odyssey sim in SL

as part of my research into gallerys in second life, i have been wandering around the Odyssey sim, having a little looksie at what proper artists are doing.

this is the main building in the sim, which is quite impressive on the outside. the structure abandons uneccesary things such as pillars and structural support although it still has a roof (not much need for one as there isn't any rain, but it does make it feel more like a building i guess).

i like the futurist style of the building and the use of basic prims, and since it's so big it creates a nice sense of space. the size of the building also means that the camera doesn't suddenly dissapear behind a wall making it easier for the visitor to wander around without adjusting the camera too much.


this building is holding 2d work by 0100101110101101.org at the moment, most of which is placed on the walls like a traditional gallery. the lights also don't rely on any kind of support and there's areas where you avatar can re-enact some of the art works. the inside of a building feels alot like a traditional gallery with wooden floors and art work on the walls. the large space makes you want to wander around, and the space feels light.


to the back of the building there's a river, and the land has been terraformed to create mountains. i think this creates a really nice relaxing environment, even though there is no real water creating a relaxing atmosphere, i think our experince of nice rivers is transferred onto the virtual representation of it. which is why i think people also like to make buildings that look like buildings.


there is a video display area behind the river, complete with clapping animations in the seats.


there's also lots of dirt in this area, which i think is a really nice effect, making what would natrually be pristine look a bit grim.


i love these seats! this is another video / talk area which has been put in the middle of the mountains. it has seats that look more like a sculpture than a place to sit, and they also include avatar animations.


there are a few other buildings spotted around the island, this one which holds optical illusions, makes me feel like i'm going into 2001.


there's also a mental hospital, which takes over your avatar and makes it bounce constantly, making it very difficult to control!


there's also a "pain chair" outside the mental hospital, which distorts your avatar (that's liam laughing at me).


another building on the island is a replica of the real life object gallery, which holds the same exhibition as the real life building about second life architecture.


alot of 3d sculpture is held outside of any buildings, you wander around a field until you bump into something or make a sound. there's a lot of good sculptures around, most of which create sound when you interact with them...

especially when they engulf your av...


i think the Odyssey sim is a really interesting place, it feels like a gallery whislt trying to see what can be done in second life, letting the artwork speak for itself instead of trying to generate a WOW!! factor. alot of the artwork there is actually brilliant aswell.