Lampi's Heart

Perhaps you're been depressed recently by that rather mean spirited ad on Opensimworld. Somewhat damned by self praise, it has probably turned off more people than it has attracted, as a possible home grid. To take the taste out of your mouth, why not go and see something completely different, and yet, in a way, an allegory that both real and virtual communities can benefit from, while enjoying some exceptional art. HG Address at the end of the post, of course.

The celtic ethereal beauty of Lampithaler Artist's Cloudshead Worldheart is breathtaking. Islands float and even fly away, uprooted from the great sim sea, seemingly freed of all the laws of physics, they form a little archipelago, untethered and fancy free. It's on Pangea Grid, a fabulous collective of truly creative people, run by the wonderful Marlon Wayne and ably maintained by the paws of Kitty Sarrasine,  who keeps the place in tip top shape, technically.

On arrival, you'll se a topiary lady with a book. It contains the German text outlining the story, but go to Lampi's website and you can read a sample of the plot in English. 

Bear in mind, the installation is still a work in progress, and not all the islands are finished, in fact one of the two sims is off limits. But some time back, this bit of the build was inaugurated with a big party about a year ago

Step inside  and you'll find yourself in a cave full of scenes, or tableaux, based on the story. It's a great way to see how storytelling can become immersive and also how the tools and possibilities  of Opensim can be a challenge and also an inspiration when creating a new fairytale. 

The assets you find and modify become part of the story and inform choices, and the possibilities of virtual creation - so much more than a painting or drawing, because your audience can step right inside your fantasy. Still very much a work in progress, only part of the build is visitable, but that's half the fun, to get a glimpse at the birth of a legend. 

Lampi's fable is set in Tipperary, Ireland, in the old town of Clonmel or Cluain Meala, the 'honey valley', a part of the world that is steeped in myths and cautionary tales often with more than a touch of magic to them. Elfin creatures, feys and wise men populate this world of oak and ivy. But not only...  

 In Lampi's story, the townspeople are looking forward to the apple blossom festival. Suddenly they, and the woodland animals who live side by side with the humans, find their peaceful rural existence seems to be threatened by a dark shadow, some sort of impending doom. 

What is it, and what kind of threat does it pose? 

It's all about envy, that corrosive and divisive sentiment. Envy is insidious.It can build up inside a person and they hardly realize it's there at times. It can make us crazy, turning small misunderstandings into full on feuds. Lampi's message is, let's overcome it, and live happier lives for ourselves and everyone around us. Not a bad theme  in our often tribal virtual worlds. 

The islands in the sky are filled with enchanting sculptures, like these... or else fantastic trees, one full of peacock feathers, demonstrate the breadth of the imagination going on here. 

There's more to come. There are story panels that lay out the plot, and invite the reader to hunt out specific elements that will teleport you to the next part in the tale, making it an immersive and intriguing storytelling experience.

It's not all done yet, but visiting this build will fill you with optimism. Open to the public 24/7, the many art regions of Pangea are all about how Opensim can offer an escape from the ordinary. This beautiful sim with its worlds of possibilities... visit when you can, and maybe leave Lampi an encouragin message, so she knows how you appreciate it!

HG Address: pangeagrid.de:8002:Cloudshead Worldheart 2