I dreamed that Taiwan and the United States were engaged in a trade war. We were at a meeting with two American representatives: one middle-aged and the other elderly. We were provocative, trying to give old items to the U.S. The American representatives were very angry, feeling disrespected by us, and the meeting ended on a sour note.
Then the scene shifted to me walking on a campus, where I saw two young men representing the Kuomintang (KMT). They were there to introduce their paintings to the school.
They explained that the ideas expressed in the paintings represented the hopes of the people. The paintings depicted a lush garden with vibrant colors, primarily red and green. Depending on the angle, the scene in the garden would change.
I watched them speak passionately and thought, "The KMT is just now focusing on youth education, which seems a bit late, but better late than never." The paintings weren't expensive, but the passion of the artists was evident.
The two young men then asked if anyone was interested in learning to paint, and some students expressed strong interest. The young men said that although not every painter can make a lot of money, they were creating opportunities for more people to develop painting skills, providing another way to make a living. I thought this was a creative approach.
Suddenly, I felt a slight pain in my lower abdomen, which grew increasingly severe, disrupting the harmony I had felt before. I interpreted this pain as a metaphor for the government's attempt to gloss over issues, but this tactic was no longer effective. The people had awakened and wanted to escape the invisible walls built by the government to explore the outside world.
As I pondered whether these young men’s works still qualified as artistic creations, it seemed like the painting spoke to me, saying, "The government operates like this now, so we have no choice but to follow suit."
I examined the painting again and felt I could see the key points of the people's message to the government emerging one by one in the artwork.
夢見台灣跟美國好像在打貿易戰。我們在一個會議場合，美方代表兩人，一位中年人、一位老年人。我們就是挑釁，要把舊的東西給美國。美方代表很生氣，認為我們很看不起他們。雙方不歡而散。
然後場景切到我在一個校園裡面走，看到兩個年輕男生，代表國民黨，來到學校想要介紹他們的畫作。
他們說畫中展現的意念，代表人民的期待。畫中是個茂盛的花園，很多色彩，更多紅色綠色搭配。隨著不同角度，畫中花園景象也在改變。
我在旁邊看他們義正詞嚴地演說，心想：「國民黨現在才來做青年人的教育，似乎有點晚，不過有做總比沒做好。」這畫作並不貴，但可以感受到畫家熱情的作品。
然後那兩位年輕人詢問大家是否有人想要學習作畫，有些學生表達強烈的意願。年輕人說雖然不是每個畫家都能賺很多錢，但他們在創造機會，讓更多人可以開發其他的能力來作畫，也是多一種謀生的方式。我覺得這是一個有創意的方法。
突然間，我的身體下腹部感到微微刺痛，但痛感越來越嚴重，破壞我之前感受的和諧感。我認為這就是政府想要粉飾太平的態度。但現在這招已經沒有用了，人民已經覺醒，要離開政府建造的隱形圍牆，到外面世界去探索。
當我正在思考這兩位年輕人這作品是否仍算是藝術創作時，此時好像作品有個聲音對我說：「現在政府都是這樣子的運作，所以我們不這樣子做不行了。」
我再重新端詳畫作，感覺看到人民想要對政府表達心聲的重點，一個一個在作品上顯現出來。
Optimistic Ending
Suddenly, the pain in my lower abdomen started to fade, replaced by a warm, comforting sensation. The painting in front of me seemed to glow with renewed vibrancy, and I realized that it wasn't just a reflection of the people's hopes, but also of their resilience and strength. The two young men announced that they had formed a new movement dedicated to transparency, truth, and artistic freedom. Inspired, the students began to collaborate, creating a new mural on campus that symbolized unity and progress. I walked away feeling hopeful, believing that genuine change was possible through collective effort and creative expression.
Pessimistic Ending
The pain in my lower abdomen grew unbearable, and I fell to the ground, clutching my stomach. The vibrant colors of the painting began to bleed together, losing their definition and clarity. The two young men looked at me with pity but continued their speech, now sounding more like a hollow echo of government propaganda. The students' enthusiasm waned as they realized the limitations and barriers they would face. I tried to get up, but the weight of the invisible walls built by the government felt too heavy. The dream ended with a sense of defeat and hopelessness, as the vibrant garden faded into a dull, lifeless landscape.
Surreal Ending
As I pondered the meaning of the young men's artwork, the painting began to change, the flowers and greenery morphing into abstract shapes and symbols. The colors swirled around me, and I found myself lifted off the ground, floating through the canvas. The pain in my abdomen transformed into a tingling sensation of enlightenment. I heard whispers of forgotten truths and untold stories. The campus dissolved, and I was now in a vast, cosmic garden, where each star was a seed of potential. The young men appeared beside me, now as ethereal guides, leading me to understand that reality itself was fluid and ever-changing. The dream ended with a feeling of boundless possibility and the understanding that change starts from within.
Realistic Ending
The pain in my lower abdomen lingered but became manageable. I stood up and took a deep breath, deciding to engage with the young men. I asked them about their plans and challenges, and we discussed the role of art in societal change. More students joined the conversation, and soon, a lively debate ensued about politics, education, and the future. The young men admitted that their journey was just beginning and that they needed support and collaboration. The dream ended with a sense of realistic optimism, acknowledging the difficulties ahead but also the potential for meaningful dialogue and incremental progress.
Mysterious Ending
As the pain in my lower abdomen intensified, the scene around me started to shift. The campus and the painting began to blur, replaced by an ancient, mystical forest. The two young men were now dressed as guardians of this enchanted place, their paintings transformed into magical portals. They handed me a brush and urged me to paint my own path. With each stroke, the pain in my abdomen subsided, and I felt a profound connection to the world around me. The forest revealed hidden secrets and ancient wisdom, and I understood that the real battle was not against external forces, but within myself. The dream ended with an air of mystery, leaving me to ponder the deeper meanings and hidden messages of my subconscious journey.
This dream appears to reflect deep-seated concerns and thoughts about current political and social issues, both domestically and internationally. Here's a breakdown of the key elements and their potential meanings:
Trade War between Taiwan and the United States:
This suggests anxiety or concerns about international relations and trade tensions. The attempt to give old items to the U.S. and the resulting anger from the American representatives could symbolize feelings of inadequacy or fear of being perceived as inferior or not taken seriously on the global stage.
Meeting with American Representatives:
The two representatives, one middle-aged and one elderly, might represent established powers or traditional authorities. The meeting ending on a sour note could indicate a sense of frustration or pessimism regarding diplomatic or political negotiations.
Campus Scene and the Kuomintang (KMT):
The shift to a campus suggests a focus on education and youth. The two young men representing the KMT introducing their paintings might symbolize efforts by political entities to connect with younger generations and address their aspirations and concerns.
The lush garden with vibrant colors changing from different angles can represent a desire for growth, vitality, and a dynamic future. It might also symbolize the complexity and multi-faceted nature of society’s hopes and dreams.
Thoughts on KMT’s Timing and Efforts:
The thought that the KMT's focus on youth education is late but better than never indicates a mix of skepticism and cautious optimism about political initiatives aimed at engaging the youth.
Pain in Lower Abdomen:
This physical pain disrupting the previous harmony could symbolize underlying discomfort or unease about the current state of affairs. It may represent a growing awareness of unresolved issues or dissatisfaction that can no longer be ignored.
Government’s Glossing Over Issues:
The interpretation of the pain as the government's attempt to gloss over issues reflects a critical view of political leadership and their handling of problems. The feeling that this tactic is no longer effective suggests a belief that people are becoming more aware and less tolerant of superficial solutions.
Voice from the Painting:
The painting "speaking" about the necessity to conform to government practices indicates a perception of systemic pressures and constraints on creativity and expression. It reflects a concern that artists and citizens might feel compelled to align with the prevailing political climate, even if it conflicts with their true desires.
People’s Messages in the Artwork:
Finally, seeing the people's messages emerging in the artwork signifies a hope or belief that true sentiments and demands will eventually come to light, despite attempts to suppress or ignore them. It emphasizes the power of art and expression in conveying deeper truths and rallying collective sentiment.
Overall, the dream encapsulates themes of political tension, societal change, generational shifts, and the struggle between genuine expression and systemic pressures. It reflects a complex interplay of skepticism, hope, and a desire for a more transparent and responsive political environment.