Exploring Second Life

Tag: Cica Ghost

  • Cica’s Happy Planet in Second Life

    Cica’s Happy Planet in Second Life

    A surreal alien landscape with tall, porous, cone‑shaped structures, clusters of glowing blue plants, and thin stalks topped with luminous flower-like shapes. A creature with a cat-like face and long limbs sits on one of the formations. A large cratered planet and smaller spheres float in the dark sky above
    The mysterious extraterrestrial world where strange flora thrives beneath a looming planet at Cica’s Happy Planet, Second Life

    A Thought to Begin

    On the first of April, Cica Ghost opened her newest installation in Second Life, Cica’s Happy Planet. As is often the case with her work, it arrives with a thoughtful quotation, this time from Lynda Barry:

    “We don’t create a fantasy world to escape reality. We create it to be able to stay.”

    It’s a powerful distinction. Barry implies that imagination, art, and fantasy aren’t tools for running away from life, but are instead the coping mechanisms that help us endure and engage with the difficult parts of reality. Perhaps this is exactly why Second Life exists.

    A surreal island with smooth, mound‑like rock formations, teal and brown textures, and giant fantastical creatures climbing and standing on the structures. Sparse alien vegetation grows around the island, and a flying mechanical object hovers over the surrounding water.
    An overhead view of Cica’s Happy Planet, with north at the top. Using midday lighting for clarity

    Before You Visit Cica’s Happy Planet

    Before you begin your exploration, remember to set your lighting to shared environment.. Cica regards the lighting as an essential part of her creation, and it completely transforms the atmosphere.

    A second tip: turn your music on. I rarely listen to region streams, usually preferring ambient sounds, but Cica mentioned to me just yesterday that she hand-picks music to complement the build. She was right, it adds a layer I had been missing. You can even listen to the stream here while you read the rest of this post.

    A surreal digital landscape featuring glowing, translucent tulip‑shaped forms rising from or floating above a reflective pool. Tall, thin stalks support some of the shapes, while others hover freely. In the background, large organic structures resembling alien trees stand beneath a dark sky with a large planet or moon. The word “DANCE” appears faintly on a textured surface.
    Cat’s head shaped blue bubbles rise from the lake at Cica’s Happy Planet

    A Two-Tone Alien Landscape

    Arriving on the planet, your first impression is the darkness of the sky. Below it lies a small lake with bubbles rising from the depths. The scale of everything is massive and the colours are a striking study in contrast: the vibrant cerulean blue of the flora and water set against steep hills of rich, earthy brown.

    The textures here are incredibly tactile and they cover every single surface. As you can see, the brown landscape is striated and deeply ridged, which gives the whole world a hand-sculpted feel. Before you head out, look to your left. There is a sign offering a free flying saucer. It’s a generous gift from Cica. You can use it to fly around, though I chose to explore on foot to catch the smaller details.

    A free alien flying saucer gift at Cica's Happy Planet Second Life
    A free Alien Flying Saucer

    Creatures, Curiosities, and Quiet Surprises

    When exploring a Cica build, I always look for three things: the inhabitants, the flora, and the animations.

    An enormous spider cat watches two aliens at Cica's Happy Planet Second Life
    An enormous spider cat watches two aliens with interest at Cica’s Happy Planet

    While wandering, I found myself thinking of Diomita Maurer, a Second Life resident and blogger who loved Cica’s work and was convinced that Cica hid a cat in every single build. You can see Diomita’s legacy of posts here.

    A whimsical fish-cat at Cica's Happy Planet Second Life
    A whimsical fish-cat next to its home at Cica’s Happy Planet in Second Life

    She would have been delighted with Happy Planet. There is a giant spider cat, and a wonderful fish-cat with shimmering teal scales and a snake-like tail. There is also a very cute, bright blue alien cat with antennae and long black whiskers.

    A bright blue, cat‑like creature with large round eyes, long whiskers, and two antennae stands in a surreal, dimly lit environment filled with abstract plant shapes and textured ground. The scene has a whimsical, dreamlike atmosphere.
    An adorable, whimsical alien cat at Cica’s Happy Planet, Second Life

    This being an alien world, there are also its residents, one-eyed beings who seem perfectly at home among the whimsical oversized plants and strange steep brown hills.

    Three small, cartoon-like alien creatures with textured brown skin, a single large eye, and two antennae stand in a surreal, cratered landscape. Their open mouths give them surprised or startled expressions
    Three whimsical one-eyed aliens with moving eyes at Cica’s Happy Planet Second Life

    Strange Flora and Gentle Imagination

    The plant life is as intriguing as the creatures. There are no obvious flowers, yet there are tall grasses tipped with shapes that resemble iridescent blue butterflies. Perhaps they are flowers, or part of some strange life-cycle.

    In this world, the line between plant and creature feels uncertain. One can easily imagine these delicate forms lifting free and flying away.

    A cluster of glowing, translucent blue butterflies rests on a rough, earthy surface. Their wings have delicate vein patterns and emit a soft, ethereal light, creating a dreamy, otherworldly atmosphere.
    Strange blue grass-like plants with butterflies attached to them. Are they strange flowers, or is this an alien combination of plant and animals?

    Nearby, tree-like structures hold bulbous clusters with a strange, bumpy texture. Are they seed pods, flowers, or perhaps a bizarre virus distorting the stems? Your guess is as good as mine.

    A surreal alien landscape with large blue bulbous plant-like structures growing from dark ground. In the distance stand tall brown cone-shaped formations under a dark sky with scattered cloud-like patterns.
    Strange blue trees. Are they seed pods or flowers on top? – Second Life

    Cica’s Happy Planet – A World to Experience

    What I love most is that Cica’s builds aren’t just art galleries to be photographed in silence. They are interactive. Whether you are buzzing around in a saucer or stopping for a dance, the installation really comes alive when people are in it.

    Dancing for joy at Cica's Happy Planet Second Life
    Dancing for joy at Cica’s Happy Planet in Second Life

    There is something wonderful about just standing still and watching other visitors enjoy themselves.

    A small, textured flying saucer with a transparent dome hovers beside a rocky cliff in a dark, surreal environment. A person is visible inside the craft, and glowing circular rings float beneath it. Tall blue plant-like structures with butterfly-shaped leaves rise on the left side of the scene.
    Cica operating a flying saucer at Cica’s Happy Planet in Second Life

    In a world built as a “coping mechanism” to help us stay in reality, seeing people play together is the best part of the experience.

    A whimsical alien landscape featuring a large, cartoonish one‑eyed creature with two antennae emerging from a blue, saucer‑like structure decorated with round orbs. The background includes other small alien creatures, organic rock formations with holes, tall plant‑like stems with blue leaves, and a large planet in the dark sky
    Cheerrful, whimsical, one eyed alien piloting a flying saucer at Cica’s Happy Planet, Second Life

    Useful Links

    Cica’s Inworld Shop
    Cica Ghost on Marketplace
    Cica’s personal Flickr stream
    Cica Ghost Flickr Group

    Cica Ghost at Engine Room – until 20th April
    Find All my latest posts about Cica Ghost here and the older ones here

    Cica Ghost and Madel Solano at Cica's Happy Planet Second Life
    Cica Ghost in conversation with Mandel Solano while I look on

    Exploring Second Life

    If you’d like to see more places like this, follow my blog, Exploring Second Life, where I share both the grand builds and the smaller “quick stops” that make the grid so rewarding.

    Join us in the Second Life Destinations Facebook Group, where bloggers share new finds.
    Photographers: post your snapshots in the Second Life Destinations Flickr Group.

  • Ordinary Day by Cica Ghost

    Ordinary Day by Cica Ghost

    A wide view of Cica Ghost’s Ordinary Day installation in Second Life. The ground shows an intricate green and white chequered tile pattern with patches of mossy grass. Circular beds hold palm-like trees and tall grass plants topped with soft blue-to-periwinkle flowers. A very large whimsical cat crouches to the right while two small wheeled mice sit in front of it. In the distance stands a pale, playful Flintstones-style building beneath a grey cloudy sky.
    Ordinary Day by Cica Ghost, where a giant curious cat watches two-wheeled mice across a green and white mosaic landscape

    A Cat, Two Mice, and a Very Ordinary Day

    It is not every day that you arrive in Second Life and find a giant cat quietly watching two mice roll across a chequered landscape.

    On 6th March, Cica Ghost opened her newest installation, titled Ordinary Day. Cica has long been one of the most distinctive artists working in Second Life, and each new build she creates quickly becomes a destination. Visitors familiar with her work will know at once that they are in the right place.

    Unlike many of her previous installations, this one arrives without the quotation that often accompanies her work. Instead, visitors are greeted with a small joke:

    Q: What do you say to your cat when you go out?
    A: Have a mice day!

    It is a simple joke, yet it sets the tone perfectly for what follows.

    A large whimsical drawing of Cica Ghost on a large upright slab. Next to the drawing, a block gives dance animations if clicked upon
    As usual there are opportunities to dance at Ordinary Day

    The Landscape: Greens, Greys, and Periwinkle Blue

    Before exploring, it is worth switching to the shared environment. Cica has often said that her Windlight forms part of the artwork itself, and she is quite right. Change the light and the character of the place shifts immediately.

    Under her setting the island takes on soft greys and muted greens, while flowers scattered across the landscape introduce gentle pops of periwinkle blue beneath a leaden sky.

    Rear view of the building in Ordinary Day by Cica Ghost in Second Life, showing stone steps leading to a tiled seating alcove with table and chairs, daisies painted on the wall, and a small black monster in a lower recess beside a whimsical drawing of Cica.
    The rear of the structure reveals more scenes, including a tiled seating alcove, painted flowers, and a small monster beside a playful drawing of Cica.

    Arriving on the eastern side, the first thing I noticed was how open it all feels. Compared with many of Cica’s earlier builds the terrain is relatively flat, though steep grey hills run along the southern edge.

    Bird’s-eye view of Ordinary Day by Cica Ghost in Second Life, showing the small island surrounded by water with a hill along the southern edge, a giant reclining cat near the centre, circular plant beds with purple periwinkle flowers, palm trees, and a whimsical stone structure in the north-east corner.
    A bird’s-eye view of Cica Ghost’s Ordinary Day reveals the layout of the island.

    The ground itself quickly draws attention. Patches of mossy vegetation appear here and there, yet much of the surface is covered with a green and white chequered pattern. Looking more closely reveals an intricate design inspired by traditional Moroccan mosaic tilework — Zellige — which dates back as far as the tenth century. Hand-crafted, each tile carries natural irregularities in shape, size, and colour that no machine can replicate. The repeating pattern adds an unexpected sense of detail to what at first seems a simple surface.

    A human avatar riding a mouse across a green and white tiled landscape at Ordinary Day by Cica Ghost in Second Life
    Riding a mouse for fun at Ordinary Day

    Flora and Curiosities: Flowers, a Giant Cat, and Two Mice

    Scattered across the island are circular planting beds containing either palm-like trees or tall grasses, and both support the same strikingly beautiful flowers.

    Plants with grass-like leaves and beautiful blue flowers at Ordinary Day by Cica Ghost
    Plants with grass-like leaves and beautiful blue flowers

    At first glance they appear simply blue, but a closer look reveals something more delicate. Each petal shifts gradually from periwinkle toward soft lavender as it spreads outward from the centre. I will admit some bias here; blue is by a long way my favourite colour.

    A close-up of three beautiful flowers whose petals have shades or periwinkle and lavender at Ordinary Day
    A close-up of the flowers at Ordinary Day by Cica Ghost

    To the south sits the character that immediately captures attention: a very large cat, crouched low to the ground, with two small wheeled mice resting in front of it. Visitors can actually ride the mice, which is a pleasing touch.

    The cat appears cheerful rather than threatening, watching the mice with what looks like friendly curiosity. Still, when it comes to cats, one can never be entirely certain.

    A giant curious cat watches two wheeled rideable mice at Ordinary Day by Cica Ghost, Second Life
    A giant cat watching mice at Ordinary day

    The Buildings — A Playful Piece of Flintstonespunk

    Beyond the open landscape stands a pale stone building complex that could fairly be described as Flintstonespunk architecture. The structure appears to be formed from irregular blocks of stone stacked one upon another into a slightly uneven, organic composition. Openings throughout — small circles, rectangles, and rounded arches — give the building an interesting expressive character. Nothing is strictly symmetrical. The whole thing has a gently improvised look, as though it has grown over time rather than been planned.

    The scale feels slightly exaggerated too. Doorways and recesses appear larger than expected, which adds to the dreamlike quality so typical of Cica’s work. Grass grows on some of the roofs and around the base, and the soft grey tones of the stone sit naturally within the surrounding landscape

    Front view of the whimsical stone building in Ordinary Day by Cica Ghost in Second Life, showing irregular stacked architecture with curved staircases, green and white tiled alcoves, plants in heart-decorated pots, and palm trees growing from the roof under a grey cloudy sky.
    The stone structure in Ordinary Day by Cica Ghost, where curved stairways lead to tiled alcoves,

    Exploring the Structure

    Viewed from the front, two sweeping flights of stone steps curve inward from left and right toward a central section containing two recessed alcoves, both backed with the familiar green and white tiles.

    In the left recess stands a small table with a plant in a heart-decorated pot, a chair on either side. The right recess holds a bench for two, beside a larger plant in a red-hearted pot. Both offer sitting animations for visitors who want to pause.

    an avatar lounges on a stone bench in an alcove next to a large potted plant at Ordinary Day by Cica Ghost
    Taking a break at Ordinary Day by Cica Ghost

    The Southern Side

    On the southern side, a stone ramp rises toward another tiled alcove. Here a large, shaggy white creature sits with its hands resting on its knees. With its long ears drooping,the monster gazes outward with a slightly mournful expression. It does not look threatening. It looks, if anything, a little sorry for itself. When a human avatar sits nearby, the scale becomes apparent; the creature towers above them considerably.

    South side of the stone structure in Ordinary Day by Cica Ghost in Second Life, showing a tiled alcove where a large white droopy-eared monster sits sadly, emphasised by a nearby human avatar that shows its scale.
    On the southern side of the structure, a large melancholy monster quietly watches the world go by.

    The Western Side

    At the rear of the building, stone steps lead to a central alcove with another table and chairs, the tiled wall behind them painted with three daisy-like flowers.

    a tiled seating alcove with table and chairs, daisies painted on the wall, at Ordinary Day by Cica Ghost in Second Life
    Sitting on an outside seat in an alcove with whimsical daises painted on the wall

    At ground level nearby, a small black monster with sharp white teeth waits quietly beside a whimsical cartoon of Cica herself — just her head and neck visible, with the hint of a smile.

    a small black monster in a lower recess beside a whimsical drawing of Cica.
    one alcove features a curious looking little monster and a fun portrait of Cica

    Finally, on the northern side, another short flight of stone steps leads to a central alcove where sits a rather large and comical snail holds court. Unlike the mournful creature on the southern side, this one looks relatively cheerful, Twigs sticking out of his shell here and there do not seem to give him discomfort.

    an alcove contains a giant whimsical snail. at an Ordinary Day by Cica Ghost
    A giant whimsical snail on one of the alcoves, it seems unbothered by the twigs growing from his shell. at Ordinary Day

    Climbing to the upper level reveals a small courtyard tiled in the same green and white mosaic. In one wall, a two-dimensional animated Cica plays a violin while three tiny black spiders dance around her. It is exactly the sort of small, tucked-away detail that makes wandering slowly through her installations so worthwhile.

    An animated 2D comical Cica Ghost cartoon, plays the fiddle, while three whimsical spiders dance
    An animated 2D comical Cica Ghost cartoon, plays the fiddle, while three whimsical spiders dance

    Visiting and Supporting the Work

    There is no charge to visit. Tier is not cheap, however, and if you enjoy what you find a small contribution to one of the tip jars is always appreciated.

    Alternatively, there is a small shop within the base of the structure. The rideable mice, the giant cat, and the sad monster are all available to take home — a little piece of Ordinary Day to keep.

    Useful Links

    Cica’s Inworld Shop
    Cica Ghost on Marketplace
    Cica’s personal Flickr stream
    Cica Ghost Flickr Group
    All my older posts about Cica Ghost here and the latest ones here

    Exploring Second Life

    If you’d like to see more places like this, follow my blog, Exploring Second Life, where I share both the grand builds and the smaller “quick stops” that make the grid so rewarding.

    Join us in the Second Life Destinations Facebook Group, where bloggers share new finds.
    Photographers: post your snapshots in the Second Life Destinations Flickr Group.

  • Oh My Heart by Cica Ghost

    Oh My Heart by Cica Ghost

    Two heart-shaped creatures with striped legs and black boots sit on red and black checkerboard ground in Cica Ghost’s Oh My Heart installation in Second Life; one heart has a plaster and the other visible stitching, while a large blue elephant stands beside them and a heart-shaped house rises behind.
    Stitched hearts and a blue elephant in Cica Ghost’s Oh My Heart, whimsical on the surface, quietly reflective underneath.

    On 8th February, Cica Ghost opened her latest installation, Oh My Heart. As always, she accompanied it with a quotation. This time it reads, “Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” attributed to Winnie the Pooh.

    Before exploring the landscape itself, I would suggest using the shared environment. Cica herself writes that her Windlight is part of her work, and she is quite right. Change the light and the character of the build shifts. Under her setting, the sky is blue with reddish-tinged clouds, and a soft blue haze lingers in the air, blurring distance slightly and adding a dreamlike quality.

    Under a soft blue haze, Cica Ghost’s latest build rises in steep green hills edged with dark, stair-like slabs. Twisted, thorned shrubs curl into near-heart shapes, while red and black checkerboard patches cut through the landscape. A toy-like castle crowns one side, and enormous animals, including a dragon and an elephant, sit scattered across the sim, surreal and slightly dreamlike.
    A landscape view of Oh My Heart by Cica Ghost in Second Life

    Whimsy on a Grand Scale

    Designed for Valentine’s Day, Oh My Heart feels playful and full of charm. Steep green hills rise beneath dark, slab-like terraces, while red and black chequerboard areas spread across the landscape.

    ref and black bricks, some spread across the floor other stacked into towers at Oh My Heart by Cica Ghost
    The red and black bricks appear in several places at Oh My Heart by Cica Ghost in Second Life

    Cica’s familiar giant creatures are here too. Enormous whimsical elephants, a white rabbit and a Princess each clutch a heart.

    A whimsical white rabit with a pink nose and long black whiskers, sits holding a heart tightly to his chest at cica Ghost's Oh My Heart in Second Life
    A solitary white rabbit clutching tightly a heart at Cica Ghost’s Oh My Heart in Second Life

    A white monster shapes a heart with his hands.

    A whimsical monster makes a heart shape with his fingers at Oh My Heart, by Cica Ghost
    A monsters makes a heart shape with his fingers at cica Ghost’s Oh My Heart in Second Life

    Heart-shaped figures with moving eyes and big mouths stand on long thin legs, banded black and white like striped socks, ending in large boots.

    A group of heart creatures, each with back and white striped legs and large black boots. All the hearts have at least one set of stitching; they are stood on short grass at Oh My Heart, by Cica Ghost in Second life
    Six hearts, some smiling, some looking very glum, all with surgical stitching at Oh My Heart by Cica Ghost in Second Life

    There are dances and playful animations throughout. It is light, imaginative, and quietly joyful.

    Looking a Little Closer

    And yet, as I wandered, I found myself pausing.

    Each of the heart creatures bears visible stitching, like careful surgical seams, as if their hearts had been broken and repaired. Some wear distinctly sad expressions.

    An avatar sits with a sad heart creature with black and white striped legs and large black boots. The creature has two sets of stitching, either side of his body. at Oh My Heart by Cica Glost in Second Life
    I tried to communicate with a disconsolate heart, at Oh My Heart by Cica Ghost in Second Life

    The two elephants, the only blue figures in the region, stand some distance apart and look subdued. The rabbit, the monster, and the Princess also seem alone.

    A sad-looking whimsical red dragon lays on the ground in front of a human avatar at Cica Ghost's Oh My Heart
    A melancholy red dragon at Oh My Heart by Cica Ghost in Second Life

    The trees, too, form heart shapes with bending stems, yet many carry sharp thorns. Some have thorns and no leaves at all.

    A tree with green leaves, its two main branches armed with long spines, curve around to make a heart shape at Cica Ghost's Oh My Heart in Second Life
    A tree’s spiny branches, curve around to make a heart shape.

    I would not say the installation suggests love is sorrowful. However, it does not feel idealised or simple. There is tenderness here, but also vulnerability. Perhaps that is the point. Hearts can be joyful and fragile at the same time.

    It may well be that now Valentine’s day has passed Oh My Heart may not remain long. Still, it feels more thoughtful than seasonal decoration.

    During my visit, I met Yumix Writer, a Japanese photographer active on X. We chatted and took a small commemorative photo . Moments like this quietly underline how Second Life continues to connect people from different parts of the world.

    Two avatars stand together, in front of red and black cubes at Cica Ghost's Oh My Heart in Second Life
    I was delighted to meet Yumix Writer at Cica Ghost’s Oh My Heart and we took a commemorative picture

    A Final Thought

    As always, Cica includes a small shop within the region, and her wider work can be found on the Second Life Marketplace and at her main store. Her installations reward slow exploration, and this one is no exception.

    Useful Links

    Cica’s Inworld Shop
    Cica Ghost on Marketplace
    Cica’s personal Flickr stream
    Cica Ghost Flickr Group
    All my older posts about Cica Ghost here and the latest ones here

    For other perspectives on Oh My Heart, you may wish to read reviews by Inara Pey and Susann DeCuir

    A whimsical white bear sits holding a heart shape in his paws; behind him are plants, one of which has large spines, at Cica Ghost's Oh My Heart in Second Life
    A thoughtful-looking whimsical bear sist alone, clutching a heart in his paws, at Cica Ghost’s Oh My Heart in Second Life

    Exploring Second Life

    If you’d like to see more places like this, follow my blog, Exploring Second Life, where I share both the grand builds and the smaller “quick stops” that make the grid so rewarding.

    Join us in the Second Life Destinations Facebook Group, where bloggers share new finds.
    Photographers: post your snapshots in the Second Life Destinations Flickr Group.

  • Woodland by Cica Ghost, A Dream Built in Wood

    Woodland by Cica Ghost, A Dream Built in Wood

    Adorable invertebrates of all kinds inhabit Woodland

    An Organic Arrival

    Some places in Second Life feel as though they have grown rather than been built, carrying an organic quality that feels natural and unforced. Woodland, the latest creation by Cica Ghost, which opened on Wednesday 7th January, is one of those places. On arrival, it felt less like stepping into a region and more like entering a shared dream.

    A rather smug-looking Frog King sits on high at Woodland

    Cica accompanies each build with a short quote, and this time it is a familiar one, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” Walt Disney. It feels particularly fitting here, where imagination has been translated almost entirely into texture, tone, and form. As always, it is important to use the shared Environment settings. The lighting is not an afterthought but an essential part of the experience, shaping how the land feels as you move through

    Woodland from above – From here it’s easy to see the different texturing

    Texture, Tone, and Ground Beneath Your Feet

    At first glance, Woodland appears almost monochrome. The sky is very dark, almost black, while the land below is rich brown throughout. The longer you explore, however, the more variation reveals itself. The higher, hilly areas are a deep, near-black brown, laid out in small square patterns that give the terrain a tiled, tactile quality.

    Caterpillar at Woodland by Cica Ghost—Who could resist those eyes?

    Elsewhere, the ground changes underfoot. Some areas resemble wide wooden planks, others look as though they have been stitched together from squares of different materials. A few even carry the look of worn denim. These subtle shifts invite slow exploration, encouraging you to notice the land rather than simply pass through it.

    A large butterfly – Woodland by Cica Ghost

    Whimsical Inhabitants

    It is not just the land itself that displays unusual textures. Cica’s builds almost always include larger-than-life inhabitants, creatures that might best be described as monsters, although nearly always friendly and whimsical ones. In Woodland, many of these inhabitants are invertebrates. Beetles, grasshoppers, snails, stick insects, and more roam the landscape, all bearing Cica’s trademark moving eyes and an appearance that feels endearing rather than threatening, despite their considerable size.

    Whimsical wooden grasshopper and two bug-like creatures with large expressive eyes, standing on textured brown ground in Woodland by Cica Ghost, with small wooden buildings behind them.
    Whimsical inhabitants of Woodland by Cica Ghost, carved in wood and full of character, with tiny wooden houses rising behind them.

    Among these creatures are a chameleon and a frog, the frog appearing almost regal with a crown perched on his head. The frog, the snail, and some of the other creatures show clear wood texturing, while others have rougher skins that suggest snake-like scales. Their scale can be surprising. The snail alone towers far above avatar height, reinforcing the dreamlike quality of the region.

    Chamelon and stick insects at Woodland by Cica Ghost

    There are houses here too, seemingly made from single pieces of wood. They appear small beside the creatures that surround them, which raises the playful thought that smaller beings might be hidden away inside, unseen in the darker corners. Whether that is true or not hardly matters. It is the overall visual effect that lingers.

    The curious wooden houses at Woodland

    A Place to Linger

    As with Cica’s previous builds, there is a gentle sense of whimsy throughout Woodland. This is not a place to rush through. It encourages wandering, pausing, sitting, and noticing details that might be missed at first glance. There are dances to enjoy too, best experienced with friends, adding a quiet sense of shared joy to the landscape.

    The huge friendly snail at Woodland – my little robot avatar in the foreground is a little over one metre tall to give some idea of scale

    Woodland feels thoughtful and cohesive, a place shaped as much by mood as by structure. It left me with the sense that I had been allowed into someone else’s imagination for a while. It is very much worth a visit, especially if you give it the time and attention it gently asks for.

    Fungi or Fun Guys? – could be both – look at those smiles

    Useful Links

    Cica’s Inworld Shop
    Cica Ghost on Marketplace
    Cica’s personal Flickr stream
    Cica Ghost Flickr Group
    All my posts about Cica Ghost here and the latest ones here

    At every Cica build there are always different flowers – these remind me of daisies

    If you’d like to see more places like this, follow my blog, Exploring Second Life, where I share both the grand builds and the smaller “quick stops” that make the grid so rewarding.

    Join us in the Second Life Destinations Facebook Group, where bloggers share new finds.
    Photographers: post your snapshots in the Second Life Destinations Flickr Group.

  • 100th by Cica Ghost

    100th by Cica Ghost

    As usual Cica’s monsters are cute rather than scary

    Opening Impressions

    Cica Ghost’s latest build, 100th, opened on Saturday 8 November. Although I visited on the 8th,unfortunately real life has kept me from writing about it until now. This installation feels celebratory and bright, as though Cica has marked an important milestone with a small firework of colour.

    As usual, Cica has added a quotation to accompany the build. This time it is Frank Tyger’s line, “When you like your work, every day is a holiday.” She has also created a unique environmental setting for the region, which she considers an essential part of the experience.Please use it, you will see 100th exactly as she intended.

    100th by Cica Ghost

    First Impressions of the Landscape

    The first thing you notice on arrival is the colour. Many of Cica’s recent installations have used limited palettes, such as soft greys or gentle greens. 100th is quite different. Everywhere you look there are vivid reds, blues, greens and yellows, arranged in bold patterns that lift the mood at once. Just standing there made me feel more cheerful.

    whimsical red tulip like flowers
    The flora of Cica Ghost builds merit an article in itself: here giant red tulip-like flowers reach into the sky

    The island is full of steep hills, brightly painted in two or three wide bands of colour. To the south there is a natural gap between the hills.

    a bird-eye view of the island of 100th by Cica Ghost
    You can see the brightly coloured hills and the path down to the sea in this overehead picture

    A path lined with small coloured stones leads you toward the water, and if you follow it you will see Cica sailing quietly in her boat. I gave her a wave, and you may wish to do the same.

    W
    Waving to ‘Cica Ghost’

    Creatures, Details and Small Surprises

    There is so much to discover as you wander. A comical cow wearing bright blue socks stands outside a house. Huge butterflies stand here and there, their eyes moving, which is one of Cica’s familiar touches. A bright yellow dragon watches you with interest. A group of children are gathered, one of them pulling a bunny car on a string.

    a whimsical cow with bloe socks
    All the most fashionable cows wear blue socks

    Curiously the children have no facial features, which feels striking in a world where even the animals and vehicles have moving eyes. Perhaps there is a reason for it. I hope to ask Cica one day.

    whimsical children in Second Life
    Faceless children at 100th by Cica Ghost

    There are duck car rezzers to ride and places to dance, and the list of small delights continues in every direction.

    Duck car rezzers at 100th by Cica Ghost

    Rather than describe everything in detail I will simply say that it is a place worth exploring at your own pace. You will probably find other visitors enjoying themselves too. When I was there a lively group of Dinkies were having great fun.

    'Dinkies at rest at 100th' by Cica Ghost
    Dinkies at 100th by Cica Ghost – Photographer Minerva Treat
    'Dinkies' having fun at 100th by Cica Ghost - Second Life
    ‘Dinkies’ having fun at 100th – Photographer Minerva Treat

    A dear friend of mine, who sadly no longer comes to Second Life, was convinced that Cica always included a cat in her builds. If she could see this installation she would be pleased. There are three cats here, of course amusing to look at and with moving eyes as well.

    three comical-looking cats—100th by Cica Ghost
    Three cats—100th by Cica Ghost

    A Remarkable Milestone

    The name 100th is literal. This is Cica Ghost’s one hundredth installation in Second Life, which is an extraordinary achievement. She has created a Flickr album with one picture from each of the hundred builds, forming a beautiful visual record of her work. You can see it here:

    A whimsical yellow dragon lays with his chin on the ground
    A friendly looking yellow dragon – 100th by Cica Ghost

    Cica’s installations are sometimes thoughtful, often whimsical, and always full of charm. They are wonderful places for photography and even better places simply to enjoy yourself. That spirit of playfulness is alive and well in 100th by Cica Ghost.

    a giant whimsical green-bodied butterfly with yellow wings - 100th by Cica Ghost Second Life
    A giant butterfly—one of the many amusing characters in 100th by Cica Ghost

    Useful Links

    Cica’s Inworld Shop
    Cica Ghost on Marketplace
    Cica’s personal Flickr stream
    Cica Ghost Flickr Group
    All my posts about Cica Ghost and here

    A smiling sun shines over the whimsical characters of 100th by Cica Ghost in Second Life
    The Sun shines down on 100th

    If you’d like to see more places like this, follow my blog, Exploring Second Life, where I share both the grand builds and the smaller “quick stops” that make the grid so rewarding.

    Join us in the Second Life Destinations Facebook Group, where bloggers share new finds.
    Photographers: post your snapshots in the Second Life Destinations Flickr Group.

  • Happy Halloween by Cica Ghost

    Happy Halloween by Cica Ghost

    Happy Halloween - Second Life
    Happy Halloween – Second Life

    Halloween in Second Life

    There is a calendar cyclical movement with Second Life regions;  October is the time for Autumn pastoral regions , filled with Fall reds, oranges and yellows, and also Halloween builds.

    And so it is that Cica Ghost has opened her latest installation on the the 1st October “Happy Halloween”

    Cica always pairs her creations with a quote, and this time she’s chosen:

    “The only thing we have to fear is FEAR itself… and spiders.”

    It’s a playful twist on Franklin D. Roosevelt’s famous words, one that seems to be making the rounds beyond SL

    Halloween sims usually mean ghost train rides, dismembered bodies, gore, and jump frights, but Cica being Cica, I knew that I was very unlikely to find such an interpretation,. But I would I be right?

    Three cheerful pigs at Happy Halloween
    Three cheerful-looking pigs. part of Happy Halloween

    The Landing Point – A First Clue

    Visitors first arrive on a small circular platform, where Cica gives her usual guidance to use the custom windlight (essential for her creations), alongside a tip jar and links to her Marketplace, Shop & Hop store, and in-world shop. The teleport down to the build is shaped like a gravestone – guarded by a cute two-dimensional smiling spider. Look up, and you’ll even spot another whimsical spider perched on the crescent moon above. Clearly, you’re not heading into a horror show.

    a 'gravestone' teleport and cute smiling cartoon spider
    Cica Ghost’s Happy Halloween – Second Life

    A Monochrome World with Touches of Colour

    Down on the island itself, the custom windlight creates a moody, dark environment punctuated by pools of bright light. Much of the world is monochrome, but Cica uses splashes of colour with care: golden star-shaped flowers, earthy orange-brown pumpkins, the green eyes of a monster, and a ginger cat clutched by a red-haired boy. These details stand out all the more against the stark backdrop.

    'Spooky boy' holding cat at Happy Halloween
    Red-haired boy with ginger cat—not all happy Halloween. is monochrome.

    Whimsical Characters, Not Scares

    Despite its name, Happy Halloween is not a frightening place. Even the pumpkin heads, clustered on the eastern side of the island, look more sulky than scary. Instead, the scene is filled with Cica’s trademark whimsy: “spooky boys” and “spooky girls” with stitched smiles recalling Jack Skellington, spooky cats, a skeletal pianist at his piano, a spectral coach and driver, friendly spiders, and countless other curious figures.

    A coach and horse with spooky couple
    A cheerful couple with a coach and horse
    Happy Halloween build by Cica Ghost in Second Life – whimsical world with pumpkins and spiders
    Pumpkin Heads at Happy Halloween

    A Place for Fun

    It’s also a place to enjoy with friends. When I visited, I came across a couple of avatars having fun together, which felt perfectly in tune with the playful spirit of the region. Like so many of Cica’s builds, Happy Halloween works both as an art installation and as a backdrop for people to make their own light-hearted moments.

    Avatars dancing at Happy Halloween - Second Life
    Having fun at Cica’s ‘Happy Halloween@

    Final Thoughts – A Playful Halloween in Cica’s Style

    As always, Cica Ghost fills her world with creatures that charm rather than chill. Happy Halloween is a playful celebration of the season – a monochrome dreamscape, lit with contrast and humour, and unmistakably hers.

    A whimsical 'spooky' girl pulling a pumpkin on a cart
    ‘Spooky’ girl with pumpkin in tow

    Useful Links

    Teleport to Happy Halloween at Mysterious Isle here: SLURL

    Exploring Second Life

    For another whimsical Halloween build you might enjoy Critterflop Hallowpop.

    whimsical houses, Critterflop Hallowpop, Second life
    The whimsically shaped houses at Critterflop Hallowpop, Second life

    If you’d like to see more places like this, follow my blog Exploring Second Life, where I share both the grand builds and the smaller “quick stops” that make the grid so rewarding.

    Join us in the Second Life Destinations Facebook Group, where bloggers share new finds.
    Photographers: share your snapshots in the Second Life Destinations Flickr Group

  • A Second Look at Cica Ghost’s A-Maze-Ing

    A Second Look at Cica Ghost’s A-Maze-Ing

    Two whimsical cheerful snails meet at A-Maze-Ing by Cica Ghost in Second life
    Two smails meet up at A-Maze-Ing by Cica Ghost

    I decided to return to Cica Ghost’s current build, A-Maze-Ing, because after seeing more pictures on Flickr, I realised there was still much I hadn’t shown the first time around. Cica’s worlds are like that; they reward return visits, always offering another small detail or whimsical surprise. You can read about my first visit here

    Cica’s Cat

    One thing I missed the first time was Cica’s cat. Not always present in every build, but often appearing in one form or another, her feline friend feels like a recurring character. This time I made sure to catch it

    Whimsical cat figure at Cica Ghost’s A-Maze-Ing in Second Life, standing against a wall on which are painted daisy like flowers
    Cica Ghost’s cat at A-Maze-Ing – Second Life

    Wall art

    I also wanted to look more closely at the wall art scattered throughout the maze. Forget Banksy; these playful, cartoonish drawings aren’t rebellious so much as lighthearted and funny. They’re simple, but not amateurish, and they made me smile as I passed.

    Playful cartoon wall art, showing a nervous sheep and a flying bee inside A-Maze-Ing by Cica Ghost in Second Life
    Wall art at A-Maze-Ing by Cica Ghost – Second Life
    Whimsical drawing on the maze walls in A-Maze-Ing by Cica Ghost, showing a large blue whale and a smiling starfish
    Wall art at A-Maze-Ing by Cica Ghost
    Whimsical drawing on the maze walls in A-Maze-Ing by Cica Ghost, showing a large green frog and a blue daidy like flower
    wall art at A-Maze-Ing – Second Life

    Sleeping Monster

    Another detail: inside one of the little houses I found a sleeping monster. My photo doesn’t show it, but in-world you can see its chest rise and fall as it breathes. A tiny touch, but absolutely adorable.

    Sleeping monster with rising chest animation in A-Maze-Ing Second Life build
    The sleeping monster – Absolutely adorable

    Textures and Atmosphere

    The whole build has a kind of cartoonishness, but not in a crude sense, more like a deliberately stylised storybook world. The wheeled wooden animal rides, for example, hold up beautifully even zoomed in with ultra graphics. The overall light is soft and hazy and sepia tinted.

    A wide view of Cica Ghost's A-Maze-Ing, showing the sepia-tinted sky, bottle-shaped buildings, and, in the foreground, the maze.
    A wide view of A-Mazing showing the Sepia tinted sky

    Rides and Interactions

    I didn’t ride the wooden animals on my first visit, except to test out the small rides designed for Dinkies, so I made a point of testing them this time. Each one has its own whimsical pose:

    • On the duck, you sit cross-legged.
    • On the giraffe, you lie on your stomach, knees bent, feet in the air.
    • On the horse, you recline on your back, arms folded behind your head.
    • On the elephant, you sit upright, feet on either side of its head.

    There are also plenty of seats, benches, pods in the trees, and places tucked inside houses. Each has several poses, some playful, like doing a handstand on the back of a bench

    Second Life avatar riding wooden duck with playful pose at A-Maze-Ing by Cica Ghost
    Riding the wooden duck at A-Maze-Ing – Second Life
    Whimsical bench pose with avatar doing a handstand in Cica Ghost’s A-Maze-In
    Doing a handstand at A-Maze-Ing – The things bloggers have to do!

    A Visit Worth Making

    The maze itself, the bottle-shaped houses, the ladders and rides , I wrote about those in my first post, which you can find here. This follow-up is really about the little details that give A-Maze-Ing its character.

    The build is open for a week or two more, so I encourage you to visit before it’s gone. While I was there, I ran into a group of role-play campers and their leader, having a wonderful time running through the maze. It was the perfect reminder: Cica’s worlds aren’t just about looking; they’re about playing, laughing, and discovering together.

    Useful Links

    For other relevant links, see Cica’s Inworld Shop, Cica on Marketplace, Cica’s personal Flickr stream, and the Cica Flickr group. 

    For other bloggers’ views and photographs of A-Maze-Ing, take a look at posts by Inara Pey, Susann Decuir, Yse Dido Petra Haas, Hans van der Velden, Bsukmet Imniali, Bruno Denis and Caity Tobias

    A link to see all my posts about Cica Ghost.is HERE

    📌 Follow this blog for more Second Life destinations, art, and oddities.

    🌍 Join us in the Second Life Destinations Facebook Group where bloggers share new finds.
    📸 Photographers, share your snapshots in the Second Life Destinations Flickr Group.

  • A-Maze-Ing – Cica Ghost’s New Second Life Build

    A-Maze-Ing – Cica Ghost’s New Second Life Build

    A-Maze-Ing - a Second Life build by Cica Ghost – A whimsical rideable wooden giraffe on wheels, set against a sepia-toned landscape with brick walls and painted flowers.
    A rideable wooden giraffe on wheels, at Cica Ghost’s new build ‘A-Maze-Ing’.

    A new build by Cica Ghost opened on Monday, 11th August:A-Maze-Ing. As usual, it’s accompanied by a thoughtful quote:

    “At some point we all look up and realize we are lost in a maze.” – John Green

    Before you explore, I recommend turning on the shared environment:
    World → Environment → Use Shared Environment.
    Here, the light matters; the sepia tones, soft shadows, and muted skies are part of the experience

    A whimsical maze landscape featuring red brick and grey plaster walls under a brown sepia sky, with wooden toy animals such as a giraffe and elephant in the foreground. Part of Cica Ghost's latest build A-Maze-Ing, in Second life
    The maze at A-Maze-ing

    First Impressions

    This is quite different from Cica’s previous build Among the Hills. The sky is a brown sepia, scattered with drifting clouds. Below, an island-sized maze stretches out, its walls of red brick and grey plaster intersecting at perfect right angles. The floor beneath your feet is brick too, patterned in circles like an old patio.

    Here and there, steep little hillocks rise almost vertically. Many have a single tree at the top; others are bare, and a few hold bottle-shaped houses. At the very centre, on a raised area, stand more bottle-shaped houses, mostly brick, some with partial plaster coverings, looking like something from a dream. 

    A whimsical scene featuring several bottle-shaped houses with a mix of brick and plaster, set against a cloudy, sepia-toned sky. The landscape includes twisted branches and a large wheel structure in the background. Part of Cica Ghost's latest Second life build, A-Maze-Ing
    I think the houses look like bottles – do you agree?

    Exploring the Maze

    Your arrival point is on the east of the island, where four large wooden animals wait: a giraffe, an elephant, a horse, and a duck, all with wheels and ready to ride. In true Cica style, there’s also a second, smaller set so Dinkies can join in the fun. 

    A whimsical scene featuring wooden toy animals, including an elephant, a horse, a giraffe, and a duck, all mounted on wheels. A small black cat figure sits atop the elephant. The background features a sepia-toned landscape with gentle hills.
    A second set of rideable animals is available for Dinkies

    At one end of the island, a small shop sells some of Cica’s whimsical “monsters,” including the wheeled animals. 

    Cica Ghost's small shop with whimsical art displays featuring wooden animals and snails for sale, set against a sepia-toned background, at A-Maze-Ing, in Second life
    There is a small shop if you want to buy a souvenir

    This time, there are no towering creatures like in some of her earlier builds, but I spotted a few snails and a strange rabbit-like being. And yes, their eyes move, as always. 

    a white coloured whimsical rabbit like figure, standing in front of a red background
    I think this is a rabbit – Iooks like one

    Colours, Details, and Surprises

    True to form, there are also trees and flowers, all in sepia or white, matching the sky and stonework

    viewed from above, low growing little white flowers, without visible leaves. on a stony brown substrate,. Designed by Cica Ghost. Part of her Second life, A-Maze-Ing build.
    There are always new flowers with each build by Cica – I like these.

    The only real splashes of colour come from a few painted red sections of wall and charming line drawings of cats and other animals. 

    four amusing colourful cat figures painted on a red wall. Standing in front of that is a rather grumpy looking anthropomorphic, whimsical black cat
    There were cats painted on the wall so I joined them with my grumpy Magurami cat

    The quiet charm of this build is in its details. the interplay of light, texture, and geometry, and the unexpected little discoveries around each corner. 

    a whimsical snail with large eyes, with building in the background
    A cute snail, naturally with moving eyes

    Supporting Cica’s Art

    In these tightened times, when money is scarce, I know it’s a lot to ask, but if you enjoy Cica’s work, consider leaving a contribution at one of the tip jars or perhaps buying a monster as a souvenir. Your support helps her continue to build these playful and imaginative spaces for us all to enjoy.

    a tree with the top bent horizontally, bearing grey flowers, no leaves visible. In the background is a sepia sky
    A flowering tree

    A-Maze-Ing is exactly what the name promises: a playful labyrinth, an atmospheric landscape, and another reminder of how Cica Ghost can turn the simplest shapes into something magical.

    For other relevant links, see Cica’s Inworld Shop, Cica on Marketplace, Cica’s personal Flickr stream, and the Cica Flickr group. 

    For other bloggers’ views and photographs of A-Mazing-ing, take a look at posts by Inara Pey, Susann Decuir, Yse and Dido Petra Haas

    A link to see all my posts about Cica Ghost is HERE

    📌 Follow this blog for more Second Life destinations, art, and oddities.

    🌍 Join us in the Second Life Destinations Facebook Group where bloggers share new finds.
    📸 Photographers, share your snapshots in the Second Life Destinations Flickr Group.