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/