In my previous Exploring Second Life piece, I wrote about Ai-mura, a part of a region called A Love Project (see: Ai-mura: A Love Project in Second Life). Primarily created by ラパ (Rapa Tone) and Indra Herouin, Ai-mura, as I noted in that article, sits on a sky platform as one of a number of public spaces within the region, and I said I’d cover the rest in a future piece. So, here we are.
Occupying an area approaching a quarter of the region’s area in size, Ai-mura is, I believe, the largest single public space open to visitors within this Full region. By contrast Ākādo, also sitting on a sky platform and continuing the Japanese theme, covers an area a little over 5,000 square metres in size – which doesn’t make it any less curious and interesting to explore.
Every now and then, Ākādo experiences a peculiar transformation, beckoning the townspeople to an otherworldly celebration. The narrow streets become alive with masked figures in ornate kimonos moving to the rhythmic beat.
– Ākādo About Land description
The landing point sits as an open-sided path running alongside of a water channel. The façades of little shops line the other side of the cobbles, whilst the landing area itself offers a note-card giver providing more information on the minds behind A Love Project as well as offering a teleport HUD giver. Experience-driven, this provides access to other public spaces within the region (including Ai-mura) and also to other related regions.
At the far end of the footpath is a small precinct of businesses selling variety of wares, and a large boat with sitting with it bow abutting the local jetty. Unfortunately, the boat appears to sit within a boundary prim for the settings, and so sitting on board doesn’t appear to be possible (I got bounced up onto the awning). One of the eateries making up one of the little businesses does offer seating, however, whilst the other sits alongside the path leading up to a large, open-air paved space that’s given over the music.
This may well be the place of the celebrations mentioned in the parcel’s About Land description; it is certainly curious in tone. At first seeming innocent in looks, one only has to look at the waters over which the DJ booth sits to realise it has its own mystery. For there, rising from the depths, are a series of demon-like creatures. They are in fact oni statues, although they appear to have been called forth by the music – or perhaps they are seeking the Cthulhu-like creature on in the open waters…
Steps rise from a corner of this square to pass by way of a shrine and then climb on upwards to where a temple sits at the top of the hill overlooking the events area. Here, prayers might be offered to Ōkuninushi – perhaps to keep the demons below at bay!
Using the teleporter HUD can carry one to a further sky platform, and a very different environment. Taking the name Saudade – the Portuguese term referencing the profoundly nostalgic longing for a beloved yet absent something or someone, this is a small space given over to remembering those whom have been lost.
It’s a beautiful setting designed by RavenStarr Fairelander in which visitors can literally walk among the clouds and commemorate someone dear to them whom they miss deeply through the release of a prayer balloon, or by sending a full permissions image (and presumably a short IM / note) to RavenStarr, who will add it to the picture board within the space.
Two further public spaces can be reached via the teleporter HUD. Both reside on the ground level of the region, which is also the location of a number of private residences, so please do keep to just the two public areas when visiting. The first I’ll mention is Bachata Magica, a waterfront destination mindful of the Caribbean or Latin America, and where – as the name suggests, Latin American music (and, presumably other forms of music) can be enjoyed whilst dancing on the sands between the gaily-painted houses and bars. The remaining space is a small gallery called Piece of Work, and is home to Indra’s avatar-centric and attention-holding photography.
Love Project offers may to see and appreciate, as I hope this and my previous article show – so enjoy.
SLurl Details
A Love Project is rated Moderate.
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 