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By Rosanne Meandro
 On Thursday, December 14, more than 60 visitors from around the
world attended the gala opening of Remember Us, a photo exhibit organized by the
Alzheimer Society of Ontario (ASO) -- without leaving the comfort of their home.
That's because the exhibit took place in Second Life, a virtual 3D world, where
you can create a digital version of yourself (or 'avatar'), and walk, talk or
even fly.
Since going live in 2003, Second Life -- developed by San Franscisco's Linden Lab -- has become a burgeoning community of more than three million residents with its own currency (Linden dollars). It has attracted organizations of all sizes, including libraries, universities and not-for-profits, seeking innovative ways to reach and interact with a broad cross-section of individuals. Now, the Alzheimer Society of Ontario is adding its voice to the community. It's the first Canadian charity to make its mark in the online world by hosting a multimedia exhibit that puts a human face on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Opening night guests were treated to ASO's collection of
striking black and white photos of people living with the disease. Taken by Hamilton-based photojournalist Cathie Coward, the dramatic images that adorn the gallery walls are complemented by supportive text that pops up when visitors click on the images. Other exhibit features include a podcast station where visitors can listen to the award-winning Talk for Memories podcast, a series of six compelling
interviews with individuals touched by the disease; and Coffee and Prayers, a powerful 20-minute video documentary that captures the impact of Alzheimer's through the eyes of a caregiver. In addition, visitors get to walk through "Head Space," a life-sized, multi-coloured, transparent brain scan, sharpen their recall in The Memory Board game, or experience kinetic poetry, designed especially for Second Life.
 Says Madelyn Herschorn, Director, Marketing and Communications, Alzheimer Society of Ontario (Millicent Holsworthy in Second Life), "Remember Us aims to engage visitors so that they come away with a better appreciation of the disease and its cruel consequences. Second Life is a rich social environment full of creative, curious citizens of the world. The possibilities for Alzheimer's education, awareness and even fundraising are staggering."
So far, the exhibit has raised over $16,000 Linden dollars (at current exchange rates, one $1USD buys $400 Linden dollars). Donations will go toward a permanent educational outpost the ASO intends to build in Second Life in early 2007 to involve more of the virtual community in the fight against Alzheimer's
disease.
Remember Us is the joint effort of the Alzheimer Society
of Ontario and the Second Life Library 2.0, and was created by curator Shadow
Fugazi, who in real life is Kristina Lively, a Washington, DC, librarian, and
Medium Helvetic, otherwise known as Wayne MacPhail, an emerging media consultant
from Hamilton, Ontario. You can preview the exhibit on Google. Or you can visit us in our new home in 2007 on
Second Life's Health Info Island.
 The Alzheimer Society of Ontario, founded in 1983, supports a provincial
network of 39 chapters to improve service and care, fund and advance research,
educate the communities it serves, and create awareness and mobilize support for
the disease. The Society's vision is a world without Alzheimer's disease and
related disorders.
Second Life is a multiplayer 3D community on the Internet. Users create their
own characters, called avatars, who build a virtual world, bustling with commerce, social interactions and civic activities. Second Life is owned and operated by Linden Lab.
Rosanne Meandro is the Marketing and Communications
Coordinator, Alzheimer Society of Ontario.
Photo top: Madelyn Herschorn, Director, Marketing and Communications, Alzheimer Society of
Ontario (avatar, Millicent Holsworthy) at the entrance to the
Remember Us exhibit.
Photo
middle: Avatar Millicent Holsworthy at the gala opening of the Remember
Us exhibit, where more than $8,000 (Linden dollars) was raised.
Photo
bottom: "Head Space," a life-sized, multi-coloured, transparent brain
scan.
Photos by Wayne MacPhail (Medium
Helvetic), Hamilton, ON. To view more photos, see our Flickr feed.
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