We begin...

I should start by telling you a bit about myself and my work. This is the way all good stories start and this is nothing if not a story; so let's begin:



copyright 1993 Eric Fischer



Throughout my life I've felt the need to express myself visually; first, through writing and drawing, then as I became an adult and attended Art School with assemblage and installation, to performance art, (as it was then known,) and finally through the medium of dress and performance. I still consider what I do an art form, and began several years ago to look at the sum of what I've done in the last 30 years (30 years!) and look at it as a body of work. So I've tried to document it. The relics of these past works are in the photographs, journals, scrapbooks and clothing that I have used to supplement and present these personae.

With new media and new ways of expression being created all around us, it stands to reason that even my art form would be influenced by and hopefully influence these new means of expression. So here I am, presenting a new work in progress to you.

I will try not only to document my experience in this nebulous world, but to inform and educate; as I always have. With my work came the opportunity to teach and pass on the hard won knowledge of materials and techniques that make up the cloth from which these personalities are made, so here I will attempt the same thing; by sharing my finds, explaining how I've put these materials together and advising on how you can best do the same. If you are already in this second world, this second life; perhaps we'll be able to share our knowledge and if you are just beginning, as I am; or are curious, maybe this will give you some insight on a different way to live a second life!

So welcome to my musings, pull up a chair, get out your sewing machine, pull out your laptop and let's sit down and explore this Brave New World.

Perhaps you will enjoy my perspective on this new way of living. Perhaps you won't see it as living, or maybe you'll doubt that this can be a method of artistic expression. Let me say now that from what I've seen so far; there are true artists creating the world we inhabit in second life and true artists inhabiting it. So welcome to this experiment ---- off we go:

My SL Personae takes the Air

I'd been quite at a loss for some time as to my next persona project, considering how much my illness has effected my ability to  create and participate in the real world. I had been inspired at various times to begin to live and/or perform as new personae; including an actress from the mid to late 18th century, a courtesan and salon host from the late 19th century, and a mad Irishwoman from the mid 19th century. Sustaining these inspirations had been difficult as I lacked the energy and strength to pursue them.

copyright 2004 Bella Donna Courtesans

My last two projects, Elizabeth Siddal (an real artist from the 1850's,) and Seresina Olivia d'Hiverno; a Venetian courtesan of 16th century Venice, had gone very well, but the performance demands of the venues where I presented these women had become too much for me. I reluctantly acknowledged it was time to take a break.
I tried in vain to find a mode of dress and being that I could inhabit easily in my current state, but as my illness became more severe, I realized I had to focus on my health and try to dress enough to satisfy my daily need to present an interesting spectacle to the world, while making it easy and simple enough for my present state. Also, fluctuating weight from medication made it difficult to wear what I really wanted to. So, while I waited for my health to improve and my weight to return to normal; I cast about for a way to express  myself artistically.

It was then that I met a neighbor who worked for Second Life; an interactive virtual world with seemingly endless possibilities. At first it did not occur to me that I might be interested in this world for any other reason than a bit of amusement, but as I explored it a bit I realized I could do and be anything that I wanted within this sphere; so, this project was born.

To be continued....