Arahan Claveau’s installation Super Fun Happy Club will close
I was very shocked and saddened to learn that what I think to be one of the most important artistic and cultural installation ever made in SecondLife will be closing its doors. Super Fun Happy Club, or SFHC for short, was a very poignant and touching installation by our very dear Arahan Claveau, both hilarious and very dramatic, that treated with very difficult topics in a very human way.
Here is the message Arahan sent to all SFHC members:
Dear members & friends,
I decided I want to close super fun happy club soon. There are a few reasons but mainly it’s because I simply can’t handle the pressure anymore. The last 6 months have been very rewarding in many ways but also the stress has taken its toll. I plan to have an end party for members soon and I’ll keep the group active for my future project, whatever that may be.
Thanks to everyone for your continued support.
-Arahan-
What shocked me is not that Arahan decided to close it. Installations are installations, they come and go. It’s the underlying reason why he closed it. Arahan has been harassed, harshly critiqued, and overall pressured into closing its installation, IMOHO. This proves where freedom of expression remains, and the answer is neither in RL or in SL. As I already said many times, Arahan is certainly the most human, caring and sensitive person I know, and not taking that into account shows how narrow minded and bigoted his critiques are.
Go and visit this unique installation while it’s still time. Also, please, send massive amounts of encouraging messages to Arahan. Arahan fights for freedom, it’s time to show some support for those who have the guts to fight for us when we are too scared to do so.
Be warned. This installation is controversial, shocking for many, charged emotionally and WILL disturb you. I agree with Arahan when he says that art is meant to disturb. Questioning conventions always makes human intelligence and sensitivity evolve.
Now get your ass in there.
The SFHC installation:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Keundott/240/143/602
Flickr galleries about SFHC:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/arahanclaveau/sets/72157600047372777/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cbredgrave/sets/72157600046298875/
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I’ll be sure to check this out the next time I’m in world.
It really bothers me that people are giving Arahan this much grief. I only know him through Flickr, but I haven’t seen anything from him that wasn’t extremely kind.
Plus, he was in Shaun of the Dead, which means he’s uber-cool
Chloe
Wow Codie that’s so damned nice of you, thanks a lot. I know I have a lot of support and that’s what’s kept super fun happy club going for so long, sure I lost friends through it but I gained far more.
I know it has has provoked strong emotions in people and opened eyes to subjects some visitors weren’t aware of, or were unwilling to acknowledge existed.
So, it has absolutely been worth fighting to be heard above the opposition and remain determined not to let those hysterical fanatics silence freedom of expression.
Thanks again for your important part in this.
_____________
Thanks Chloe, that’s sweet of you. It should remain open for a couple of weeks yet I think, hope you get time to see it.
-Arahan-
Ow, I want to be at the official closing party. I had nothing but good to say about the installation. Do check it out peepz, before it’s to late!
I absoletely agree you, Codie, in all ways, about SFHC, about Arahan and about all this small minds around. The first time i visited SFHC i was shocked, but not for the images or contents, i was shocked and happy because finally i saw something in SL full of meaning, full of fight for freedom. I met Arahan in-world at the same time, and since then i realized how human, caring and sensitive person he is.
Go there, maybe you will be shocked, but we need to be shocked to see how is this world.
Raul
Raul, yes indeed personnally I was not really shocked, maby more amazed by the courage, the audacity and very very touched by the cry from the heart. I was impressed by the infinite sadness at the same time than the great joy of being alive and free. I cannot say I had such powerfull impression ever in SL, apart maby Arahan’s bedroom installation at Salon du Distruptif. This impressed me too, the intimacy I guess.
I tell you all, it will shock those who don’t know Arahan. When you know him personally, there is no way you will be shocked by this expo. You will rather be impressed, moved, and maby scandalized, not that Arahan is expressing himself, but rather with what Arahan denounces.
Thanks for posting this, Codebastard. I hadn’t seen the installation so I tp’d right over and while I was there, who should show up but Arahan himself. Had a good conversation and weasled an invite to the closing party; I think anyone reading this should keep a lookout and make sure to be there when it shuts down. I think it’s important that the forces of ignorance not see this as a victory.
[...] Arahan Claveau’s installation Super Fun Happy Club will close - I was very shocked and saddened to learn that what I think to be one of the most important artistic and cultural installation ever made in SecondLife will be closing its doors. Super Fun Happy Club, or SFHC for short, was a very poignant and touching [...]
Thanks to all of you so much. I am really touched by your responses.
I’ve set a date for the closure - Sat 26th May at 4PM SL time. It will be a members only event.
Hope to see you there. I’ll be sending an invite out via the group soon.
-Arahan-
[...] Super Fun Happy Club I do not want to miss out on that final party! [...]
A memorable night….wonderful people, great music, the often-imitated, never duplicated Arahan Claveau (star) and the closing of what I consider the best damned piece of artwork ever to grace SL.
Oh, and some redheaded woman offering mind-blowing hugs…..
SunShine