T13 #12 | Pictures from the (Virtual) Earth: Thirteen Landscapes

  Hi, everyone.  If you leave a comment on these magnificent virtual landscapes, I will give you a link back to your blog.  The people who created them were kind enough to share them and I took a lot of trouble over selecting them!  :)

If you enjoyed them, please say!

If you're new to the meme,Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday.   It's SO MUCH FUN!

 

I do not presently have a Second Life.  But someday, who knows, I may need it.  I can certainly understand the artistic and narrative appeal of a virtual world where everything is as beautiful as you want it to be, and you can unleash your inner fantasy self. 

What I like about the idea of Second Life is that it is a perfect metaphor for my notions of reality (this reality).  I firmly believe I am merely an avatar.   And the absorption of this-reality people in the virtual one shows why it's easy for an avatar to become so wrapped up in one world that the other disappears from consciousness. 

I know there are people who are baffled by it, but I can understand how some people could easily become absorbed in an existence where it's never necessary to be lonely and where you can be who you want to be....Second Life is a sort of masqued ball or carnival (and human beings have always loved the freedom that comes from putting on a mask).

For a wonderful explanation of Second Life, read this one by Thaumata Strangelove.

Anyway, say whatever you like, all of the following qualify in my book as art.  They are filled with color, poetry, and human ingenuity.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY VICTOR KEEGAN.  Links: Author of
Big Bang , Poems by Victor Keegan.  and also Guardian book of text message poems) |  

(1) "My Second Life" by Victor Keegan | To view a full-sized version at Flickr, click here.

I do not own the rights to this photo/work of art, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or download it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license is here.

(2) "Avatart" by Victor Keegan |To view a full-sized image at Flickr, click here.

I do not own the rights to this photo/work of art, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or download it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license is here.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY FLORENCE BANBENCO.  I asked---and received---permission from the woman who photographed these next two beautiful virtual landscapes.  She graciously allowed it, as one of her aims is to promote the beauties of Second Life.

(3) "Orient" by Florence Babenco [used by PERMISSION ONLY]

 
I do not own the rights to this photo/work of art, but am using it with the written permission of the owner.  Please do not save or use it without obtaining her permission.

You are privileged to see this next photograph---she now has it set only for private viewing.  Can you not see why someone would wish to step inside it?

(4) "Une ile dans Second Life" by Florence Babenco [used by PERMISSION ONLY]. 

I do not own the rights to this photo/work of art, but am using it with the written permission of the owner.  Please do not save or use it without obtaining her permission.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DENZEL BABII (NIGHTHAWKS24).  Night-Hawk is a professional Second Life photographer who has photographed many Second Life landscapes.  Here is a sampling of some of his glorious compositions.

(5) Svarga-24 by Denzel Babii (Nighthawks24)  | To view the full-sized image at Flickr, click here.

I do not own the rights to this photo/work of art, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or download it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license is here

(6) "Elim-Windlight Blue" by Denzel Babii (Nighthawks24)  | To view the full-sized image at Flickr, click here.  

I do not own the rights to this photo/work of art, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or download it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license is here

PHOTOGRAPHS BY SEBCAEN ULYSSES.  Seb is another avid photographer who wishes to highlight the beautiful landscapes of Second Life.  He generously told me to use any of his I wished.  So I took four!

(7) "The Seabreeze--Windlight" by Sebcaen Ulysses |  To view the full-sized image at Flickr, click here.

I do not own the rights to this photo/work of art, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or download it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license is here

(8) "Huahine"by Sebcaen Ulysses. To view the full-sized image at Flickr, click here.

I do not own the rights to this photo/work of art, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or download it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license is here

(9)  "The Abyss" by Sebcaen Ulysses. To view the full-sized image at Flickr, click here.|

I do not own the rights to this photo/work of art, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or download it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license is here

 

(10)  "Postcard from Huahine 3" by Sebcaen Ulysses.  |  To see full-sized image at Flickr, click here.

I do not own the rights to this photo/work of art, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or download it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license is here

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DEEDEE DEEPDENE.  You know I loved DeeDee Deepdene's photographs---these remind me of an idealized and primeval Florida!

(11) "Deepwater Dawn" by DeeDee Deepdene.  To see full-sized image at Flickr, click here.

I do not own the rights to this photo/work of art, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or download it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license is here.

(12) "Dee Dee---Deepwater" by DeeDee Deepdene.  To see full-sized image at Flickr, click here. 

I do not own the rights to this photo/work of art, but am using it in compliance with a Creative Commons license.  Please do not save or download it without first consulting the terms of the applicable license.  The license is here.

(13)  After so much virtual beauty, my 13th is a sad one.  Sadly, Second Life has billboard problems. Click on  "Land Spammers" by Ms. Strangelove | website:  thaumata's blog of ill repute |  Let's hope the virtual people manage to find a way to pass some virtual land use ordinances.

Thanks, everyone, for commenting!

1. Tinkerbell
2. Comedy Plus
3. ...the rest is still unwritten!
4. West of Mars
5. Joy is My Goal
6. Single Parents Unite
7. The Pink Flamingo
8. Party of Six
9. Around the Island
10. Storyweaver's Web
11. Keeping Up
12. Hootin' Anni's
13. Moments and Memories
14. Cafe at the End of the Universe
    
15. Hope for the Hopeless
16. From Smiler, with Love
17. Small Reflections
18. Fremont Libraries
19. A Gentleman's Domain
20. Vixen's Den
21. Shephard's Alley

 

Comments

[Tink]

I especially like the DeeDee pics! It's been quite a while since I visited SL. Thanks for reminding me!
My TT gives you 13 quotes by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

[Comedy Plus]

Very different. Colorful and surreal at the same time. Very well done. Have a great TT. :)

[SandyCarlson]

These really are amazing. They are fantastic in the true sense of the word. Makes me long for daylight so I can look again at the real thing. Thanks for an interesting post.

[Candy]

Wow, they're very surreal and very beautiful. Wonderful pictures!

[Susan Helene Gottfried]

Those really are amazing. I'm not sure I get the whole SL concept, but that's okay for now. The pictures you posted are speaking to me; they are calm and restful and simply amazing.

Happy TT!

[marcia v]

Very cool graphics

[Lori]

Those are great....its amazing how far we have come in graphics:) Happy TT.

[Ed]

Great stuff. I was totally surprised and pleased to see a different side of you.

Ed

[tasha]

Beautiful pics from SL! I'm amazed at the places folks can come up with and create in there. I agree about the whole avatars getting so wrapped up in one world that it causes a bit of reality distortion/confusion. Good idea for a TT!

[SJ Reidhead]

Excellent!

SJR
The Pink Flamingo

[SJ Reidhead]

Excellent!

SJR
The Pink Flamingo

[Robin]

I am so finding a way to get myself to an over-water bungalo in Tahiti.

Someday...

[Xakara]

Those are gorgeous. I've managed to avoid Second Life despite reserving my name there. But you're giving me reason to go and spend some time there. Although I don't know if it has a "sight-seeing" option for me to explore...

Happy TT

~X

[Lilibeth]

Like a window into another world.Thanks for the beauty.

[Lilibeth]

Like a window into another world.Thanks for the beauty.

[Hootin' Anni]

I really REALLY love #s 11 and 12!!!

My 13 is all about the Chinese New Year that begins today. Come see which symbol you are. I love visitors.

[Maribeth]

I enjoyed looking at these pictures. #1 reminded me of the movie What Dreams May Come.

[Penelope Anne]

4 & 7 & 9 really grabbed me, I loved this.
Second Life featured big on a CSI: New York episode earlier this year, the video game, so this is an interesting concept. Great TT theme.

[Melissa]

Wow, these are pretty amazing! Happy TT!

[Smiler]

I feel so ignorant right now... I've heard of Second Life, but have never checked it out and don't really know what possibilities if offers. So yes, these a pretty pictures of course, but I have no reference points for them. Interesting topic. Happy TT!

[storyteller]

These are lovely indeed. I've never heard of Second Life ... but enjoyed seeing the pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs and blessings,

[Celticlibrarian]

My faveorite is number 9. It's beautiful.

Happy TT!

[Nicholas]

Those are beautiful pictures. Some are so realistic that they look more like photographs than cartoons. I have been into Second Life but somehow I haven't found the attraction. I prefer to see the sights this way than by actually visiting.

[Vixen]

You have expanded my horizons with this post. Those pictures are lovely and thought-provoking. Great TT

[Shephard]

Oh, I love these. But you visited me, so you know I love rich color. Just beautiful. #3 Orient is my favorite... I love fantastical architecture.

Fun. So glad I came by.
~S