Exploring Invisible Octopus project

 Living in the shadows of an Invisible Octopus: 

Working on ‘Invisible Octopus’ inexplicably forced me to examine and establish the truth about what is my normal. 

Corina Duyn.

Octopus- by Corina Duyn

As ‘Invisible Octopus’ was one of the most profound explorations of life with ME, the physical realty, society’s views, and the power of art, I decided to create this post for easier access of my ‘paper’. This work, these stories came from the time I worked with Dr. Emma Fisher through a mentoring bursary from the Arts & Disability Ireland Connect Scheme in 2019. 

My aim during the mentoring was to write a script for my existing puppets, as well as explore alternative forms of puppetry to accommodate the physical challenges due life with illness/disability Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).

I had been invited to submit an article for a puppetry journal about this work but felt at the time that I wanted to share my story more immediate and in a more publicly accessible format. I made the decision to share these (unedited) reflections in a series of blog post.

In this paper divided up in seven blog posts all published in 2019 with text and visuals I wrote about the background to ‘Invisible Octopus’ and the challenges, opportunities and personal revelations it brought, to the final video poem.

Many thanks for your interest.

Corina

February 2026

Still from the short film trial 

To read:

Part 1: Background to the project 

https://corinaduyn.blogspot.com/2019/11/invisible-octopus-1-background.html

Part 2:  Puppet Design dictated by illness/disability

https://corinaduyn.blogspot.com/2019/11/invisible-octopus-2-puppet-design.html

Part 3: ME and the Phoenix - rising from the ashes 

https://corinaduyn.blogspot.com/2019/12/invisible-octopus-3-me-and-phoenix.html

Part 4: ME as Invisible Octopus, acting as Puppeteer 

https://corinaduyn.blogspot.com/2019/12/invisible-octopus-4-Octopus.html 

Part 5: A Poem

https://corinaduyn.blogspot.com/2019/12/invisible-octopus-5-poem.html 

Part 6: Hanging on by a string

https://corinaduyn.blogspot.com/2019/12/invisible-octopus-6-hanging-on-by-string.html

Part 7: The play of shadows

https://corinaduyn.blogspot.com/2019/12/invisible-octopus-7-play-of-shadows.html

Little Paper Me, which issued in the shadow puppetry imagery

ALSO SEE

  * Accompanying short puppet film abstract

https://youtu.be/QnPM3nt062g?si=LrZtJXur2El3gWmT

* Final ‘Invisible Octopus’ video poem (2020)

https://youtu.be/nXlq4QiR11c?si=6nbsYGl3aApv_ou-

* Interview with Emma Windsor of Puppet Place, Bristol,UK. (2020)

https://youtu.be/fNg4jnzmjd4?si=IPbnGdbOAy6FOIQA

* This work was also shared in the ME Advocates Ireland (MEAI) online exhibition to mark Severe ME Day, August 8 2025: Let Art be a Way to Witness and Remember.

http://meadvocatesireland.blogspot.com/2025/08/let-art-be-way-to-witness-and-remember.html

* My notebook created during this process can be viewed on Youtube .

The actual notebook at my Creative Archive at Réalta, Centre for Arts and Health in Waterford, Ireland. https://realta.ie/home-news/corina-duyn-artist-in-care-donates-archive-to-realta/

Page from the notebook 

“Invisible Octopus is an extraordinary and succinct illustration of life with ME”. Réalta

Screenshot from MEAI art exhbition 

 

Thank you

 My dear, dear friends.

I hope this finds you all well in this utterly strange time. 
Life is ever changing. Life is never linear. But who would have imagined a year ago that the world would change beyond recognition. For me personally, in the strangeness of life with chronic illness, not a whole lot has changed. At least not in the way of being housebound. That simply continued as before Covid. However, unfortunately my health has taking another bit out of my life and I am making changes accordingly. Life is never linear.

As some of you are aware, last year I explored the art of shadow puppetry. This proved to be an amazingly accessible art form. I didn’t require any practical help to create. What a beautiful revelation. I could make a world in miniature by cutting a little ‘paper-me’ as well as the birds and the tree in my garden. Projection them (using an overhead projector) onto the opposite wall brought me and others into regions of my mind I had not yet explored. Over time I edited the ‘Invisible Octopus’ poem and created a very short video-poem, the shadow images as illustrations.

“Here is a poem, a story, an animation, of a life triumphant under the weight of a debilitating illness M.E., of a woman whose words are her lifeline, an inspiration to others.” Dolores Ronayne, Poet.

SEE MY ‘POEM’ PAGE FOR POEM, IMAGES, VIDEOS AND LINKS TO ARTICLES AND PODCAST RELATED TO ‘INVISIBLE OCTOPUS’.

These images were also part of an exhibition - which never really was due to Covid. Art about isolation - in isolation ... See video of the exhibition on the POEM page.

Since this time I have not really been able to have access to my creative mind. I think this will return in some shape or form after I make further changes to my lived environment and adapt to new care support.

SIMPLICITY

I have a great desire to make life much simpler. It is a need, not just a desire.

As part of this process I sorting through my collected books, course material, writing files etc etc. But also sorting through my own published books, prints, cards and bookmarks. This led to the decision to greatly reduce my online shop. 

As part of this my remaining books are now available by paying for postage cost only (or as some people are kindly doing - adding a small donation of their choice - how beautiful.)

The cards and prints etc are available as ‘Art Packs’ which have an eclectic mix of material - each pack being different. Currently I have 12 general ‘Art Packs’ packs left, and 6 of the ‘Invisible Octopus Art Packs. All at hugely reduced costs.

ALL CAN BE ORDERED FROM MY WEBSITE 

THANK YOU

I am indebted by the huge support I have received over the two decades (and more) to enable my creative mind to voice the challenges, joys and moments of gratitude of life with illness. Support from friends, family and the general public. But also from funding institutions, whom have been more than generous in their encouragements as well as financial support. 

My deepest gratitude.

FUTURE

I am sure I will find some way to continue to use my voice. To tell my story.  But again to make life simpler for me, I have decided to go back to my Blog writing, instead of creating email content/ and longer Facebook post. I would like to ask those of you who’d like to stay up to date on my ‘adventures’ to sign up for Blog updates.

You can do so by visiting the web version of this Blog https://corinaduyn.blogspot.com which will show a sign up option on the right hand side of the screen. (On a mobile device, scroll down to the bottom and click on ‘view web version’.)

Many, many thanks for being such an important part of my journey. I can not thank you enough.

Much love to you all

Corina

February 2021

‘Invisible Octopus’ translated into four languages

 

With the help of  kind friends my ‘Invisible Octopus’ Poem has been translated into four language: Spanish, German, Dutch and French.  Scroll down for:

 

• “Invisible Octopus” original poem by Corina Duyn ©2020 Further details on https://www.corinaduyn.com/site/poem/ 

• “Pulpo Invisible” translated by Myli Pincheira V.  

• “Unsichtbarer Oktopus”  translated by Heike Chlebosz 

• “Onzichtbare Octopus” vertaald met ondersteuning van Els Pieters

•  “Pieuvre Invisible” translated by Marie-Annick Desplanques 

• YouTube link to 2 minute video-poem 

 

Invisible Octopus 

by Corina Duyn 

 

The reality of life 

with the unpronounceable illness 

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

is hidden and fragile

M.E. as Invisible Octopus 

acting as puppeteer 

keeping me upright 

or making me stumble at will 

inflicting pain 

challenging my brain 

its crushing weight

taking my breath away

Rosie cheeks

looking well they say

summer is coming

happy thoughts will cure you

I live in a disbelieving world

my reality 

trivialised

dismissed 

My full time carers

witness Octopus’ destruction 

for others I simply disappear

into the shadows

I am just one in this worldwide

community of hermits

where freedom of movement

is no longer a right

Transcending gravity

I fly among the birds

Their beauty and harmony

uplifting and strengthening 

After a short flight 

Octopus attacks

Pinning me down 

immobilised 

each moment is a death 

Breathe

...

Each moment is a living

Finding peace in my solitude

I observe the dance of the trees

There is movement 

in stillness

My creative mind

the visible thread

throughout this twenty-two-year long story

Transforming pain into poetry

© Corina Duyn 2020 https://www.corinaduyn.com/site/poem/

 

Pulpo Invisible

Por Corina Duyn - Translated by Myli Pincheira V.

La realidad de una vida

con la impronunciable enfermedad 

Encefalomielitis Miálgica

es frágil y oculta

E.M como Pulpo Invisible

actúa cual titiritero

me mantiene erguida

o bien tambaleando a su antojo

infringiendo dolor

desafía a mi cerebro

su demoledor peso

me deja sin respiro

Mejillas Rosa

luces bien dicen ellos

Se acerca ya el verano

pensar positivo te curará

Vivo en un mundo que no comprende 

mi realidad

trivializada

dejada a un lado

Mis cuidadores de tiempo completo 

testigos de la destrucción de El Pulpo

Para otros yo simplemente 

desaparezco entre las sombras

Soy tan solo una más 

en esta aldea global de ermitaños 

donde la libertad de movimiento 

ya no es un derecho

Trascendiendo la gravedad

vuelo entre los pájaros

Su belleza y armonía

me alientan y fortalecen

Luego de un breve vuelo

Pulpo ataca

Acorrala

inmoviliza

cada momento es una muerte

Respiro

…

Cada momento es vida

Encuentro paz estando a solas

observo el danzar de los árboles

Hay movimiento 

en la quietud

Mi mente creativa

hilo conductor 

de estos extensos veintidós años de historia 

Transformando el dolor en poesía

© Corina Duyn 2020  https://www.corinaduyn.com/site/poem/

 

Limited edition poem booklet, prints, and greeting cards (suitable for framing) 

are available from https://www.corinaduyn.com/site/poem/

Unsichtbarer Oktopus 

Corina Duyn - translated by Heike Chlebosz

 

Die Realität des Lebens

mit der unaussprechlichen Krankheit

Myalgische Enzephalomyelitis

ist zerbrechlich und nicht sichtbar

 

M.E als Unsichtbarer Oktopus

agierend als Puppenspieler

der mich stehen

der mich fallen lässt

Der Schmerz zuführt

herausfordert

dessen erdrückende Last

mir die Luft zum Atmen nimmt

Rote Bäckchen so wie Rosie 

Gut ausschauend sagen Sie         

Der Sommer kommt 

alles wird gut glaub nur 

Aber in meiner Welt glaubt man nicht

Meine Realität

trivialisiert

ignoriert 

Mein Pflegepersonal sieht 

was der Oktopus anrichtet

Für die anderen 

verschwinde ich im Schatten

Ich bin nur eine unter vielen 

in dieser weltweiten Gemeinschaft von Einsiedlern

die das Recht verloren haben

sich frei zu bewegen

Die Schwerkraft ausser Kraft setzend

fliege ich mit den Vögeln

ihre Schönheit und Harmonie

stärkend und schön

Nach einem kurzen Flug nur

greift Oktopus an

fixiert 

immobilisiert mich

Jeder Moment ist tödlich 

Atme

...

Jeder Moment bedeutet Leben

Frieden findend mit meinem Dasein

schaue ich den Bewegungen der Bäume zu

In der Stille

liegt Bewegung

Meine Kreativität

der rote Faden

der sich durch diese zweiundzwanzig Jahre lange Geschichte zieht

verwandelt Schmerz zu Poesie 

 

© Corina Duyn 2020 https://www.corinaduyn.com/site/poem/

Still from the studio visit based around the poem:https://youtu.be/QyQJ28K_RdY

Onzichtbare Octopus  

Corina Duyn vertaald met ondersteuning van Els Pieters

De realiteit van het leven

met de onuitspreekbare ziekte

Myalgische Encefalomyelitis

is verborgen en kwetsbaar

ME als Onzichtbare Octopus

fungerend als marionettenspeler

houdt me rechtop

of laat mij struikelen wanneer hij wil

veroorzaakt pijn

manipuleert mijn hersenen

zijn verpletterende gewicht

beneemt mij de adem          

Rozige wangen                

je ziet er goed uit zeggen ze

de zomer komt eraan

positieve gedachten zullen je genezen

Ik leef in een sceptische wereld

mijn realiteit

gebagatelliseerd

verstoten         

Mijn fulltime verzorgers

zijn getuigen van Octopus’ vernietigingskracht

voor anderen verdwijn ik

in de schaduw

Ik ben er slechts één van deze wereldwijde 

gemeenschap van kluizenaars

waar bewegingsvrijheid

niet langer een recht is

De zwaartekracht overstijgend

vlieg ik tussen de vogels

Hun schoonheid en harmonie

verheffend en versterkend

Na een korte vlucht

valt Octopus aan

Haalt me neer

verplettert me

Elk moment is sterven

Ademen

...

Elk moment is leven

Vrede vindend in mijn alleen-zijn    

observeer ik de dans van de bomen

Er is beweging

in de stilte

Mijn creatieve geest

de zichtbare draad

tijdens dit al tweeëntwintig jaar durende verhaal

Pijn omgezet in pure poëzie

©️ Corina Duyn 2020 https://www.corinaduyn.com/site/poem/

Limited edition poem booklet, prints, and greeting cards (suitable for framing) 

are available from https://www.corinaduyn.com/site/poem/

Pieuvre Invisible 
par Corina Duyn Translated by Marie-Annick Desplanques 

La réalité de la vie

avec la maladie imprononçable

Encéphalomyélite  Myalgique

est cachée et fragile

E.M. comme Pieuvre Invisible 

agissant comme marionnettiste 

me gardant debout 

ou me faisant trébucher à son gré 

infligeant la douleur
défiant mon cerveau

son poids écrasant

à me couper le souffle

Les joues rosies

vous vont bien disent ils

c’est l’été qui arrive

les pensées positives vous guériront

Je vis dans un monde incrédule

ma réalité 

banalisée

écartée 

Mes soignants à temps plein

constatent la destruction de Pieuvre

pour d’autres je disparais tout simplement

dans l’ombre

Je ne suis que l’une de cette communauté 

mondiale d’ermites

où la liberté de mouvement

n’est désormais plus un droit

Transcendant la gravité

Je vole parmi les oiseaux

Leur beauté et leur harmonie

exaltantes et tonifiantes

Après un court vol 

Pieuvre attaque 

M’épinglant à terre

immobilisée

chaque instant est une mort 

Respire

...

Chaque instant est une vie

Trouvant la paix dans ma solitude

J’observe la danse des arbres

Il y a du mouvement 

dans l’immobilité

Mon esprit créatif

le fil visible

de cette histoire de vingt-deux ans

Transformant la douleur en poésie

©️Corina Duyn 2020 https://www.corinaduyn.com/site/poem/