They see only their own shadows, or the shadows of one another, which the fire throws on the opposite wall of the cave. - Plato
Henry James in Second Life
The ideas of The Aesthetikon are now being presented in a modern format to an expanded audience, thanks to support from the The Alliance Library System, a consortium of public and academic institutions based in East Peoria, Illinois. As part of its effort to extend its online presence the alliance has granted space in Second Life for Henry James House, a showcase for displays which translate the principles of aesthetic mechanics into visual metaphors. The most recent exhibit, The Rise of Abstraction, discusses the continuing drive toward a creative distortion of constructive materials by artists in all media. Visitors to Second Life may find the Henry James House with the usual search mechanism.
Our thanks to these artists
Several artists contributed works which enhance the efforts of Henry James House to envision the concepts of The Aesthetikon. Artist Ina Centaur created the series of black and white drawings accompanying the text. Award-winning artist Ellen McCormick Martens, Clear Lake City, Texas, created the colorful acrylic on canvas works which dot the area. Finally, I want to thank artist Alberto Salomon for creating the striking pen and ink portrait of Henry James above the fountains.