Finding Dodo

Artist list

Marion Delarue, Lore Langendries, Märta Mattsson, Jelizaveta Suska

Mysterious species hide at the bottom of our oceans and in the dark corners of our world. Magical animals and mythical creatures have existed in our fantasies since the beginning of human consciousness. Some species have become extinct and some might have only existed in our minds. Tales of unicorns and mermaids might be fiction, but science cannot explain everything. According to some recent theories, dinosaurs might have been covered with fur and there are humans who claim to have been abducted by alien lifeforms. Can we tell what is fake and what is real? The extinct bird dodo’s appearance in life is evidenced only by drawings and written explanations from the 17th century. Because these vary considerably, and because only some illustrations are known to have been drawn from live specimens, its exact appearance in life remains unresolved. How much has the human factor interfered in our modern perception of what a dodo looked like? Humans have a need for uncanny objects, and we have an inner urge to seek distraction and relief from unpleasant realities, especially by seeking entertainment or engaging in fantasy. Sigmund Freud considered escapist fantasies a necessary element in the life of humans.