Fractal patterns intersect math, computing, and nature with beautiful symmetry; today an amazing show of 13 diverse fractal styles launched in Second Life (SL). Displaying over 100 years of fractal experience, these SL creators spent decades tinkering with fractal programs with compelling results. You can preview their show called Fractal Diversity in Pictures 1 through 9 above, then visit the real show in Second Life at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Shepherd/180/218/84
With amazing shows like Fractal Diversity and 1000's of hours of free live musicians and DeeJays every single day, you would be crazy not to join Second Life for free at: http://www.secondlife.com

A fractal is a graphical pattern which repeats itself at diminishing sizes. Fractals are generated using recursive calls, essentially graphic programs that call themselves to generate repeating patterns of diminishing scale. Fractal patterns are very commonplace in nature, for example in nautilus shells, ferns, and snowflakes. For more info, discover the source of Picture 10 from this wiki article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractal

Now enjoy some amazing SL fractal masters talk about their life's work and awesome creations. Their creative human minds powerfully merge their left brain programming logic with their right brain intuitive creativity to produce fractal insights that are deeply moving. Human made, but mimicking nature; synthetic, but vibrant, pulsating, and mysteriously alive.

Picture 1 is "Aurora Angelis" by Androo Beck. Androo describes his fractals: "I like to feature structure in my fractals - that's what's  different from a lot of the other fractals you see. I like to draw out a  solid looking structure, to make it look like something real that you  could touch.  I love fractals because they bring to life the complexity,  elegance and beauty of the mathematical formulas behind them.  Making a  fractal is really a process of discovery.  The fractal is there all  along, you just have to find it and then color it in the way you want  it to look.  It really is like being a nature photographer.  We all like  to see structure in nature, because it gives nature a sense of design or  purpose, which we also like to see in our lives.  I think fractals are  appealing because they often contain similar structures that you can  find in nature, whether it be in plants, sea shells, or corals." See more of Androo's fractals at: http://prints.weiserware.com

I debated with myself a long time about Picture 2, "Body in Flight.' Should I or shouldn't I. If US commercial TV can show some innocent nudity for the sake of preventing breast cancer, why can't we, for art's sake. Picture 2 is the stunning creation of 2 artists, Serenity Questi and Figbash Snook. See their other collaborative works at Fractal Diversity at Art of the Inspiration Gallery: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Shepherd/196/217/84

Curator of Fractal Diversity, Serenity Questi, had this to say, "The reason I decided to create this show is that people often think that fractals, because they are produced by software, are kind of like 'paint by numbers.' This show demonstrates the artistry beyond the pixels. many of these artists use the same software, and yet, as you see, each has a very distinct style." When I asked her about the human forms in your fractals, she replied, "Well, I LOVE to collaborate with other artists, and am always looking for opportunities to do so. Figbash Snook is an amazing portrait artist. When I met him, I knew we had to figure out a way to meld our two styles. As far as I know, it's never been done before." Visit her gallery in SL at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Triphosa/176/23/51

Serenity's collaborator, Figbash Snook, explains, "Fractals have always fascinated me in how they pattern what we see in the world around us. The work that Serenity and I have done is, I believe, one of the only attempts to merge the mathematical abstraction of fractals with the passionate warmth of the human form. I am a portrait artist, and collaborate with Serenity Questi.  She creates the fractals and I weave them around images of her avatar. Fractals are the mathematical abstraction of many of the patterns we see in nature, from the veins in a leaf, to the intricate web of a river delta, to the skyline of a mountain range. You are welcome to visit my gallery at" http://slurl.com/secondlife/old%20misty%20orleans/160/81/3021

I wish I could post 100 pictures, but I can't fit all the great fractal art into these few slots. I would like to share the wonderful commentary that each of the artists were generous to offer CNN. You simply MUST see this show at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Shepherd/196/217/84

Pictures 3, 4, 5, and 6 are long shots of the Fractal Diversity show, portraying many artists. Picture 7 is DeeJay Paris Cybertar, a really fun and terrific talent we enjoy at many gala events. Picture 8 is art patron Seoreh Voight, enjoying the show and dance party.

Fractal Artist Milly Sharple: It's the first time I have exhibited in SL but it's been great!  I do fractals because I love them - a relaxing and addictive pastime!  Nature IS fractals... they are everywhere you look - once you see them, you can't stop seeing them.

Fractal Artist Simulat Almendros: In this show my work isn't based on computation - though it is digital of course - based on scans of a couple of maple leaves. Also its more painterly rather than photographic. The relationship is basically that both the patterns in nature and computed are based on simple systems of computation - in nature its DNA that does the computing. Computed fractals are more perfect, but I thought I'd work with natural fractals for a change. But I've been working with fractals for about 25 years - mostly writing my own software for it and then using Photoshop to make the final pictures. For me fractals have a fairly strong philosophic meaning - they show how complexity can arise in very simple systems. Also they show how completely deterministic systems can have unpredictable outputs. If you want I can show you another body of my work in the gallery at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Shekhawati/245/45/23

Fractal Artist Xe Namiboo: This is a fantastic show!  My work is a bit different in that I tend to try to blend symmetry and simplicity with fractals.  I also Like to use a 3D program to create fractals.  Personally, I do fractals for the absolute fun and surprise at the end result.  Fractals are nature.

Fractal Artist Chef Turbo: Well to be honest, its my first show here, and i love it, great view and everything. I see my art showing out because it is rare like every other fractal, each one is different. I do fractals because i love them, and they are fun to create. Fractals and Nature are very close, they have a lot of alikeness, for instance, fractals are random with math, and the environment is random with people changing it every day, and also it can change by its self two, like rendering an image, it always comes out differently. I have always liked doing fractals, its fun. Visit Chef's gallery at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Fermi/53/36/24

Fractal Artist Merranda Ginssberg: I just love that all of us can come together and share our visions and show there is art in what we do, since some think otherwise. I try and bring a piece of my soul to each picture I create, to share my joy, sadness, pain and all the wonderful feelings we have inside...to me it is like a healing. Some people write I create what I am feeling and get such joy from them expressing themselves in what they experience with my visions. Nature plays a big part of fractals, the simple things in life have such a meaning simple words can not express the wonderment of it all. I hope to meet you sometime during our event, and that I brought a smile to your face with my display... See more of Merranda's art at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Triphosa/178/111/43

Fractal Artist Maria Binder: Playing with colors and forms is my hobby ..can´t stop to do it...I´m using a lot of programs and try to mix it...till i have the product of my fantasy...fractals are like a cell in nature - but not only  mathematical formulas for me ..more the beauty and fantasy in diversity of life-forms and colors. See more work by Maria at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Magnetik%20Island/123/174/24

Fractal Artist Snaptick Laxness: First of all ,there are some very impressive pieces at this show, I especially admire Androo Beck's Tangerine piece and AuroraSkye Ashtons copper piece... I think my art stands out as it is thematic, I try to find images within images, and make everyone else see what I see...  fractals have been a hobby of mine since I discovered the Serpinski formula of dividing triangles in 1990 or so... I think fractals and nature are the same thing, everything in the universe shares a common mathematic seed, what modern physicists define as "unified theory" - that one simple equation could represent everything... that seed is fractal in nature - it changes through iterations, but remains the same over time, constantly repeating itself.... My two favorite influences are (for fine art) - MC Escher - and for fractal art, Jock Cooper - his stuff is amazing, Jock's web site is at: http://www.fractal-recursions.com/

See more of Snaptick's fractal art at http://slurl.com/secondlife/Infinity/149/45/25

Finally, I had a lovely chat with Fractal Artist Davideo Zelnik (Picture 9 is his Star Fractal). He could not join us in Second Life because he was in Hospital, and in very good spirits. I shared some of the joy and love we expressed for him during the Fractal Diversity opening. We communicated from SL to RL through an email-chat connection, an built-in feature of SL. Was a great pleasure to help cheer him up and he certainly made our day too! Our best wishes for speedy recovery go out to him! Davideo's website is;  http://DavidFriedmanArt.com

See more of Davideo's art in SL at: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Prism%20Lila/111/213/23

Fractal Artist Davideo Zelnik responded to our follow up questions with these thoughts:

    "Fractals are alive and well in Fractal Diversity 2, a dazzling showcase of SL art. Fractals emerge from specific mathematical equations that translate into complex visual patterns. Here, artists take over where scientists have left off and add personal aesthetics - color, proportion, density, composition and style - to generate an infinite array of unique, self-referentially intricate designs. They boggle the mind with a stunning, never-ending potential for originality and elegance."
     "Among my favorites in this collection are fresh and imaginative juxtapositions of fractal formulae with samples of contrasting natural content such as nudes, leaves and clouds. They delight the eye, the mind and the spirit."
     "My work is informed by a passion for "true" spectral color and layered, interconnected patterning that shifts and recombines. I love spatial illusion and visual play. My fascination with radiance and dynamism is at home on/in the "canvas" called Second Life."
      "I am drawn to fractals as if by a deep, compelling instinct. I am continually fascinated with the unending graphical surprises, visual richness and stimulating engagement of exploring the fractal world."
     "Fractals are a manifestation of mathematical law. Like the Golden Mean of Fibonacci, the universal perfection of Pi and the absolute sequence of hues in the electromagnetic spectrum of light, the fractal is pure "intelligent design". I see the fractal as a powerful symbol of the ultimate nature of reality ... complete in itself yet infinite in its unpredictable possibilities and permutations ... and perpetually evolving."

Fractal Diversity art patron Zanelle Aero explained that she is "Friend of Serenity and neighbor. I loved the show.   It made me really think this morning." Upon noticing my traditional Afghan party dress, Zanelle commented, "I was in Afghanistan in the 70's It was a nice time.  I bought an orange burka." See my related iReport about Afghan / India Art at http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-356519

-- Any1 Gynoid reporting for CNN iReports