THE JUSTICE PALACE IN BRUSSELS & NAUTI OCTOPUS

"The octopus is often regarded as one of the planet's most intelligent creatures."
This statement is contentious, influenced by a human-centered perspective. Sadly, this viewpoint has also linked the octopus to corruption, malevolence, and entanglement. 

Additionally, we have two fun facts to share with you: 
1. Our book "The Urban Revolution is a Fun Sketch" was officially released on November 1st. The cover features the Justice Palace of Brussels depicted as a giant octopus. Can you guess why?
2. On November 29th, a giant octopus sculpture unexpectedly appeared in front of the Justice Palace of Brussels. It's also known as "Nauti Octopus." Can you guess why? 

In our view, the controversial history of the Justice Palace in Brussels, marked by exploitation, colonialism, slavery, displacement, and corruption, can be symbolically represented by an octopus. The octopus's tentacles are a fitting metaphor for taking something without being present at the scene, or in other words, stealing with a perfect alibi. 

Conversely, the octopus sculpture is crafted in honor of the renowned French sci-fi author Jules Verne (the writer of "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea"). Before its final placement in Amiens, France, it will be showcased in Brussels for a few months. 

Interestingly, one of the sculptors, François Schuiten, is part of an exceptional duo of artists who created a series of graphic novels focused on architecture and urban design issues called "Les Cités Obscures" (The Dark Cities). Brussels' urban planning often inspires this comic series, and thus, the sculpture aims to place the Justice Palace in a surreal "Dark City" context, much like the comic.
In this context, we find it fascinating that François Schuiten shares similar metaphors with us regarding the Justice Palace.
As a building that is part of a dark city, it can be explained through the octopus metaphor with its long tentacles. 

Here is an affiliated link from the great comic book "Brussels: A momentous dream" (commissions earned)

EU: https://amzn.to/3ZHG7Tp
US: https://amzn.to/49nPqvb