Cats can paint – with iPads

Irish cats have been creating works of art.  People have been buying prints of their artwork. So cats really can paint. It’s true. I have long suspected as much.

Cats living at the Belfast branch of the Cats Protection League have recently been let loose on a cat-art application for the iPad and the results have been printed and offered for sale, with positive results.

The artist poses with his latest creation

The artist poses with his latest creation

The cats see and hear a small squeaking mouse darting about the iPad screen, and when they pounce or scratch at it, it registers as a mark.

The cats have responded with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Some cats seem very prolific in their mark making. One cat, known as Maggie, has been insistent on making just a single paw print per artwork.

Proust's cat considering his next art exhibition

Proust’s cat considering his next art exhibition

The most prolific artist is apparently a cat called Brutus but sadly for the art world he has recently been rehoused.

'Brutus' a name to watch out for in the future

‘Brutus’ a name to watch out for in the future

Of course the big question is: are the cats aware that they are creating something of aesthetic value or are they just chasing a squeaking noise? Volunteers of the Belfast centre and fans of cat art would argue in favour of the artistic leanings of the cats, cynics would of course argue against.

I ought to try this out with my cat and my husband’s iPad. Perhaps I will. Watch this space.

My cat is more interested in sleeping in plastic bags than creating masterpieces

My cat is more interested in sleeping in plastic bags than creating masterpieces

Reference

Cats Protection in Belfast create art for charity’ BBC News, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-25362155v [last accessed 2 January 2014]

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