The 1920's Berlin Project
The 1920s Berlin Project is an historical, virtual world, created within Second Life (SL) that gives the appearance and feel of authentic Weimar culture. It was created by a real life historical consultant from the Netherlands, who goes by her avatar name, Jo Yardley. The world is designed for game players to find an escape from everyday life and discover the possibilities of undemanding German lifestyle. It is not a large community compared to other Second Life islands, but many visitors are pleased with the project’s commitment and originality.
In this world, “history is not romanticized, as Ms. Yardley has re-created Berlin’s back alleys where the poor and working class lived.” Life in the Weimar Republic for the “first half of the 1920’s was difficult due to the end of World War I that crippled Germany’s economy and sent the country into debt.”[2] Germany had to “take loans from the United States in order to generate economic recovery after 1923.”. It is not uncommon to find the beggar man, Joachim, outside of the Old Prims Shop, a clothing store, begging for shoes, after he lost everything in World War I. The neighborhood includes tiny apartments, shops, a cinema, school, hotel and night club that is run-down.
There are many signs and posters hanging on the city's walls that are written in German, but it isn’t hard to figure out their meanings. Though there are many English-speaking visitors and residents present, several other languages are regularly spoken within the city. It is, however, common for residents and visitors to use German phrases to greet one another, regardless of preferred language. Avatars can live in Berlin and as many ten tenants are currently living in apartments , which are available to rent through the purchase of Linden dollars, Second Life’s internal currency.
All conversations that take place between avatars are to be polite and [...] talk is forbidden. The dress code is strictly enforced in this world and failure to comply will be at the risk of ejection from Berlin. Ms. Yardley wants to see that all visitors and inhabitants feel as though they belong to the time period. In the entrance square, where visitors arrive by teleportation, there are free clothing boxes that allow avatars to change into costume. Women can choose from a selection of two dresses and men are offered a suit and free hair-cut. The inhabitants of the city behave graciously and speak in a dignified manner. Friedrich, the newspaper boy, is always perched on top of a bare, oak tree in front of the Nussbaum Hotel, waiting for the newspapers that never come. Jo Yardley, creator of the sim and owner of Der Keller Tanzlokal, and Mila Edelman, head of police (which patrols for clothing problems, disturbances and general rule violations), are welcoming and enjoy educating visitors, and provide any information needed.
The city is mostly known for its arts and entertainment. Der Keller Tanzlokal (Night Club), The Asta Cinema, The Odeon Theatre and The Hindenburg Schule all boast either educational videos, films, dancing, lectures or live entertainment. The most exciting and active place is the night club, Der Keller, located in one of the city’s back alleys in a basement. Most people gather at 2:00 pm in SL to drink at the bar, chat and dance with others. In Der Keller, anyone can dance the Charleston and most are willing to join in on the fun. In the Asta Cinema, a cartoon, newsreel and feature film are always shown through a YouTube TV screen. Cinema in Germany was , “an opportunity and temptation. The fact that an audience "member could sit in front of film screen and be enshrouded in darkness, made intimacy sociable and expanded the idea of unfamiliar identities.” [3] "German Expressionism was taking root in film and eventually influenced American Film Noir." The Hindenburg Schule provides other YouTube based videos that show life in 1920’s Berlin from an educational perspective.