Inner Prisons and Escapes at Art India Gallery

Starting this month, Art India Gallery presents a dual exhibition by Chuckmatrix Clip, Inner Prisons, and Dan Freeland, Escapes. Art India Gallery is curated by Quan Lavender.

Quan gave me early access to the joint show. The formal opening is August 14th. Thank you, Quan! Images are provided courtesy of Quan Lavender and the artists, Chuckmatrix and DanFreeland.

The show juxtaposes two different approaches to the same feeling or mood....feeling locked in. Chuckmatrix's exhibit is a mental ward, a prison of the mind for the mentally insane. His work shows darkness, confinement, and deep agony.

Dan's work on the other hand, uses bright colors. However, the material is not happier either. Art is the escape. He says in his note, "Porn as an escape for some, an anathema for others, but to simply dismiss it or hide it under the bed denies us the ability to understand something about who we are. I look for the art in it." I agree. I think of it as being another form of self expression. Self expression is liberating.

I really love how Quan Lavender writes about the two differing works in her curator's note.

Curator's Note:

The sculptures of Chuckmatrix Clip always had a strong dark side for me. About 6 months ago I asked him if he would like to exhibit at Art India Gallery and to concentrate on this dark side. Luckily he agreed.

I considered that the juxtaposition of the colourful, bright patterns of Dan Freeland's art would provide Chuck's work with the greatest possible contrast. Both artists started to work with enthusiasm and  they happily have included me in their creative process, inviting me in from time to time and letting me watch their work growing. In the hours we spent together we had intense talks, from which resulted the title of this exhibition: INNER PRISONS AND ESCAPES.

Chuck submitted, in the meantime, a work to the UWA Contest called “The Scent of Her”. The sculpture showed a man lying in bed crying, with a bear in his arms. The work touched me deeply.  It requires a large amount of courage for a man, with typical male attitudes, to reveal a self portrait like this.

This sculpture is the final piece of the upcoming exhibition. It tells the story of Chuckmatrix's struggle with mental disease and gives the visitor a strong impression of being hospitalized in an asylum.

We talked about self perception, the thin line between mental health and disease, prejudices and the hard road to recovery.

In contrast, Dan's use of pornographic images which are processed to colourful patterns, lead to other talks about cybersex and the SL users who are just here for erotic adventures. Dan works for the first time with animated textures. The slow, constantly changing patterns and repetitions are not only beautiful but they also inspire one to reflect on addiction.

And suddenly I understood...

The INNER PRISONS may look more frightening but they provide a seed of hope whilst the yearned for ESCAPES look bright, but have potentially dangerous undercurrents.

- Quan Lavender

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I've known Chuckmatrix for a year maybe 2 years when I started blogging for UWA. His work is always intriguing, dark, thoughtful and thought provoking. We have discussed mental illness many times and I respect him for getting through the pain. Mental illness can break you or you overcome it. I feel stronger and more aware of the mind's power through knowing Chuck. Thank you, Chuck for sharing your visions and your life with us through your work. Incidentally, he passed me a link to a video that shows some of his work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUY5A6tGxf8. And of course, you can see his work also at his gallery, ::CMC:: Designs Gallery.

DanFreeland has been in SL for over 2 years. He is an artist and graphic designer. DanFreeland recently had an exhibit at Aneli's Gallery on February 26th of this year. His work was featured alongside Maryva Maya, Nur Moo, and Rubben Acajou. He also had a gallery spot at Nitroglobous galler, unfortunately it is no longer showing in SL. I asked Dan when he started in the art scene. His reply:  "I started in 2007 as Pete Jiminy, showing rl paintings and participating in group sculptural collaboratives. I left SL for a few years and came back in 2011 showing this new direction specifically." Welcome back, Dan! We look forward to seeing more art and creativity from you in the future! Thank you, Dan! :-)

So that's my summation of Inner Prisons. Please, visit when you can! I'll post the slurl soon.

Have fun and enjoy the art!

Victoria Lenoirre

~DRESSCODE~ Fashion show, Silken Temptations

On July 20, ~DRESSCODE~, hosted a fashion show featuring the designs of WoW Skins and Blacklace. The show was called Silken Tempatations. The designs were surely tempting and delectable.

~DRESSCODE~ is run by Niani Resident and Joana Wingtips.

Joana Wingtips at the mic and COO Wolkenlocke Whitfield is beside her

There were not enough models, so CEO Niani, also modelled the skins and lingerie. Niani is also a fashion blogger for WOW skins, Bizarre Hair, and other fabulous brands! Below is the first look Niani strutted out with at this crowded, exciting fashion show.

Joana Wingtips announced each skin and lingerie set that each model presented to the audience.

[12:38] Joana Wingtips shouts: Our first  skin  that  is being  presented on the catwalk tonight is  "Channel" - and it  is a truly  exquisite work, coming  in the  four shades MILK, TAN, SUNKISSED and DARK TAN, each  one designed to underline your beauty and personality.
A bit  later you  will see Emma wearing the MILK shade,  the perfect  choice who love the paler tones with their "ladylikeness".

[12:39] Joana Wingtips shouts: But  all  three  convince with their naturalness and the six different make-ups from  natural  to more dramatic in  which  you  can get  them, depending on  your mood or the  occasion  you want to  wear  this  skin.
The full pack of  all shades includes  twelve skins and the shape as well  which  can  be  bought separately, too. And of course you  can  get the skin texture both  for  Slink  hands and feet.

Niani posed in the dark tan version and Cleopatra posed in the tan version.

Niani in WOW Channel  Dark Tan Skin and Blacklace "Kirsty" lingerie in Teal

The designs of Mariska Simmons were sultry and smoking hot, as usual. I loved the green lace set that Niani wore at the opening of the show, Kirsty in Teal. In Joana's words, "A "must" for all those of you who simply love the feeling of pure lace on skin, as  its made of the finest you could wish for." Niani makes it elegant with her necklace, finely manicured nails, and her shiny strappy stilettos.

[12:40] Joana Wingtips shouts: Each set , and it comes in six different vibrant colours,  has been combined with black bows, a small one on the bra and bigger,  eyecatching ones on the garter under which you  can catch  a glimpse of the black panties shimmering through the delicate fabric.
The black of bows and panties shows as well on the straps and the smooth silken stockings - a breathtaking combination and one every female should call her own.

Below, is Cleopatra Heron in a daring black latex lingerie set. Cleopatra is shown in the Musa skin in the Caramel tone by WoW Skins.

Cleopatra Heron in Musa Skin and wearing Blacklace's Lybra lingerie set

[12:47] Joana Wingtips shouts: You  love skins of a darker complexion? Then  "Musa" will  be the one for  you!
Three shades are available: VANILLA, CARAMEL and CHOCOLATE - all three beautifully  made and giving the one who  wears them a sexy and exotic look.

[12:47] Joana Wingtips shouts: The shimmery skin is  enhanced  by the different make-ups you  can  get individually or in  a fat pack. Each of them   will allow  you to match  not only your clothes but as well the mood  you are in.

[12:47] Joana Wingtips shouts: Cleo is the first  to show  this fabulous  skin,  she is  wearing  the CARAMEL version  and it looks superb for sure.

[12:48] Joana Wingtips shouts: Studs - leather and clasps .... brilliantly combined in lingerie called Lybra.

[12:48] Joana Wingtips shouts: Sexy and soft clings the fabric of corselet, garters and thongs onto  Cleo's body, while the smooth  silk of the matching  stockings flatters long legs.

[12:48] Joana Wingtips shouts: This outfit especially captivates because of the many details. Studs are placed along  the rims of each piece of underwear, silver clasps have been  used to hold the garters and to  close the top underneath  your bus and the way the  panties have been designed will make you have a second look.

[12:48] Joana Wingtips shouts: The  three warm dark colours in which  you  can purchase this outfit will make it  difficult to  choose from  as each will look  great on  each  complexion.


~DRESSCODE~ is a new fashion agency that started up in June. Joana Wingtips is the builder. She built all the catwalks herself. Together, she and Niani run the agency as co-CEOs. Niani does business relations and all  the styling. Niani used to be a model herself. Her style is elegant, stunning, and so sexy.

In August, there will be classes for interested models who would like to learn the ~DRESSCODE~ way. Further information is forthcoming, so stay tuned! And who knows, maybe you might see me at one of the classes?!

I've known Niani for about a year and I love her personality, her style, her work ethic, plus her photography is just gorgeous! She's on flickr as xxnianix. :-)

Visit the HQ here.

Have fun and enjoy SL!

Victoria Lenoirre