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Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics (Paperback)

by Heather Busch (Author), Burton Silver (Author) "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..." (more)
Key Phrases: cat painting, marking behavior, cat art, Wong Wong, Van Gogh, Book of Kells (more...)

4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (58 customer reviews)

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Why Paint Cats: The Ethics of Feline Aesthetics by Burton Silver
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Editorial Reviews

Review
Cats overwhelmingly favor abstract expressionism, and none imitates Andrew Wyeth...it nails the pretentiousness of art criticism to the wall. -- Newsweek

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

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Product Details

Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: Ten Speed Press; Third Printing edition (May 1, 1994)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0898156122
ISBN-13: 978-0898156126
Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9.2 x 0.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (58 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #179,925 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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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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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 3 books:

The Shock of the New by Robert Hughes on page 70
Ancient Egypt (Arts & Crafts of the Ancient World) by Ting Morris in Back Matter
Ancient Egypt by Neil Morris in Back Matter

7 books cite this book:

The Ape and the Sushi Master: Cultural Reflections of a Primatologist by Franz De Waal in Back Matter
Art of Childhood and Adolescence: The Construction of Meaning by John Matthews in Back Matter
Art of Childhood and Adolescence: The Construction of Meaning by John Matthews in Back Matter
Cats' Most Wanted: The Top 10 Book of Mysterious Mousers, Talented Tabbies, and Feline Oddities by Alexandra Powe Allred in Back Matter
Healing and Holiness by Sondra Ray in Back Matter

See all 7 books citing this book

Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Why Paint Cats by Burton Silver

Discusses:

Martin Leman's Cats by Robin Dutt

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Test Your Cat's Creative Intelligence by Burton Silver

Discusses:

A Year of Cats...in Hats by Sheila Haynes Rauen

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	78% buy the item featured on this page: Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics 4.6 out of 5 stars (58) $11.53
	17% buy Why Paint Cats: The Ethics of Feline Aesthetics 3.6 out of 5 stars (55) $12.21
	2% buy Dancing With Cats 4.2 out of 5 stars (39)
	2% buy Famous Painted Cats Postcards 4.2 out of 5 stars (5) $9.95

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Customer Reviews

58 Reviews

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

4.6 out of 5 stars (58 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 54 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

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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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The cat's meow, April 29, 2004

By	FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

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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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, July 18, 2003

By	Author Brian Wallace (Mind Transmission, Inc.) (Texas) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

If Christopher Guest dove into book writing and concepting I'm not sure that even his brilliance could touch the amazing, hysterically funny work contained within these pages. With so many touchy feely works on pets and art, this one is a refreshing work that manages to come across as both parody and respect. I love cats but I also love irony and satire: exactly the elements that Guest so deftly blends in his movies.

I cower at the utter absurdity and genius of abstract art in general and this rare little gem of a book.

Bravo!!!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully shot, clever, slightly funny
This is hardly a new book, but its continued presence in my neighborhood bookstore finally piqued my curiosity. Read more

Published 6 months ago by Jean E. Pouliot

5.0 out of 5 stars cat lovers
We know pussens are intelligent - this shows they are artistic also!!! It's truly interesting!

Published 9 months ago by Bernadette Sneed

3.0 out of 5 stars Look for the original edition
I had only seen the original edition of this book which is a full sized binding suitable for coffee table display. Read more

Published 13 months ago by B. Jones

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, but it's a JOKE!
My husband and I are cat people and were thrilled when we received this interesting book as a gift. At first, we were amazed as we looked over the cat's paintings and read about... Read more

Published 15 months ago by Anonymous

5.0 out of 5 stars Delcious book!
Humorous book,imitating art books, mocking jargon and theories of the art world.It is a spoof.

This is a wonderful book, with very nice photos. Read more

Published 19 months ago by Elise (the polyglot )

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential, despite flaws
Several theories of feline art have been put forward over the years, and this volume may serve as an excellent introduction to the uninitiated. Read more

Published 19 months ago by Jon Torkelsson

5.0 out of 5 stars Artistic Cats?
I thought this was a joke at first, but it does look like the evidence is there to suggest the pussies have a sense of aesthetics. Read more

Published 20 months ago by Josie Henley-Einion

5.0 out of 5 stars Sure to Amuse and Enlighten Anyone, (I Hope!)
Some of the most amusing and artistic photos ever (all in color), highlighted by snappy commentary. Here is a Tabby playing Picasso, or a White Ball of Fire doing his take on... Read more

Published 20 months ago by S. Henkels

5.0 out of 5 stars Do Cats Paint?
This is the funniest and cleverest animal book I have read for years. It's written in such a straight-faced style that some readers have taken it seriously, and tried to get... Read more

Published 23 months ago by Alexander Davidson

5.0 out of 5 stars HILARIOUS
HILARIOUS, AT LEAST ACCORDING TO MY WIFE. SHE COULDN'T STOP LAUGHING. PERSONALLY, I DON'T GET IT, BUT I'M NOT A CAT PERSON.

Published on June 7, 2007 by Walter C. Bronson

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