Day: April 29, 2024

Update, July 2025: Venus by the Water has closed.

Elizabeth (ElizabethNantes) and Cecilia Nansen are two women in Second Life noted for their creativity. Elizabeth is a creator who has produced multiple popular region designs over the years, several of which I’ve previously featured in these pages since around 2016 – the last time being her excellent Hear How Your Landscape Should Sound, produced in collaboration with Electric Monday (see here for more).

Celia Nansen is one of Second Life’s premier photographers noted for producing evocative and narratively rich avatar studies, someone whom I’ve again often featured in these pages since the unveiling of her very first exhibition in-world back in 2017 (see here for more).

In March, Elizabeth and Cecilia opened a collaboration of their own to Second Life users, one that brings together region design, art and music in a beautifully considered and executed Homestead region they have called Venus by the Water. Fittingly, given the region is the product of two in-world creative talents, Venus by the Water is also offered as a tribute to two exceptional talents from the physical world: Bjork and Polly Jean Harvey (more professionally known as PJ Harvey).

This is an idyllic setting, presented as a low, temperate island which the surrounding waters are in the process of breaking up. Already they have eroded the narrow neck of sand that once linked the two halves into a whole so that a broad wooden deck is now required to maintain the connection between the two segments of land. This deck is set as the region’s landing point, and is home to a tip jar and local Group joiner. From it, visitors can take their pick as to which half of the setting they choose to explore first.

The larger area of land, forming a W-shape which extends from a narrow tail pointing eastwards along the southern side of the region, through to a rocky headland lying to the north-west, is largely sandy in nature, although the west side is home to lush grass and a small woodland area where horses might be found grazing. A stream cuts right through this land, separating the north-eastern most part of it off from the rest, shingle beaches to the north and west bracketing its grassland, the stream doing the same to the south and east.

Tucked into the south-western corner of this landscape, between the woodlands to the north and the sands to the east, sits the Gallery Bjork. At the time of my visit, the 2D work on display came from artists responding to a call from Cecelia and Elizabeth for submission of art on the theme of Venus on the Water (hence the décor within the Gallery space with a tide gently lapping over coastal reeds and grass).

Outside, on the rear terrace might be found a sculpture by Mistero Hifeng keeps a quiet eye on things, whilst the front room of the gallery presents an image of PJ Harvey and Bjork from an interview published in (I think) 1993 or 1994, and which also featured American artist Tori Amos. Rendered in monochrome, the photo faces two reflections of its form, each featuring Elizabeth and Cecilia.

The smaller land mass for the setting sits to the north-east, cupped between the arms of the W. It presents a rugged by lushly flowered grassland bordered by trees, an earthen path cutting through it from the landing point to where the Café Polly sits atop an extensive deck reaching out over the waters. Broadly split into two indoor seating areas bracing the central service area, the café additionally offers outdoor seating under parasols for those who prefer, either on the deck itself, or on a smaller deck a very short walk from the café’s door, overlooking the bay that cuts deeply into the land.

This is a peaceful location, although the aged and bent tree that seems to be trying to stretch its branches toward the café and touch it, together with the corpse of another tree angling itself sharply over the path leading to (or from, depending on your point of view) the café, suggests the island has seen its share of strong winds and harsh weather. Even so, there is nothing now to interrupt the gentle rocking on the rowing boats tied-up at the pier just below the café’s deck.

These rowing boats, rocking gently in the swell as it approaches the shore, are just one of the details that further bring this setting to life. There are many more to be found throughout which both give depth to the region and often offer encouragement for people to stay and enjoy their time here.

For example, There’s a little camp site out on the sand of the south-east headland and watched over (in a manner of speaking) by the sheep grazing on the stunted grass close by. Then, almost mid-way between the landing point and the Café Polly, the path offers a short branch leading to a raised deck. This is home to a pair of loungers looking out over this bay cutting so deeply into the land. In doing so, they draw attention to another rowing boat, this one anchored out in the sheltered waters to offer another place to sit and past the time, either alone or with someone close to you. Still more such tranquil places await discovery – but I’ll let you find them on your visit 🙂 .

Venus by the Water is finished in an EEP setting which compliments it perfectly, and thus really is best seen under it. The region also fears a very subtle and fitting sound scape, so I recommend having local sounds active when visiting as well. The audio stream for the region has also been carefully curated, and features at times an interesting mash-up or two between Bjork and PJ Harvey, and well as some of their own recordings.

All told, a perfectly presented and relaxing setting – as one would expect from two creative talents like Cecilia and Elizabeth.

SLurl Details

• Venus by the Water (Golden Island, rated Adult)