Windwept echoes of a Starfall

Windwept (Moderate) May 2015 (Flickr) – click any image for full size

In 2014, Starfall’s Twiight’s Edge proved to be a popular stopover for Second Life travellers. Both a destination and a venue for performance art, it was a captivating place to see; a beautiful use of water on which to build some captivating scenes (my own initial visit is recorded here). So much so, that its closure was met with a fair degree of lamentation.

Such ws the love of the place, that the news that Nezzy (Inez Pennell) and Imp (Cinderr Resident) had created a new location in Second Life filled a fair few people with delight – including myself; although I admit it’s taken me a little time to work my way around to making a  visit. And I have to say, Windwept, the new region, doesn’t disappoint, at all.

Windwept (Moderate) May 2015 (Flickr) – click any image for full size

Windwept provides a watery environment surrounded by gently undulating hills which encompass a place rich in echoes of Starfall while evoking a look and feel entirely of its own. Those familiar with the latter will doubtless recognise some of the art and elements placed within Windwept, all of which helps generate a comforting déjà vu like feeling that while one might well be visiting for the first time, there is something comfortingly familiar about the region.

Scattered across the water are a series of rocky vignettes, each inviting exploration. The largest of these is a high plateau which offers both a commanding view of the region and its surrounding hills, and a cosy little coffee shop in which to relax. Equally cosy, thanks to it being chock full of bric-a-brac, is a converted shipping container, sitting on the water a little apart from everything else; while right across the region are places to sit and be cosy with a friend or friends.

Windwept (Moderate) May 2015 (Flickr) – click any image for full size

But like Starfall, Windwept is a little deceptive in nature; what you see is not necessarily all that there is; towards the centre of the region is a wooden pier with a small stone-walled garden at one end, bounded on three sides by windows floating in the air. Here sits the top of a ladder, descending into a watery hole – the first indicator of hidden delights waiting to be found; in this case, an underwater room, and little hideaway tucked out-of-sight.

And there is more. Touch the windows (three were active at the time of my visit), and you can be transported to other locations, high overhead, which offer an interesting mix of themes and a touch of whimsy – including one which looks like it may well be intended for live events.

Windwept (General) May 2015 (Flickr) – click any image for full size

It’s good to see Nezzy and Imp open a region like this again; Starfall always had a wonderfully tranquil fee to it, and the skyborne areas for art and contemplation were always a pleasure to visit. Windwept captures so much of Starfall’s spirit, but offer something this is also wonderful in it own right.  The winter’s morning look and feel to the region is ideal for photography, but as can hopefully be seen in the images here, the region offers itself to a range of windlight settings.

But don’t take my work for it – go see for yourself!

Related Links

• Windwept SLurl (Rated: Moderate)
• Windwept Flickr group