Month: August 2013

Photo of Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and daughter Gera in the forest with stained hands from something like picking blueberries. Text over the image reads "Dear Nadya (a letter to)
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Posted in Postcards

Dear Nadya (a letter to)

How do you write a letter to someone without including anything overtly political when everything you know about her is overtly political? I don’t know. What I do know is that these patriots are still human beings, probably struggling to survive horrific prison conditions. Some letters seem like the least I can do.

Previz #76. Activity #2. Mexico City, 1968. 3 Avatars on a medals podium raise pink gloved fists in a "pussy power salute. The gesture harkening 1968's "black power salute." Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina & Yekaterina Samutsevich, as Tommie Smith, Juan Carlos and Peter Norman.
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Posted in Previz

Previz #76 – Activity #2: Mexico City, 1968

I propose Mexico City, 1968 a virtual Olympic Games. Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina & Yekaterina Samutsevich, as Tommie Smith, Juan Carlos and Peter Norman. 1968 in resonance with 2013. Mexico City with Sochi. Black Gloves with Pink.

Practice Based Research in the Arts. Leslie Hill & Helen Paris. Diptych of images from Hill & Paris Curious performance art company.
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Posted in Class Notes

Practice Based Research in the Arts

Vanessa Blaylock has enrolled in Practice Based Research in the Arts taught by Leslie Hill & Helen Paris of Stanford Online / NovoED. The course begins 9 October. Want to join?

 0 Comment on State of the Blog
Posted in Blogs

State of the Blog

In this first “State of the Blog” overview, we learn that Wendz’ Minecraft 1.6.2 post is hot! Peeps can’t take their eyes off Arthurine’s BDSM in Second Life post. And Agnes’ Laugh out Loud just keeps going and going!

 6 Comments on Supporting Parents with Autistic Kids
Posted in Identity

Supporting Parents with Autistic Kids

  Keeping up with the…well, anyone, really! Postcard family we are not.  My life revolves around my…

Activity No. 1. Pussy Riot Solidarity Parade. Photo of avatar Nadya Tolokno.
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Posted in Activity Report

Activity No.1 – Pussy Riot Solidarity Parade

In Activity No.1 – Pussy Riot Solidarity Parade, I, “fake Nadya Tolonko” was joined by 29 other avatars in a solidarity march at virtual Moscow in Second Life

Illustration of Nadya Tolokno. Pussy Riot trial summer 2012.
 2 Comments on My Statement at My Parole Hearing
Posted in Culture

My Statement at My Parole Hearing

Everywhere—in schools, prisons and universities, at voting stations and sitting in front of the TV—we are taught to obey, to lie, to bite our tongues, to say “yes” when we want to say “no.” The great cause of our civilization is to foster in ourselves, our children and friends an antidote to this obedience—an obedience that eats people alive.

Letters to Nadya and Maria in Prison. Photo of the Pussy Riot trial in Russia. Nadya Tolokno. Maria Alyokhina. Yekaterina Samutsevich.
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Posted in Postcards

Letters to Nadya and Maria in Prison

As part of the 17 Aug ’13 global Pussy Riot Solidarity Day, VBCO is collecting your letters to Nadya and Maria in prison. We’ll do our best to get your letters to Nadya and Maria.

 2 Comments on Walk softly but carry a big stick
Posted in Identity

Walk softly but carry a big stick

DAY TO DAY If you were to see me on the street I’d prolly not even stick…

Asylum in Your Embassy! Grand Opening! Screen Cap of Asylum store on Second Life Marketplace.
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Posted in Fashion

Asylum in Your Embassy! Grand Opening!

“Nadya Tolokno,” Agnes Sharple, Trill Zapatero, Vanessa Blaylock & Friends bring you an exciting new fashion experience, ASYLUM IN YOUR EMBASSY! Visit the store on Second Life Marketplace today!

Open Content Program The Getty. Tight detail of Eucharis face from the Jacques-Louis David painting. With text Open Content Program The Getty.
 2 Comments on Open Content Program The Getty
Posted in Museums & Galleries

Open Content Program The Getty

Yesterday James Cuno, president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, announced The Open Content Program, a 4,600 image gift to global culture.

If Lessig is Monet, then Stallman is Turner. Collage of pix of Lawrence Lessig, Claude Monet, Richard Stallman, and JMW Turner.
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Posted in Free Culture

If Lessig is Monet, then Stallman is Turner

In 1872 Claude Monet was ahead of his time. In 2004 Lawrence Lessig was ahead of his time. But how do we explain the insight of JMW Turner or Richard Stallman 30 years earlier still?

Pussy Riot Week. Montage of Pussy Riot images. Arms raised in front of St. Basil's cathedral. "Free Pussy Riot" written on chained arms. Amnesty International logos written on arms. On top of the images is the text "It's Pussy Riot Week"
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Posted in Production

Pussy Riot Week!

We celebrate Pussy Riot Week with a photo shoot Sunday, online shop opening Tuesday, and the Pussy Riot Solidarity Parade on Saturday.

 4 Comments on SAFETY LAST
Posted in Cinema Draw It

SAFETY LAST

They don’t make em’ like they used to and Safety Last was one of em’ I began…

Pussy Riot Solidarity Parade. Vanessa Blaylock in a red balaclava. Text: Киска бунт Солидарность парад.
 7 Comments on Previz #75 – Activity #1: Pussy Riot Solidarity Parade!
Posted in Previz

Previz #75 – Activity #1: Pussy Riot Solidarity Parade!

Previz #75, for VBCO’s first “Activity,” Activity #1 – Pussy Riot Solidarity Parade. A march of avatars at Red Square in Virtual Moscow.

Screen cap of fashion website What I Wear showing designer mouseover view and with the title "New Fashion Website, What I Wear" superimposed over image
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Posted in Fashion

What I Wear

A visit to the breezy, new Fashion Sharing website What I Wear. Various UI/UX problems hamper the experience, but the overall site is fun and interactive.

Pussy Riot! Photos of Vanessa Blaylock, Agnes Sharple and Monerda Skute. All wear Pussy Riot T-shirts.
 14 Comments on Pussy Riot! 10 Questions with Scarlett Luv
Posted in Biography

Pussy Riot! 10 Questions with Scarlett Luv

In the final chapter of Scarlett Luv’s 10 Questions with Vanessa Blaylock we learn of plans for Pussy Riot Solidarity Parade ’13, Divorce ’14, and other events.

Montage of 4 images: Mermaid Bryn (Bryn Michaels) Mermaid Yordie (Yordie Sands) Mermaid Vanessa (Vanessa Blaylock) and Mermaid Hanna (Hanna Lee)
 11 Comments on Mermaids and Pissants, 10 Questions with Scarlett Luv
Posted in Biography

Mermaids and Pissants, 10 Questions with Scarlett Luv

In Part 2 of her “10 Questions” Scarlett asks Vanessa about Mermaids and Pissants. Of floating free. Of struggling through the mire.

Digital Ethnography: Internet Research Survival Guide: Photograph of a computer workstation with a monitor showing a virtual world where an avatar is looking at a virtual world in a monitor
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Posted in Digital Ethnography

Digital Ethnography: Internet Research Survival Guide

The Internet Research Survival Guide with practical everyday tip and tricks that let you get your research done while staying healthy and sane.