Fading Masks

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art, Berg by Nordan Art, Fading Masks, Haveit Neox, Nordan om Jorden

The beautiful and thought provoking Fading Masks by Haveit Neox opened at Berg by Nordan Art on January 3 and runs through March 31. All of these photos were taken using the region light. I enjoyed seeing the installation with the Lab viewers midnight too.A mask is being lost here, as happens to us humans eventually.

I highly recommend listening to the extended music score which was composed by the artist to listen to while walking the sim. At 4:39 it lasts a reasonable length of time. I kept replaying it and it’s enjoyable to listen to on its own as well.   A trailer for Fading Masks is available too, with poetic words being read, which you may want to see before or after your visit, if you haven’t been yet.I enjoy many aspects of this artist’s work including his usual color pallete which is really important to how art affects me. The inner area of the installation has a lovely glow; the figures move slowly in circles as do what looks like paper mache rocks to me. Some of the rocks bounce up and down too, even more mesmerizing when you’re listening to the score.The particles remind me of champagne bubbles. While the poetic words are beautiful, I felt a little sad and anxious. The text can be read as well as a further elaboration by Haveit Neox on Ziki Questi’s blog.When you first arrive, there are figures lined up, circling the center piece as you wade in water. There are many interesting angles and views.

I’ve had pleasant times snapping photos as well as putting the camera down and simply taking in the experience, both alone and with friends.

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Shoshin

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Heterocera, mainland, Shoshin, Zoe Foodiboo

The Shoshin Cafe and Shoshin Collectibles are charming places, each in a different location. The Cafe, the larger of the two, is a sweet place to hang out. The land description states: “A little cafe along Route 2 on Heterocera. We host events for readers, journaling junkies & yoga lovers.” Shoshin Cafe was established less than two months ago. There’s no scheduled yoga at this time; drop-ins are welcome whenever. The journaling sessions are about half an hour, again, everyone’s welcome to drop in anytime. Journaling can be drawing, doodling or writing. (Even working on a blog post; who’s to know?) The meeting times are M – Thu at 7:30 p.m. SLT.

There’s a small group if you want to be kept in the loop of prompts and announcements. Just like I’m not a meme girl when it comes to blogging, I don’t care for writing prompts and have learned they are optional here. It’s a great way to get some writing done and feel less solitary about it. Kaipo and Bona, the dogs, are very friendly and respond to commands. There are a few virtual critters hanging around the area too.The Cafe owner, Zoe Foodiboo, is also a librarian in 1920’s Berlin. I first met her at the meditation center at Refugium which I wrote a little about in my Norgaard Village post of over a year ago. Shoshin has been photographed for blogs at least twice before, here and here. There’s a lookout point with a view of the sea across the road. A handy cigarette vending machine is available close by. At another location, off Route 3, Serpentata,  is Shoshin Collectibles. “A locally-owned shop selling gently used items.”

It’s well maintained. a 544 area with 146 LI allowance, the collectibles being replenished promptly when there’s room.

Roots by Cica Ghost

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Cica Ghost, Roots

I’ve enjoyed visiting Cica Ghost’s Roots several times. It’s been well covered by bloggers and photographers. I’ve wisely not let that lull me into the false sense of having plenty of time that led to my unfortunately missing Strings. I’ve walked on pixel feet, ridden the balloons, snapped photos and also visited without my camera. For these photos I’ve used the sim windlight provided; when I’ve spent wandering time there I used my go-to Lab Sunset lighting so I could see. I’ve lightened the exposure on the photo above.

While most photographs I’ve seen have used the windlight provided, some avatars have used a variety of others with great results. Also, since flying is allowed, I’ve noticed some wonderful views and angles in photographs that I surely overlooked while I was there. There are many opportunities to take a variety of fascinating photos than the size of the sim might lead one to believe. “The people have gone… the village remains, and time and nature now live here …”Time and nature indeed now live there but the place does not feel abandoned. There are birds in residence and cheerfully colored flowers. The little houses seem to have many stories they could tell.Time has taken over, roots have intruded but there’s still space and possibilities. I didn’t have the sense of feeling alone in an abandoned place. It seems watchful. (And I’m not counting the other avatars who happen to be visiting at the same time.)And then there’s the snail!

BarDeco_ Secret Garden

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BarDeco

The last few weeks I’ve seen amazing art and lovely winter sims. What attracts me to BarDeco, and why it’s my first post of the year, is the weather and the wonderful use of a smaller area. It is still winter at BarDeco but the skies are clear, some of the snow is melting and there’s a lily pond with fresh water. You can see water below through the spaces between the planks.The land description for this Adult sim: “a small village on the water where you can stroll beside the sea in a Zen atmosphere and relaxed – a drink and listen to the music of the best DJs in SL at Bardeco”.

There haven’t been events going on when I’ve visited at various times but I like the atmosphere of the bar where they are held. There’s space to dance, table and bar seating, fresh air and a roaring fire. Dancing will keep you warm.Fresh produce are in several market stands. The buildings and vehicles have seen better days but in a well-used, lively sort of way. Most of the buildings are facades which allows the small area to show lots of ambient details. The windlight is lovely too which isn’t reflected in these photos. It was night in the region when I snapped these so I used sunset setting on the Lab viewer. One of the buildings you can enter is a small club with an old neon sign in front for Girls Girls Girls.Wildlife and old construction equipment are just outside of the village. From a view looking at the wall in the background, I could see the top of a palm tree on the other side. Most of this area has no flying and I didn’t investigate further.