I’m all thumbs today and having a difficult time getting a post created. This is annoying mostly because I want to try and convey something extraordinary and I worry that the message will get lost in my fumblings. So please use the links I give you to explore and learn about an installation that I think you’ll find as wonderous as I have.

There is an island inworld called The Companion↑. Admittedly there are many many islands but this one is special because it is hosting a project called Kromosomer↑ imagined/produced/supervised/nursed by Mimesis Monday↑. In the physical world Mimesis is a professional Storyteller. In fact she has been creating and sharing contemporary versions of traditional folktales since 1996 and is an Assistant Professor of Storytelling at the Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences.

The Norwegian Arts Council is sponsoring this demonstration of storytelling which uses a combination of virtual and physical elements. You have a variety of options open to you for participation in this ongoing event (including the opportunity to add your own stories) but it isn’t just avatars who will experience Kromosomer↑.

Storytelling will also take place in the “real” world and the creations we see on the grid will be an integral part of those events. Mimesis will be updating her blog↑ with more information so if that intrigues you do keep visiting to stay informed. I believe you’ll have the opportunity to help enhance the experience for the physical audience.

At the heart of this project are two folktales (although new tales will spring up in different formats daily) realized by Capcat Ragu↑ and Meilo Minotaur↑. Attgangar↑ is the story of a little girl who dies and comes back (we’re told that these ghosts might return to complete unfinished business, to get revenge or even to help a loved one). Her family becomes so used to seeing her around that they forget she died.

In addition to the fabulous landscape you will find three free avatars (the little girl as she once was, the Mother, and the Attgangar) and multiple poses. They will help you enter and tell the story as you explore. It’s a large area and you should take the time to find all the different elements and enjoy them.

High above the sim you will find the entrance to the second tale, The Skurekallen↑. This creation will immerse you in the story of what happens to the farmer who is the last to harvest his grain. The punishment for being slow is to first take care of the dreaded Skurekallen throughout the succeeding winter and then (if that wasn’t bad enough) sacrifice yourself to become a grain spirit to ensure the evil one’s continued existence.

Once again you will find free avatars (the peasant farmer in both traditional and mesh form as well as a Skurekallen) and poses. It’s a great relief to realize that you are just visiting this man’s destiny because it’s done so well that you really would not want to live it.

This is a hugely ambitious project. It’s beautiful to look at and it’s fun to become part of the story. This project will be active for the next few months and I look forward to seeing all of the different aspects of both storytelling and the use of technology to enhance physical world experiences.