Cica Ghost opened her July 2025 installation at the start of the month. Entitled Among the Hills, it is another setting using a fairy tale related quote, in this case one from Hans Christian Andersen:
Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.
It’s a quote carrying a number of potential messages. Best known for his fairy tales, Andersen was a prolific author of novels, poems, plays and travelogues who saw life as something to be experienced, offering the most unique of opportunities and experiences, making it as wonderful as anything that might be derived from the imagination by means of a fairy tale. At the same time, the quote reflects Andersen’s belief that fairies weren’t supernatural, but part of daily life, and we’re simply not aware of them – unless we open our eyes and minds.
Cica Ghost: Among the Hills, July 2025
Then there is the application of the quote to Cica’s builds. It perfectly sums-up her ability to offer environments that offer fun, a sense of wonder and an opportunity for escape. And with its giant turtles, dragons, frogs looking like they might be waiting for a kiss to return them to them princehood and white rabbits, together with teddy bears and walking trees, Among the Hills offers a similar reflection of the wonders of fairy tales and the magic they can weave in the imagination in a world only slightly removed from our own.
Yes, the setting perhaps lacks some of the usual quirks to be found in Cica’s builds: fun little sit-points dances, etc., but there is good reason for this. As aSL22B exhibitor, Cica likely had to balance producing this installation along with preparing for SL22B. Even so, Among the Hills is a fun visit for summer.
Konrad (kaiju.kohime) and Saskia Rieko are back with another iteration of their Nathhimmel Homestead region. It’s a place I always enjoy visiting as Konrad and Reiko offer imaginative takes on places, myths and events from the physical world, and I’ve covered it on numerous occasions in these pages.
For the latest iteration of the region, Rieko and Konrad have turned to mythology of South America – specifically that of Viracocha (aka Huiracocha), a creator deity originally worshiped by the pre-Inca inhabitants of Peru, and later appropriated by the Inca.
Nathhimmel: Vira Cocha, July 2025
The stories and legends surrounding Viracocha highlight his role in the creation of the universe, the Sun and the Moon, and humanity itself. According to tradition, after forming the rest of the heavens and the earth, Viracocha wandered through the world teaching men the arts of civilisation. As such his character is complex, blending elements of a god of creation with those of a wandering deity who brings knowledge to the people – and while he came late to the Inca Patheon, the cult of Viracocha is regarded by some as having been more important than the cult of the Sun god.
Given the complexity of his role in various mythos, Viracocha had a long list of titles, such as the Old Man of the Sky, Lord Instructor of the World and the Ancient One, and went through multiple transmogrifications. Legend claims he created peoples then destroyed them before recreating them and educating them before dispersing them across the land. As a wanderer, he journeyed widely teaching and instructing before departing across the Pacific Ocean – and as Kon-Tiki, Viracocha was said to have brought Inca culture to Polynesia.
Nathhimmel: Vira Cocha, July 2025
With Vira Cocha, Konrad and Saskia present a personal take on the legend, complete with their own telling of the tale, which can be obtained at the Landing Point (click the Info sign).
The setting presents a landscape surrounded by mountains and water, suggesting a lake island – perhaps one on Lake Titicaca, where Viracocha is said to have created the the Sun and Moon – and indeed, a huge Moon, as if freshly-made, sits low in the sky. Carrying a sub-tropical jungle feel, the land forms a U to enclose the water that also surrounds it. Paths offer a route around the land, carrying visitors to various points of interest.
Nathhimmel: Vira Cocha, July 2025, July 2025
The latter are many and varied and offer a series of unique elements to the build. Statue-like rocks stand as echoes of the legend of Viracocha creating people from stone. Then there are pod-like structures raised on stilts; they are not of an Inca design and their smooth surfaces and looks give them an other-worldly – or at least a futuristic – look. Mixed with these are very contemporary elements – surf boards, the wreck of a truck converted into a beach shack, modern-looking wooden decks offered as hang-out spaces; all of which combine to give the setting a sense of mystery and welcome.
Hints that this is South America are provided in various little touches of detail – Capybara, snakes, flora, all of which contribute to the depth of the setting. A real sense of mystery can be found to the north-west side of the island, where the path around the headland is marked by small bonfires, as if lighting the way to a place of night-time rites. They encourage one onwards and around the headland.
Nathhimmel: Vira Cocha, July 2025An engaging setting, well worth exploring.
Grauland, June 2025 – click any image for full-size
Jim Garand and his SL partner PaleLily have re-developed Jim’s Homestead region of Grauland to present another photogenic setting with hints of mystery and story to tickle the imagination.
This iteration of the setting offers no themed title. However, the overall look of the setting blends characteristics seen within past builds to offer what might be called industrial-artistic, bringing together multiple elements into a unified whole. In places it comes across as familiar, but when taken as a whole is new and unique to itself.
Grauland, June 2025
For this iteration, the region has been split into two, north-to-south, the larger western portion of the setting home to the Landing Point and a large, abandoned industrial facility, part of which straddles the waterway and appears to have once been used to load / off-load barges.
The smaller and lower eastern side of the setting is dominated by the remnants of a brick-built lighthouse which presumably once helped guide vessels into the channel between the two landmasses. With most of the steel lantern house now gone and holes blasted in tits sides, the ruin look as if it at some point faced a bombardment of some sort, making the lighthouse an interesting feature.
Grauland, June 2025
Also on this smaller spit of land are concrete cubes, some solid and some hollow and with large holes cut into their sides. Those familiar with past Grauland builds may well recognise them as a familiar artistic piece; they do the same here, whilst mixing in one of those elements of mystery narrative the imagination might want to chase: who set them there and why?
Then there is the question of quite what was manufactured in the industrial units – or what they have may have been used for, and why does the warehouse still appear to be in use?
Grauland, June 2025
However, among the larger settings are smaller vignettes which tickle the imagination. What are the cars in field, and who brought them to this isolated place? Why does one have a windscreen that looks like some tried to shoot the driver? Who is using the “club room” on the ground floor of one of the buildings – and who has turned the upper floor into an adult-like film set? Is it s one-off use, or is the place now a sight for illicit film-making? The more you explore the more the opportunities to ask questions of yourself and create little stories.
Right across the island there are dozens of opportunities for photography, together with plenty of places to set and pass the time – and again, contemplate suitable back stories for all you can find. The places to sit are widely varies, from the wooden deck with its sun loungers and the pool rings and floats inviting people to try the water, to the chairs up on the catwalk over the big tanks.
Grauland, June 2025
Another fascinating and engaging build from Jim and PaleLily.
The Annex, Nitroglobus Roof Gallery June 2025: Marvayu – Ipseities
Currently open within The Annex at Nitroglobus Roof Gallery, operated by Dido Haas, is an engaging and provocative exhibition of photography by artist-photographer and poet, MarVayu. It is also one with a curious origin, because unlike most exhibitions offered within SL, the images on display are not a selection of pieces specifically made to be exhibited as a self-contained collection, but have been drawn from an archive of discarded work, having originally been made at various times with the idea of being used to accompany MarVayu’s poetry.
Which is not to say that there are an entirely random selection either. Rather, they are reflections of thoughts on identity and self, of who a person is when they realise they exist in more than one reality, be it physical or virtual. In being drawn from multiple projects for which they had never been used, the images both have a unique dynamic one to the next when viewed, and offer threads of ideas and narrative on how a person and their sub-personalities might be informed as much by their presence within Second Life on a subconscious level as much as they consciously seek to influence and control the perception they and others have of them through the platform.
The Annex, Nitroglobus Roof Gallery June 2025: MarVayu – Ipseities
In reflection of this, the exhibition is entitled Ipseities, the plural of Ipseity, a term derived from the Latin ipse – “self”, a label, if you will, used to define who we most broadly are when all the aspects of our “self” are taken into account – physical, mental and – in this particular case, virtual.
In philosophical terms, ipseity is the foundational quality that makes an individual unique, influencing their perspectives, decisions, and interactions with the world. As such, given the thread and ideas MarVayu presents within the exhibition, its use is well-chosen on two levels. The first of these is that idea of exploring the multiple facets of who one is in oneself; and secondly, and more esoterically, because of the aforementioned way the pieces within the exhibition have been drawn from other aspects of MarVayu’s work – of her own self, if you will.
The Annex, Nitroglobus Roof Gallery June 2025: Marvayu – Ipseities
Ipseity is also used to reference a psychological phenomenon: that of self-disorder, or ipseity disturbance. This is a condition in which a person’s fundamental sense of self is disrupted such that they believe their internal experiences – thoughts dreams, emotions – are actually external, bringing the condition close to schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
I raise this latter point because while the artist does not expressly indicate an intentional to explore self-disorder, I personally could not help but find it relevant to this exhibition for a couple of reasons. Firstly, because some of the images do strongly lean into the nature of the condition in their presentation; secondly, because involvement within Second Life can be a form of ipseity disturbance: we involve ourselves in a non-physical world, one in which we can experience so much, which can become so personally real, whilst at the same time being entirely divorced from the physical world we also inhabit.
The Annex, Nitroglobus Roof Gallery June 2025: Marvayu – Ipseities
I’m intentionally not going to it offer personal interpretations of individual pieces within Ipseities; it is far better that people follow the threads MarVayu offers to reach their own destinations / conclusions. This is an exhibition with a lot to say, and the monochrome images are exquisite in their depth of emotion, ideas and presentation, and are perfectly complimented by the lighting and 3D elements within the Annex.
Goa Beach, June 2025 – click any image for full size
Hera (Zee9), working with collaborator, Kacey Stratton (KaceyStratton) – who has in the past assisted Hera by provisioning AI-backed characters to add depth to Hera’s environments such as Brutal City (see: Hera’s Brutal City AI in Second Life) is back with an enticing build. This time the two present Goa Beach, another visually stunning setting presumably inspired by (even if in name only!) India’s famous tourist region, world- renowned for its beaches and places of worship.
Epic, Beautiful Beaches, clothes optional, Indian temples, Shiva shrines, clubs, bars, Nude, Sun, Sea, Sex Sand. Peace, Love!
– Goa Beach About Land description
Goa Beach, June 2025
The note in the About Land description brings me neatly to a couple of points worth raising in advance:
Goa Beach is adult-rated and nudity and adult sexual activities are allowed – so be advised (although on neither of my visits were there any apparent sign of bonking going on). Also, be aware that given this, Hera and Kacey request adult human avatars only are used during visits.
Secondly, Hera’s builds tend to be mercurial; they can arrive and vanish within a very short space of time. So if you intend to visit, sooner rather than later is the key.
Goa Beach, June 2025
Actually, there is a third point of note: the Rules located at the Landing Point note that “Only Goa Beach is open to the public. All other areas are private”, with a warning to keep out.
When I first arrived I wasn’t exactly sure as to how and where this warning applied; there are a number of islands sitting off the main bulk of the land, and one of these, to the south-east corner, is a private residence sitting within its own parcel. I assumed the rest of the islands were similarly off-limits, but didn’t realise how literal the phrase “only Goa Beach is open to the public” would literally be until my second visit!
Goa Beach, June 2025
If you’re one who visited Hera’s 2022 India (see: Hera’s touch of India in Second Life) there will be much about Goa Beach that may well be familiar – particularly the main structures, the bar area and some of the carved works to be found around, such as the cobras. This is not a critique of Goa Beach; one of the things I always find attractive in Hera’s builds is the manner in which she constantly recombines and redresses elements of past builds to offer something entirely new to explore – and such is the case here.
The main landmass is surrounded by the beach (allowing for a couple of rocky areas), making it possible to walk all the way around – or if you prefer, rez a wearable horse and trot around. Following the beach is one of the ways to reach the west side of the island from the Landing Point and what might be regarded as the grand entrance to the terraces and towers of the main temple complex. Those looking for a quicker route to this space from the Landing Point should hang a right and a left on leaving the latter and follow the stairs down.
Goa Beach, June 2025
Directly opposite the grand entrance, on the east side of the island, is a bridge providing access to a tall tower with a small dock extending to one side below it, complete with a sloop-style sailing vessel alongside. A smaller deck extending wharf offers the opportunity to rez a sailing boat, and it was this that gave me my answer to the private areas.
Mid-way though gently sailing around the main land-mass I found myself (albeit briefly) some 10 metres above the boat, which continued a short distance, before I was back in the surf. So yes, “only Goa Beach is open to the public” can be taken to literally mean, keep yourself to the sands when near some of the nearby islands! With this in mind, if you do rez a boat, it’s probably best to keep your sailing to the east side of the main land area (but well clear of the already noted private residence in the south-east corner).
Goa Beach, June 2025
Returning to the larger siling vessel for a moment, this has a large bed / sitting spot suspended from a yardarm, one of several such elevated paces for singles and couples to pass the time to be found suspended at several points around the setting. Nor are these the only places for sitting and relaxing or – to borrow from a Roy Scheider film, “getting it on” – which might also be found.
As noted above, there is much here that visitors to the likes of Hera’s India will find familiar – such as the club / bar area with its décor, the tigers gathered around the west-side grand entrance, the pavilions and so on, but so is there much that is (I believe) new to this setting. With so much to see and photograph, I’ll leave it to you to discover more for yourselves – but (again) as already noted, don’t leave it too long before visiting, lest Goa Beach vanishes!
Silent Melody, June 2025 – click any image for full size
It’s been a little under eight months since my last visit to Silent Melody, held by Celtic McDaniels (Celtic3147), and as the region recently re-opened to the public, I felt it due time I hopped over and wandered around. During my last visit, the region offered an engaging mix of settings – mostly open landscape – all perfectly put together by Semina (Semiiina), as I noted in Return to a Silent Melody in Second Life.
Semina’s hand is still present within the latest iteration of the region’s design. The setting continues to offer various open spaces, but is now dominated by a large built-up area close to its heart. The default environment setting is strongly suggestive of a misty morning near the coast, and the way the larger buildings within this built-up area – notably the hotel and theatre – loom out of the surrounding mist when exploring is particularly satisfying.
Silent Melody, June 2025
The Landing Point sits to the eastern side of the buildings, occupying a broad terrace laid out at the feet of steps providing access to the imposing bulk of a large conservatory. The latter is home to the Da Capo – an engaging fusion of café and library / reading rooms.
A signpost at the foot of the steps points the way to various locations, each with its own musical names (reflecting Semina’s musical talents as a singer-songwriter – see: To the Moon and Back: a musical experience with Semina in Second Life): Clef City, Legato Beach, Fusion Farm, Staccato Forest, Harmony Lake and Sonata pier.
Silent Melody, June 2025
Behind the terrace, an open gateway provides access to a broad pier extending over one end of Legato Beach. However, if it is the beach you wish to visit, you’ll have to follow the signpost’s directions and take the wooden steps down from near to where the covered walkway leads to a large gazebo.
The main part of the beach looks out towards a pair of little islets where houseboats have been moored. Reached by using the life ring boat rezzer on the beach, the two islands appear open to the public, while the houseboats are available for rent on a daily basis.
Silent Melody, June 2025
Following the sign for the beach will also reveal one of the two the archways marking the main access points into the built-up area of Clef City. However, the main street of the city can also be reached more directly through the Da Capo Café.
With old tram rails running down its main street, Clef City has a careworn look and feel to it. Most of the buildings are shells, including the imposing bulk of the hotel, but within some – notably the local, err, “herbal” store, the pub and the theatre – you will find décor and dressing. The theatre has window displays mindful of Semina’s musical experience noted above, and appears to be designed for indoor music events.
Silent Melody, June 2025
One thing to look for when exploring around the city, is the ladders. These provide access to (and in one case, between) rooftop spaces which have been delightfully put together, with music again part-and-parcel of the theme within some of them.
The southern end of the city is elevated above the main street, a cobbled path curling around the apartment houses here to reach another terrace with pizza might be enjoyed al fresco, with both it and a smaller terrace to one side of the footpath also including their own musical motifs. The road up to them also overlooks Fusion Farm with its meadow, scarecrow-guarded field, horses and meandering brook. For those who enjoy horse riding, the Farm offers a horse rezzer. Again, follow the sign posts to reach it from the Landing Point.
Silent Melody, June 2025
To the north, the city quickly gives way to more rural looks, complete with Harmony Lake (“lake” might be a little grandiose, but it does sound better than “pond”:) ), the entire area serving as a captivating retreat with numerous places to sit, cuddle, pass the time – or photograph!
Also on the north-east side of the region, but down on the coast, is another open venue for music and dancing. It sits beneath the raised finger of a lighthouse and can be reached via several means, and I’ll let you discover them.
Silent Melody, June 2025
All of this is bound together by paths and trails and the Staccato Forest, which wraps around the west side of the region from north to south, embracing in its arc a path allowing visitors to completely circumnavigate the setting. It’s a route I thoroughly recommend taking, as it brings to the eye even more of the region’s beauty, and Semina’s attention to detail, including plants, flowers, critters, wildlife, statues, and more.
As with my past visits to Silent Melody, this latest iteration is an absolute delight.
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 