For lending me her stuffed unicorn pillow at Burning Man, and for general awesomeness, thank you.

TSDIGS Drive In Sign

inkenzo
Oct 20, 2009
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TSDIGS Drive In Sign

Originally uploaded by .inKenzo. evonne@amoration

Tomorrow night at the Health Commons in Second Life: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Health%20Commons/133/39/20/

Digital Storytelling Drive-In will include one minute videos and photo stories created by nonprofit organizations around the world. Help us award the winners in a special mixed reality party with dozens of organizational leaders learning to tell their stories together through new media tools. Special thanks to TechSoupGlobal for hosting and we'll announce the winners Wednesday night live in San Francisco and inworld.

International Architecture is Here

inkenzo
Oct 18, 2009
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Is it possible to be efficient as both a local and global creator? Virtual vocations create an opportunity for international collaboration that is unparalleled -- have we learned to work efficiently together across boundaries?

International Architecture

The architects of today's International Architecture in Virtual Worlds panel hosted by the US Department of State in Second Life explored both the global and local implications of their shift to Second Life as a tool for professional design and education. Judy Cockeram, Amr Attia, David Denton and Jon Brouchoud (also known as JudyArx Scribe, Archi Vita, DB Bailey and Keystone Bouchard) took an hour to join participants inSL for a streamed discussion followed by a tour of their key architectural builds. Students and designers were given time to explore open source 3D design solutions like the Wiki Tree and Studio Wikitecture along with the gorgeous landscape of reimagined Cairo being built with the collaborative design team led by Amr and David.

International Architecture

After years of producing mixed reality events it still astonishes me when we can beam multiple speakers from around the world through space and time to join us in one place. Synchronous collaboration still has its challenges (try finding one time zone that works for Egypt, New Zealand and the US) but we were able to gather 70 people from over a dozen countries in one place to share a conversation about architecture and international partnerships that may prove fruitful for a burgeoning new industry. Producing these events is exhilirating!

International Architecture

As the 3D web and our collective design desk radically evolves we are wise to make the best use of the tools in front of us, not only the Wiki Tree and www.archvirtual.com for Architectural design community but also the rich global community we share inworld at these panels, conversations and events. Together we are asking questions, exploring potential, offering perspectives and hopefully opening a few eyes and ears along the way.

International Architecture

I am grateful for the presenters and professionals working virtually to share their work with a larger global audience and learn something new from people half a world away. Their willingness to explore new methods is what gives us a rich landscape to explore and build on together, scripting new doors where none existed before. Whether we work in architecture or public diplomacy, we have this amazing time and space to share together and explore what our world could be like if we could take the best of our cultures and bring them together. The virtual landscape is a dreamlike media where worlds can mingle and merge, much like our real world malls and living spaces where cultures collide, and I am grateful for the builders, creators and trailblazers who are making these worlds worth living in.

Thank you to Any1 Gynoid for this CNN iReport; take a few minutes to see more of the photos and videos shared at this event tagged #intlarchitecture.

This Blog Has MOVED

Anthony Fontana
Jul 15, 2009
1 comment

Please visit http://anthonyfontana.com for the official Anthony Fontana blog.

Me at Maker Faire

inkenzo
Jun 4, 2009
2 comments

Me at Maker Faire

Originally uploaded by .inKenzo. evonne@amoration

My human got her wings, she even took over the Facebook. It's mutiny I tell you!

Earth Day Event 11AM: EcoCommons opening in Second Life!

inkenzo
Apr 21, 2009
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Join in the Celebration of the Launch of the EcoCommons in Second Life
Environmental nonprofits and their supporters host a grand opening celebration, Earth Day, Wed. April 22nd

(Come see my latest island for Nonprofit Commons!)

Wednesday, April 22nd, 11 AM PT/SLT, on the new EcoCommons island in Second Life: http://slurl.com/secondlife/ECO%20Commons/5/4/29

Ecocommonswelcome2

EcoCommons is a virtual location (sim) designed for environmental organizations in the 3D virtual world of Second Life. Developed by TechSoup’s Nonprofit Commons team in partnership with OneWorld.net and OneClimate Island in Second Life, EcoCommons provides a network for environmentally-focused nonprofits to promote awareness, community-building and environmental education efforts in the virtual world and beyond. Through EcoCommons and the Nonprofit Commons as a whole, environmental organizations may join this alliance to increase impact. Members can host virtual meetings, lectures, and other events by tapping into a thriving, existing virtual community of early adopters and technologists. Individuals and organizations around the world can connect through EcoCommons, while also reducing their carbon footprint by eliminating the need to travel to a physical meeting place.

Launching on Earth Day, Wed. April 22nd, in the virtual world of Second Life, this interactive event will feature a keynote speech by Jacqueline Chenault, New Media Specialist U.S. House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming http://globalwarming.house.gov, and will be broadcasted live from Second Life.

The launch event will include educational sessions and presentations, and is a part of the TechSoup Global GreenTech Initiative's month-long campaign: Telegreening Your Work , to educate social benefit organizations on how to save money and the environment by using technologies, such as Second Life, to work remotely and collaborate online.

Event details:

* The launch party event takes place Wed. April 22nd in Second Life, 11:00 am- 12PM PST (SLT), online in Second Life, and is hosted by TechSoup Global's GreenTech Initiative, Nonprofit Commons, and OneWorld/OneClimate.net
* Second Life activities will continue throughout the day and week as part of Earth Week Second Life: http://slearthweek.wordpress.com/

Schedule of speakers:

11 AM: TechSoup Global's GreenTech Initiative

11:15 AM: Jacqueline Chenault, New Media Specialist, U.S. House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming http://globalwarming.house.gov

11:40: OneWorld/OneClimate.net

Noon-: Tours of the island and other The Nonprofit Commons islands and further Second Life activities throughout the week of Earth Day

About the Nonprofit Commons in Second Life
Nonprofit Commons consists of three virtual locations (sims), with a fourth underway. Housing over 80 social benefit organizations in virtual offices, and over 400 members who are not residnets, but still are community-volunteers, the Nonprofit Commons is managed by an entirely volunteer-run community of nonprofit employees, under the leadership of TechSoup Global: http://www.techsoup.org.

Nonprofit Commons was designed to lower the barriers of access to Second Life, to create a community of practice for nonprofits to explore and learn about the virtual world, and to investigate the many ways in which nonprofits might utilize this unique environment. Through this community, we provide free office space to qualifying groups, meet and network, create a cooperative learning environment and foster outreach, education, fund-raising, all in a virtual space. Our focus is on providing an accessible entry-point to Second Life and on creating a community of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) for effective collaboration and support. We believe that Second Life is a wonderful place not just to entertain, but also to educate, inspire, and work together to assist our fellow avatars (and the humans behind them). You do not have to be a resident of the Nonprofit Commons to get involved with our community. We welcome all who wish to join us as partners, collaborators or supporters.

Nonprofit Commons' first sim was donated by Anshe Chung Studios and the Nonprofit Commons 2nd sim was donated by TakingIT Global. The third Nonprofit Commons location, EcoCommons, was developed in partnership with OneWorld.net/OneClimate Island specifically for environmentally-oriented organizations. The Nonprofit Commons' fourth sim will be focused on health-related nonprofits, and will launch in conjunction with the NetSquared Confernece on May 27th, 2009.

Members of Nonprofit Commons meet each Friday at 8:30 PST/SLT at Plush Nonprofit Commons Ampitheater. Visitors are always welcome to join us in making a difference one pixel at a time.

For more information, please email Megan Keane (megan@techsoup.org) or Susan Tenby (susan@techsoup.org) or IM Penguin Kuhn or Glitteractica Cookie in-world.

Visit us online:

Nonprofit Commons Blog:http://www.nonprofitcommons.org and wiki: http://npsl.wikispaces.com

OneWorld/OneClimate.net: http://www.oneclimate.net

TechSoup Global GreenTech Initiative: http://www.techsoup.org/greentech
Telegreening Your Work Campaign: http://www.techsoup.org/greentech/travel/index.cfm

when fairies wore boots

inkenzo
Feb 19, 2009
1 comment

wmmarc_IMG_4054

Originally uploaded by wmmarc

@wmmarc, thank you for this shot at TwestivalLA, a fundraiser for Charity:Water

Fontana / Leighton at The Secor Gallery

SECOR GALLERY PRESENTS EXHIBITION OF DIGITAL & INSTALLATION ART

Exhibition Features Toledo Area Artists: Fred Leighton and Fontana

Fontana / Leighton at Secor

February 7th marked the opening of an exhibit of new artworks at The Secor Gallery located at 425 Jefferson Avenue Toledo, Ohio, 43604, across from the newly constructed Lucas County Arena. The exhibition features the artworks of artists Fred Leighton and the collaborative husband-wife team of Anthony and Sandra Fontana, simply called Fontana. The opening reception was held on Saturday, February 7th from 6-9pm. On display until Saturday, February 21st, this show features installation art, machinima animation, and digital prints. (Check this blog again for the full machinima).

The Secret of Bigfoot Pass

In The Secret of Bigfoot Pass, Fred Leighton has created a large cube comprised of plexiglass, fiber and computer-controlled LED lights along with several digital 3D analygraphic printed images. The title of the work refers to the 1976 TV show and paperback of the same name featuring the Six Million Dollar Man character, Steve Austin. In the story, the legend of Sasquatch is explained as a cyborg created by Alien explorers. Half-man, half-machine himself, Steve Austin confronts Bigfoot and the extra-terrestrials. In this group of works, the artists explores the significance of these characters and the popularity of the themes and subject matter in mid 1970s America, a fascination that continues to today.

Fred Leighton was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1965. He holds a BA from The University of Michigan where he majored in History of Art and an MFA from Savannah College of Art and Design where he studied Interactive Design and Game Development. As Developer and Producer, Leighton has been recognized by HOW, PRINT, WIRED, and Mac Art & Design for his creativity in developing interactive media projects for subjects including artists Rev. Howard Finster and Joe Coleman. Leighton uses physical computing, interactive installation, digital images and sound, online interactivity, and game design to create interactive artworks. Fred Leighton is currently an Instructor in Visual Communications Technology at Bowling Green State University.

We Are Avatars

Since 2005, Fontana has been investigating virtual identities in online social platforms, their economies, and the ways in which relationships are represented in digital forms. In this body of work the Fontana's collaborative search for distinct ways of documenting their avatar's experiences and memories can be seen through blended reality installations, altered avatar representations, and machinima animations. Through their artworks, Fontana's search begins with their digital documentation of their daily lives on social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, extends through their alternate, imagined, and "real" personas in virtual worlds such as Second Life, and burgeons forth into a space where viewers are able to question the paradox: "Is the virtual real?"

Anthony Fontana has been exhibiting artworks in and about online virtual worlds since 2005 and began creating machinima animaitons using the virtual world of Second Life in 2007 as a way to tell stories connected to humans, yet beyond the experiences of one's own body. He earned an MFA in Painting from Northern Illinois University in 2004 and a BFA in painting from the Columbus College of Art and Design in 2001. Sandra Fontana has worked as a professional photographer and homemaker for the last 7 years. She has toured the country shooting beauty pageants, school portraits, and often using her own children as subjects. Her favorite subject has always been herself, shooting several hundred self-portraits over the last decade. In 2001, Sandra earned a BFA in Photography from the Columbus College of Art and Design.

*****

If you would like to schedule a visit to the gallery or need more information about the exhibition or artists please contact Fred Leighton at fred@artsdigital.com, visit www.ArtsDigital.com, or www.AnthonyFontana.com.

Comics in Second Life

A few months ago I presented at a comic conference in Second Life. Check out the article and mention here:
http://www.comicbookbin.com/SecondLife004.html

"Anthony Fontana discussed the challenges of using Second Life to market comics, an activity which Fontana has pioneered and which is still very much in its infancy."