Ars Virtua presents Need, an emerging artists exhibition in collaboration with the ICAM program at the University of California San Diego :: March 20, 2008; 7 pm SLT :: Second Life (Teleport).

The idea of a separate set of needs for ones Second Life is both absurd and fundamental. Abraham Maslow provides an interesting hierarchy for us that other than a few differences lays over the synthetic world very nicely, however avatars are not the people they represent and as such do not have the same needs. The Virtual Environments class at UCSD takes a look at the difference and similarity in this space, this borderland between avatar and human and reflects on different aspects of need for both.

The exhibit runs the gamut from a reflection on need in classic video games to views on identity and a left handed look at our surveillance society. Projects also tackle loftier more abstract subjects such as the positioning of governance and faith in the synthetic realm.

There will be a scheduled “end of life” performance at 7:30, and musical accompaniment throughout the night. We have a limited amount of “Free Parking” available on a first come first served basis and the unusual snackbar included.

Ars Virtua is sponsored by the CADRE Laboratory for New Media.