Category: Reviews

Exploring an enchanted forest

Posted on by Inara Pey

Toru, The Enchanted Forest, February 2014Toru: The Enchanted Forest – “In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit…”

Update July 2014: Toru appears to have closed. 

I was first drawn to Toru, Waynenz’s homestead region, back in September 2013. At that time, it was openly inspired by Wendy Xeno’s Hazardous. Since then, it’s been through a couple of transformations and is now “an enchanted land dedicated to NZ and the Hobbits” – and the last part of that description was bound to get my attention.

Now called Estesil Lega, the Enchanted Forest, the region is precisely that; a mist-shrouded forest set between the shoulders of steep-sided hills and surrounded by mountains. Paths wind through the trees and over bridges of wood and stone, leading the explorer around and through the forest to reveal its secrets in turn.

Toru, The Enchanted Forest, February 2014Toru: The Enchanted Forest

Chief among these is a hobbit hole – although sadly, no hobbits were to be seen when I visited. But then, they are shy folk and tend to hide when they hear us Big Folk coming – which they can do from a good distance away.

As we know, hobbit holes are neither nasty, dirty, wet holes, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor are they yet dry, bare, sandy holes with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat. They are hobbit holes, and that means comfort.

Toru, The Enchanted Forest, February 2014Toru: The Enchanted Forest – “Remember! do not stray from the path!”

This one is in slight disarray, it must be said; books scattered over the floor, the bed unmade, the pantry strangely lacking and a meal unfinished. It’s almost as if the occupant found him or herself taking An Unexpected Journey …

The design of the region is such that it is clearly intended to be explored on foot; flying isn’t disabled, but if you opt to do that, you’re likely going to miss the various little treasures scattered under bough and branch. The default windlight gives considerable atmosphere to the place, although I confess, I’ve opted to most use alternative settings for my snaps here and on Flickr.

Toru, The Enchanted Forest, February 2014Toru: The Enchanted Forest

Keep your eyes peeled as you do explore – some of the trails and paths may not be as obvious as others, so take your time. Do make sure you have sound on as well, as the ambient sounds really give the forest even greater depth and texture.

Definitely recommended.

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Given the nature of the region at the moment, here’s an interpretation of some of the music from The Lord of the Rings from Stephen and John.

 

Get ready to immerse yourself in the Singularity of Kumiko

Posted on by Inara Pey

Kumiko-poster

Bryn Oh will be unveiling her newest immersive piece on Friday February 14th, and it is something very special, as I found out after she kindly invited me to pop over and have a look.

The Singularity of Kumiko is an interactive story in which the visitor is very much a participant, and as such, open to some of the dangers inherent in the narrative!

The Singularity of Kumiko - opening February 14th
The Singularity of Kumiko – opening February 14th

Describing her approach to the piece, Bryn says, “As with Imogen and the Pigeons, I am attempting to look at the virtual medium and determine what is unique about it over other mediums such as painting, sculpture and cinema. Then I work towards using those strengths to create an immersive experience that is specific to a multi user environment. ”

As a part of the invitation, Bryn specifically asked me not to include any photos which might spoil the narrative of the piece, and I hope those included here meet that request. What I can say, having spent time exploring, is that this is a unique and engrossing piece, and Bryn’s note about possibly feeling lost and anxious at some points is true – it does add to one’s involvement in the story!

I’ll have more nearer the opening, but in the meantime, here is a stunning teaser / trailer of the piece from Bryn – and You’ll want to watch it!

{Lost} in a garden of sounds

Posted on by Inara Pey
The {Lost} Garden of Sundarya Lahari (click for full size)
The {Lost} Garden of Sundarya Lahari (click for full size)

According to myths, the Ancients discovered a botanical species; a kind of reed that was capable of resonating a sound frequency when touched. The Ancients harvested these reeds and created a meditative and spiritual garden.

Quite by accident, the Ancients also discovered a symbiotic creature to the reeds; which they named the Pentapuss. The Pentapuss has the same form and biological structure as the reeds, and fed off the soundwaves made by the reeds. In doing so, their movements amongst the reeds nurtured the growth of the reeds to maturity.

The {Lost} Garden of Sundarya Lahari (click for full size)
The {Lost} Garden of Sundarya Lahari (click for full size)

So opens the first chapter of The {Lost} Garden of Sundarya Lahari, which is also the name of the first part of Xineohp Guisse’s interactive environment, located at LEA13, and part of the 6th round of Artist In Residence installations for the first half of 2014. The story goes on:

The Ancients built BioPods and BioSpheres; to nurture these reeds and the young, juvenile pentapussies. They built contemplative Elemental pods at the Chamber of the Ancients, to observe these creatures and plants. They built a music chamber, where they can physically interact with the reeds……

The {Lost} Garden of Sundarya Lahari (click for full size)
The {Lost} Garden of Sundarya Lahari (click for full size)

In time, the garden grew to become a beautiful space – to contemplate and be as one with the beings that surrounds them.

As you might expect, given the story, this is a place where you’ll need to have sound on – though not media enabled – in order to fully experience this city-like garden with its tall structures and musical chambers. The music, produced by Xineohp plucking the strings of a cello, can initially sound random and tonal (and at times faintly memorable of a guzheng); however, when walking through the interactive chamber, it is possible to produce something more melodic and soothing.

The {Lost} Garden of Sundarya Lahari (click for full size)
The {Lost} Garden of Sundarya Lahari (click for full size)

This is only the first chapter in what promises to be an unfolding story (and environment) which will be added to each month. As such, it is doubtless one you’ll want to return to as it progresses. I know I will.

Oh, and don’t forget to pick up a copy of the book at the arrival chamber.

The {Lost} Garden of Sundarya Lahari (click for full size)
The {Lost} Garden of Sundarya Lahari (click for full size)

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In the company of Kats

Posted on by Inara Pey

Kats - Love Kats, February 2014Kats, Love Kats

Love Kats is the home of Kats – knowledge acquired through simulation. It a quite lovely Mediterranean-themed full region operated by Kat Chauveau. It’s a place I’ve been meaning to drop-in on for a while, and I’m glad I finally had a little time to do so, albeit as a flying visit.

Roughly a third of the region is given over to a small hilltop village with charming houses / shops huddled together and served by narrow, cobbled footpaths, with terraces and squares offering places to sit, eat, dance or simply enjoy the sun.  The shops look like they are intended for rent, each having a “logo” sign hanging outside the doorway, although it’s not clear if they are “on the market”, so to speak, as yet.

Kats - Love Kats, February 2014Kats, Love Kats

Follow the path down from one of the terraces, and you’ll find yourself in more open countryside, through which a spring-fed stream meanders before tumbling down a rocky cliff next to a broad ribbon of beach. If you stay on the foot path, you can either climb up a hill facing the village or descend down to a small quayside where sits a Canadian tramp steamer. From here, the beach can be reached via another foot path and short tunnel.

The beach offers places to wander and sit or dance and ships and boats sit out on the water and a lighthouse gives warning of a low, rocky natural breakwater sitting just offshore.

Kats - Love Kats, February 2014Kats, Love Kats

I’m not sure quite where the “knowledge acquired through simulation” comes into things; the region is connected with an real-life organisation called ComplyEx, which describes itself as providing “an innovative way to achieve in-depth understanding of learning and development” through its “3D virtual space”. There are a number of courses listed on the website, but it’s not clear from a quick examination as to whether they are actively taught within the region.

With or without the learning aspects, Kats is a lovely place to visit, offering itself to a wide range of windlight settings as well as many photo opportunities. For those wanting a little time with a friend, there’s also the dancing, as well as the tables and dining areas found in the terraces offering places to sit and talk. Or if you prefer, you can look down at the steamer and imagine the journeys it has made and the places it has seen. The choice is yours!

Kats - Love Kats, February 2014Kats, Love Kats

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Visiting the Visitors

Posted on by Inara Pey
The Visitors
The Visitors

The Lost Town – La Città Perduta – has some new temporary residents waiting to meet you. The Visitors is a new piece  by Cica Ghost which features some twenty-ish of her popular cartoon-like stick figures scattered around the streets, alleys and buildings of the town.

This time in colour, the figures are a pretty happy bunch, despite the rain, all going about their lives under the guardianship (for the most part, at least) of umbrellas held over their heads. Couples stand hand-in-hand or kiss, individuals are walking their dogs – and perhaps use the walks as an excuse to meet – or stand as if waiting for a friend or loved one.

The Visitors
The Visitors

Finding all of these quirky characters may take a little time; not all are out on the streets, but may be watching from windows or standing on balconies, while one determinedly rides his bicycle into the wind and rain, scarf flapping behind him.

There’s an innocence about these creations which is both charming and somewhat at odds with their surroundings with its old buildings, some in a bad state of repair, and its crashed and overturned vehicles. It’s a creative juxtaposition of moods, in which Cica notes her characters, “with their colorful energy, and open the windows of the Lost Town La Città Perduta on the sensitive and poetic vision of their creator.”

The Visitors
The Visitors

When visiting, do be aware that it can take a handful of seconds for the characters to render. There’s a lot going on in the region (including the rain!), so do give these charming people a little extra time to show you their smiles.

The Visitors officially opens at 13:00 SLT on Friday, February 7th.

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Into the Fourth Dimension

Posted on by Inara Pey

Bakura, the Fourth Dimension, February 2014Bakura, the Fourth Dimension

Caitlin Tobias is responsible for drawing me into the Fourth Dimension. No, she hasn’t got some inter-dimensional ship and offered to give me a ride – she visited the realm of Bakura, wherein sits the City of Salis D’aar, and New Alderaan, all of which is located in the Fourth Dimension region. As I’d recently paid a visit to the world of Onderon, a Star Wars role-play environment, I felt it appropriate I did the same with the Fourth Dimension, given it is also devoted to Star Wars RP.

There are four core elements to the region: the arrival point, with the mall area and introduction to the RP environment; Bakura, comprising the City of Salis D’aar and the city’s lower levels; and the icy wilderness of New Alderaan. Construction is still in progress, so forgive any dust you may find.

Bakura, the Fourth Dimension, February 2014Bakura, the Fourth Dimension

The time period for the region is set some 100 years after the recorded Star Wars canon; as such, players are asked to be as creative as possible in creating their characters while remaining true to the established Star Wars galaxy, but to not model their characters on any from the movies or novels (so no C3-PO or R2-D2 or Bobba Fett, etc). All are asked to read the rules prior to entering, and visitors are requested they wear the OOC tag, which is also provided on arrival.

The available space has been used very creatively. the City of Salis D’aar, for example, comprises a main piazza area (which makes good use of materials, so be sure to have Preferences > Graphics > Advanced Lighting Model active), surrounded by tall buildings. Some of these you can enter, others of which have teleport doors which will transfer you to one of a number of sets suspended beneath the main square, giving the city added depth. These include a council chamber, a cafeteria, apartments, what appears to be a resupply area, and so on. Windows, where found, add to the feeling of being in the same city by looking out over the same backdrop.

Bakura, the Fourth Dimension, February 2014New Alderaan, the Fourth Dimension

The lower levels of Bakura look to be the equivalent of Mos Eisley. There are bars, clubs, little apartments, warehouses and a lighting environment ideal for shady deals and nefarious role-play!

New Alderaan is altogether a colder, harsher place; think Hoth without the big guns. Here the snow falls and the wind hisses, and a number of buildings stand among the trees, including what might be some kind of medical centre.

Bakura, the Fourth Dimension, February 2014Bakura, the Fourth Dimension

all of the builds in the region are enclosed, with no use made of the terrain at all, which I found greatly added to the immersive feel to the place. If you’re into Star Wars RP, and haven’t done so already, then the Fourth Dimension may well be worth a visit. I certainly enjoyed by time exploring and wandering.

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