Bruce with Loki 🙃🙂

🗓⏰️😴 My leopard geckos are kept in the basement every winter from December to February. There I can ensure the optimal temperatures so that the geckos follow their internal clock. Many animals and plants take a break in the winter. This is called dormancy.

🌡📉😴 Dormancy, from the Latin dormire (to sleep), refers to periods during which the development of organisms or biological processes slows down or temporarily halts. These periods can be triggered by external factors but are also influenced by genetic and hormonal mechanisms. Dormancy plays a vital role in helping animals and plants survive harsh environmental conditions.

☃️🦎 For ectothermic animals like lizards, the cold-induced state of inactivity differs from the hibernation seen in endothermic species. To describe this distinct phenomenon, the term brumation was introduced in the 1920s.

🍁❄️ Reptiles typically enter brumation in late autumn, though the exact timing varies by species. During this state, they may periodically wake to drink water but refrain from eating and return to their dormant state. Prior to brumation, reptiles often consume larger amounts of food, but as temperatures drop, their appetite diminishes, and they may stop eating altogether. However, they must continue to hydrate. Brumation can last anywhere from one to eight months, depending on factors such as ambient temperature, the reptile's size, age, and overall health. In their first year, many young reptiles do not fully enter brumation; instead, they exhibit reduced activity and eat less frequently. Like hibernation, brumation is triggered by cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours in winter.

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🌐👾 Monster Planet (2006)

The shapes appear chaotic, almost like a struggle between order and decay. The separation of the areas through colors and textures suggests a contrast between different states: life and death, clarity and confusion, nature and destruction.

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Lindworm (2007)

🐉The Lindwurm of Germanic mythology and the Horned Serpent of North American indigenous traditions are striking examples of how cultures around the world have woven snake-like creatures with supernatural powers into their myths. Despite vast geographical distances, these beings share remarkable similarities in their depictions and symbolic roles.

🐲 Both creatures are described as elongated, serpent-like beings, often adorned with horns—a marker of their otherworldly power. Both are sometimes depicted with legs or wings, while the Horned Serpent is known for its glowing scales and close association with water. Both act as guardians of sacred sites, water sources, or treasures, embodying a balance between power and vulnerability.

🎯 A notable shared feature is their weakness: in European myths, the Lindwurm is often slain by targeting an unprotected scale, whereas the Horned Serpent’s "7th spot" is a physical weak point housing vital organs. This vulnerability often becomes the key to a hero’s victory.

🐍 Similar snake-like beings appear in other cultures: the Naga in India, Chinese dragons, and the Babylonian Musḫuššu all share associations with water and roles as guardians or intermediaries between worlds.

🦕🐋🐍 The similarities between these myths are likely no coincidence. Fossils of large dinosaurs or marine reptiles may have inspired the idea of massive, serpent-like creatures with horns or wings. Additionally, observations of snakes and lizards in nature contributed to these creatures’ elevation as mythical symbols. Their duality—representing both life-giving and destructive forces—reflects universal human experiences.

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❄️ Snow Landscape (2009, oil on cardboard 50 x 65 cm)

Distraction can be something similar to the image of emptiness, although it resembles overcrowding. It can be both longing and hostage.

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Synaptic Optic (2008)

A fictional / symbolic representation:

The green "flower" represents an algae in resemblance of a neuron. The spiral stands for light and transformation and acts here as a technical component. The wires reveal a neuron. The star-shaped one is the soma and the closed circle is the cell nucleus. The chain-like shape is the axon. Overall, the wire mesh is intended to represent a neuromorphic computer.

Neurons can be controlled optogenetically. Optogenetics is a method that allows neurons to be activated or inhibited by light. This is achieved by genetically introducing light-sensitive proteins into the neurons. The genes for this come from algae and bacteria.

When I created the picture, optogenetic techniques, where light is used to specifically activate neurons, made significant progress and opened new possibilities for controlling neural activity.

There were also major developments in brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), with both non-invasive methods like EEG and invasive techniques such as implanted electrodes being refined to extract precise brain signals. Robots and other devices began using these signals to perform human-like movements or assist people with disabilities. Machine learning was increasingly used to decode these brainwaves and turn them into actionable commands. Artificial intelligence helped analyze neural patterns and translate them into actions, taking the interaction between humans and machines to a new level.

These advancements seemed no longer just futuristic but immediately achievable. The idea of merging human biology with technology was fascinating and offered a glimpse into a future that was already becoming a reality. Today, this topic remains a source of endless creative and technological possibilities, continuing to shape not only how we understand the world, but also how we interact with technology and how it is transforming our society and lives.

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Sleepless (2008)

😵‍💫 The light is central and intense, almost like a spotlight that mercilessly focuses on the state of insomnia. It allows no escape into the darkness that one seeks when sleeping. The words "sleepless" repeated several times seem like a constant echo coming from the darkness. They represent the inner voices or the spiral of thoughts that are typical of people with insomnia: "Will I ever fall asleep? What if I'm tired tomorrow?"

🛌 If falling asleep is challenging, various mindfulness practices can help calm the mind and relax the body. Here are some effective techniques:

😌 Body-Scan Meditation

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Gradually focus your attention on different parts of your body, starting from your toes up to your head. Notice any tension and consciously let it go.

👄 4-7-8 Breathing Technique

a) Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds.
b) Hold your breath for 7 seconds.
c) Exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 seconds.

🔁 Repeat this 4–6 times.

💭 Thought Awareness

When thoughts arise, notice them without judgment. Imagine your thoughts as clouds drifting across the sky. Return your focus to your breath whenever you get distracted.

👂 Mindful Listening

Play a guided meditation, soft music, or nature sounds (e.g., rain or waves). Focus solely on the sounds and let other thoughts fade into the background.

💝 Gratitude Ritual

Think of three things you’re grateful for, no matter how small. Spend a few moments reflecting on each one and feel the gratitude deeply.

🏝 Visualization Exercise

Imagine a safe, peaceful place, like a beach or forest. Focus on the details: What does it smell like? What sounds do you hear? Stay in this imagery until you feel relaxed.

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A Cry for Survival (2007)

I often used photographs of myself in my early works. This meant I could freely choose the perspective and pose without having to worry about usage rights. At the time I was doing my technical vocational training and from afternoon to evening I created digital collages. Every two weeks I had a session with my therapist because of ADHD and at the time I was a student at Dieter Schiele's painting school, also about every two weeks. But he was never able to do anything with my collages and we mainly concentrated on realistic nature drawings on paper. However, I always liked to experiment and in the quick engagement with snippets of images, internal processes could be projected unhindered.

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Vincent, it’s important to rest. The world can wait!

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Just being there.

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I quickly put a smile in the snow! ❄️☃️

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