UTSA-SL

A Thank You to Our Virtual Community

2011-10-28T15:56:00.003-05:00

First and foremost, this is a thank you to the many friends of the UTSA-SL virtual campus and a thank you for the times we spent together over the past few years. There are too many names to mention individually here; so many who dedicated their time and creativity to make our islands truly exceptional. I cannot begin to express how much I enjoyed and enjoy my time with this wonderful community. More though, it is not only the sense of being part of a vibrant community, but also the warmth of friendship that made our virtual campus such a special place for so many.

That being said, I will mention two of the artists who have contributed in special ways to our UTSA ArtSpace, because neither is part of SL anymore: Sabrinaa Nightfire and Igor Ballyhoo.

Sabrinaa passed away not too long ago and left a huge hole in the fabric of the virtual art community. She was not only an artist, but also an extremely warm and supportive person. Her kindness and friendship extended to everyone and her legacy lies in the art she created as much as in the memories of the many who remember her with a warm smile. She will not be forgotten.

Igor was the driving force behind the creation of the Snow Crash exhibit on the UTSA ArtSpace and worked tirelessly on creating an amazing exhibit area initially alone and later together with Rebeca Bashly. All of his work is exceptional and his departure from the SL art scene is a tremendous loss; he was and is an artist of extraordinary talent and vision. I have not posted any feedback to any of the blogs targeting him on the web, because I could see that all the comments that were made in his support only fueled more vicious postings from individuals who view themselves as “performance artists” without giving a single thought to the fact that what they engage in is essentially no more than cyber bullying. Artists like Igor are the real deal and I am honored that he chose to work with UTSA.

Halloween Party and Good Bye

2011-10-25T07:57:00.003-05:00

It is with great sadness that I write this note. The UTSA-SL Virtual Campus will close its doors at the end of this week due to a lack of funding. Before our home in SL, including the acclaimed UTSA ArtSpace disappears, come by and enjoy the fantastic art and scenery again at your leisure.

We also will have a last celebration on Wednesday, Oct 26, 2011, from 4-6 pm SLT with DJ Eifachfilm Vacirca on the new halloween area created by Rebeca Bashly. Please join us as we celebrate the work of those who made the UTSA-SL virtual campus the gem that it has become.

For the SLURL to the Party, please click HERE.

Image Credit: Rebeca Bashly

Inferno

2011-10-13T16:18:00.001-05:00

... if you have not yet seen it, visit Rebeca Bashly's INFERNO (click here for SLURL). The installation is based on Dante's work by the same name and is guaranteed to impress. When asked what motivated her to create this multilayered 3D experience, Rebeca answered "I was drawn to build this particular piece as a personal challenge and to create an immersive experience that would stand on its own."

BRAVO REBECA!

P.S.: The credit for the amazing image above also goes to Rebeca.

UTSA Awardees in the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge

2011-09-15T22:34:00.000-05:00

We would like to officially announce the UTSA Awardees in the UWA 3D Open Art Challenge.

We have space on our Academic Island where we are, and will be displaying the extraordinary works of these award winning artists.

Here are the award winners for the past 6 months:

March -    Gingered Alsop - "Shattered"
April -       Cherry Manga - "Baudelaire"
May -        Anley Piers - "Death to profit"
June -      Kolor Fall - "BeforeY"
July - Anley Piers - "Fantasy"
August -    Romy Nayar - "En el Viento- In the Wind"

Please check back in! We are planning a fabulous celebration event.

Congratulations to these gifted artists.

UTSA ArtSpace Machinima Contest Winners 2011

2011-09-14T18:17:00.002-05:00

... and the winners are:

For the Metamorphosis category:

First place at L$25,000: Sabbian Paine

Second place at L$12,500: Spiral Silverstar

For the SnowCrash category:

First place at L$25,000: Fuschia Nightfire

Second place at L$12,500: Spiral Silverstar

We thank all of the machinimatographers for their entries. Each had fantastic scenes; each had its unique approach. We congratulate each of you and look forward to seeing more of your work.

UTSA ArtSpace Machinima Awards Ceremony 2011

2011-09-12T12:42:00.000-05:00

Our awards ceremony for the first UTSA ArtSpace Machinima Contest will take place on the UTSA ArtSpace island on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 from 2-3 pm SLT. Please join us as we honor all the fantastic entires and their creators. We are looking forward to welcoming you there.

Please click on this link for a direct TP to the Metamorphosis area: UTSA ArtSpace Metamorophosis

UTSA ArtSpace Machinima Contest NEWS

2011-09-04T16:47:00.000-05:00

It is with great pleasure that I share fantastic news regarding our machinima contest:

The University of Western Australia is sponsoring 2nd place awards at L$12,500 each. Please stay tuned for more news as the winners will be announced during an award ceremony later this month.

UTSA University Career Center Events, Fall 2011

2011-08-24T10:10:00.001-05:00

The UTSA University Career Center is offering four sessions of Professional Interviewing 101 at the UTSA Roadrunner Roost this fall:

Tuesday, September 20, 6:00-7:30 pm CT
Wednesday, October 19, 6:00-7:30 pm CT
Tuesday, November 15, 5:00-6:30 pm CT
Thursday, December 1, 6:00-7:30 pm CT

UTSA ArtSpace Machinima Contest ENTRIES

2011-08-14T14:24:00.026-05:00

Here is a list of entries in alphabetical order, by first name:

Aiden Witrial:
"Metamorphosis"
"SnowCrash"

Chic Aeon:
"Metamorphosis - A Personal Journey"

Fuschia Nightfire:
"Snow Crash" on YouTube - or - "Snow Crash" on Vimeo

Hypatia Pickens:
"Lorica"
"You Want to Try Some Snow Crash?"

Iono Allen:
"The Red Zone"

jjccc Coronet:
"Metamorphosis" on YouTube - or - "Metamorphosis" on Vimeo
"SnowCrash" on YouTube - or - "SnowCrash" on Vimeo
"Metamorphosis Revisited" on YouTube - or - "Metamorphosis Revisited" on Vimeo

ketk Petrov:
"Metamorphosis - The metamorphosis of the images"
"Snow Crash"

Larkworthy Antfarm:
"Igor Ballyhoo Meets Emily Dickinson's Ghost"
"Igor Ballyhoo's Metamorphosis"

Natascha Randt:
"SnowCrash"

Ormand Lionheart:
"SnowCrash - Love Among Elephants"

Sabbian Paine:
"Igor Ballyhoo's Metamorphosis"

Spiral Silverstar:
"Metamorphosis"
"SnowCrash"

UTSA ArtSpace Machinima Contest

2011-08-10T08:57:00.003-05:00

We are proud to announce two opportunities for machinimatographers to capture some of the most exciting art in SL, and to win a monetary award.

WHAT:

The focus of the work has to be one of the following two installations on the UTSA-ArtSpace:

(1) Igor Ballyhoo’s last work in SL, the “Metamorphosis” located in the airspace of the UTSA ArtSpace

Metamorphosis by Igor Ballyhoo @ UTSA ArtSpace

(2) The “SnowCrash” installation curated and designed by Igor Ballyhoo, with the main scenery created by Igor Ballyhoo and Rebeca Bashly, and with art contributions created by some of the most recognized artists of SL.

SnowCrash by Igor Ballyhoo and Rebeca Bashly @ UTSA ArtSpace

AWARDS:

L$ 25,000 for the best entry featuring Metamorphosis

L$ 25,000 for the best entry featuring SnowCrash

JURY:

Ghost of Ballyhoo

Artistide Despres

constructivIST Solo

CONDITIONS:

There is only one condition: The work will be required to be in full HD.

Submit the URL(s) of your entries' location(s) via SL-Notecard to constructivIST Solo.

DEADLINE: by midnight (SLT) on September 1, 2011 (upload to YouTube or Vimeo)

Winners will be announced on September 15, 2011.

To see images of the UTSA ArtSpace, please join our Flickr group by clicking HERE

WELCOME TO UTSA-SL

2011-08-10T08:41:00.000-05:00

This blog is long overdue. The UTSA virtual campus has been around for quite some time and the amazing work of so many of the students and supporters deserves respect and attention. Join us here as we continue to grow, share your thoughts, and help us to become better.