Pop Art Lab in 2012
As announced inworld, on our Facebook and so on; we are back and focused streaming music again regularly after a very busy real life in January! This is good timing because the record labels are usually quiet in Janauary too, and increase their releases from early February-we have CD’s raining on our RL desks! Just like in 2011, we promise to filter and stream the most refreshing, new and captivating new and established artists in 2012.
Claus has just returned from the MIDEM convention in Cannes, France, which is the world’s leading conference regarding the current state of the music industry (and their use of new shiny tech apps and platforms). Beside an action packed programme full of exciting panels and presentations he went to some very inspiring and interesting meetings with record label executives, artists, promo agencies and development teams.
This leads to our two main tasks at Pop Art Lab in 2012……….
Firstly, it’s about time to showcase the current quality and expertise in the art of machinima (videos recorded by using game engines). As in 2011 where we facilitated two crowd sourced music video contests (for the highly recommended indie bands ‘Giana Factory’ and ‘Emma Acs & The Inbred Family’) and we hope to kick-off the new 2012 contests soon. Some 4-5 artists/bands are on radar as the topic for this contest and we are just clearing scheduling, rights policies and contest limits. More news to follow very soon on this!
Secondly, we are looking into how to develop Pop Art Lab into a more stable platform. Second Life is a unique tool for creativity and prototyping but it still lacks stability and especially growth. The basic concept of Pop Art Lab is to enable people to come together in game simulated virtual environments and to share a social music experience. This has to become easier, more fun and accessible via iPad, iPhone, Android and direct Facebook login. Whether our lab will move towards a more closed ‘game’ like world, or if it will be part of some other platform is far too early to say. What we can say is that it’s time to evaluate and rethink our goals and find out ‘how and where’ and on which platform we are able to reach a wider audience.
No matter what happens, we will continue to operate in Second Life but our presence might be reduced-perhaps by downsizing our sim from a full Class 5 and by moving to a smaller plot of land. Time will tell. But as we move forward into 2012, the whole team at PAL are energised, determined and committed to expanding our services for new and old members alike. Happy New Year and hold on for a fast ride!
/Persia Bravin
(Pics taken at Midem, Cannes, France – January 28.-31. 2012)
Interesting comments Persia. As time goes on bands are using digital media more and more and making their money with performance revenue instead of sales. Also I see quite a few music videos definitely looked like they were inspired by Second Life culture re: art, avatars and landscapes. Katey perry sure looks like a RL interpretation of SL. Even the later Victoria Secret events look like the costuming you would see on SL. I know story boarding is something film makers would benefit from and may even be using now. I remeber when the internet was just bulletin boards. Second Life is a virtual 3D internet in my view allowing access to people all around the World. It can bea wonderful tool in the right hands and artists seem to be at the front of the line. I wish you great success this year and as always should be fun. Take care. Ormand
Ty Ormand and agreed.
The transition into 3D and AR is underway but takes way longer than many predicted.
The world as well as technology ain’t ready but I believe we face a general visualization of the Internet.
Especially the html5 and webgl technology is worth the wait.
I hope to see worlds like SL including same creative tools and freedom emerge.
The future by now is lighweight applications but these will become more robust.
It’s time to open up the box.