At the start of September, 2013, I covered the launch of the Freedom Project, a 2D/3D Art and Film Event. co-organised by the University of Western Australia, Virtual Ability Inc., and the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible illnesses.

The project is an opportunity for artists suffering from a disability or chronic illness, or associated with those suffering from either, to demonstrate how virtual life has enabled them to engage in activities and interact with others in ways which may not be possible in the real world.

On Saturday January 11th, the UWA premiered the first Freedom Project Film Mandala Dance by Maia Kyi’Ra (Starheart Erdhein in SL), co-founder of the Spirit Dance Company and founder of the Light Fantastic Dancers, who perform the Mandala Dance, choreographed by Maia, and which features Now We Are Free by Lisa Gerrard and Hans Zimmer, the title of which fits the theme of the project perfectly.

As well as showcasing the film the UWA blog entry for Mandala Dance includes some of Maia’s own story, and you can read more of it on her website, New Earthstar Merkabah.

Sculptures, models and 2D art for the Freedom Project can also be seen at the UWA Virtual Gallery, and as a reminder to artists and those wishing to participate, submissions remain open until February 28th, 2014. Please refer to my original report on the Project – and more particularly, the original UWA announcement of the Project – for notes on the theme, technical requirements, considerations, rules, etc., for submitting a piece to the exhibit.

In brief, submissions should be on the theme of “freedom” and represent how the virtual world has helped the artist or those around the artist. Artwork should be no more than 200 land impact and films should be around 3-5 minutes (although no hard limits on film length will be enforced). Collaborative works are welcome, so long as the submission guidelines are adhered to. Artwork will go on display immediately at the UWA Virtual Gallery, and films will be put on the UWA Second Life Blog.

While the Project is not a competition, ten pieces will be selected by a special panel to each receive a special L$10,000 award.

About Virtual Ability

Many disabilities in the real world can be a barrier to entry into the digital as well. People may have difficulties in dealing with the keyboard due to illness or disability; others many be reliant upon voice recognition software, and so on. Virtual Ability, Inc. helps people with these kind of challenges get into and become successful in virtual worlds like Second Life.

From an individual skills assessment undertaken during a unique intake process, Virtual Ability inc., are able to refer clients for help with assistive hardware and software as appropriate, and provide customised training and orientation. Once clients are in-world, Virtual Ability Inc., helps them integrate into the virtual society, and provides an ongoing community of support. The community offers members information, encouragement, training, companionship, referrals to other online resources and groups, ways to contribute back to the community, and ways to have fun.

The organisation runs a number of in-world centres, which can be read about on their website.

About the Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses

The Centre for ME/CFS and Other Invisible Illnesses provides resources, support and guided relaxation sessions, for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Gulf War Syndrome, and other invisible illnesses. They host general and research discussions once a week on Mondays at 18:00 SLT, and guided relaxation sessions every day, twice a day, at 08:00 and 20:00 SLT, in the Centre to help people manage their illness. This Centre is open to all, and all are welcome, including anyone with an illness, their families and carers to meet here and help each other. The Centre is located in Curtin University in Second Life.

Related Links