512: Paradise for a Rose (Cayuga)

This little bit of paradise literally sticks out for miles around. Found in Cayuga on Sansara, it is perched 130m up, on top of a pinnacle of sculpty rock, which immediately gives it an air of glorious isolation. Views north and west look across mountain terrain, and south and east across a valley that drops towards an inland waterway.

This parcel feels like a very personal space but the presence of a tip jar (sheep) suggests that the owner hopes for visitors. The land description touts it as "A little bit of paradise to enjoy in every life.  From a crushed rose to a sweet fragrance, take time to smell the roses...."

There's a strong sense of place here. How is it achieved?

Up up up
Through previous topophilia posts, I've been becoming more conscious of references to upward space. Within the limitations of a 512, it's not surprising that stacking occurs. Additionally, the "tower" seems to be an archetype in the human imagination - one could even say it's an "architype" (an architectural archetype).

For Gaston Bachelard, vertical space separates rationality from irrationality: "Verticality is ensured by the polarity of cellar and attic, the marks of which are so deep that, in a way, they open up two very different perspectives for a phenomenology of the imagination. Indeed, it is possible, almost without commentary, to oppose the rationality of the roof to the irrationality of the cellar" (The Poetics of Space). These upwards spaces immediately invoke clarity, vision, and perspective. The sense of remoteness enhances objectivity. Visions happen on mountain tops, and great works issue from the apex of "ivory towers".

In a virtual environment, it is not at all surprising that we see endless expressions of ascent.

Not only is this parcel placed on a remote pinnacle of rock but it also has three distinct levels, each furnished with space for the avatar to be still. The western face of the pinnacle is covered with a waterfall. A smaller waterfall is above this, and there is a sitting area down in the hollow next to the plunge pool. Above this a plateau holds a social area with chair and table for four friends alongside a path that zig zags up to a third level with a canopy and cushions where a variety of tasty treats are on offer. There is a stone sculpture of a sleeping woman, on the middle level.

Using more than one level is not only economical with space but also makes spaces that seem to suit different frames of mind or activities. Unlike rooms, the open divisions of space by plateaus or terraces mean that other parts of a place can be seen from wherever you are, and I think that this gives a more satisfying sense of unity to a parcel.

Open/Closed
Another theme that repeatedly emerges in my exploration of virtual topophilia is the balance of open and closed space. What seems satisfying is a bit of both: privacy and outlook, isolation and context, protection and exposure. The tower of rock is a brilliant hack that delivers both in equal measure. While it is open to the sky and offers broad vistas of the surroundings, this parcel is a miniature kingdom, enclosed upon itself by being on top of a sheer, unclimbable wall.

A sky platform or box lacks the context of nevertheless being attached to the land, and it is amazing what a difference this makes.

I'm in a Picture
Unlike the parcel in my previous post, there's no topographical consistency with the surroundings. It's extremely unlikely we'd find this sort of place in the real world.

Furthermore, the underlying structure of the habitable part of the parcel is provided by a prefabricated sculpt; this is not even subject to the limits of terraforming. The texture of the ground feels soft, almost hand-painted and the trees by Hayabusa have a characteristic texture of crayon work.

Finally, the land is so delineated from the surroundings that, seen from any angle, it is framed by the sky or the horizon. Taken together, these factors mean that standing in this little bit of paradise feels very much like becoming part of a painting. I think that is another key to the simple stillness that can be experienced here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cayuga/72/226/137

512: The Garden of Peace (Neumoegen)

This is the 4th post in my 512 project series. Broadly  it's an enquiry into how a sense of place can be created in a bounded 3D virtual space. You can read more about it here.

"Hidden behind Neumoegen Train Station. Serving breakfast for weary travelers." I've kept an interest in this garden of peace since it was bought two months ago, because it's the best place on the mainland to enjoy an al-fresco breakfast with a good sunrise.

In spite of being within a stone's throw from Neumoegen station on the Heterocera SLRR The parcel is hidden and has a "sunken" feel to it. It lies below a series of terraces that jut from the knees of the the Neumoegen wall and is surrounded on two and a half sides by pines. It is easier to get to since the banlines have been removed to the north and it can now be reached from the Grand Staircase by a gentle stroll across abandoned land or by a walled path. It also has access by open land down onto Route 1 and the local Stargate is The Rusty Gates of Neumoegen on the Alteran System. 

It is an inviting and satisfying place to spend some time. With the exception of the rare and unusual sculpture by Haveit Neox, it's assembled with commonplace objects (rather than super-cute gachas) that won't break the bank. It's peaceful and a little bit quirky/magical by virtue of the mushrooms, sculpture and fireflies.

for the 512 project, there are a few things that have given me food for thought.

Consistency and Variation

Since it inception, the garden of peace has undergone seasonal variation, with some elements being changed, and most recently the addition of a striking piece of sculpture. In spite of this, the familiar 'backbone' of the parcel has remained: the stream and bridge, the rocks, bench, and breakfast table. On repeat visits, it is always nice to see what's new, while essential and familiar features are maintained to give a sense of continuum.  

Many Sits

You can sit on the toadstools, on the rocks, at the table or on the bench (which also has couple sits). This offers a good selection for the lone visitor to find a spot that sits their mood or offers a different  angle of view. Furthermore, given that there's room for maybe seven or eight avatars to take the weight off their feet, this would make a nice casual venue for a get together or storytelling event.

Zoning

I became aware on this parcel of the creator having taken a 'zoning' approach to the design. This is a great concept to be aware of while putting a place together. The zones loosely divide into six areas of approximately equal size, arranged around the cruciform structure of the stream and bridge. 

There is the breakfast area, mirrored across the stream by the magical zone (toadstools, fireflies, rocks and bright flowers). The bench and a bare tree seem to form a piece, counterpointed over the bridge by the sculpture zone. At the bottom of the parcel, a family of foxes occupies  the rocks in one area across from a stand of pine trees.

Following the stream W to E, from the top to the bottom of the parcel, the space goes from open, to more enclosed, light to dense. So, while it's easy to enter the top, it's not easy to walk out at the bottom. This is a pleasing transition that, once again, makes for a lot of variety within a small space.

Topographical Realism

The stretch of stream errupts from under the rocks at the top, runs under the bridge and then disappears under more rocks. This detail makes sense. It seems very natural that a stream should surface here and disappear again, suggesting that the designer has considered how to make the topography self-contained and yet consistent with the surroundings. The course of the stream really does give a sense of flow, too: this parcel has a beginning, middle and end.

The Sculpture

I've left mention of the sculpture until last because, according to expectation, it should completely dominate the area. It is bright with orange, red and blue, and it stands tall - echoing the orange tower at Shin Moebaru station, which pokes above the trees to the south. While it certainly draws the eye and makes a passerby more likely to come and investigate, it also seems to harmonize well with the surroundings. This piece actually has a ethereal lightness and verticality to it that sort of scatters upwards and seems to be more part of the atmosphere over the parcel than a weight on the ground.

While the garden of peace provides a lovely setting for a curious and upliifting piece of art, it is not the overwhelming focus, and there's a peaceful welcome for anyone here.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neumoegen/166/87/54

256: Saul's Nook (Torva)

Saul's Nook is one of a few brainchildren of SecondLife impresario SAUL GOODIE. It's a roadside parcel on Route 1, Heterocera that simply describes itself as "A Little Getaway". In fact, it's half a 512, being 256 m/sq, but, in the spirit of The 512 Project, it speaks volumes about doing a lot with very little space.

Feeling my way into the sense of place, here, I've abandoned my categories of 'Purpose', 'Location', 'Look and Feel' as these seem to have become restrictive and I'm reconsidering the validity of 'Purpose' as a criterion in any case: couched as it is, in the industrialized concept of 'fitness for purpose'. Instead, I think there are some features to be noticed:

Closed/Open and Framing
Two sides of the parcel have a high, grey stone wall, that creates a barrier between the neigboring shop and the hillside. Nevertheless, it is open to the road and the south aspect of abandoned land. A short path of stepping stones invites the passerby to walk into a grove of tall beech trees where a seating area is placed in a natural clearing. The path quickly gives way to nature. The chairs offer a place of seclusion from where one can see the road, framed by the tree trunks.

It's the balance of 'enclosed openness' that tells the mind that it is welcome but safe, and it seems to be an important consideration for anyone who wants to achieve that effect in a given place.

A close, permeable barrier (provided by trees and vegetation) acts like the padding from the outside world while breaking its lines up into natural frames. The road is still there, but it becomes a piece of art on the wall.

Bring a Friend
The hangout spot is furnished with a table, long seat, and two chairs. Candles burn on the table and there is a guest book to sign. This place is created for a group of friends to have an intimate conversation. The fact that the majority of its actual use is bound to be by lone explorers or single AVs who want 'a little getaway' poses another question. What does it do to be alone at a table set for four?

Some spots in SecondLife are deliberately set out as places to be alone. yet it is pleasant to be in a place where one imagines more community happening. Perhaps, the empty chairs are filled with those we would want to be with - and that takes the mind in a certain direction it would not go in otherwise.

Ambient Lighting
This parcel, like so many, really comes into its own in twilight or at night. It is an object lesson in ambient lighting. The light comes from a string of bulbs and a more abstract source in the form of a glowing mesh that punches little fixed dots of light into the air. This is an effect you are more likely to see in a nightclub. You don't really notice it unless you are looking for it but it plays a big part in making the sitting area well lit, like the glowing heart of the parcel.

Here, light is used in such a way that the surrounding darkness becomes a comforting buffer and enhances the sense of intimacy and seclusion.

That Ladder
The back wall is hung with empty picture frames, perhaps to be filled with those imagined friend's faces. There is also a step ladder. Step ladders are ubiquitously available on the market place or as gacha items. They are really 'cute' but this is the first time I have been forced to think, "why?"

The step ladder says a few things to me ...

• 'I like doing places up': the ladders are an iconic tool of the DIY enthusiast. Step ladders out say that the work is in progress. Here they serve as a prompt to the imagination to begin dreaming about its own decorating project.
• 'Upcycle': They are always 'vintage' ladders, and speak to an aesthetic that incorporates old items used again and loved afresh. These utilitarian objects become furniture in their own right as we indulge the modern fascination for finding an old thing and making it a feature. Why do we like that? It's a question for another post.
• 'Ascend': On a further level, I believe we have a strong psychological need to reach upwards. Ladders symbolize that ascent, a reaching for a higher perspective, a progression of the soul, a quest for more space and a desire to leave the boundedness of life on earth.

In our times, we could all do with a little getaway.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Torva/182/236/33

512: Botanical Corvid Sanctuary (Sabre)

The Botanical Corvid Sanctuary is created by Ember Botanical and described as an "arbor and lab dedicated to corvid survival training, charm school, remote viewing, horology, and experimental theology."

I visited it to find out how such a variety of arcane activities could be accommodated within the limits of a 512.

Just a few, very carefully placed, objects occupy this hollow on the slope between the High Mountain Road (Route 6) and the SLRR that runs around the inner eastern side of Heterocera. 

Purpose: I suspect that, with corvid eyes, I'd see immediately where I could practice survival techniques and grow in the charming art, learn about clocks, visit distant places, and immerse myself in divine contemplation. The human AV has to work a bit harder, but the place works a kind of magic that leaves the visitor feeling a bit more "crow" than they were before.
 
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines an arbor:

"A shady resting place in a garden or park, often made of rustic work or latticework on which plants, such as climbing shrubs or vines, are grown."

We'd expect, therefore, somewhere leafy to sit. The shady resting place here is a rustic bench, surrounded by purple flowers under the cover of three leaning trees by 'we're CLOSED'. From the bench, one looks down the hollow and feels sheltered, hidden from any traffic passing along the SLRR, but able to look out along the contours of Sabre.

However, the eye is drawn to the large, translucent, mauve egg that is partially submerged in the soil at the north eastern lip of the hollow. I suspect this has something to do with the laboratory, and possibly the remote viewing: an incubation chamber, or the freakish result of an experiment in theology, perhaps.In the heart of the egg is a strand of red that seems to be alive, even umbilical. It is possible (and seems to be safe) to sit inside it and look out through the walls. Sitting inside an egg has obvious resonance with safety, nurture and (re)birth and it's a pleasant setting in which to consider these themes.

Location: Immediately adjacent, to the south of the parcel is the fascinating "Wild Materials", a much larger area where nature is in the process of reclaiming an abandoned house. As such, it provides a perfect complement. Walking between the areas is a noticeable transition, but the sense of wildness and quietude is unbroken.

The parcel can be reached easily by climbing the short slope from the railway line.  It's accessible and well positioned to catch the curiosity of a traveler.

The natural spoon shape of the terrain tips its mouth west, offering big vistas of the plain below, which is well inhabited and interesting, and the sea beyond. It's placed so that the light of sunrise comes into the Sanctuary and shows it in its best light.

Look and Feel: Too often associated with black arts and eerie scenes, the humble fellowship of crows, rooks, ravens and jackdaws is seen in a different light here.

A restless flock of black shadows circles in the trees, a clock ticks somewhere; there are bird calls and shady hollows. But nothing is intended to be threatening. It gives a sense of 'otherness', but invites the visitor in.

The muted palette of greens and browns encircles purple hues from the flowers and the egg: calming colors that quickly settle the eye.

Perhaps this 512 is a shadow-and-feather answer to those 'cat cafes', where customers can enjoy the therapeutic company of felines. It is a sanctuary for all species.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sabre/119/220/96

512: Elzhea's Coffe Stop and Garden (Catalpa)

 

I've watched this parcel with interest, having owned it for several months and sold it on when I'd still failed to work out how to best use its narrow shape and stepped terrain.

It is surrounded by abandoned land, but the parcel adjoining to the south once held the delightful Ticket Station at Catalpa. An embarkation point with decking and woodland arranged in a lovely little hangout area behind the tiny ticket building. It's therefore particularly delightful to find another embarkation point and hangout area has grown up here. It's almost a mirror of the old Ticket Station.

Out front is a rez area and a garage containing a Ford pickup by Myuki Mills. Behind this, a mystical, pink tree gives both light and shade to a decked seating area. From the decking are views of the cartoonish trees that flank the D-Lab station, the hillside and a be-castled residence towards the ocean.

Purpose: There's nothing being sold or advertised here. It's just an unpretentious offering of SL hospitality of the best kind: a place to rez a vehicle, a place to sit, and a couple of curiosities. There is 50LI left to rez stuff on a 30 minute return. Presumably it is also useful to the owner, who has parked a car in the garage.

For a "coffee stop", there's no coffee available, so I guess you bring your own - which is fair enough considering how many cups of coffee most of us have in inventory (one rainy day I'm going to wear them all just for the buzz).

Location: Even though it is surrounded by abandoned land, the parcel has access to the railway and the road at this point where the two run in parallel. Catalpa lies on the South Eastern Branch of the SLRR, and it is best approached by rail. D-Lab has the strongest presence in area. It's just where an explorer would be happy to find a place to park after traversing several regions of mostly abandoned greensward.

Look and Feel: The pastel pinks, light mint green, citrus yellow and blueberry hues on the build invoke battenburg cake and neapolitan ice cream and are gentle on the eye. After dark, the tree casts a pleasant pink, cool blossom light. The focal point of the seating area is a patterned egg lamp, which is beautiful to look at and radiates warmth. The assortment of chairs seems to offer something for anyone's taste: from the traditional barrel seat, to the couple's bench. Additional seating is found in an unusual and circa-2005-looking rail vehicle that doesn't seem to be driveable any more.

There is a pleasing openness to this parcel, some nice counterpoint between the natural and built shelters of the garage and tree, and the egg lamp brings a coziness into the cool, dispersed light of the tree. In a very economical way, the creator has succeeded in creating a distinct sense of space and a friendly atmosphere.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Catalpa/203/29/63