ECVA Advent exhibition mirrored in Second Life

Last year, the folks over at Episcopal Church and the Visual Arts featured the online Advent exhibition “Unto us a Child is Born”. From the curator’s statement:

The church has entered the holy season of Advent, a time of wondrous expectation when we gather and ponder the mystery of God incarnate. How could it be that the Creator and Master of the entire physical known universe could become so small, less than the smallest atom on a speck of dust, to be born as one of us? This is a deep and inscrutable mystery beyond all form of human comprehension.

“Unto us a Child is Born” ponders this mystery through the creative gift of art. Looking at these works, taking them in with a contemplative eye and heart, one begins to cross the boundary between this world and the world of spirit. It is from this world of spirit and devotion that these works of art originate. There is no limit to the styles or media presented here; there are paintings, drawings, woodblocks, photographs, sculptures, vestments, etc. Yet all reflect the creative imagination of souls seeking and embracing the mystery of God coming to dwell in our midst, Emmanuel!

But wait! There’s more! The exhibition is having a second run on.. you guessed it, Second Life. Second Life users can visit a virtual version of the exhibition at the Anglican Cathedral in Second Life. From an email:

The Anglican Church in Second Life, a “Christian community for those who call themselves: Anglicans, Episcopalians or members of the Church of England, Episcopal Church or any of the other bodies of believers who share the Anglican heritage,” has teamed up with The Episcopal Church & Visual Arts (ECVA) to present an “in-world” showing of artwork from the ECVA 2006 online exhibition, “Unto Us a Child is Born…”

The exhibit will take place within Second Life, a 3-D virtual world created almost entirely by its residents. The Anglican Group, which was founded in November 2006, has its headquarters on Epiphany Island, a parcel of virtual land which contains a cathedral and parish house, as well as a meditation garden and other scenic venues. The art show will be staged in the south courtyard of the cathedral.

Here’s this editor’s avatar having a bad hair day but checking out the exhibition in Second Life.

vahnia-exhibit.jpg

Clicking on each piece of virtual artwork provides a notecard with information about the piece and the artist. The exhibition is located on the grounds of the Anglican Cathedral in Second Life, which Second Life users can access via this link.

For more information about the exhibition and the Anglican Cathedral in Second Life, click here. And if you’re in Second Life, be sure to search groups for “Episcopal Cafe”–and there is an informal set of tables for lounging and socializing set up outside the north side the Cathedral Parish house.

This is Second Life Episcopal Cafe correspondent Vahnia Gregory reporting.

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