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I am so utterly spellbound by this place, and by Whystler as an artist. My introduction to his products was the Dungeon Maze, which I bought because it seemed so innovative and new. It is wonderful, though I confess I haven't really used it much,^^ but this Hedge garden is what truly has brought me to appreciate Whystler and what he does.
While many a developer trips over their own ego showing off what they can do on IMVU, Whystler is one of those rare true *artists* here. There is a message and a spirit, not simply a desire to be "better than" or "make more than" or "have more fans than." In fact, I bet Whystler cares little about the "thans" in general in most aspects of his life, though, sadly, I have never had a real conversation with him. This review is entirely without any personal bias.
This hedge, while being quite beautiful, with excellent, detailed, whimsical textures and fluid animation, also manages to do something else so rare...it inspires. The pink-gold light and gentle mist create a timeless time from dreams. The carefully cobbled pathways, the just-too-high hedges and their perfectly painted shrubbery all combine to create an experience of being somewhere *else*. I suggest that even when you place furniture in this room, you *never* make the mistake I made and use Bird's Eye. Instead, make it a mission to explore this space, adding furniture *as you go*. That's what I was doing originally, but I thought I'd explored it all...I found what I thought was "the secret," so when I went back to decorate, on a different, less magical day, I just went to bird's eye and started looking around. Alas, this is unfortunately how I came upon the true secret. A magical moment of discovery lost to me forever because of impatience. Don't let this happen to you!^^ Heed my advice.
And what a beautiful "secret" it is...the mark of an artist with a message, and who understands the medium as the message, something that can be seen in a few developers around IMVU who are perhaps successful, but clearly not creating simply for profit or to show off their skills. Looking through Whystler's fantastic and fascinating catalog again today, I saw not just amazingly crafted products, but a man's sweet and golden heart. You can't fake the kind of open gentle awareness and creativity that exudes from Whystler's creations, and, though I still don't own nearly all of his products, this Hedge Maze really seems to capture a lot of that essence. It is a place for walking or sitting, for taking the time, for being alone and reflective, or being with another or others, sharing. It is beautiful *beyond* it's construction and truly, even beyond it's function. It is simply an actual work of art by one who has clearly mastered the tools available to him here. And rather than intimidate, Whystler and his world seem only to inspire. Rather than make me feel small (as a "wannabe" developer^^), Whystler inspires me to dream of what I might do, and to be *thankful* for what he does so well. The man's shining soul, I think, must be quite as beautiful as his work, for it enlightens and enlivens everything he does...even the darkest, dankest dungeon. But, ah, that is another review, isn't it?^^
Note: BellaMorte's tip to slow it down sounds excelllent...I will definitely be trying that. Many thanks, BellaMorte.^^
Rating:  [5 of 5 Flaming Jalapenos!] |
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