NOISE GOES VIRTUAL GEEK!

So we tried out a full on virtual launch last week on Second Life. It made a change from running around Urbis or Downing Street worrying about guest lists, caterers, band sound-checks and the like. We all sat at a desk in our office and made our online avatars run, dance, fly and chat with other people at the launch. It was refreshing not to have to put on the high heels and schmooze with the ‘important people’ that we always have to impress (not that we don’t love them).

The office was buzzing – we had Badly Drawn Boy controlling an avatar that had been build especially for him (complete with guitar and hat), one of Badly Drawn Boy’s top choice bands, The Rossman Frister Project, popped in as we’d got them a gig headlining at the Dry Bar in Manchester, and last but not least we had a very cute and occasionally screaming three week old baby watching the action.

It was surprising how stressful a virtual launch and exhibition can be, nothing compared to the real life version, but it still involved some shouting, a lot of running around (albeit only me running between desks in the office telling people what to do), and a lot of relief once it was all over!

The online launch went really well, we had lots of people there listening to the wise words of our Chief Exec Denise Proctor in her speech, viewing the gallery, and asking NOISE Curators Zaha Hadid and Badly Drawn Boy some insightful questions. We capped off the launch with Badly Drawn Boy inviting everyone there to join in with him for a virtual dance.

The launch is over now, but the exhibition’s still running, so check out www.NOISEfestival.com for details of how to get to the Oldham Second Life Island.