“The Festive Dogwood Dream”

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

Sometimes, and it seems more so lately to me, real life and Second Life intersect. The borders of these two worlds are coming down, as people in the ‘physical’ world are starting to see and understand  that virtual worlds also have their own valid reality.
This is the second project I collaborate on with DB Bailey that spans these two dimensions. The first was a machinima and poem for his build on Stanford University Campus Second Life, commemorating the opening of a new library in real life. The video was entitled“DB Shoots DB” . This time he asked me to write a poem and some music for his latest project that he was building on Kitely -Virtual Worlds on Demand.
DB, known as David Denton in the outer world, is an architect and a Southerner, living in Tennessee. In The Spring they celebrate a big Art festival called The Dogwood Arts Festival in Knoxville, and they have a section which is known as “Art in Public Places” In a conversation with the organizers, DB pointed out that more people spend time in virtual  public places nowadays, than the real ones, and that it would be a good idea to include the virtual this year in their celebrations. They agreed, and gave him  the green light for his own Art project, to be built on Kitely, and asked for my help, in writing  a poem to be played on the installation.
I am not a Southerner, but I do like the music, and its natural beauty, and I tried to compose a piece for the poem, that had a touch of down south with maybe a little twist of “karima” I only needed to give him the poem and the music, but after that was done, it seemed a machinima to show what the poem was describing, would be a good idea..and here it is. I present the short (a little over 2 minutes) poem video to be included on DB’s build on Kitely, “The Dogwood Arts Festival”. I once again enjoyed working with DB, always a pleasure, sometimes a challenge, but I find myself doing things I would have never guessed I could. By the way, I changed my pitch 1 notch up on the recording to sound more…southern? well, just to sound fresher maybe. The Dogwood blooms and The Art is in the air….Enjoy!

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Karima @ Poetry Reflections ~ Costa Rica Sims of Dream Seeker Estates ~ 1PMSLT Feb. 23rd

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

I have been reading at an event, called “Tropical Reflections” once a month in Costa Rica Sims, the virtual equivalent of my RL country of nationality and residence. For those of you who attended my readings there, you will recall it was a small suburban park setting, pillows on the grass, and casual picnic style seating. Well the poetry venue as well as the Estate itself, has changed hands, new owner, and new ideas. It’s still Costa Rica at heart, all the wonderful amenities it has always provided for its residents , and visitors alike, but now more creative ideas are being put out to try and one of them is this beautiful Arabian style pavilion that will be the new venue for my readings there.

So richly beautiful

I took a sneak sit on my pillow just to see how it felt, and looking around I felt like I had been transported back to my beloved Middle East. The very gifted designer of fine Arabic furnishings, Tara Tagore, creator of Melino Style. was the one who transformed this large and not very cozy indoor- pool area into the elegant salon you see in the pictures. Thank you Tara, you have done an incredible job!

The perfect setting to be transported by the spoken word

I have prepared a varied banquet to dine on, and I invite you for this reading, celebrating a new monthly home for my poetry on Costa Rica Sims, to dig down into your inventories and see if you can make a creative flowing comfortable Arabic outfit to blend right into the ambiance and the decor. I promise you an hour of especially chosen music, some colorful images and of course my poetry to float over it all.
I want to thank Samantha Ohrberg, Estate manager for Costa Rica Sims of Dream Seekers Estates, for making me feel very pampered and welcomed with the offering of this new venue, and also to Marriellaanna, Events Planner, who has  helped make this new look, and my opportunity to read within its’ walls possible.

To be perfect, all this room needs is your attendance...

Join me, this Thursday, February 23rd at 1pmslt, to share an hour of poetry in this magnificent setting.
“Ahleen wa sahleen” Welcome!
Here is your speedy careening taxi to drop you off inside.  Karima @ Poetry Reflections


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“Train Ride Down With Tukso” ~ Why We Are All Hopping On His Train

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

 If you follow my blog at all, then this won’t be the first time you hear me speak of Tukso Okey, who still remains, for me, the best and most exciting live musician in Second Life.
Actions speak louder than words, and ever since I wrote this poem almost two years ago, I had in the back of my mind, to do a video of it. Well it took this long to gain enough skills, to be able to do him and the poem justice, but I think the time has come, to show you in words, and moving imagery accompanied by him doing his classic hit “Red Hot Poppa” just why we are all hopping on his train, sometimes even three times a day, to be carried away on his music, his funky and versatile style, that never fails to surprise and delight. Tukso is something special among the many talented SL live musicians. His fan base is large, and I project will reach 1000 in  2012. We are not only a large group, but we have formed a family around his music, his charisma, how he makes us feel part of his music, when we listen to him playing his many instruments that he lays down. There is absolutely no doubt who is driving the train, and we are swept along as his lucky passengers These are not back tracks, pre-recorded.  These are tracks Tukso lays down as we slowly move “out of the station on his own track” and that is why it is the metaphor for my poem and this video. I want to thank so many people who believed in it, in this project, and helped me see it realized.  Thank you loyal family members: Kiki Reiko, Shepp Gilbraith, Kyoko Sabahi, Shesa Quandry, my SL Sister Maria Vought, Wynn Wrentling, Dharma Titanium, owner of The Alexander Theater, where the Live Show shots were filmed, and all family members who encouraged me along the way. I also want to give a special thank- you, to a fellow Machinima Artist Guild member, who is a moderator and one I look up to for her experience, and her generous sharing of it with those of us less adept, Natascha Randt.
Last, but certainly not least, I give a special thanks to Tukso Okey and his manager Padula Bing, for allowing me to use this song, in my video, and for also believing in my work and me.
This is a passion, and a labor of love. I hope you can feel that, and let’s make no excuses, or water it down, Tukso’s music is sensual, alluring, sexy and revolutionary. There is no getting around that. Those of us who dance to his beat, who wait to catch “the next one” know how very true that is. If you haven’t felt that experience yet, well look him up and hop on soon.
This video was shot in HD widescreen.
I proudly present to you “Train Ride Down With Tukso”
“All aboard!”

*I posted the lyrics in a comment below
** Here are some Links to Tukso Okey, his blogs and music just to “Spread da Word”
http://www.nimbitmusic.com/tuksookey/ 
http://www.facebook.com/tukso.okey
http://www.youtube.com/tukso
http://tukso-okey.blogspot.com/
http://www.thesixtyone.com/tukso

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Karima@ “Ce Soir Arts” ~ Wednesdy, February 8th 11amslt ~

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

A brand new venue for me and I am very excited!

I cordially invite you to my next reading on Wednesday February 8th at 11am slt.
After coming to the last one I did on Costa Rica Sims, Mireille Jenvieve-Woodford owner along with her partner, Aeon Woodford, of “Ce Soir Arts” (Tonight Arts) invited me to do a reading at their place. This is a new venue in Sl that is dedicating itself to promote the Arts in all forms, and I am so honored and excited about performing there this Wednesday. I first was introduced to “Ce Soir Arts: when I went to a Tukso concert there, and was impressed with the beautiful surroundings, and the love of detail and ambiance.
I quote Mireille here, to share a few things  she says about their “Ce Soir Arts”

“Ce Soir is our new home, and a music and arts venue bearing the same name opened above in January 2012. It is our dream to invite wonderful musicians, vocalists, writers, and artists of every genre to join us for sharing and performance.”

“The venue has as its underlying theme, “Les Mystères des Ténèbres et de la Lumière” – “the mysteries of darkness and light.” This is portrayed by the grey base of the décor and reflected in the plantings and thematic representations found around the grounds. Visitors are to be encouraged to travel about and enjoy several little nooks with dancing (DMC Intan system) and other sweet animations (from some of the premier animators in SL) for singles and couples – and to enjoy the darkness and the light that emanate (as if by magic)  from the area, especially in the midnight hour. “

That does sound like it’s worth exploring, hopefully with a loving friend to share it with.
I have a special place in my heart, for sim owners who believe in and actively promote the Arts in Second Life. I am proud to say I have read at many of these venues, and the warmth and welcoming manner of the owners of “Ce Soir Arts’ makes me believe this venue will become very popular for performing artists as well as their audiences. Thank you Mireille and Aeon for creating your lovely world.
 All are cordially invited Wednesday, where I will be doing a new poem, yet to be performed, and a collection of some of people’s favorite ones from the past, that I hope all will enjoy.
I look forward to reading for you, to my music on stream with  selected imagery, in this beautiful, peaceful, romantic setting.
Here is your taxi for “Ce Soir Arts”
Don’t miss this one, if you can help it!

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Pirats Closing?…..What Next? A Sad Day For The SL Art Community

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

If you have read my blog before, you know, I usually focus on the creative side of Second Life,and I am not politically involved for or against Linden Labs policies, although of course I hold my opinions, that lately, and sad to say, they are convincing me more each day, that what they are doing is slowly  torturing and killing their own golden goose.They are taking away from us, what is the only thing Second Life can offer over the many, and more each day, alternative worlds springing up: Community. While they weren’t even looking we built a community. This is what Second Life still, at this moment has over the others, their edge so to speak. I say for the moment, because if they continue with their policies that really are beginning to seem like, Anti-Education, Anti-Art, and anti-Resident interests, they will most surely lose that edge to other worlds who are already more receptive to the idea of Art and Community (Kitely – Virtual Worlds on Demand is a good example) Do they really think that we would rather play mindless find- the- jewel games, than enjoy an international gathering of artists and art lovers, which was always a delight to attend at Pirats? Even with the lag, and the crowds, there was excitement, and integrity, and inter-nationality at its best. Translators whizzing in many different languages, Art from all over the globe, showcased, presented so well, with respect and good taste each and every time.
If it’s true I am not a visual artist, nor am I a big social butterfly in large gatherings, but I promise you, I was inspired many times, and some of my best writing came from going to a show at Pirats, and falling in love with a painting, buying it, taking it home, and looking into it, until the words flowed out of me. Artists like ieko Catnap, Chrome Underwood, Claudia222 Jewell, Fiona Leitner, Scottius Polke, Geneveive Silvercloud, Littleone Aries and many others, came into my life, my home through the open doors of Pirats. That they are now forced to shut them do to some arbitrary decision- making on the part of Linden Labs, who seem to only be interested in subsidizing “their own” Art sims..well what about a LEA grant for Pirats?
The cost of keeping a full sim up and running every month is $295.00USD!! If any of you have window- shopped, you know that this price, is the highest tier on any virtual world available, yet most of us stay in Second Life..because of places like Pirats that now are being shut down. I strongly believe in the petition that is circulating on the web and in- world. I offer this humble post as the testimony of yet one more person in favor of Linden Labs stepping in directly, and giving Pirats their own sim, so we can continue to dream, be inspired, and be connected in the atmosphere of Art, Elegance, and Friendship that Pirats has offered to and represented our Sl Artistic community. In solidarity with all who have worked so hard, I give you now where you can go online to sign this petition and also a copy of a note-card that you can use in-world to make your own, sign it and send it to Asmita Duranjaya.

Petition To Save Pirats

Notecard to be copied, signed and sent to Asmita

Manifest
We, all the signing artists, who had the pleasure to show our work in one of the PiRats galleries, confirm hereby, that PiRats is one of the best organized and well structured art network in Second Life, that we would not like to miss in the future. We apply all, to allocate one LEA sim for PiRats, to ensure the continuity of Nathalie’s (Merlina) and Jean-Marc’s (Newbab) work for more than 250 artists in Second Life and more than 1400 group members as well as those, who will join in the future. Please sign this manifest with your name and give it to every artist and art aficionado in Second Life and everybody should send it back to me with his signature until 1st of February.
Asmita Duranjaya  (independent artist)


I urge everyone who cares about Pirats, to please show it, by signing these two petitions.

Thank you,
In Peace,
Karima

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Karima @Tropical Reflections ~ Thursday Jan. 26th ~1pmslt

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

A beautiful spot to enjoy an hour of music and poetry

I am reading once again this Thursday, Jan. 26th at 1pmslt on the Costa Rica Sims, a lovely spot to find a pillow on the ground, and lose yourself in an hour of poetry. I have chosen many poems, I have not performed in a long time, and it will be an eclectic mix of  themes, styles and music. I really enjoy reading here, as these sims hold fond memories for me, where I was a resident for almost two years, and as most of you know, represent my RL home too in Costa Rica. I invite you, after the reading to just walk around and discover, or ask one of the staff to give you a taxi that will take you everywhere you might enjoy.
So join me in this cozy tropical setting, and let me try to weave some magic through my words, choice of music, and imagery this Thursday at 1pmslt. Here is your taxi that should drop you off in front. I hope to see you there. Taxi for Tropical Reflections

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“Alien-Nation”

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

Time seems to have flown by again, and I haven’t shared anything new since I said I was almost finished with my new world on Kitely – Virtual Worlds on Demand, “Sebgram X-99.” I named this planet after my nephew who is a total cool geek by the name of Sebi, and just graduated from high school, so… I made a planet for him…sort of for- the- graduate- who has -everything- kind of gift.
I have recently joined the Machinima Artist Guild,(MAG) and the first thing of course I realized, is how little I know, and the pretty poor quality of my machinima I have been offering to you, my readers, for the last ten months. As I am a poet first, and a  machinima techy second, I didn’t have any idea what I didn’t know, but sharing a few of my videos, some of the recent ones and a few from “The Two,” I am becoming aware that there are so many little details into making what can be termed an excellent machinima of high quality.. I am still not at their level, but perhaps what I lack in training, I can compensate in creativity. This video was shot on both my sim in Second Life and on my world in Kitely. The music once again, is my original Garage Band creation. This is my fifth world there by the way, and although I still don’t consider myself a builder, I have put together a selection of worlds now, each with its own feeling. I think that sums me up in general. I am more about feeling, and less about right angles, but I also realize how those grids, some good tools of the trade, savvay, and tricks, add up to a better build,  or a better video for the audience to enjoy. For now..I give you my latest YouTube, imperfect as it is, but I tried to shoot in a wider lens with better quality as I have been encouraged to do. I made this with lots of love, a lot of editing, and a lot of time building the sets from scratch. Enjoy!!

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Surfacing To Grab A Breath

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Karima Hoisan

Happy New Year and hoping this will be a really great one and not the End One..as some are predicting.. I am just naturally a more positive person and I think and feel that 2012 might be a lot better for all of us…in all ways, and I believe we will all live to celebrate a 2013 too.
I have been slightly absent again, because I am stuck out in the wilds of Kitely building a strange world that I will use for my next machinima poem. I am calling it “Beyond Sebgram X-99 and yes it is an alien landscape and sort of a poetic- adventure world. The building of the world which turns out in the end to be the sets for the film, is what takes the most time..but I think in a few days it might be ready. It is available to see under construction now as it is, and anyone is welcome to come check it out, although for it to make any sense you need to be able to see video and music streaming automatically. I have created a new “look” for this world too, and I give instructional 1 minute videos inside the world as to how to enjoy and also how not to be killed or maimed on Sebgram X-99 (or beyond) here is a picture of my character in bliss..so hopefully if you all follow her instructions, you can reach this state too *smiles. Come visit soon..take a chance and if you have never gone into Kitely, well try it, and come see what I am working on and take the “tour.”  “Beyond Sebgram X-99”

Bliss..even the ground is happy and moves

And then..when I can extricate myself from the moving plains of Sebgram, I find myself once again staying up too late for Tukso…and I just can’t help myself. I shot this photo, and thought it cool enough to share. So..please be a little patient and I hope to have a nice machinima/poem production sometime in the next week. Until then, enjoy the beginnings of a new year and think positively..2012 is going to be a winner and we are too!!

Tukso (our Red Hot Papa) Padula,Kari & Kiki (front row center) at dinah moez



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2011 in review

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Karima Hoisan

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 11,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 4 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

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Karima @Tropical Reflections Thursday Dec.29 ~ 1pmSLT

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Karima Hoisan

A peaceful tropical setting for an hour of multi-media poetry

I hope all who can be in-world tomorrow, Thursday Dec. 29, at 1pmSLT will join me in the beautiful tropical setting of Costa Rica Sims for my reading this month of Tropical Reflections. I will be doing some new material, some original music, and some more complicated image changing, thanks to my dear friend and manager of Tukso Okey, Padula Bing ,who has offered to help me out, and will be working the photo screen.
As I think some know about me, I am a Costa Rican in real life, and was a resident on this beautiful estate in Second Life (more than 100 joined sims) for two years, so I always love to do a reading here, in a picnic atmosphere, pillows on the lawn, and warm breezes blowing across the venue. If that sounds good to you too, please join me tomorrow at 1pmslt for an hour of my best efforts to entertain you with my original poetry, some well selected music, and changing imagery.
Here is your taxi link (that if it happens to dump you underwater.. just fly up and follow the red beam of light please.. has been known to happen:) Taxi for Tropical Reflections
Hope to see you all there!

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