Miami University has maintained a presence in Second Life for a number of years. Recently, yours truly began

exploring virtual education in connection with Segue, Miami University Middletown’s online literary journal. My

Second Life avatar, Phasma Lexico, quickly set up a home for Virtual Segue on MU’s main island (below). Clicking the

Segue sign provides visitors with information about Segue and Virtual Segue, and offers to teleport them to the

Dreams n Nightmares installation.

Floating 500 meters above Miami

University Island, the Dreams n

Nightmares Installation is Segue's

first attempt to explore how the

literature published in Segue might

extend into virtual reality. From

Issue 9, the editor chose to work

with Nancy Scott's poem, "My

nightmares are like that—" Scott's

poem was inspired by Rene

Magritte's painting, "The Empire of

Light II” (left).

The Dreams n Nightmares installation (above) is a 3D model of Magritte's painting that visitors in Second Life can walk

through and interact with. Clicking on various objects throughout the installation offers visitors information on Nancy

Scott, "My nightmares are like that—" her other poetry, Magritte and his work, surrealism, and dreams and

nightmares.

Several Mr. Magrittes inhabit the installation, waiting to guide visitors along.

The main house is the visitors’ first stop. The effervescent Mr. Magritte is always on hand to address

your needs, such as opening the front door.

The first floor features Virtual Segue’s main office, where you can gather general information and contact the

Virtual Editor, the esteemed Mr. Phasma Lexico. In the next room, you can relax with friends and reflect on a few of

Magritte’s painting and self-portraits. Clicking on the artwork on the walls provides instant information about each

piece.

The room pictured above features an mp3 player visitors can use to hear an audio recording of Nancy Scott’s poem,

“My nightmares are like that—“ Clicking on the Segue image opens a web browser within Second Life for instant

access to Segue on the web. Upstairs, visitors can look at some of the many incarnations of Magritte’s “The Empire

of Light” paintings. Clicking on the images provides information on Magritte, the paintings, and surrealism.

The next stop on the tour is the

Dreams n Nightmares House, an

imposing three-story structure

behind the main house. Visitors can

gather interesting factoids on

dreams on the first two floors, play

an interactive puzzle game, or relax

in cozy chairs with friends. If visitors

dare, they can ride the elevator up to

the top floor—the Nightmare Room.

Something bad happened there that

we don’t speak of anymore.

Nonetheless, clicking on objects

there will provide a variety of

information on nightmares. Visitors

are also encouraged to use one of

the many drop boxes here and

throughout the installation to submit

their own research for public

sharing.

After the Dreams n Nightmares House, visitors walk a short, mysterious path toward the final destination, The Pink

House. Along the way, feel free to engage in a little surreal nighttime gardening.

Many scholars believe Magritte’s “The Empire of Light” was inspired by a painting, “The Pink House,” by William

Degouve de Nuncques. Some scholars believe de Nuncques’ painting was in turn inspired by Poe’s “The Fall of the

House of Usher,” bringing us full circle back to the realm of literature. The Pink House invites you into a spooky,

surreal experience that illuminates all.

The tour concludes at the back of The Pink House, where the ever-attendant Mr. Magritte is waiting to congratulate

and thank you for your visit, and to offer you an instant teleport back to Miami University Island. Before you go, we

strongly suggest you share a dance with Mr. Magritte’s groupie.

We hope you enjoyed this brief visual tour of Virtual Segue’s Dreams n Nightmares installation! Of course, the images

don’t do it justice. Virtual reality platforms like Second Life offer a truly immersive experience that images alone cannot,

so we hope you decide to visit us and experience it live. You can find more information about Virtual Segue at

www.mid.muohio.edu/segue, including information on where to find Second Life and how to access Miami University

Island and Virtual Segue.

All best,

Eric Melbye, Editor

Segue online literary journal