Second Mirror

nobody@vox.com(centralasian) — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 07:37:42 -0700

One aside observation when visiting the Swedish Embassy in Second Life - I found a change room (where I presume one can try various clothes given, or to be given away at the site). What stroked me is the lack of reflection in the mirror. I don't remember even seeing in SL so far (and technically speaking it's not impossible, but quite a task for scripting, I believe.) But the very fact that it can be done (and will be with time, I am sure), makes me somehow dizzy. The same feeling that Douglas Hofstadter explores so brilliantly in his most recent book "I Am a Strange Loop".

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Swedish Embassy Jumps to Second Life

nobody@vox.com(centralasian) — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 07:10:01 -0700

Swedish Embassy in SL

Sweden is one of the first countries which decided, quite bravely, to open their Embassy in Second Life (technically speaking, Maldives were the first nations, but the size and complexity of the Swedish project makes them truly pioneers of virtual diplomacy (or is it a diplomatic virtuality?)

More about this project can be found in the article Sweden's virtual embassy in Second Life: Now featuring Geoglobe.I like the design and look&feel of the Swedish House's interior very appealing, and perfectly radiating the 'swedishness' of the Swedes. Those of us who come to Ikea shops frequently, will find themselves very well at home at this site.

Piece of good nice art, cozy furniture and tranquil nature are everywhere, but the real hit of virtual embassy is not am impressive (though a bit claustrophobic globe mentioned in the article). The real gem is the Wallenberg Room, that not just 'tells' but powerfully reconstruct the atmosphere, thrilling and depressing at the same time.

Wallenberg Room at Swedish Embassy

The Swedish Institute who is behind this historical project, managed to create a very powerful experience using a bunch of quite simple tools: you enter the room through a dark, almost black entry, the look&feel of the space is also much darker and sober compared to the rest of the Embassy; there is a background music playing somewhere in a background mixed with children voices which creates very mystical, Pink Floydian ambience. The room is full of the items of those times: a typewriter, an old telephone, posters and old photos on the walls. A fragment the 'street life' is visible from the window (a mere picture, but a very nice visual solution creating strong immersive effect).

The map on the wall is of the 'safe' Swedish houses in Budapest (where Raoul Wallenberg was rescuing Hungarian Jews from Nazis). There's also a link to a web-site describing the Gulag system (where some people believe Wallenberg actually died; though an 'official' version states he died in Lubyanka in Moscow.)

A really moving environment, and tragic story-telling. But also overall, one of the best serious projects I've seen so far in SL, kudos to the guys!

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Second Mirror

Swedish Embassy Jumps to Second Life