Title of entry: Southern Grignano and Grignano Art Museum Description: The entry is what I refer to as "Southern Grignano". It comprises 3 small-to-medium peninsulas on the southern edge of what's known in Second Life as Nova Albion, an attempt by the game designers at creating an urban framework with which the residents could build on. Over the last year and a half, oddly enough, the different regions of the City (Grignano, Miramare, Barcola, and Sistiana) have developed their own "characters", as residents build around each other's ideas. Grignano managed to develop a character similar to an old American city; brick walk-ups, small loft apartments, street-level shops, and so on. The land is surrounded by Linden canals, making large structures difficult. Building vertically is encouraged. Southern Grignano has gone through many changes; prior to the art museum, it housed my personal home, a coffee shop, some small businesses, a photo gallery, and EIk's Pub. Today, it houses 4 main structures. 1) Grignano Public Art Museum -- the just-completed crown jewel of the area. Designed specifically with SL in mind, with wide entrances, tall ceilings, and open space. Flying (in which all residents of SEcond Life can do) is used to get to the top floors. It is currently filling up with resident-created artwork for public display and discussion. At the top is a clock that chimes on the hours. 2) Eik's Pub -- created as a hangout spot for residents, it specifically is used to host "online drinking parties", where folks come online with keyboard in hand (and a few drinks) :) The walkway in front of it is currently under redesign; previously it stretched across the entirety of the Sim. It will again soon. Many people sit on the walkway to watch the sunset. 3) Old Photo Gallery Building -- stone structure with gothic influences, it housed photographs by Launa Fauna. They have since been moved to the main Museum. The building is currently being renovated for office/retail space. 4) Grignano Arch -- large piece of architectural art that spans the canals, the Arch measures over 90 meters tall. Something of a minor landmark in SL. Many people arrive in Grignano during their first days in the world of Second Life (it is nearby the main dropoff point for new folks), and the area gets steady traffic. It has become a favorite hangout for people to come by and contemplate quietly while the sun moves overhead. At night, the automatic lights on the walkway light up to illuminate the area. The area has also housed several resident meetings, political groups, and parties; Grignano has gained a small reputation as an "intellectual" area as a result. I've always designed my buildings to be easily-accessible within SL, and these are no exception; wide entrances, large, open spaces, and enough room for the game camera to move around comfortably. Location of entry: Second Life (www.secondlife.com), Grignano (113, 80)
		http://www.lordfly.com/SL/Snapshot_001.jpg -- a front picture of the entrance of the art museum		http://www.lordfly.com/SL/Snapshot_006.jpg -- Rear view of the museum and Eik's Pub.
		http://www.lordfly.com/SL/Snapshot_002.jpg -- an internal shot of the main room of the museum, with resident art and sculptures adorning the interior		http://www.lordfly.com/SL/Snapshot_007.jpg -- A side view of Southern Grignano, including the smaller building that used to house resident photography (currently being converted to office space). The arch is better seen here as it stretches over the entirety of the area.
		http://www.lordfly.com/SL/Snapshot_003.jpg -- second floor of the main building of the museum, still awaiting resident art to be displayed (know of any artists? :) )		http://www.lordfly.com/SL/Snapshot_008.jpg -- Frontal view of Eik's pub and the brick walkway up to the front door.
		http://www.lordfly.com/SL/Snapshot_004.jpg -- Another frontal view of the Museum.		http://www.lordfly.com/SL/Snapshot_009.jpg -- internal shot of Eik's pub.
		http://www.lordfly.com/SL/Snapshot_005.jpg -- A rear view of the museum, with the base of the great Grignano Arch in the foreground.