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 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
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
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
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]