Sunn had no idea that he had an artistic bent until he got interested in what he calls “prim torture” shortly after entering SL. “I never did any kind of artwork until I discovered SL,” says Thunder. “Then I fell in love with art... first, prim torture and creative building, then photos, and now my own original digital artwork.” My RL art stuff is digital, mainly abstract illustrations.” As part of our ongoing “Celebrate Life” series, we welcome a middle school science teacher turned Second Life (SL) sculptor and photographer named Sunn Thunders to Karuna this month.
When asked about the “prim torture,” he laughs and says, “no prims were actually harmed in the process.” Apparently the “torturing” involves twisting, cutting, and otherwise manipulating prims to get unique shapes and effects. Thunder sees this as a logical extension of how his mind works. “Prim torture is very creative, but I am very logical and methodical, and the mathematical side enters into it.”
Another interesting aspect of Thunder’s work is what he calls “serendipitous color.” Most of his work begins when something – some “aspect of a landscape, usually rich colors” – strikes his fancy. He then plays with color, texture, shapes, symmetry, and chaos until he comes up with something he likes. “I am always looking for a new shape -something unusual that can be done with a simple prim."
Of all the many and varied things artwork in SL has taught him, Thunders finds that the way the lines between RL and SL artwork blur the most intriguing. “It's that blending of dimensions that fascinates me,” he says. “Photos in SL become art in RL, and textures in RL get incorporated into SL work. I love how the boundaries are crossing.”
Thunder’s work can be seen on Karuna throughout the month of July. Look for his images along the Path of Healing, his remarkable photos on the rooftop garden at the Community Center, and his “prim tortured” sculptures along the banks of the river. “There is something deeply satisfying about setting up an exhibit here on Karuna,” he said. “The natural beauty is restful and is a great backdrop for my work.”
We hope you agree and will stop by to take a look at Thunder’s work. While you’re here, take a moment to visit the new Resource Center, Café Ristretto (behind the Community Center), and the rooftop garden at the Community Center. The SLURL below will get you to Karuna and Thunder's work:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Karuna/33/213/29
To see what Sunn himself has to say about Karuna and his work there, please visit his blog at: http://sunnthunders.blogspot.com/2009/07/celebrate-life-artist-at-karuna.html
Comments