What is "sandworm"

Sandworm \Sand"worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)

1. Any one of numerous species of annelids which burrow in the sand of the seashore.

2. Any species of annelids of the genus Sabellaria. They construct firm tubes of agglutinated sand on rocks and shells, and are sometimes destructive to oysters.

3. The chigoe, a species of flea.

n. 1 (context British English) The lugworm, (taxlink Arenicola marina species noshow=1). 2 (context US English) The clam worm or ragworm, (taxlink Alitta virens species noshow=1). 3 hookworm larvae, especially of (taxlink Ancylostoma braziliense species noshow=1), which cause cutaneous larva migrans. 4 The chigoe, a species of flea, ''Tunga penetrans''.

A sandworm is a fictional form of desert-dwelling creature from the Dune universe created by Frank Herbert. They first appear in the 1965 novel Dune, considered to be among the classics in the science fiction genre, and are iconic of the Dune series.

In the series, the sandworms called Shai-Hulud among the Fremen of the desert planet Arrakis (Dune) are worshipped as manifestations of "the earth deity of Fremen hearth superstitions." The Fremen believe that the actions of the sandworms are the direct actions of God, and so the worms have been given numerous titles such as the "Great Maker", "The Maker", and the "Worm who is God."(God Emperor of Dune). Virtually indestructible and with indefinite lifespans of potentially thousands of years, the giant sandworms are also referred to as the "Old Man of the Desert", "Old Father Eternity" and "Grandfather of the Desert". The worms may also be referred to by Fremen as Shaitan (Arabic الشيطان means "The Devil" (Iblīs) ), post God-Emperor. (Arabic شَؾْء خُلُود shay' khulūd means "a thing of eternity".)

Sandworm may refer to:

Sandworm (2012) is a site-specific art installation and a fusion of environmental art and architecture by Finnish architect Marco Casagrande situated on the dunes of Wenduine beach in Belgium. The curvaceous structure is made entirely from willow. The fifty-metre long organic structure stretches out between the dunes like an enormous wooden worm. It is part of the Beaufort Triennial of Contemporary art.

The installation is an organic shell built from willow branches woven through arches of various heights placed at a length of 45 meters and a height and width of 10 meters. It falls within a local long tradition of willow weaving normally more modest in scale. Sandworm has been created in an undulating shape upon the tidal beaches of Wenduine town. From a distance, the mounds of tree remnants suggest the form of a massive creature, emerging out of the ground. Up close, visitors can investigate the textured surface of the structure, and they are invited to interact with the sculpture by walking through the interior. The space is used for picnics, relaxation and “post industrial meditation”.
Building on Monet’s beliefs that it is only the surrounding atmosphere that gives subjects their true value, Casagrande works in harmony with the air and light in this architectural piece.

Casagrande describes the work as “weak architecture” – a human-made structure that wishes to become part of nature through flexibility and organic presence. The visitors are describing the Sandworm as a willow cathedral finely tuned to celebrate the site specific conditions of the Wenduine tidal beaches. As one visitor, Peter Beyen, puts it: “The artist believes that architectural control goes against nature and thus also against architecture… To the Finnish artist Marco Casagrande designing is not sufficient. Design should not replace reality. The building must grow out of the location, it must react to its environment, it must be a reflection of life and also be itself, as every other living being.” Casagrande believes that the built human environment should be a mediator between human nature and nature itself. To be part of this, man must be weak.