Second Glances with Arabella

Kaiden Tray’s landscapes have long been celebrated in the Second Life community for their beauty, expressiveness, and creativity. Works such as Wandering New York demonstrate his rare ability to merge artistry with immersion, creating spaces where residents can explore, gather, and experience beauty that feels alive. His latest creation, Costa di Luce, rivals his finest work—an evocative, transportive sim that invites visitors into a vibrant yet serene world, crafted with meticulous care and an unerring eye for detail. True to Kaiden’s reputation, it radiates authenticity, artistic resilience, and sensory richness. Whether you come seeking a peaceful retreat or a creative playground, Costa di Luce will capture your imagination—and won’t let it go easily.

Inspired by the hills of Tuscany in central Italy—a region revered for its breathtaking landscapes, deep history, and enduring cultural legacy—Costa di Luce offers countless delights for the wandering soul. Rolling hills unfurl across the countryside, dressed in vineyards, olive groves, and fields of flora. Lush pathways meander into shaded lanes and dirt trails that curve out of sight, each turn promising a new discovery. The effect is timeless: though newly built in the virtual world, it feels as though it has stood for centuries.

Authentic Italian homes nestle into hillsides and peek from behind groves of trees. Along the waterfront, sunlit plazas hum with life—friends gathering over coffee, neighbors lingering in conversation, sea breezes carrying the scent of salt and warmth. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the clink of cutlery from nearby cafés, smell garlic sauces simmering, and catch the aroma of bread baking in stone ovens. For me, the visit became an exercise in exuberance—channeling Schoolhouse Rock, I practically had to “unpack my adjectives.”

After strolling what must have been miles through the countryside, I found myself in the Piazza di Spagna, a lively public square on the sea, tucked into the hillside. Surrounded by weathered, rambling buildings, I settled at a small café table with a brisk espresso in hand, watching the sun sink into the calm, boat-dotted waters of the Mediterranean. The moment was invigorating, almost convincing me to book a real-life trip to Italy.

Costa Di Luce is also notable for its very effective use of perspective, making it feel like it multilayered and much larger than the single region it occupies. This is part of the magic and artistry of Second Life immersive experiences, when the designer is able to pull off a sense of expansiveness and realism that makes you feel very much in a new place.

The sections of town, while not very deep, have multiple levels with winding staircases that take you to whole new public spaces and intimate corners alike. I was happy to find some of my favorite stores represented here, such as Mellow Elie, tucked away in one such corner, blending seamless into the village as if it had always been here, and I enjoyed a warm cup of coffee here while watching tourists meander along the winding streets.

That is the magic of Kaiden Tray’s work—he doesn’t simply create a setting; he gives you the experience of being there. Costa di Luce is not just a place to visit; it’s a place to savor, a place that reminds you of what’s possible when artistry, imagination, and heart converge in the virtual world. If immersive environments are your passion, you cannot miss it.

What to Expect from Costa di Luce

• Rich, Immersive Detail: Expect the unexpected—lots of foliage, weathered textures, and whimsically scattered details that ground the scene in realism, making you really feel the sense of place
• Inspirational Backdrops: Costa di Luce reflects an Italian coastal aesthetic brimming with architectural charm and natural beauty, making you feel like you have travelled to a distant land and culture.
• Experiential Elements: Costa di Luce is brimming with countless spaces that invite exploration, socializing, and just stopping to take it all in. For photographers it will be an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord of opportunity to indulge in your craft.
• How to Visit: SLURL http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SLEA4/59/122/24

Hosted by the Second Life Endowment for the Arts (SLEA)

Hosting this spectacular build is the Second Life Endowment for the Arts, which was founded in 2021 as the spiritual successor to the Linden Endowment for the Arts, which existed from 2010-2019. SLEA consists of several themed virtual regions—covering genres like machinima, visual arts, performing arts, literature, and art education—designed to foster creativity and showcase diverse artistic expression.

Hope to see you there and if you run into me, let’s share a cup of espresso!

Ciao! ~ Arabella

Post Notes:

As my explorations of this amazing work continues, I will be adding updated information, pictures and discoveries which I hope will entice you over to visit. It’s really too much to see in one trip and you’ll find new things to see each time you come by!

Photos by Birchbark Studio