Do slugs dream? – Sculpture by Addé 2018
Do slugs dream ?
A long time ago, even before time existed, in a remote galaxy eventually turned to vacuum, a brilliant civilisation had reached what could be regarded as perfection.
Having resolved all individual and collective problems, in a struggle free society, they were cultivating beauty, and beauty only.
But their world was collapsing, and they had to find another planet compatible with their way of living.
Alas, they could not find any, as all the places they searched were ravaged by all sorts of incompatible forms and behaviours.
Eventually, they found Earth which was not better than their previous results.
Yet they found out that they could live there spared of all threats.
They would not have any predators, they were too discreet to attract any attention of any kind and the salt water was a perfect biotop.
So, they settled here in the seas and oceans, cultivating beauty, brilliant colours and delightful patterns and shapes, all together in perfect quietude, dreaming.
Those, my friends, are the sea slugs. Extraterrestrial indeed, but who would care to even notice them ?
Well, someone has : Early XXth century, Kumataro Ito, a talented Japanese illustrator did! He skilfully observed and painted those wonderful creatures.
Look for his delicate paintings which can be seen at the National Museum of Natural History, in Washington D.C. as well as in a recent article of The Public Domain Review (https://publicdomainreview.org/collections/kumataro-itos-illustrations-of-nudibranchs/) we highly recommand for all their amazing publications.
Do slugs dream ? © Addé 2018 – photos Xea B.
A sculpture as a simple tribute to life.
I’ve often wondered if the small creatures we find around us dream, think, laugh etc. I like to think they do, in some way.
Since a butterfly dreamt being Lao Tseu (and vice versa) I believe all creatures dream, including the non-sleeping one who must be day-dreaming. Being a caterpillar requires dreaming to become a butterfly “First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is” (Donovan leitch).
Do slugs dream? It’s a question I never thought to ask.
And vice versa! Do slugs smug? How little do we know of nature? Thank you for your humorous comment, then I have a question for you: do scones laugh?
Every so often I bake a batch that I could swear is making fun of me, so probably.
I knew it! I knew it! Once I found a croissant smirking, then it said “I’m baked” when asked why…
I guess it can’t be otherwise, for that sure looks surreal! 🙂
One day, technology will allow us to record dreams, and it might be surprising…
Yup. Happens all the time.
At last! Now I am not alone anymore, and one day, the world will know!