DHCommons

The Virtual Harlem Project is one of the oldest and most established projects related to African American literature and culture of the Harlem Renaissance in a virtual environment that currently exists. Created in 1997 at the University of Missouri-Columbia using full Virtual Reality and in collaboration with organizations like the EVL at University of Illinois-Chicago, the University of Paris IV-Sorbonne in Paris, France and with faculty members at numerous universities in the states, Virtual Harlem currently resides in the virtual world of Second Life, encompassing two islands; Virtual Harlem and Virtual Montmartre. Currently there are several concurrent projects taking place within this environment. A game is being developed in collaboration with Georgia Tech's Experimental Game Lab, students at the Sorbonne and at the University of Central Missouri. Additionally there is ongoing programming and performances taking place on a weekly basis at various locations on Virtual Montmartre by jazz artists who are part of the Second Life community and practicing visual artists either teaching or conducting exhibits through their galleries.

I am looking for anyone interested in adding content to the growing body of information, museums or activities on either Virtual Harlem or Virtual Montmartre which may include simulcasting, teaching, programming, research, museum creation, archival access within particular contexts, role play, machinima and more. Please feel free to visit Virtual Harlem at the SLURL below:

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Virtual%20Harlem%202/166/42/31

I look forward to hearing from you and collaborating with those interested in pushing the boundaries concerning virtual worlds and convergent technologies.