Gemma and the Mermaid

In Extra Extra, our Gemma Cleanslate describes an encounter with one of the merfolk she and DJ Quark had. Did she put it behind her, or give in to the siren song of fashionable aquatic avatars?

To read the story, go to Extra Extra.

Nemo

Those with a fascination for Steampunk, fans of the classic novel “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” or even just a simple interest in either, may want to head to a certain place in Second Life: Nemo.

The entry point is a metal platform, with a walkway leading to a metal tube poking up through the surface, a doorway open and leading to an elevator. One can take the elevator down, and find oneself in the middle of an undersea city. The structure is done in the style of the Victorian era, but with strange machines mixed in. Near the entrance is a model of the complex, which can help in seeing where one can go while down there. There is also music in the background, which was a bit haunting at times when I was there.

The underwater complex is well detailed. Some rooms are simple living quarters in which one can sit on a couch by an amp and read the books of the day. There is also an occasional portrait of a notable person, appropriate to the setting, at the time, such as scientist Nikola Telsa. There is also an organ in one

In other places in the structure, one can look at electrical and plasma-filled equipment fit for a mad scientist’s lab. There are robots in the place, resembling sea creatures, in various stages of assembly, as well as sketches of the contraptions on the wall. If one looks outside, an occasional working model can be seen moving through the water. There are also other machines for use outside the lab, such as a fortune-telling machine. The machines are done in good detailed, sometimes with moving gears and other parts.

Nemo was built by Sextant Shepard, a French journalist in real life. In the Linden Blogs, he stated he was working on another area, the Oruchalcum Mine. Nemo itself is still a “work in progress,” evidenced by a closed door with a sign at one point.

A fascinating sim that anyone who’s read the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells will enjoy.

Nemo is at the FRANCE3D futuna sim at (91/148/21).

Someone also did a Youtube of the area, which one can see: Link.


Bixyl Shuftan

Famous Underwater Paintings

Only in recent times have we been able to go beneath the surface due to advancing technology. Therefore, underwater paintings have only been around for the past eighty years or so. This is why we don't see any underwater paintings from any of the past great master painters. It is a relatively new art form.Because of this reason it has yet to gain the respect from art critics it most rightfully deserves.

Some underwater habitats do seem encourage the terrible artists-mostly tropical and Hawaiian habitats—and these prints or original paintings abound on sites. These range from airbrushed fantasy poster-art of dolphins and whales floating in blue water with bubbles and neon colored tropical fish floating around them to cartoon-like cats with diving masks and snorkels. Some of the most famous of the kitschy artists are Chiu, Mackay, and Annenberg.

Although the most common to popular culture, tropical underwater art is by no means the only habitat seen in underwater art. Some artists feature Australia and the Asian-Pacific. A few artists feature Northern California or the US Pacific Northwest Scuba divers like underwater art.Variations to actual underwater paintings include glass, acrylic, or Lucite knickknacks of diving or leaping dolphins and whales, and even BIG knickknacks (sculptures?) of the same, paintings on plates, mirrors, and portholes (the diver's version of saw-blade paintings). One artist does underwater art inlays on electric guitars, some do silk paintings, and one does both silk paintings and embroidery art.

Prices vary, but paintings of the underwater run more expensive than other paintings; even galleries giving “half off” on kitschy quality paintings charge upwards of $1000, and most good quality paintings run more than $15,000 and are considered an investment.

Tags: famous, underwater, paintings, art, Amazing World, beautiful, pictures