Saoirse reviews Seasons of Life, a new installation in LEA4:

Three letters describe artist Johannas1977’s latest installation in sl…O  M  G!  I was literally breathless when I arrived at the “Seasons of Life” in LEA4 sl.  I have visited this location no less that four times in the past twelve hours just marveling at it in different ways each time.

In this piece, Johannes1977 plunges us into more 3D art and sl art than you can easily absorb in one visit.  I use the word plunge very purposely here as water pervades every part of this project.  You will see rain, gentle waves some with a bit of white spray, misty, still and yet you probably won’t feel damp as you move around.  In the early 1960s artists began to seriously move their art from the canvas to other mediums.  I enjoyed the season divisions yet I won’t tell you which area I believe to be which season.  What most impressed me the first time I visited was the expansiveness of his ideas.  At no point do I feel it is too much or too little.  Make sure you view it with Windlight for maximum enjoyment.

Visit #2; It feels as if I was immersed in the installation from the moment I arrived.  The details items will not be a spoiler here at all.  I continue to be fascinated by the chess pieces, both those standing as well as those knocked over.  I felt the chess set area has a distinctly feminine influence as the queen is the power here.  There are also spots where I notice the reflection of water.  Lighting abounds in this installation as I will recommend you pay careful attention to how he uses it and changes it through out.  In each season, we are provided with one or more framed pieces.  In the colorful season, ok I believe it to be fall, there is a portrait in the corner.  Look for the model as sometimes you are positioned to view her clearly and other times you are not.  On the edge of one season a cube of glorious color is artfully placed.  Is this to change the mood or does it reflect the optimism of the artist?  I love the scattered pieces of items; an apple, a cello, a grand piano, a cage, several mirrors and more.  I find myself troubled looking at the cage, partially submersed in water, how may I open it up?  I travel in the air looking at the umbrellas wondering is there a clue in the colors he picked here?  And then my eyes land upon an exposed tree root [tree is gone] rising out of the water.  The flowers in this area some are tulips some are cone flowers, and the lighting is here again diffused and muted.

Visit #3; I stand at our arrival point, looking at the umbrellas in the distance.  The lightning is omnipotent, the Bowler Hat askew ever so slightly.  I fly to the other side looking back towards the entry and notice only black umbrellas are near the portrait created in disturbed colors of red, yellow-green and black.  A silhouette stands near stacks of books and candles are lit with dancing light in the foreground.  I fly to what I call ‘summer’ and see the exposed roots rising above the water.  Seasons are change, and I wonder what I am seeing here, perhaps pain or regrowth from pain?  The frog and the ‘shrooms give me a feeling of falling through the looking glass here which is exactly what has happened.  Reality is upended in a uniquely sl way and in full glorious 3D.  The portraits of the models look stately and as if lost in time and change.  Flying beyond the wall of summer I see an endless sea with shimmering light.  I turn and find myself in the winter of…discontent?  Today I feel the main pieces are kings and the one standing has won the game.  The snow swirls around me, and I realize I need to tell all the ambient sounds are in place and where they should be as you visit.  In the winter portion there is a portrait where it seems our artist has had a bit of play with low resolution.  Hint folks; not his first play with resolution and always fun.  I fly a bit more to the fall again, the portraits here have the most play in them.  Ripples and the movement you see when you drop something into water.  The bench, cello and streetlights upturned here.

Visit #4; I remain unsure at how I can best review this installation for all of you.  This is a piece of art to visit more than once, see what feelings it evokes in you.  One person told me they saw desolation and another said optimism.  I will point out something that is telling to me.  SL art has a tradition of including one or more self portraits.  There is no portrait of our artist beyond the work itself.  To me that says there is a true vulnerability in this work.  And in giving us this exposure he is allowing us to see his art in a true and an honest form.  I know you will enjoy this…Artfully yours, Saoirse