The+design

As I tour around Second Life exhibits, I have been saving landmarks in Aubergine's inventory that include elements that add to her overall experience. So far I have a running list that includes:
 * objects that encourage interaction
 * visually appealing
 * self explanatory
 * combination of natural and artificial elements
 * places to reflect and read

As I learn to build and script in Second Life I am experimenting with what I would like to have in an intellectual freedom exhibit. I am thinking about objects and elements that represent the core principles of intellectual freedom that I would like people to understand.

//**How to best express them??**//

These are two images I modified using Paint.net to try for an effect that mirrors the art of objects in Second Life. I want to exploit the interactive capacity of exhibits in Second Life in the objects I create. As someone visits the exhibit there should be many layers of interaction. The exhibit should engage all of the senses. Sight and sound are relatively easy to engage. The challenge in Second Life is to involve taste, touch, and smell. The art must evoke the viewer's sensual memories and subconscious associations for these senses.



The 'Intellectual Freedom Tree' is a metaphor for the basic concepts of intellectual freedom. The roots: freedom of opinion, freedom of ideas, and freedom of expression support the main trunk, the heart of the tree: intellectual freedom. With a strong trunk, the branches grow up, reaching for the sky; raising innovation, creativity, and collaboration. The leaves scattered on the ground are the products of the relationship between all the parts of the tree and all the concepts in intellectual freedom.

I would like to have note cards for the different sections of the tree so that when someone touches the text, she will receive a note card with a brief explanation of the concept and a link to outside resources for more information.

I am wondering about making some of the leaves objects that the tree would 'give' the person when she walked on one or touched one. The leaf objects would also be scripted with information about intellectual freedom. Maybe some would pose a question? Some would have links. Some might have information about current legislation regarding intellectual freedom issues.

This is obviously a fall display, but I would like to change the display seasonally. During banned book week, for example, I could put names of challenged books on the leaves with links to worldcat and/or the cases where they were challenged.

I think the changing nature of a tree in different seasons would allow the exhibit to remain vibrant and engaging.

These photos are models for another section of an exhibit. As I've toured informational areas in Second Life, I have found the most successful include an area for reflection and time to read through the information (both in the display and on the note cards).

The photo on the left is Aubergine sitting next to a pool in Story Hour Garden. It is very conducive to thinking and relaxing. There are pose balls around that are scripted to let Aubergine relax in different ways. I would like to use the right hand photo as a model for a 'reflection pool' where the resident could sit and read through the information in the exhibit. I am thinking about how to make it interactive and wonder about the possibility of scripting the letters.

The following photos are modified to help me think about what styles I might use for Second Life colors and textures of the objects for the exhibit:



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