Virtual Segue::Dreams n Nightmares

Miami University has maintained a presence in Second Life for a number of years. Recently, yours truly began exploring virtual education in connection with Segue, Miami University Middletown’s online literary journal. My Second Life avatar, Phasma Lexico, quickly set up a home for Virtual Segue on MU’s main island (below). Clicking the Segue sign provides visitors with information about Segue and Virtual Segue, and offers to teleport them to the Dreams n Nightmares installation.

Floating 500 meters above Miami University Island, the Dreams n Nightmares Installation is Segue's first attempt to explore how the literature published in Segue might extend into virtual reality. From Issue 9, the editor chose to work with Nancy Scott's poem, "My nightmares are like that—" Scott's poem was inspired by Rene Magritte's painting, "The Empire of Light II” (left).

The Dreams n Nightmares installation (above) is a 3D model of Magritte's painting that visitors in Second Life can walk through and interact with. Clicking on various objects throughout the installation offers visitors information on Nancy Scott, "My nightmares are like that—" her other poetry, Magritte and his work, surrealism, and dreams and nightmares.

Several Mr. Magrittes inhabit the installation, waiting to guide visitors along.

The main house is the visitors’ first stop. The effervescent Mr. Magritte is always on hand to address your needs, such as opening the front door.

The first floor features Virtual Segue’s main office, where you can gather general information and contact the Virtual Editor, the esteemed Mr. Phasma Lexico. In the next room, you can relax with friends and reflect on a few of Magritte’s painting and self-portraits. Clicking on the artwork on the walls provides instant information about each piece.

The room pictured above features an mp3 player visitors can use to hear an audio recording of Nancy Scott’s poem, “My nightmares are like that—“ Clicking on the Segue image opens a web browser within Second Life for instant access to Segue on the web. Upstairs, visitors can look at some of the many incarnations of Magritte’s “The Empire of Light” paintings. Clicking on the images provides information on Magritte, the paintings, and surrealism.

The next stop on the tour is the Dreams n Nightmares House, an imposing three-story structure behind the main house. Visitors can gather interesting factoids on dreams on the first two floors, play an interactive puzzle game, or relax in cozy chairs with friends. If visitors dare, they can ride the elevator up to the top floor—the Nightmare Room.

Something bad happened there that we don’t speak of anymore.

Nonetheless, clicking on objects there will provide a variety of information on nightmares. Visitors are also encouraged to use one of the many drop boxes here and throughout the installation to submit their own research for public sharing.

After the Dreams n Nightmares House, visitors walk a short, mysterious path toward the final destination, The Pink House. Along the way, feel free to engage in a little surreal nighttime gardening.

Many scholars believe Magritte’s “The Empire of Light” was inspired by a painting, “The Pink House,” by William Degouve de Nuncques. Some scholars believe de Nuncques’ painting was in turn inspired by Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher,” bringing us full circle back to the realm of literature. The Pink House invites you into a spooky, surreal experience that illuminates all.

The tour concludes at the back of The Pink House, where the ever-attendant Mr. Magritte is waiting to congratulate and thank you for your visit, and to offer you an instant teleport back to Miami University Island. Before you go, we strongly suggest you share a dance with Mr. Magritte’s groupie.

We hope you enjoyed this brief visual tour of Virtual Segue’s Dreams n Nightmares installation! Of course, the images don’t do it justice. Virtual reality platforms like Second Life offer a truly immersive experience that images alone cannot, so we hope you decide to visit us and experience it live. You can find more information about Virtual Segue at www.mid.muohio.edu/segue, including information on where to find Second Life and how to access Miami University Island and Virtual Segue.

All best, Eric Melbye, Editor Segue online literary journal