Particle Princess Colemarie Soleil

Last week I went to an extraordinary event in Second Life. It was an hour long particle show put on by Colemarie Soleil at Inspire space park. I have, in the past, seen a few events using particles for things such as firework shows etc but generally they have not been that impressive. I think the reason is that particles are often used to try and mimic a first world event. Thats fine, but at a certain point we need to branch out and say to ourself that we are in a virtual environment with no rules. Using particles to create say the fire in a campfire, is trying to keep a hold on first life. I appreciate the technical skills needed to create these things but the real impressive ones to me are those that create content for the new virtual world. Things that come into existence as a result of the new environment we live in. Colemarie isn't trying to mimic anything in first life, she emotes particles as an expression of her being. They express her emotions like a form of language. Watching her perform was a hypnotizing experience. Particles undulated amongst the crowd sometimes violently and at other times a slow mesmerizing caress. The crowds emotions reflected in the tempo.
What makes this a unique second life experience is that she is not separate from the performance. Everything emanates from her avatar. And her avatar is a character. She is not off to the side directing, but rather part of the narrative itself. I am having a hard time explaining but the show is about a character, Colemarie the faerie, and the particles are, if you know Colemarie, not an addition to her character for one night but more an exhaling of her avatar. Her natural ability. Its just Colemarie breathing.


This was a portion of the show....

Comments

This video is soooooo wonderful!
:X it is like you caught the essence of me at the show :X hahahah... The funny part is... even though it's a show...
it is not that different from what I do when I'm happy and alone and have a stream I'm running in SL...
Particles just make me happy.
And so do you <3
iain said…
love it love it love it
Phillip vought said…
ColeMarie, Wonderful work, a unique expressive art form thats most definately NPIRL and Bryn's Machinma skills are as legendary as her primwork..

Ladies.. Wonderful stuff.
Semaj said…
earth air fire water and
ColeMarie Soleil the shaman of SL
Robward Antwerp said…
Mesmerizing and Hypnotizing...

It seems few things in life truly deserve these terms... but of late I have found the Particle Princess to be one such experience. Franz Mesmer may have used terms like animal magnetism to describe the effect... some may find the connotation with the animal in us a bit crude... however, when I remember that James Baird developed hypnotism after studying Mesmer I see the link. The Particle Princess is both magnetic and hypnotic on a visceral level.

In my rl of late I have been very busy and feeling pressure of my job with a non-profit pre-school for low income families. When I first saw Bryn Oh's post of this performance I was fascinated with the technical aspects of such creative use of emitters. As the week has gone on, I realize I have seen it 7 or 8 times. I have watched it each morning... it is the perfect complement to a quiet cup of coffee as I try to center myself for another busy day.

Artist expression has always been an interaction between the creator and the viewer.... As a viewer I must say thank you to the creators. To Colemarie for allowing her mind to find the freedom to explore a tool I know I tend to regard as an annoyance in sl... you've found such beauty with it. To Bryn Oh for your recognition of that beauty and your ability to capture the performance in such a complementary way. Thank you.
Bryn Oh said…
Thank you Cole, Alpha,Philip,Semaj and especially Robward for your eloquent praise of Colemarie and her gift.
Cole Marie said…
<.< can I say I am officially embarrased? By ALL of you...
<.< ESPECIALLY BRYN... >.<
well...
and Semaj and Rob... >.<
I normally would not double comment... but you really made my day reading those comments :D!
It's nice to see people who understand <.< *emo happy*
Anonymous said…
a viewgasm! thank you ladies both, but i'm especially keen to know who is responsible for the very complementary camera work...i'll chase you up inworld bryn - H3
Moti Moody said…
I feel her particles as emotions.
and <3 u both
magnus said…
awesome! what group does one have to join in order not to miss shows like this in the future?
Bryn Oh said…
Hmmm that is a good question Magnus. Perhaps speak to Earth Primbee who runs Inspire Space Park and he likely has a group for events held there. On a more general note you could join Impossible IRL group in world who often showcase new an interesting events which are not possible in real life.
magnus said…
thanks bryn!
i shall give the npirl group a try :)
Unknown said…
Franz Mesmer Diablo 3 Itemscan have employed phrases similar to animal magnetism to explain the effects... a few will find yourGW2 Gold meaning while using dog inside us all a tad raw

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