Kultivate Magazine - June 2021 Issue by Kultivate Magazine

Thanks for a great 2021 Kultivate Spring Art Show! Below are this year’s juried winners: BEST IN SHOW: 1st Place – Kapaan Resident 2nd Place – Jamee Sandalwood 3rd Place – Roxccee Resident RL BASED ABSTRACT ART: 1st Place – Sabine Mortenwold 2nd Place – Matt Thomson 3rd Place – ViktorSavior Resident RL BASED LANDSCAPES: ViktorSavior Resident RL BASED PORTRAITS: Sevant Anatra SL BASED LANDSCAPES: 1st Place – Jamee Sandalwood 2nd Place – Kapaan Resident 3rd Place – Tie – Roxxcee Resident & Vita Theas Honorable Mention – Phoenix (doasilike Resident) SL BASED BLACK & WHITE ART (MONOCHROMES): 1st Place – Ohara (SoraiaRodrigues Resident) 2nd Place – Kapaan Resident 3rd Place – Myra Wildmist Honorable Mention – Tie – Vita Theas & Eucalyptus Carroll SL BASED PORTRAITS: 1st Place – Vita Theas 2nd Place – Kapaan Resident 3rd Place – ViktorSavior Resident 4th Place – Sandor (Bagnu Resident) Honorable Mention – Tie – Amanda (Aht1981 Resident) & Myra Wildmist SL BASED ABSTRACT ART: Kapaan Resident Very special thank you to all of our artists who exhibited this year! See you in 2022!!!

2021 Kultivate Spring Art Show Winners!

Welcome to the June 2021 Issue of Kultivate Magazine! This issue features artist Vanessa jane, the passing of LL CEO Ebbe Altberg, a review of a new swimming hud to make taking images in water easier, photo essays by Tempest Rosca Huntsman, Grace Sixpence, & Inara Pey! This article also features Graulands Art Park, Bluebell Cost, an update on SL18B, and the Iha do Sol Sim. Here we are in June 2021, with half of the year already gone! I have missed all of our readers the past 2 months, as real life took me away a bit, so I was not able to get an issue out. The good news is that many of us are out and about in rl, with covid restrictions being lifted. We can finally see, touch, hug, and chat with our loved ones in person again and I know that I will make the most of it! Tempest and I would like to thank our staff, supporters, advertisers, business partners, and artists for their support and we hope that everyone enjoys this issue as much as we do!

Sincerely, John, Owner & Publisher of Kultivate Magazine

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

KULTIVATE MAGAZINE—JUNE 2021 CREDITS

Johannes Huntsman, Owner & Founder

Tempest Rosca Huntsman, Photographer Liaison Veruca Tammas, Gallery & Sim Manager Jessii Warrhol, Marketing Manager CONTRIBUTORS: Inara Pey, Lead Contributor Johannes Huntsman Tempest Rosca Huntsman Ricca Saenz Grace Sixpence

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY: Vanessa Jane

FEATURED ARTICLE

ARTICLE: JOHANN

PHOTOGRAPHY: V

E: VANESSA JANE

NES HUNTSMAN

VANESSA JANE

UASL 2D Expo – May 20 first met Vanessa Jane in 2020. She is a

Kultivate Edge Gallery – June 20 talented artist who has made her mark in landscape art. On the following pages you can Burn2 – 3D Build – June 20 see some of the art this talented artist has created. Kultivate Windlight Gallery – Jun 20 Beginning to exhibit as a 2D and 3D Artist in SL just this year though I have done various forms Rainbow Gallery – June 20 of Art and Crafts for many years in RL and have Kultivate Summer Exhibition (2D and 3D) – June an Art degree. 20 In my SL 2D Art I strive for ‘painterly realism’ SL17B (3D) – June 20 and have a passion for capturing the elusive light and life in a scene, which brings a unique UASL Prodigious Exhibition (3D) – July 20 atmosphere. I bring my real life training as an artist to my aesthetic sensibility in the images I create in SL. When I get the chance I also enjoy UASL 2D Exhibition July 20 opportunities to do 3D art using tortured prims. UASL Utopian Exhibition (3D) – August 20 Artist in Residence: Carmel Art Community Artist in Residence: Kultivate

Rainbow Gallery August 20

Main Gallery: http://maps.secondlife.com/ secondlife/La%20Palma/160/53/1704

Konect Gallery (first solo exhibition) Sept 20

Gallery at Cherished Melody – http:// maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Cherished% 20Melody/105/33/2164 Gallery Cottage at Carmel – http:// maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ McFarren/156/147/31 Flickr – https://www.flickr.com/ photos/188095651@N07/? Exhibitions Kultivate Spring Art Show 2020 – April 20 (first exhibition in SL)

UASL Sublime Exhibition (3D) Sept 20 UASL 2D Exhibition Sept 20 UASL Optimistic October – Oct 20 Rainbow Gallery October 20 Kondor Gallery (solo Exhibition) – November 20 Carmel December Exhibition Seanchai Dickens Festival – Dec 20 Burn2 Winter Burn – Jan 21 (3D)

Beltane Art Festival at HippiMagic – May 20 Kultivate Sensuality Show Feb 21 Kultivate Select Gallery – May 20 Kultivate AIR Show Feb 21 Kultivate Sensuality Show – May 20

Carmel Gallery Exhibition – March 21 KM Raglanshire Art Walk – May 20

INSIDE LOOK: IN MEMO

ARTICLE & PHOTOG

ORIAM EBBE ALTBERG

GRAPHY: INARA PEY

n Friday, June 4th, Linden Lab broke the

news that the company’s CEO, Ebbe Altberg had passed away. The post, from Patch Linden, reads in part: SECOND LIFE FOUND NEW HIGHS IN 2020 BETWEEN A WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC TAKING GRIP, THROUGH THE TIMES OF A TUMULTUOUS LEADERSHIP CHANGE IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DURING MOVEMENTS OF CIVIL CHANGES THAT WILL FOREVER LIVE IN HISTORY BOOKS. SECOND LIFE PROVIDES MANY WITH THE COMFORT OF A NORMAL THAT CONTINUES TO EXIST FOR ALL OF US, WHERE MANY USE IT TO ESCAPE REAL LIFE PRESSURES, STRESSORS AND DAY TO DAY CHALLENGES. IN SECOND LIFE WE CAN BE OUR IDEAL, OUR BEST, CELEBRATE ALL THAT IS GOOD ACROSS THE WORLD TOGETHER. SADLY WE HAVE ALSO SEEN SOME PEOPLE GO, AND THEY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN AS THEY TOUCHED US, GAVE US THEIR BEST FROM THEIR HEARTS, MINDS AND SOULS – THIS THING CALLED REAL LIFE SOMETIMES KNOCKS ON OUR DOOR AND MAKES A CALL. AS I AM HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY, IT IS WITH PROFOUND SADNESS THAT I SHARE WITH YOU EBBE PASSED AWAY YESTERDAY EVENING RESTFULLY AND SURROUNDED BY THE LOVE OF HIS FAMILY. This is deeply sad news for all of those who knew or had contact with Ebbe during his seven -year tenure at LL. His arrival at Linden Lab the start of February 2014 came at a time when user / Lab relationships were at a particularly low state, and his arrival could not have been more timely.

Referring to himself as a “left-brain / right brain kind of person” – he graduated Middlebury College (Vermont USA) with a degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in Computer Applications, it is fair to say he not merely was aware of the potential of Second Life – he was positively enthusiastic about it, technically and creatively. From the outset, he was openly and warmly communicative with the platform’s user base, getting in-world as often as he could to meet people either casually or via small and large events – such as an early “fireside chat” a handful of us were invited to attend just a handful of days after his official arrival at the Lab, or via larger town hall style meetings, and appearances at events such as VWBPE, the SLB celebrations the Lab Chat sessions and their successor, Lab Gab, and more. His openness and honesty did much to renew users’ faith in Second Life – but occasionally carried something of a price. When he poppedup at a Third-Party Viewer Developer meeting in June 2014 and mentioned in passing that the Lab were working on a new platform (which we would come to know as Sansar), the resultant conniptions among users was very palpable (and, being honest, partially fueled by some hasty and somewhat inaccurate tweeting of his comments sans proper context) – which would require numerous repeats by both Ebbe and other at the Lab that the new platform did not mean “the end” for Second Life, but the company was committed to both.

In this latter regard, he fully supported the team that came together under Oz Linden to continue to build-out and improve SL and make it more accessible to people, whilst always stepping forward and facing the ire of users over perceived wrong-doings and working to further From the outset, it was clear that he had more build / re-build confidence in company and than a passing knowledge of the platform – his product. son, Aleks, had been keenly involved on the Teen Grid, up to and including starting his own Nor was his enthusiasm constrained to platform business, and Ebbe himself was a long-time and users – he faced the media head-on on friend of former Linden Lab board member Jed numerous occasions in the US and international, Smith (who had actually tried to get Ebbe to join proud to talk-up Second Life, Linden Lab, virtual the company once before). worlds and the potential of VR, a technology to which he became an ardent convert. He also

had the foresight to spin-out the lab’s expertise in virtual tokens into a subsidiary, Tilia Pay, presenting linden Lab with a further means of generating business for itself.

Lab and Second Life in a much stronger and better position than when he joined the company – a determination that included the hard choice of letting go of Sansar, and guiding the company through the difficult waters of acquisiPrior to joining Linden Lab, his career have been tion and bringing into the fold investors who wide-ranging, encompassing both major global have the vision and willingness to move both corporations such as Yahoo and Microsoft, company and platform forward. much of which I covered in a brief profile I was able to put together on him just appear he offi- Given this, and despite the shadow cast by the cially joined LL, and I was pleased to note that announcement of his passing, I’ve little doubt he and I had shared interests in both Formula 1 that he could be justifiably proud of all that he racing and space exploration, which allow for achieved at Linden Research Inc., and because of his dedication and enthusiasm, both the some early conversations between us. platform and the company are much better and The precise cause of Ebbe’s passing has not stronger today than perhaps they’ve ever been. been made public, but it was clear to many through various sources that he appeared to be My deepest and sincerest condolences to affected by a long-term illness, and over the last Ebbe’s family and all at Linden Lab at this time. I 12 months in particular, his presence had been can honestly say that for all of us who have somewhat conspicuous by its absence (I believe been invested in Second Life, he was more than that perhaps his last public appearance as CEO just a CEO, he was a fellow resident an advenwas the occasion of Oz Linden’s retirement ear- turer on the virtual frontier. He shall be greatly lier in 2021). missed. However, it is clear that illness did not in any way blunt his determination to ensure Linden

Rest in peace, Ebbe. And thank you. KM

PHOTO TOOL SPOTLIGHT: DR

IMAGES BY TEMPEST

RIPPING WET SWIMMING SUITE

T ROSCA-HUNTSMAN

ater. There’s a lot of it to be found in

Second Life, particularly of the Linden variety. Not all of it may be accessible, but the areas that are have encouraged animation override makers to include basic surface / underwater swimming animations in their products, whilst a number dedicated swimming systems have appeared over the years.

Linden water and land without having to toggle either HUD on / off. I confess to not having tried this, as I use the TPV client-side AO system, which can be easily clicked on / off via the toolbar. The HUD and attachments should be Added to your avatar, rather than worn – again, possibly

One of the most recent of the latter to pop-up is the Dripping Wet Swimming Suite, created by Sakasi Hasudo (HerdMother) and marketed under her Lactopia brand. It is designed to provide a complete Second Life swimming experience for four-limbed human avatars (it will not by default work correctly for merfolk), I found the description and outlined functionality intriguing enough to give it a go. At L$699, Dripping Wet sits within the typical price range for animation overrides, and offers a genuine swimming experience with surface and underwater swimming animations, idling / floating animations, water effects and splashing sounds, and water droplets that will fall from the body on exiting Linden Water. As such, the package comes with no fewer than 14 items: the HUD, 12 water dripping / splashing attachments and a script. The attachments provide particle effects when swimming, entering / leaving the water, and also particle drips that “fall” from the body, and which can be turned on / off manually, if required). Twelve attachments may sound a lot, but whey you consider that for swimming, many other attachments (multiple mesh clothing items, for example) can be removed, this is actually not too bad. Further, not all of the attachments need to be worn; as I’m not overly enamored with the dripping effect, I only use the arm / leg the easiest way is to create an outfit and include the HUD and the dripping attachments you wish attachments to the swimming particle effects to use together with your swimming costume. can be generated. The included script can be used by those using ZHAO-style animation override HUDS to ensure a smooth transition between walking / swimming animations when moving to / from

Sitting at the bottom of the viewer window by default when attached, the HUD is very unobtrusive, comprising three buttons: swim, dive and “drip”. The first two are reasonably self

explanatory, accessing as they do the swimming and diving options respectively, whilst the drip button will turn on the body dripping / splashing (thus allowing the “wet look” to be used n land for photography, etc.). Overall the following animations are included:

(assuming there is someone else on the boat to stop it being auto-returned if in public waters!). Admittedly, this is the first HUD-based swimming system I’ve tried, and I’ve found it does exactly what it says on the tin – and does it very well. As noted, the swims are smooth, the dives effective and the entire package easy-to-use whilst the unobtrusive nature of the HUD means it does not get in the way of things.

12 surface / underwater animations swimming animations (the breaststroke can be used both on the surface and underwater). • 6 floating / idling animations (4 available for In terms of the z-offset adjustments, this can be surface & underwater swimming, two for use done via the HUD’s dialogue, as noted, and also when on the surface). by editing a configuration note card in the HUD. 8 diving animations. The latter could do with more explanation in the The easiest way to use the system is to select user manual for those who may note be comyour preferred surface swim and idle animation, fortable in editing objects and playing with conand then do the same for underwater fig files. Those who aren’t, and who find fiddling (obviously, you can change these at any time with the HUD’s dialogues irritating, may find you wish). Using the movement keys in Linden tweaking their hover height slider an acceptable Water will automatically engage your swim ani- compromise. mation and your avatar will return to the “idle” I understand from Sakasi that an update is in animation (e.g. treading water) when moveprogress, and that their are plans for the sysment stops. tem to work in non-Linden water – all of which Using PAGE DOWN will move you under the will further increase the value of the system. waves and engage the underwater swim / idle animations. While it may well be an issue with For my part, the system has already become part of a swimming outfit (with cossie and a my Bluetooth keyboard, I found I had to tab PAGE UP to cancel the “downward” swimming, suitable hair). KM otherwise my avatar would simply remain face down stuck in that animation. PAGE UP will re- LINKS turn you to the surface, with an automatic tran- • Dripping Wet Swimming Suite (Marketplace sition to surface swim / idle. When swimming / only) idling on the surface, you can adjust your position in the water via the HUD’s z-offset controls. •

The dives will operate at any height, providing Linden Water is properly detected beneath you. If it is not, because you’re attempting to dive onto land, for example, or if the water is simply too shallow, your dive attempt will be stopped and you’ll be warned in chat: YOU WILL BREAK YOUR NECK – THERE’S NO WATER TO LAND IN! All of the dives are exceptionally graceful – if a little rocket-powered, given the height you can reach! In addition, you can save a dive spot to the HUD and use it to return to that spot – handy if you are diving from, say, a boat

PHOTO ESSAY

PHOTOGRAPHY: TEMPE

Y: SUBMERGED

EST ROSCA-HUNTSMAN

SIM SPOTLIGHT: GRAULAND’

ARTICLE & PHOTOG

’S ART PARK IN SECOND LIFE

GRAPHY: INARA PEY

first visited Grauland, the Homestead region

held by JimGarand and home (in the sky) to his M1 Art Pose business in March 2019. At the time, I was immediately struck by its genuine uniqueness, offering an environment that expresses art as a landscape. Since that time, Jim has continually revised the region on a regular cycle of iterations, some of which have continued that idea of art-as-landscape, others of which might be regarded as more “natural” settings – tropical beaches, oriental gardens, deserts – all of which have been highly engaging and kept me returning to the region to write about many of them. For the iteration I visited in June, Jim has returned the region to what, for me at least, is its roots – a setting in which art plays an important role in expressing the overall landscape.

Rapidly dropping from eastern highlands marked by a high peak and a curtain of cliffs backed by high mountains, the region is immediately visually engaging; the peak giving birth to falls that in turn feed the streams that break up the lowlands as they flow out to the surrounding waters. Rugged and attractive, with western and northern bays watched over by a ranger’s watchtower to the north-west, two tidy woodland areas and a scattering of buildings, the landscape is highly photogenic. However, it is what is to be found

within it that captures the eye. From obelisks through the familiar concrete blocks to statues, tiered gardens and totems, the art to be found throughout the region fits neatly and elegantly into the setting, bringing it naturally to life. As an art park, the setting is laid out as a place one travel to in order to visit: the landing point is presented as a cark park, the road running from it vanishing into a tunnel that appears to pass under the mountains to connect the part with the rest of the world. It sits bounded on two sides by the remnants of what might have once been a complete costal fortification built during the last world war, but which now stand with gaping windows and walls that have in part started to lean somewhat as their foundations have settled. Forming the entrance to the park, the great blanks walls of this ruin also naturally lend themselves as a part of the park’s artistic statement, providing access to the tiered gardens that form the starting point for explorations. From the gardens with their cobbled paths, visitors can roam where they please – as indicated by the static characters already in the region that add a further sense of it being a popular place to visit. A single path does offer a route from the landing point, one that passes over the region’s three bridges – which also very much form part of the art statement. These bridges lead the way to the largest complete building on the region, a boxy unit offered as something of a meeting / relaxing space. Jim’s designs are always engaging and a pleasure to visit, but I admit to finding this iteration particularly engaging. There’s that sense of returning to the focus of early iterations of the region whilst retaining a completely unique look and feel. With photographic opportunities can be found throughout, and the 3D art elements bringing

a richness to the environment that encourages the visitor to remain, explore and appreciate, Grauland Falls Art Park is not to be missed. KM SLURL DETAILS Grauland Falls Art Park (Mobile, rated Adult)

PHOTO ESSAY: BLUEBELL COA

PHOTOGRAPH

AST (A TOUCH OF SCOTLAND)

HY: INARA PEY

2D ART EXHIBITION SPOTLIGHT: AN

ARTICLE & PHOTOG

NJA’S SURREALISM IN SECOND LIFE

GRAPHY: INARA PEY

s a cultural movement, surrealism developed

in Europe towards the end of the First World War, and is best known its visual art, music and writings that offer the juxtaposition of different realities to challenge the eye and the mind. In terms of art, those embracing the movement initially tended towards scenes and settings that could appear unnerving – or at best illogical – that could bring together the ordinary and the extraordinary, the approach intended to allow the artist’s subconscious to express itself more than their conscious processes. Thus, pieces often feature the elements of surprise and that of and non sequitur, which tend to become the focus of their art when viewed, rather the being an expression of the philosophical movement surrealism was intended to be. However, when well executed, surrealist art brings together a balance; a joining of the natural with the non sequitur, of color with form and the subconscious of the artist with the imagination of the observer that is captivating and extraordinary to witness. This is absolutely the case with the art of Anja (Neobookie), who is the artist of the month for June 2021 at Nitroglobus Roof Gallery, curated by Dido Haas. On display is the most stunning display of surrealist art it has been my pleasure to witness, one that fully embraces the core principals of the movement whilst encompassing broader photographic and artistic techniques and

commentary.

Through her work, Anja is able to touch on subjects in her images in a way that is entirely non-directive. Take Free Willy, Survivors, and Wrong Shipping for example, with their subtle suggestions of our relationship with the world around us. Elsewhere might be found commentary on the human condition – life and relationships – and an embracing of technique such as fata morgana and chiaroscuro that is simply captivating. But, and at the risk of repeating myself, it is important that you do not try to directly seek meaning in these pieces – rather allow them to talk to you, a Anja herself notes: DO NOT TRY TO UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE IMAGES SHOWN, BUT JUST LET THEM AFFECT YOU. EVEN AFTER TWO ROUNDS OF WANDERING, ARE YOU ABLE TO DISCOVER A PATTERN? IS THERE A COMMON THEME OR COMMON THREAD? CRAZY, CRAZIER, CRAZIEST SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY CONNECTION AND THING IN COMMON IN THIS COLOURFUL COLLECTION OF ‘ANJA’S SURREALISM’. So, do take the time to drop into Nitroglobus through June and let Anja’s Surrealism to whisper its words to you KM. SLURL DETAILS Nitroglobus Roof Gallery (Sunshine Homestead, rated: Moderate)

3D ART EXHIBITION SPO

ARTICLE & PHOTOG

OTLIGHT: CICA’S CIRCUS

GRAPHY: INARA PEY

or June, Cica Ghost is offering us all a trip to

the circus with her latest installation which opened on Tuesday, June 8th. Called, appropriately enough, Circus, this is an engaging setting that brings to life all the brightness – and perhaps some of the edge – of its namesake for people to explore. From the big top to cages to transport animal whilst on the road to the animals themselves – elephants, giraffe, seals, lions, bears – Circus presents all the elements that for so long made circuses a place of wonder for young and old. And not just the circus – rids and other interactive elements aware those who visit, giving the setting a slight funfair lean as well. Scattered throughout are Cica’s trademark dances lay hidden within various objects awaiting discovery – keep and eye out as well for the gifts that can make the dancing even sillier! Other items, when moused over, offer sit point for those who wish to observe all that is going on. for the more energetic, the trampolines offer the challenge of bouncing in place or trying to time bounces and movement to catapult yourself upwards and back and forth between them. Of course, circuses can raise feelings of disquiet over the welfare of animals, whilst clowns are not everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to fun. These points are perhaps indirectly alluded to by Cica due to the clowns here keeping themselves to one side of the path through the circus, and the fact that the entire setting sits under a slightly gloomy twilight sky.

But really, Circus is about freedom and escape, a recapturing of childhood innocence and wanting to “run away to the circus”. And in a time when there has been so much gloom and spectres of pandemics and political polarization and more, taking time to escape is actually not a bad idea. So why not hop along to Cica’s Circus and have a little fun? KM SLURL DETAILS Circus by Cica Ghost (Springville, rated Moderate)

SL18B: SHOP AND HOP, THE M

ARTICLE: & PHOTOG

MUSIC FEST LINE-UP + MORE

GRAPHY: INARA PEY

he Second Life 18th birthday celebrations

Thursday, June 17th, and conclude at 19:00 SLT on Saturday, June 19th.

are almost upon us, and while news in advance of the event has been scarce this year, the Moles and the Lab have been busy with things. The venue for the Music Fest will be the SL18B Live Stage – the SLurl will be available when SL18B opens. On Tuesday, June 15th, Strawberry Linden issued a note card to members of the SLB Press SECOND LIFE BIRTHDAY CALENDAR Group, providing a short update and links (including the Birthday Calendar – see below), The Second Life Birthday Calendar provides a with a focus on the upcoming SL18B Shop and full breakdown of events -note again that all Hop event. A blog post was also issued later on times are SLT. Tuesday, highlighting the Music Fest and the Birthday Calendar directly. SHOP AND HOP The SL18B Shop and Hop event is perhaps the largest S&H event thus far held, featuring no fewer than 16 regions and 320 creators offering a 20% or more discount on items and a free (nongroup) gift for shoppers. DATES Public access to Shop and Hop, 09:00 SLT on Thursday, June 17th, 2021 through until July 6th, 2021. DESTINATION GUIDE LINKS Early access for Second Life Birthday Group members from 09:00 SLT on Wednesday, June Note some of these may not be available until Thursday, June 17th: 16th, 2021. •

A full list of participating creators with direct SLurls to there S&H stores is available here.

SL18B Destination Guide Category SL18B Destination Guide Shop and Hop

SL18B Experiences KM MUSIC FEST The Music Fest will kick-off at 13:00 SLT on

SIGHT SEEING:

ARTICLE & PHOTOGRA

ILHA DO SOL

APHY: RICCA SAENZ

happened to visit Ilha do Sol in Second Life

shortly before its transformation — and when I recently went back there, I had the pleasure of finding a small beach town inspired by traditional Portuguese coastal villages and flanked by a surf area and a vineyard plantation. The whole thing extends over three regions not only well landscaped, but also perfectly integrated, with smooth transitions between them. The village is organized around the arrival point and the open-air market, on the central sim. Beyond the residences and shops that visitors can see in the core area, other homes, more rural, emerge. A tunnel leads directly to the surf beach, but that’s not the only way to arrive there. It’s also possible, for instance, to skirt the city by its upper part. The surf beach is located in the southern region. It is simple and well put together: with its surfable waves, it has just enough around, in order to build the proper atmosphere without generating lag. One can find some seating areas there and a surf shop that adds to the general feeling of the place (it is not a real store, just part of the scenery). There are also, of course, surfboard rezzers, but you can rez your own board if you prefer. As the notecard given in the central sim says, one doesn’t have to join any group in order to rez items at the beach area, but the sim owners ask visitors, of course, to clean up afterwards. The northern region is more rural. It’s where the sim owners’ house is located and it hosts a vineyard disposed in terraces that create a beautiful landscape. It also offers visitors a horse rezzer and some impressive views. Again, it’s remarkable how the transition between the town area and the northern sim feels smooth.

Together, the three regions that form Ilha do Sol could be called paradise — they are certainly among the best versions of paradise that Second Life hosts. And while I was visiting and taking pictures there, it occurred to me

that the idea that we make of paradisiacal places in our imagination is almost always similar to some place in the real world or resorts to the repertoire of images provided by reality. In SL, we could build the unprecedented, something never seen before, but our paradises are generally the best renditions of the atomic world that surrounds us. I would like to stress that in no way is this a criticism of those who build such regions in Second Life. I loved to be in Ilha do Sol and I recommend it to anyone who would like to relax, see beautiful landscapes, take pictures and maybe go surfing in SL. I was just trying to understand why our paradises are so inspired in our real world, and I feel that Ilha do Sol helped me give a step forward towards an answer. In the crazy world in which we live, with wars, diseases (let’s remember that the pandemic is not over), pain, insecurities and unpredictability, paradise would most probably, in our minds, be something that could comfort us. A totally different place, with landscapes that were radically unseen before, would presumably disorganize our references and our perceptions, being the opposite of what we are searching for in our paradisiacal dreams. Paradise is, for the majority of us, somewhere where we would feel happy and welcome, relaxed and safe, a place where we could have fun (maybe surfing?) — and it’s important to recognize all those characteristics immediately, by means of images that we can relate to in our imagination, thus avoiding anxiety. That’s what Ilha do Sol so perfectly offers in Second Life, and that’s why it is fascinating. KM You can visit Ilha do Sol at the following slurl in Second Life: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Norton/132/107/23

RIDDLE ME THIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY: GRACE SIXPENCE

Ristorante Kandela is the free and self serve restaurant on the Kultivate Sim! This v couples intan so you can enjoy a romantic date out with your loved one! The restau Huntsman a notecard in world with the booking date and time and any other specia 20Haven/95/221/28

venue is decorated in an Italian rustic style and features crooner music and a urant is also available for private events, free of charge. Simply drop Johannes al requests. SLURL: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Water%

KULTIVATE MAGAZINE

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