Designing Worlds looks back to … the early days of Seven Seas Fishing!

7Seas Fishing on Flotsam Beach

Join Designing Worlds at 2pmSLT Monday 23rd November for this week’s show from the archives which goes right back to 2008, when we were still MetaMakeover, and 7Seas Fishing was a new game that was taking the grid by storm!

#023 Seven Seas Fishing 25 November 2008 from Saffia Widdershins on Vimeo.

You can watch it on this blog, and you can also see the show on the Designing Worlds Vimeo Archive channel at: https://vimeo.com/371126573. And you can join the special Watch Party (at 2pm SLT, Monday 16th November) in our studio on Garden of Dreams.

Elrik interviews 7Seas fishers in 2008

It was a very special show, as we held a fishing contest, on the waterfront at the back of our old Meta Makeover studios on Northpoint! And it was special for another reason, as it marked the first appearance of Elrik Merlin as co-host on the show!

In the first part of the show, Saffia interviewed the devisers of the wonderful 7Seas Fishing, Jen and Seven Shikami.

And in the second half of the show, we had our own fishing contest – live on TV! You can see Elrik Merlin interviewing some of the contestants – as well as Crap Mariner, a very keen fisher, achieving Hall of Fame status.

7Seas Fishing on Flotsam Beach

Twelve years later, Designing Worlds and Seven Seas fishing are both still going strong. You can find out all about Designing Worlds here – and Seven Seas Fishing here: http://www.7seasfishing.com/ – or you can visit their headquarters at https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Flotsam%20Beach/29/108/21/ and try 7Seas Fishing for yourselves!

And for the FIRST time in TWELVE years, we will be giving away TEN unique MetaMakeover Blue Ragged Fish at the Watch Party for the show!

The MetaMakeover fish!

 

 

 

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Designing Worlds looks back to … the City of Birmingham Library

City of Birmingham Library, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

In this episode from our archives first shown in 2013, we look at a fascinating project that shows a convincing business use for virtual worlds with a visit to the library created in Second Life, to model the real life library being built for the City of Birmingham in the UK.

You can watch it on this blog, and you can also see the show on the Designing Worlds Vimeo Archive channel at: https://vimeo.com/381836842. And you can join the special Watch Party (at 2pm SLT, Monday 16th November) in our studio on Garden of Dreams.

#DW213 The Library of Birmingham – Oct 14th 2013 from Saffia Widdershins on Vimeo.

Back in 2009, the City of Birmingham in England wanted to create an immersive online version of their planned city centre library. They turned to the company Daden Limited to realise their concept. This became a valuable tool in the creation of what is now a magnificent building in the heart of the city.

City of Birmingham Library – interior: photograph by Wildstar Beaumont

Together with David Burden of Daden, we explored the library, the interactive tools that were created for discovering people’s responses, the training processes that were created – and learning how the librarians and other people responded to this.

City of Birmingham Library, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

And we also talked to David about why he feels that Second Life is no longer the best environment for creating such projects. He made some serious and very valid points – you won’t want to miss this!

This really was one of our most thought-provoking shows ever– so do join us for a slice of history at 2pm SLT for the Watch Party in Garden of Dreams!

Image of the real life Library by By Alex Liivet from Chester, United Kingdom – Library of Birmingham, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63979753

P.S. Fans of 1920s Birmingham – especially as featured in the popular UK TV series Peaky Blinders – might want to visit  the VOIR Gallery, created by Simone (SimoneFiore) and Frenchy75. There’s a new exhibition on currently, and you can read an excellent review of the gallery and the exhibition by Inara Pey on her blog, Living in a Modem World.

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Designing Worlds explores Hallowe’en in 2020!

Halloween in Darkwood, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

In our new episode of Designing Worlds, we visit some of the scary regions you can visit around the Second Life Grid for Hallowe’en 2020.

Join us at 2pm today Monday 26th October for our special Hallowe’en edition when you can see the show on the Designing Worlds Vimeo channel at: https://vimeo.com/channels/dworlds. Or join us for our Watch Party in the Designing Worlds studios at 2pm SLT.

Halloween Portal Park, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

We kick off with a visit to Linden Lab’s Portal Park, from where you can join the special Linden Tour – with new extensions this year.

Then it’s on to Bellisseria, to visit a strange new region that’s appeared there – and to meet the inmates of the Millbank Asylum with our guide – Prudence Anton.

Our next port of call is an extraordinarily detailed experience inspired by the country song, “The Legend of Wooley Swamp” telling the eerie tale of Lucius Clay. We’re joined by the creators, Aleriah and Mathias Laurent, who help us explore the beautifully detailed swamp and its mysterious inhabitants – and they share a few secrets with us too!

Halloween in Rosehaven, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Next we visit Haunted Hollow in the company of one of its creator, Honey Heart, which features skeletal horse-riding, Russian folk-tales, the odd Headless Horseman who may lob a pumpkin at you, readings under the Hallowe’en Tree and a rather whimsical tower that’s full of fairytale left-overs under the auspices of its skeleton crew.

The episode ends with a visit to Frightened Pink – a region that combines scariness with fund-raising to fight breast cancer.

Halloween in Bellisseria, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Plus, of course, there’s a slideshow of fabulous images of Hallowe’en across the Grid created by Wildstar Beaumont.

It all makes for a great scary show – so do tune in or join us at 2pm SLT at the Watch Party in Garden of Dreams!

Halloween Haunted Tour, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

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Places we visit on the show:
Portal Park – Halloween entrance: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Portal%20Park%202/119/77/53
Millbank: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Millbank/173/71/23
“The Legend of Wooley Swamp”: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fairytale/237/237/21
Haunted Hollow: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Island%20Of%20Joy/241/12/97

Halloween in Darkwood, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

 

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Designing Worlds looks back to … Halloween in New Babbage!

 

Exploring the tunnels in New Babbage

This week we have a real treat from the Archives for you – a story that goes all the way back to 2009, and the very first of our Tales from New Babbage!

You can watch it on this blog, and you can also see the show on the Designing Worlds Vimeo Archive channel at: https://vimeo.com/371359132. And you can join the special Watch Party (at 2pm SLT) in our studio on Garden of Dreams.

We were in New Babbage to inspect some of the fascinating new engineering works deep beneath this most steampunk of cities and – as the people of Babbage say – What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

 

#062 Halloween in New Babbage – 27th October 2009 from Saffia Widdershins on Vimeo.

For we weren’t deterred by the fact that there are all sorts of strange legends and rumours about the oldest parts of the city … nor were we put off by the fact fact that this is, actually, our closest show to Halloween.

No, this would be a nice, calm, peaceful show.

Really.

Well, at all events, it will be a show unlike any other Designing Worlds, that we can promise you!

It’s based on a short story – The Trains Don’t Run Under Clockhaven by Aeolus Cleanslate (who appears as himself) – and it marks the first appearance of the redoubtable Mr Biggins (in his first persona; he’s had several). The story appears in the volume Tales Of New Babbage Volume One.

A strange story in New Babbage

Full Cast:
Mr Aeolus Cleanslate
Miss Saffia Widdershins
Mr Elrik Merlin
Miss Ceejay Writer
and
Mr Biggins

With thanks to PJ Trenton

So do join us for an early Halloween show at 2pm today!

Discussion deep underground in New Babbage

Next week we’ll be travelling around the grid to see some of the fabulous Halloween places that have been created by Second Life residents.

 

 

 

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Designing Worlds looks back to … Burn 2 in 2016

Burn 2, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

This week on Monday October 5th, as – in preparation for the annual Burn 2 Festival in Second Life – we look back to 2016 and the amazing festival held then.

You can watch it on this blog, and you can also see the show on the Designing Worlds Vimeo Archive channel at: https://vimeo.com/190066583. And you can join the special Watch Party (at 2pm SLT) in our studio on Garden of Dreams.

DW321 – Burn2, 2016 from Richard Elen on Vimeo.

The annual Burn2 art festival in Second Life, which is an official representative event approved by the organisers of the annual Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert, following the same principles and with several of the same features and events, including stunning artworks and Man and Temple burns.

We visit some of the installations and follow the Lamplighters to the Burn as they celebrate the life of a valued participant, and we take a Leonardo da Vinci-inspired helicopter ride across the site – da Vinci is this year’s theme.

Burn 2, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

And we take a balloon trip around the site, seeing the famous Burning of the Man and the Burning of the Temple, and talk to Duna Gant and iSkye Silverweb, who were both centrally involved in Burn2 this year.

We also remember Ladyslipper Constantine, a dedicated Burner and a keen Lamplighter at Burn2 events, who died recently. Saffia filmed a special Celebration of her life and work as a volunteer for numerous organisations and events in Second Life; an extract from this is shown in the episode, but you can also watch the full Celebration at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX3c8RVB0iI.

It all makes for a very special show – so do tune in or join our Watch Party (at 2pm SLT) in our studio on Garden of Dreams!

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This year’s Burn 2 will take place from 9th – 22nd October, and you can read more about it here: https://www.facebook.com/BURN2BURNERS/ or join the event at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Burning%20Man-%20Deep%20Hole/170/28/24

Burn 2 Poster for 2020

 

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Designing Worlds looks back to the beautiful estate of Alchemy Immortalis!

Choosing your path through Inis Caiseal by Wildstar Beaumont

This week on Monday September 28th, in a stunningly beautiful archive show, we look back to 2012 and exploring the lovely (and much missed) Alchemy Immortalis estate.

You can watch it on this blog, and you can also see the show on the Designing Worlds Vimeo Archive channel at: https://vimeo.com/376727733. And you can join the special Watch Party (at 2pm SLT) in our studio on Garden of Dreams.

#DW156 Alchemy Immortalis – 12 March 2012 from Saffia Widdershins on Vimeo.

Based on rural Ireland (with a lovely French twist in one particularly delicious area!), the regions feature the green and open landscapes, the stone walls and the awesome seascapes that are a feature of Ireland. There are trails for walking or horse riding – and there’s also a series of wonderful roadster tours that one can take – as Elrik does – while Saffia explores a fascinating community project that Alchemy and Immortalis Cyannis, owners and designers of the region, are developing for their residents.

The patisserie!

And Saffia also visits that … mmmm … patisserie!

We talk to Alchemy Cyannis about the beautiful regions she and Immortalis have created, their inspirations and their plans as we explore this unique and lovely region.

And then, of course, there are those sheep …

Mutton move along, by Wildstar Beaumont

This is a beautiful look back to a really stunning Second Life estate – So don’t miss it!

Although the estate itself has long gone, sadly, you can still obtain some of the beautiful creations of Alchemy and Immortalis on the Marketplace at: Alchemy’s Attc: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/37216
and: Alchemy Immortalis: https://marketplace.secondlife.com/stores/37272
and in their inworld store: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Seefeld/186/72/751

(Please note that most of the designs are old school, which means they can be prim heavy. Still beautiful, though!)

The bridge over the river by Wildstar Beaumont

 

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Designing Worlds looks back at … Tansee’s Particles!

Tansee and Particles, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Last week, Tansee joined the Designing Worlds’ show to tell us all about the launch of the new Second Life Linden Endowment for the Arts (SLEA). This week, for our archive show, we look back to Tansee’s particle installation at the old Linden Endowment for the Arts.

You can watch it on this blog, and you can also see the show on the Designing Worlds Vimeo channel at: https://vimeo.com/12549439. And you can join the special Watch Party (at 2pm SLT) in our studio on Garden of Dreams.

DW269 – Tansee’s Particles from Richard Elen on Vimeo.

We learned all about how particles can be created, and Tansee showed us work that she had created in collaborations with 2Lei, the Italian group that produces an annual series of installations for the Elimination of Violence Against Woman Day – and also appears at One Billion Rising in Second Life. And we looked a little more at the collaborative project that Tansee is part of currently on the Linden Endowment for the Arts regions – the Starfall Collaborative Group on LEA8.

Tansee makes some very special particles!

And Tansee also gave us a sneak preview of the particle displays that she was working on for Fantasy Faire 2015, which were currently in progress when the episode was filmed.

It’s a beautiful show that explores fantastic possibilities in Second Life – so don’t miss it!

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All About the New Second Life Endowment for the Arts – on Designing Worlds!

Launch of the SLEA on Designing Worlds, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Today, Monday 14th September, Designing Worlds is back for its new season – we look at the forthcoming launch of the new Second Life Endowment for the Arts (SLEA), which picks up where the Linden Endowment for the Arts left off, supporting and encouraging the arts in Second Life. We talk to Tansee and Hannington Xeltentat who originally developed the idea, and to Patch and Brett Linden who have been helping to realise the vision under the auspices of Linden Lab.

Join us at 2pm  when you can see the show on the Designing Worlds Vimeo channel at: https://vimeo.com/channels/dworlds. Or join us for our Watch Party in the Designing Worlds studios at 2pm SLT. We hope to have Tansee and Hannington join us to be on hand for a post show discussion with our live audience.

Launch of the SLEA on Designing Worlds, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

This show looks at the structure of the new SLEA and how people can become involved, including how they can apply for grants.

And Patch and Brett also talk about some exciting new packages they are planning to support communities in Second Life!

In addition, in film and pictures, we look back on the nine years of the original Linden Endowment for the Arts, which closed a year ago.

Launch of the SLEA on Designing Worlds, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

It all makes for a fascinating show – so do tune in or join us at 2pm SLT at the Watch Party in Garden of Dreams!

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Designing Worlds visits Resident Builds at SL17B!

Designing Worlds at SL17B, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Today, Monday 27th July, Designing Worlds is paying the second of two visits to the Second Life Seventeenth Birthday Community Celebration (SL17B) for the last show of the season. Two weeks ago, we looked at the Linden builds; in this show, we’ll be looking at resident builds – just a few, because there were so many wonderful ones!

Join us at 2pm  when you can see the show on the Designing Worlds Vimeo channel at: https://vimeo.com/channels/dworlds and on the Designing Worlds channel at SLArtist at: https://www.slartist.com/browse-dw-videos-1-date.html. Or join us for our Watch Party in the Designing Worlds studios at 2pm SLT.

And here is a little taster – a video shot and edited by Saffia that didn’t make it into the main show …

SL17B Dawn Kingdoms from Saffia Widdershins on Vimeo.

In the show, we look at the sites that we were involved with – Designing Worlds, One Billion Rising in Second Life, and two exhibits related to Fantasy Faire – the Fantasy Faire LitFest site (complete with Hugh the Troll) and the Fantasy Faire Radio site. And we talk to some of the creators of the exhibits, – the artists Fiona Fei and Ilyra Chardin, and our own Wildstar Beaumont who had a special gallery exhibit, which is really another of “our team sites”!

Resident Builds at SL17B, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

We also talk to people who are involved in creating sites for communities – Victor Mornington with a site to introduce people to New Babbage, and Asia Connell with the same mission for Camp Italia. And we explore a number of other sites too, both with film and with a fantastic photographic slideshow from Wildstar Beaumont.

Resident Builds at SL17B, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Sadly, the Birthday event is now over, but we hope the show will help you re-live it … or sigh over parts you missed! It makes for a beautiful and highly interesting show so do tune in or join us at 2pm SLT at the Watch Party in Garden of Dreams!

Resident Builds at SL17B, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

 

 

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Designing Worlds looks back at … Podcar Tours!

Podcar Tours, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

This week, Monday 20th July at 2pm SLT, we are taking a look back at the fantastic podcar tours, designed by Yavanna Llanfair with a spin – and a row and a flight and a submersion – around the mainland. This episode was brought to my mind by discussions at last week’s SL17B show, where we ended the show by riding off on a podcar – as ever, a really great way of seeing the birthday celebrations – and the studio audience started talking about how great the Tours are.

Podcar Tours, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

This show is actually not on our new Archive channel (which is full of goodies!), but on the main channel. Still, as the show was first broadcast in November 2014, we think it counts as an archive show!

You can watch it on this blog, and you can also see the show on the Designing Worlds Vimeo channel at: https://vimeo.com/110869566. And you can join the special Watch Party (at 2pm SLT) in our studio on Garden of Dreams – where there will be an extra little treat for attendees!

Designing Worlds Episode 255 – PodCar Tours from Richard Elen on Vimeo.

We actually try out three tours: the first taking us to Sansara Seas and Rivers, one of nine tours available from Yavanna’s podcar hub on the Sansara continent; a fascinating tour on the little-visited teen grid (where the podcar turns into a ski lift – and then grows a ski to take us back down the mountain!); and a trip round the islands  of north western Maebaleia on the Southern Nautilus tour, one of two tours on the Maebaleia or Satori continent. And we also take a look at a fascinating railcar tour on the Heterocera continent!

Podcar Tours, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

Yavanna is a keen proponent of the mainland and she shares with us some of the extraordinary creations you can see on her tours, and learn more about the work that not only residents have done, but also that Linden Lab has done – and continues to do – in making the mainland an unexpectedly fascinating – and often beautiful – place to visit. And to help you discover more, you’ll find maps at each starting location that will help you discover further tours to try.

Join us today – for a show that will really open your eyes to the extraordinary mainland – and there will be a little extra treat too!

Podcar Tours, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

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Good places to start Podcar Tours:
Sansara Tours: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Durango/159/186/117
Sansara Micronesia: on two levels: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Aluluei/169/204/48 and http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Aluluei/143/229/22
Jeogeot: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Monowai/7/140/72
Satori West Coast Tours: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Basilisk/9/158/22
Satori North: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Nijole/230/74/104

You’ll find other tours on Yavanna’s inworld profile!

Podcar Tours, photographed by Wildstar Beaumont

 

 

 

 

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