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Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics [Paperback]

Heather Busch (Author), Burton Silver (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)

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Book Description

May 1, 1994
An unprecedented photographic record of cat creativity that will intrigue cat lovers and art lovers alike.

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Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics + Why Paint Cats: The Ethics of Feline Aesthetics + Glamourpuss: The Enchanting World of Kitty Wigs
Price For All Three: $37.98

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Editorial Reviews

Review

The National Examiner featured “Pussycat Picassos” claiming that “feline paintings will make you paws” and calling the book “captivating.”

From the Publisher

• Pocket-size gift edition of the wildly popular book on feline aesthetics, distilling the best photos and writings from the original large-format book. • Includes full-color photos of cats painting. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 96 pages
  • Publisher: Ten Speed Press (May 1, 1994)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0898156122
  • ISBN-13: 978-0898156126
  • Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 0.2 x 11 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,704 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

65 Reviews
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4 star:
 (17)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
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1 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (65 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 80 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars If you love art and have a sense of humor, October 30, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics (Paperback)
My undergraduate work was in Fine Arts and Art History so I found this book hysterical. The writing style mimics most art criticism and art history pieces, so if you're familiar with that genre, you'll appreciate the genius of this book. It pokes fun at art critism while playing on most people's bafflement as to what constitutes art. This book is a joke, although it's so flawlessly constructed you can't be sure at first. The cat metaphor makes a great commentary on the ridiculousness of much art writing. Even if you've never been forced to read ridiculous art criticism, you'll appreciate this book if you love cats. This review is in memory of "Teenie" (1992-2000), my little calico girl.
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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The cat's meow, April 29, 2004
This review is from: Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics (Paperback)
The first time I saw this book, I thought it was such a riot that I couldn't stop laughing. But then, as the pages progressed, a small thought crept over me -- 'could this be serious?'

I am a person owned by cats - if one includes the kittens, I've had 19 cats officially (and another half-dozen stray hangers-on who know that food will be forthcoming). It had never occurred to me to give them paint! What would happen if I did?

The photography in the book is impressive. Working with children or animals in the best of settings is never easy for a photographer, but Heather Busch is to be commended for bravery, patience, and creativity that obviously rivals the cat-subjects of the text. Stunning colour shows not only the cats' creations, but the cats themselves, often matching their artistic styles in body as well as spirit (for example, Rusty, the orange tabby, likes to paint in a rustic manner; Wong and Lulu collaborate on interesting abstractions, etc.).

The text is written with ironic skill and creative flair by Burton Silver (cats may paint, but have yet to write...). Silver (the name of one of my cats, by the way) is a writer and art critic based in New Zealand, having written on subjects such as contemporary erotic Japanese paper sculpture.

In addition to going through a contemporary survey, the authors look at the history of cat art (including a Xois funerary discovery, ancient Egyptian art, medieval illuminations, and more). It also looks at the psychology of why cats paint (hence the title) -- the fascinating theory of Invertism is a case in point, which explains why cats lie on their heads looking at objects upside down approximately 3% of the day.

A funny book. A fascinating book. A beautiful book. My cats each give it paws up!

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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential, despite flaws, December 7, 2007
By 
Jon Torkelsson (Stockholm, Sweden) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Several theories of feline art have been put forward over the years, and this volume may serve as an excellent introduction to the uninitiated. Influential feline artists are discussed and their work reprinted in glorious detail. There is, however, a strong bias towards the mainstream of cat art. Important, indeed vital, underground movements are completely ignored. The street art of alley cats is sadly overlooked, perhaps reflecting the authors deference to the curators of that ivory tower, the Museum of Non Primate Art.
Also lacking is any serious discussion of Queer Theory, so vital in the deconstruction of any mammalian artistic representations.
Yet in spite of these flaws, Why Cats Paint remains an important and influential volume that no connaisseur of feline aesthetics can afford to ignore.
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
In 1990 a dramatic discovery was made by an Australian archeological team working in the tomb of Vizir Aperia, just beyond the west bank of the Nile. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
cat painting, marking behavior, cat art, painting cat, harmonic resonance
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Wong Wong, Van Gogh, Book of Kells, Parrot Time, Serious Ramifications
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