On 12 July, the Australia Council for the Arts, in partnership with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), will host its first ever artist forum in Second Life. The in-world event, to be moderated by ABC’s Sunday Arts reporter / producer Fenella Kernebone, is for the Australia Council’s inaugural Second Life artist residency.

In an open forum at 7 pm (EST) on ABC Island, Paris-based artist and architect Brad Kligerman - one of the first artists in Second Life to complete an in-world residency - will present his work, discuss ideas and answer participants’ questions. [Videos and more here.]

Brad, an architect and teacher, completed his 11-week residency with US-based Ars Virtua a new media centre and gallery in Second Life, where he questioned the idea of materiality in the rendered environment and the nature of image. Australia Council chief executive officer Kathy Keele said the partnership with the ABC was a great fit with the Australia Council’s Second Life initiative. ‘The ABC was the first Australian media organisation to establish a presence in Second Life and we are excited about working with them on this project.‘ ‘We hope that Australian artists gain valuable insight from Brad Kligerman’s successful art interventions in Second Life and that they will be inspired to create innovative works in-world that will place them at the forefront of this groundbreaking practice,’ Kathy Keele said.

The Australia Council has also set up an artist’s forum in Second Life for artists looking for other artists with whom to collaborate. The moderated artists forum can be found at ABC Island and the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS) Island, Esperance.

Opened in February 2007, ABC Island explores new and different ways to present content to its audiences. As well as creating social spaces for Second Life visitors, the island showcases Australian talent and creativity in an innovative way.

Places for the 12 July Second Life event are limited. To register email slrsvp[at]ozco.gov.au with your Second Life Avatar name. The event will be streamed live at http:\slcn.tv. A vodcast of the event will also be available on the ABC Sunday Arts website. Sunday Arts screens Sundays at 5.00pm.

The Australia Council’s Second Life residency will enable a team of up to three artists, including a writer, musician / sound artist and digital visual media practitioner to collaborate on the development of inter-disciplinary artwork in Second Life. The project, which will take place online, will require the artists to explore the possibilities of literary, music / sound art and real time 3-D arts practices within the virtual realm.

The residency is open to Australian citizens and permanent residents. Applications close on 27 July 2007. For more information visit www.ozco.gov.au/rez

For more information on Ars Virtua and Brad Kligerman visit www.arsvirtua.com. Media enquiries - Victoria McClelland-Fletcher, communication officer phone 02 9215 9008 or 0400 808 013 or email v.mcclelland[at]ozco.gov.au.