In a world where history often feels fixed and unchangeable, artist Ravi Jetshan breathes new life into the extinct dodo, transforming it from a forgotten relic into a vibrant symbol of reinvention. Inspired by the rebellious spirit of Dadaism, Jetshan’s art shatters traditional boundaries, inviting us to see the dodo not as a static icon of extinction but as a fluid emblem of identity and transformation.
Through digital sculpting, immersive installations, and collaborative creativity, he deconstructs familiar narratives and reconstructs them into provocative, interactive experiences. Jetshan’s work challenges us to rethink our relationship with nature, memory, and art itself, blurring the lines between past and future, reality and imagination. In this unfolding movement called DodOisme, the extinct bird becomes a powerful catalyst for dialogue, inviting us all to participate in a collective journey of discovery and reflection.
Table of Contents
Who is Ravi Jetshan?
Ravi Jetshan is a Mauritian artist and designer who blends digital sculpture, conceptual art, and jewelry craftsmanship to explore themes of identity, impermanence, and human impact on nature. In 2018, he embarked on a three-year journey to understand the dodo, leading to the creation of DodOisme. This artistic movement reimagines the extinct bird as a symbol of cultural reclamation.
Inspired by Dadaism, Jetshan’s work challenges conventional narratives, using scientific findings and digital techniques to reconstruct the dodo’s presence in contemporary art. His 2022 exhibition showcased digital sculptures, reflecting on the transition from Mauritius’ lush biodiversity to urban landscapes.
Beyond art, Jetshan’s Dodo Park initiative integrates holograms and virtual reconstructions, bridging history, conservation, and artistic expression. His work invites audiences to reconsider human impact on nature and the fragility of existence.
Deconstruction and Rebirth: Ravi Jetshan’s DodOisme and the Spirit of Dada
Ravi Jetshan’s artistic journey, encapsulated in the movement he calls “DodOisme,” is a vivid testament to the power of deconstruction and reinterpretation in contemporary art. Drawing inspiration from Dadaism - a radical early 20th-century movement that rejected conventional aesthetics and logic - Jetshan’s work challenges the static narratives surrounding the extinct dodo, transforming it into a dynamic symbol of identity, loss, and renewal.
Digital Sculpture as a Medium
Jetshan utilizes digital sculpting to create mutable dodos, enabling endless manipulation and reimagining of forms. This approach mirrors Dadaist collage and assemblage techniques, where fragmented elements are combined to create new meanings. By breaking down and reconstructing the dodo's image, Jetshan invites viewers to question the nature of representation and memory, highlighting the potential for infinite variation in his work.
Symbolic Deconstruction
Jetshan's sculptures challenge traditional depictions of the dodo as a static symbol of extinction and human folly. Instead, he presents the bird as a fluid, evolving symbol, evoking Dadaism's rejection of realism. This process of symbolic deconstruction explores themes of identity, transformation, and resilience, transforming the dodo into a canvas for contemplation.
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
Jetshan's practice emphasizes collaboration, inviting scientists, writers, and artists to contribute to the evolving narrative of DodOisme. This collective approach transforms the movement from a singular artistic vision into a vibrant, interdisciplinary conversation, channeling the Dadaist spirit of artistic anarchy and communal creation, breaking down disciplines, and fostering shared authorship.
Interactive and Conceptual Art
Jetshan's Dodo Park project utilizes holograms, virtual reconstructions, and interactive exhibits to transform the art-viewing experience into an immersive, participatory experience. This move evokes the Dadaists' performance art, blurring the boundaries between the artist, the artwork, and the audience. Jetshan's installations encourage viewers to engage, question, and co-create meaning, transforming the act of viewing art.
Art as Social Commentary
Jetshan's work is deeply political. His sculptures explore broader questions about humanity's impact on nature, extinction, and the construction of identity. Like the Dadaists, Jetshan uses art as a form of provocation, challenging comfortable narratives and prompting critical reflection. His dodo symbolizes loss and is a catalyst for dialogue about the future of art and the environment.
DodOisMe Exhibition in 2022
The DodOisMe exhibition was well received, with visitors engaging deeply with its digital sculptures and conceptual themes. The artworks explored impermanence, identity, and ecological fragility, utilising interactive installations to challenge perceptions of extinction and human impact on the natural world.
Notable Artworks & Themes
"Dodo Reconstructed" - Fragmented digital sculpture that reimagines the dodo’s lost form, reflecting on historical uncertainty and identity reclamation.
"Echoes of Extinction" - Holographic installation showing the dodo fading in and out, symbolizing human-induced disappearance.
"Anthropocene Reflections" - Pieces linking the dodo’s extinction to modern environmental crises, urging viewers to reconsider their relationship with nature.
Public & Critical Reception
The exhibition sparked discussions on Mauritian heritage, with many praising its innovative approach to cultural storytelling.
Critics highlighted its blend of art and activism, noting how it redefined the Dodo beyond a historical relic.
The Dodo Park initiative gained traction, expanding the project’s reach into education and conservation.
Conclusion
Ravi Jetshan's DodOisme showcases how contemporary artists can use Dadaism's legacy to create new art and thought. Through digital deconstruction, collaborative practice, and immersive installations, Jetshan transforms the dodo into a symbol of creativity, resilience, and collective identity. His work emphasizes that art's greatest power lies in asking questions that shape our understanding of the world, not in providing answers.
As Ravi Jetshan’s DodOisme takes flight, it leaves us with more than just reimagined sculptures—it offers a new lens through which to view extinction, identity, and the very purpose of art. By channeling the disruptive energy of Dadaism, Jetshan transforms the dodo from a symbol of finality into one of endless possibility, urging us to question what we accept as history and truth. His digital sculptures and immersive experiences beckon us to participate, collaborate, and see ourselves reflected in the ever-evolving story of the dodo. In doing so, Jetshan’s work becomes a living dialogue that blurs the boundaries between artist and audience, past and future.
Ultimately, DodOisme is not just about reviving a lost bird; it’s about reigniting our collective imagination and reminding us that, through art, even extinction can give rise to new beginnings and bold reinterpretations.
