2011.01.01 - ART OF BEING SELF

Inspired by many conversations recently at PaB and our last Art of Being project, I’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of “self” and how we can explore the concept using performance art .... performance as alts and art as avatar design and photography.  

ART of BEING SELF -  

EXPLORATIONS:     December 2010 - January 2010

SESSION:                FEBRUARY 6TH, 12PM SLT

WHERE:                  DOME IN THE PaB VILLAGE SQUARE

SESSION:                Art of Being Self special session February 6, 2011

What is the relationship of self to avatar?  of avatar to self?  How do they inform each other?

Using the medium of Second Life this Art of Being project, “Art of Being Self,” could we attempt  explore some of the following ideas:

From the first person perspective:

How does it feel to be me as my primary avatar? 

How does it feel to be me as my primary/main avatar with different “looks”?

How does it feel to be me as an Alt?

How does it feel to use my main avatar’s look for one of my alts?  does the name change the sense of self?

How does it feel to change gender/species?

Can you feel a change in power/status/history/memories by changing your avatar?

If you know someone who will give you control of one of their avatars ....

How does it feel to be someone else, as their avatar? 

How does the sense of self change with each avatar change?  

Reactions of others to you:

As your main avatar, ask others how they see and feel about you based on different looks?

As your Alt, ask others how they see and feel about you?

Ask both people who know it’s you and some who don’t.

How does the way others see you change with each avatar change?

Does your relationship change when your avatar changes?

How does your avatar inform your sense of self?  change your sense of self?  Do some avatars feel closer to the "real you?"  How and why?

Other questions may intrigue you along the way.  For the months of December and January, keep a diary of your feelings and questions/answers from others.   Feel free to use only your primary avatar and/or explore with any Alts you have or choose to create.

Create a photo of your avatar and/or alt that illustrates a concept that you discovered during the project, to be placed in the dome in the Village Square, starting on January 30, 2011.  The photo should depict one or more of your ideas that you have discovered about self/avatars/alts.   Photos should be small files (i.e. 640x480 size) and include a notecard with some of your most significant findings.