Matt Shapoff created this print of combinedstory Island using the cyanotype technique:

Here are his comments on the proces:

This greeting card is a one-of-a-kind print called a cyanotype.
The cyanotype is a nineteenth century photographic process,
Combining photo sensitized paper with objects and a natural
Light source to create white silhouettes on a Prussian blue ground.
Matthew Shapoff uses local botanical specimens, acid free paper
And modern non-toxic photographic chemistry,
to create his cyanotypes.

Combinedstory is pleased to announce publication of “The Virtual Brand Footprint: The Marketing Opportunity in Second Life” co-authored by combinedstory, DMD New York, and Market Truths.

http://www.combinedstory.com/combinedstory_whitepaper.pdf

The white paper is designed to be both a quick read and extensive resource. The comprehensive appendix will help you navigate the compelling world of Second Life and really get a feel for virtual worlds.

-Dimitri

A new group recently appeared on YouTube in order to promote and showcase artwork in SL.

The group description states: “Art and culture are thriving in Second Life. Much of the time a simple photo isn’t enough to capture the kinetic and performance elements of this virtual art.”

This group is an excellent opportunity to present much of the incredible work in Second Life, which is mostly not seen or simply not captured by the still imagery that makes up much of the collective view of Second Life. This group will hopefully give people a new window into SL.

Check out the group by clicking here.

The Old Masters Picture Gallery in Dresden, Germany has established a virtual presence in Second Life, as Wired Magazine reported earlier today. The real gallery in Dresden was founded nearly 300 years ago, boasting a 37,700 square feet space in a 150-year-old building.

Dresden’s virtual presence marks the first official move of a RL museum to the virtual world. As Wired reported, “virtual versions of other collections (most famously “Second Louvre,” which has no official ties to the Paris museum) have [also] popped up.”

Dresden’s virtual reproduction has been recreated with immense accuracy and detail. As Wired reported, “the grounds outside, have been recreated, down to the trash cans and fountains in the courtyard and ceiling moldings, staircases and furniture within.”

Dresden’s Second Life build is a must see! The Gallery houses 750 paintings of The Old Masters, spanning 500 years of European art.

As reported by domain-B.com, IBM India is planning to create an immersive interface, where real life movements and actions would translate into virtual world operations.

IBM’s project comes out of an internship program for students at technical and business schools, who will work at IBM India Software Lab.

As reported by domain-B, Benjamin Chodroff of case Western Reserve University, who came up with idea, states: “The interface will allow users in the virtual world to experience objects in the real world through a new and exciting rich immersive environment. The new idea has many applications and will enhance both the virtual world and the real world with rich connectivity and on-demand-access from any part of the globe.”

This also coincides with IBM’s new energy project, called ‘Project Big Green,” where they plan to take on energy conservation initiatives.

Read domain-B’s full report by clicking here.

I know I’m late to the party, but Bedazzle Studios released an incredible piece of machinima quite some time ago. I have yet to see something rival it, even though its been out for so long!

Based on an old cowboy poem, Eric Call, the director, brings the poem to life on his Second Life based set.

Check out the movie:

Wheelies is the first disability themed nightclub within Second Life, located on Second Ability Island.

[Photo of Simon’s Avatar at Wheelies]

The nightclub is owned and operated by Simon Walsh, a disability consultant, trainer and researcher. As quoted from his blog, he states that he has two ventures in SL: “The first is Wheelies, a virtual disability themed nightclub [and the] second is Stevens Centre which is a training centre which is still in the development stage.”

Newsweek ran a video on Wheelies and Second Life last week; Click here to see it. While Newsweek’s video is informative it is also quiet fascinating.

Second Life builds, such as Wheelies, where RL convalescent communities are able to thrive despite their conditions is a growing phenomena in Second Life. A variety of builds from both an educational as well as user oriented perspective are on the rise. Check back soon for SLing’s post on Health in Second Life.

Chronos Laval

Welcome to SLing; the Combinedstory Blog!

This blog will cover news related to Second Life and Virtual Worlds. Check back often for our aggregation of information as well as our opinion on what’s happening in this domain.

Happy Reading!

Chronos Laval