THE DREAM

Nature responds dramatically to the destruction wrought by humanity.

While sitting in a car headed to a home in the woods, a pale-skinned, dark-haired child gazes upon an industrial landscape. The youngster’s view of chugging factories, overflowing dumpsters, landfills, and wastewater captures humanity’s sphere of influence. Arriving home, the child reflects and ponders a solution. By the light of the moon, our protagonist watches a wolf howl for its kin. The sound brings what appears to be simply a cloud formation, then stars, then the eyes of a whirlwind of wolves. This magical swarm forms one immense wolf, who bends to acknowledge the watching child. Though it’s a dreamy experience, when morning comes, the world begins to change. Giant animals appear everywhere: An ant flies beside an airplane, an iguana halts deforestation, and a polar bear dwarfs an ocean oil rig. While some humans look on in confusion, a group of children, led by the strong-minded protagonist, form the outline of a massive person to stand beside the beasts. This wordless, intense narrative celebrates nature’s grandeur, ubiquity, and worth by having animals literally loom large. In good company with Shaun Tan’s and Guojing’s visually rich, affectingly allegorical work, this is a resonant reminder to resist ecological encroachment and stand up for nature.

A simple message of environmental protection, skillfully conveyed.