If you’re not familiar with Arahan Claveau’s artwork in SL, then you’ve been missing out. Actually, if you’re not familiar with any provocative artists in SL, get thee familiar asap! Last evening, I attended the closing party for Super Fun Happy Club, which was Arahan’s art installation “end of the line.” I’m excited to see what he does next because, well, his art moves me deeply.

I came across Arahan’s work via Snapzilla, of which I am an addict. I then read all about the controversy and subsequent censoring of his work, when some closed minded asshats who couldn’t get “irony” if it bit them on the backside, AR’d him to Linden Lab. He was forced to comply or risk his account being banned in SL. Needless to say, the images were still powerful with “Censored” on them…only, it made a different point while at the same time, reinforcing the original intent of the installation. One can be persecuted for just about anything…

After visiting the Club for the first time several months ago, I sent Ara a note telling him how much his work inspired, saddened and generally made me feel. I won’t cheapen his work by trying to describe it here…but it is raw and totally unapologetic - I completely dig bravery.

You can see my unedited (read: kind of flat) images from the party on my Snapzilla stream to the left. There are also great pics from Adec Alexandria, Nebulosus Severine (who is also an incredible “arthole” I must say), and many others. In attendance were some of the most creative, open-minded people I have heard about or met in SL. I was glad to be there.

Note: I added links to Arahan’s SFHC Flickr stream. I hope that’s OK.

*The above photo belongs to Arahan Claveau