“Patch has generously said that the SL20B regions and the Shop and Hop will stay open thru Sunday, July 16. that means there are still seven more days to enjoy SL20B experience! Have fun! And yes parties at the exhibits are allowed!” — Missy
So! There will be time to finish exploring the whole SL20B, including the adult exhibit regions, if only just. At this pace I should finish on Saturday.
Spectacular
Exhibitors
- Dee Varela – Warehouse 21 – underground music club
- Lee McKay – Second Pride – Celebrating Diversity for 18 Years!
- killlashandra lavendel – Fantastic Chile Flavor for Fantastic Futures
- Aurie Elton – The Future is Each Other
- Tindallia Soothsayer – Giant Snail Racing Celebration – SL14B
- Tindallia Soothsayer – Giant Snail Racing Adventures – SL13B
- Tindallia Soothsayer – Giant Snail Racing is Crystal Clear – SL15B
- Chloe Bunny – Fond Illusion
- Kimpa Tammas – Travel in Weightlessness
- Tindallia Soothsayer – Giant Snail Races – Dreams Make Anything Possible – SL12B
- Kermie Mistwallow – United Federation Starfleet
- LaliaCasau – Isard Sailing Tools
- Polenth Yue – Polenth’s Sweet Sixteen
- Stable Mum – Teegle Community
- Snippy Yifu – Building Dreams, Changing Realities
- Cara Cali (caracali.nova) – Drama Libre’s Lunar Colony 2200
- momomura zehetbauer – “My Demekin” Observation Deck
- Vanessajane66 – New Dawns, new Days and new Adventures
- iSkye Silverweb – When We Grow Up
The need to look these up is diminishing with every day, but as always, the full list is here.
When We Grow Up – iSkye Silvercloud
Another exhibit tracing some of the big changes that have happened over the years in how we create things in Second Life.
Starting at the south-west corner with “A Prim’s Diary”, you may stroll past a number of things the exhibitor has created over the years. A spiral of loose pages, a four-poster bed, dragons & monsters, flowers & crystals all set out on a floor that appears to be covered in oversized tiddlywinks.
Warehouse 21 – Underground Music Club
In a model of the long running Second Life music venue Warehouse 21, we have a couple of bars, a dance floor, and lots of information about the venue and the music. Information panels abound at the back of the club. Social media links are here too.
About the music: their motto is “Everything but mainstream.”
About the venue: “Each week brings a new theme, from settings inspired by beloved movie and book titles to reimagined recreations of actual events, or completely fictitious builds.”
In a further demonstration of their building skills, there is a photo slideshow going of some of their themed stages presented on an exceptionally fine make of display😜.
United Federation Starfleet
Star Trek roleplay continues to have a strong presence in Second Life, to judge by the exhibits here. Here we have another long running roleplay group showing off their props. The teleporter in the middle is programmed to take you to any of a number of themed destinations.
Tried to have a word with the couple in the lobby, but I think they’re NPCs.
The banners around the walls will take you to webpages of the various factions they represent.
Teegle Community
Beneath the really big dog is the temple of Teegle. OK, I may be exaggerating. But here you can find information and social media links about the incredibly popular brand of scripted horses and, I suppose, dogs now too.
New Dawns, new Days and new Adventures – Vanessajane66
A giant rooster (it’s about 60m tall!), and not done by Holocluck either. What’s SL20B coming to. According to the description, it is a “Monumental Steampunk Cockerel” and it’s made entirely of tortured prims. So this is looking way back into the Second Life creative past.
Giant Snail Races – Dreams Make Anything Possible – SL12B
A sleeping snail, complete with nightcap and teddy bear, sits and dreams its mollusk dreams.
This is what? The third giant snail racing exhibit? And I can see at least one more from here already! This particular display is a recreation of one from eight years back.
Giant Snail Racing is Crystal Clear – SL15B
Oh look! Here’s another one. In this parcel, the giant snail racing exhibit from five years ago has returned. I remember the theme was crystals that year. They have worn well.
Curiously, aside from the crystal snail sculpture in the center of the fountain, this exhibit is very light on snails. You can pick up a free tiny crystal snail of your own.
Giant Snail Racing Celebration – SL14B
Six years ago this time. A dazzling patterned giant snail rotates atop a pedestal. Youtube videos on the pass time of giant snail racing maybe viewed.
Giant Snail Racing Adventures – SL13B
The sixth giant snail racing exhibit, at this point I’m hardly surprised. (The fact that I could see this one coming three exhibits back has something to do with that.)
Another giant snail on a pedestal, static this time. More Youtube videos for the interested.
UniVirtual – Building Dreams, Changing Realities
“20 Years of Second Life’s Influence on Education and Business”
The exhibit relies on an experience to work properly. You can activate it at a sign near the entrance on the west side of the parcel.
Wandering the long path with lots of interesting displays and information, I can see that this group has been working on problems in education in virtual worlds for a very long time. There’s just no way I can even begin to summarize it here. Like so many exhibits, you’ll have to see for yourself!
Requiem
A massive floating rock supports an equally large castle. Cross the bridge and sit to teleport up to the castle. Inside is a simple message of heartfelt thanks to Second Life for the things that it has given the exhibitor, all of which I am thankful for as well. So I’ll join him and say “Thank you Second Life!”
Fantastic Chile Flavor for Fantastic Futures @ UNM
A model of the Zimmerman Library sits among giant chile peppers (more occasionally drop from the sky). You can sit on a chile to pose for a selfie.
Inside you can find information about online degrees as well as courses taught all or in part in Second Life. Landmarks to UNM in Second Life as well as lots of other information available in the library. This includes recipes and advice on how to cook with red chile!
The Future is Each Other
A number of different cables appear to be plugged into a large globe of the earth. The jacks on their other ends dangle in space. Next to each jack is a cube with a remark that might easily be heard from any friend in Second Life. Pose balls near the jacks allow you to participate in the exhibit. (Some would work best with pairs.)
Isard Sailing Tools
This one’s for the Second Life marriners out there. A large information panel with a weblink built in goes on and on about a new global wind system for Second Life. Which reminds me, I haven’t had my ACA Racer Light out in donkey’s years! Need to fix that soon.
Points for using my home state’s iconic lighthouse in their panels on navigational aids!
Travel in Weightlessness
Click the sign for the instructions. With a couple of clicks you will be floating in space. Makes a good photo opportunity!
One variation or another of this exhibit has appeared at several of the last few SLBs. Always a nice diversion.
Drama Libre’s Lunar Colony
This is another event stage from one of Drama Libre’s parties. A moon mall this time. To give the flavour of the actual event, quite a number of sci-fi themed animesh are breaking it down in the central plaza.
Observation Deck
Pick up a hat and flag gift. Then click on any of the green arrows to teleport around the huge sculpture. It’s simple. Arrows pointing up take you up. Arrows pointing down take you back.
The sculpture itself is a beautiful rendition of koi swimming playfully beneath water lilies. Dynamic elements cast shimmering rays down through the water while bubbles rise back up to the surface.
Fond Illusion
“Discover the predictions of the three fates – an interactive exhibit made up ‘almost’ entirely of texture prims.”
Click on one of the fates to receive a typically opaque pronouncement. Then click the sign for a gift.
Celebrate Diversity!
Second Pride 2023. See the information panel out front for a subscribe, weblink, landmark to second pride, and a group joiner.
The display itself is a model of The Stonewall Inn. Do I really need to explain that any further in this day and age? If you do need it explained, there’s an information display and video link on the east wall of the building.
Polenth’s Sweet Sixteen (SL20B)
Wander the winding path paved with photos tracing the history of a Second Life. Walk past a dizzying array of artifacts winding up at a very Minecraft-esque birthday cake build. There is also a tiny crystal hunt.
Information and “Tacky Gifts” available at the entrance on the west side of the parcel
Delightful
Exhibitors
- Jake Vordun (jake.vordun) – The Vordun Museum and Gallery
- Tasha Kostolany – Sl Sailing History – Sailing is the Perfect Energy
- Holocluck Henly – Crossed Paths?
- Tindallia Soothsayer – Giant Snail Racing Magic – SL8B
- Tindallia Soothsayer – Giant Snail Racing ARound the World – SL7B
- Tindallia Soothsayer – Giant Snail Racing Through History – SL10B
- Tindallia Soothsayer – Giant Snail Races Diner – SL16B
- Holocluck Henly – Rock Around The Cake
- Johannes Huntsman – A-Maze-Ing 2oth!
- Huckleberry Hax – WAARHEID: TRUTH IS A DESTINATION
- Campanula Aeon – Waterworld
- Aeval Fae – CCB Felidae Expedition 2: Search for the Perpetual Hydroponics
- Jj Yowahoshi – Retrofuturism
- Jezebel Bailey – Bellisseria Bureau of Bureaucracy
- Chantal Harvey – MachinimaMondays Drive-In Cinema
- Moya Janus – Moya Land Story
- Aeval Fae – Caledon Pensans and Speirling: Worlds in Microcosm
- Jenna Dirval – Flyte of Fancy – Yesterday’s “Future” is Now!
- Torgon Woodget – SL20b Fun Fair Fun
- Han Held – The Broken House of Broken Spirits
SL20B Fun Fair Fun
This is an amusement park ride through space. Walk up the entry stairs and sit on a cart and you’ll be treated to a few minutes of swooping around planets through galaxies and by a space station. It’s not so fast that you’ll get woozy. Nice little bit of fun to start the evening.
There are other rides next door, which may or may not involve the shark lurking in the surf. Touch the terminal by the sign for a landmark for more rides.
Crossed Paths? SL13B 2016 Holocluck Henly
Follow the brick path through a number of sketches an marker drawings of the exhibitor and his Second Life friends.
Rock Around the Cake SL16B 2019 Holocluck Henly
One more exhibit from Holocluck, this time a revival of a cake shaped diner from SL16B.
MachinimaMondays – Drive-in Cinema – SL20B
I must admit to a soft spot for a drive-in. The exhibitors have been screening machinima in Second Life for ten years now. (Their drive-in could really use a snack bar though, and maybe a playground.)
Click the Simcaster screen for a roughly five minute machinima pilot episode filmed at SL20B. Touch the information panels on either side for a notecard and landmark.
BBB SL20B Liftoff
I’ve already noted in another post how the Bellisserian Bureau of Bureaucracy exhibit has been my main point of entry to SL20B. So helpful of them to set out a Hands of Omega rezzer at their space station. (Sadly, RL schedules did not permit me to make it to the closing “Back to Earth” party a few hours ago ☹)
The dual exhibit with an attractive futuristic garden filled with alien looking plants at ground level coupled with a space station well above the rest of SL20B made for an interesting visit this year. You can take personal rocket shuttles between the two.
I was finally inspired, at my first visit a couple weeks ago, to apply for my BBB passport, which I’ve been getting stamped wherever I can throughout SL20B. It’s actually a very fun hobby to take up. Even a devoted non-collector like me can get hooked on it!
Giant Snail Racing Through History – SL10B
Another giant snail racing display, who’d a thunk it? This is number seven I think. From ten years ago this time. Several giant examples of racing snails, including what looks like a Star Wars themed one, stand around the central pillar.
Giant Snail Races – Giant Snail Racing Diner – SL16B
Just in case you’re already missing them, here’s another giant snail racing display. The Giant Snail Diner from the 1950s themed SL16B.
Giant Snail Racing Around the World – SL7B
Next is, what for it, giant snail racing. This exhibit is a revival of one from over a dozen years ago. Friends to the north will appreciate the Canada themed snail.
Head down the ramp for a video from way back when.
Giant Snail Racing Magic – SL8B
Somehow I knew this was coming up. The tenth, and I believe final, giant snail racing exhibit. From twelve years back. A giant snail in a tux and topper (which I honestly did not know they possessed) and a glittery pink shell spins atop a marble pillar.
Yesterday’s “Future” is Now!
Here are a couple more animesh automata powered by AI. You can step right up and start chatting with them by clicking on their respective microphones. I’m in an uncharacteristically taciturn mood though. I can’t be bothered to confuse a bot tonight.
Off to the sides are photos and information about FlyGears “immersive and inclusive” dance events and their dance airship “Alice”.
aCCB Felidae Expedition 2: Search for the Perpetual Hydroponics
Climb through the portal into a steampunk adventure to find the secret of how ancient gardens have survived even after the great inundation. Click on the characters for clues.
Broken House of Broken Spirits
This does not sound like the fantastic future I was expecting! A decaying house filled with ghostly images of long-gone avatars and the grim and cheerless messages they left behind. Next.
The Vordun Museum and Gallery
This is an excellent antidote to the last exhibit. The Vordun has set up a brilliant exhibition of some paintings by Claude Monet. There’s also a brief timeline of his life and career on the center wall. Think I’ll just park here for a little while.
Haystacks, summer scenes, water lilies, some still life and a figure studies, but only one seascape, which is a pity. I’m quite partial to some of the works he did at the coast.
A-MAZE-ING 20TH!!
You guessed it, it’s another hedge maze. I have mentioned that mazes are quite the thing this year. In this one, you wind your way past large mushrooms and birthday cake themed artworks. There’s no particular destination. Simply enjoy the walk.
WAARHEID: TRUTH IS A DESTINATION
The sequel to the very good, filmed entirely in Second Life, feature film Stomol. I still have not seen this yet and really need to make time for it. (This is what happens when I miss the premier event. It just falls off my current must-do list. Having the attention span of a gnat, it takes me a while to get around to it after that.) Naturally, you can find it here on YouTube.
If you look closely near the entrance there is a link to the Patreon page.
Moya Land Story
With a link to Patrick Moya’s website, an artist who “dreams of living inside his work. The artist made this exhibit specifically for SL20B. I’ll just say that muted colours are not his thing.
Retrofuturism by Jj Yowahoshi
Dive into the pool and you will find an underwater pod house with some images from the early 00s to remind us how we looked forward back then. The rest of the exhibit is an underwater garden being visited by fish and jellyfish.
Waterworld
One of several displays showing the effects rising sea levels may have on our world. This exhibit appears to echo the 90s Costner movie “Waterworld” (which I never actually saw).
From the notecard (which you can get by clicking the mermaid): “Because I was struck by the dichotomy of rising sea levels leading to a decrease of drinking water sources as land is lost and water tables contaminated by seawater. The more water and less water scenario which both impact on human life. The fear of this situation and the continuing beliefs of climate change deniers inspired me to show this – a shanty town built on stilts above the sea as land is eroded.”
SL20B SL Sailing History – Sailing the Perfect Clean Energy
A history of the development of Second Life sailing from 2005 through 2010. I then jumps to the new “next generation” GWL system in 2022. Lots of information available from panels and boxes at just about every step.
Caledon Pensans and Speirling: Worlds in Microcosm
Hunt for a collection of roses hidden throughout the three sections of this exhibit. There’s the rotunda with its statue, art, and sitting area. The pirate ship, and the gypsy island. They’re not easy to find. (To get the 5th and final rose, you must head over to the gift area at SLB Impressive.)
Wow! And that’s it. I’m finished with the whole of the General regions of SL20B. I should just have time to have a quick look at the four adult exhibit showcase regions before everything sinks beneath the waves for another year. (Oh, must pop over to Tapestry of Time to pick up that fifth rose!)
Thinking Outside the Plywood Box 