Why Cats Paint: A Theory of Feline Aesthetics

5 Reviews

1. This sellers website, on Amazon, shows a photo of a woman reading a large (coffee table) size book. This seller is actually selling a book that is 4″x5″. This seller offers deceptive selling practices (lies) and takes almost one month to ship their tiny books. This is dishonest. I wrote the seller and they replied:

   Your refund will not include the original shipping cost plus there will be an additional deduction of 15% off the original price of the item for a restocking fee. Should we incur any return shipping cost for the item you will not be refunded for these charges. Also should you incur return shipping charges you will not be reimbursed.

   So I was lied to, I missed the date to give the gift and now I must pay to return the books they lied about. This seller should be kicked off Amazon.

   Louise

2. It’s an OK book, but I didn’t realize I was buying a hardback, small, condensed version. I wanted the larger paperback version. But the seller was good to deal with and the book was delivered quickly.

3. Why Cats Paint is an endearing document of four-legged artists with their paws steadily planted in the (somewhat) figurative and non-figurative art world. It is amazing to see that the cats actually seem to have an outstanding sense for colors. If this book is not a hoax (which I hope not!) it is an intrigueing story about some unusual artists, all with a lovely, feline artistic sense. I recommmend it to all cat-lovers of the world!

4. This is hardly a new book, but its continued presence in my neighborhood bookstore finally piqued my curiosity. “Why Cats Paint” is an elaborate and intricate parody of art critics and their work. Authors Busch and Silver have concocted a well-wrought story that purports to show various cat artists (not artists who make paintings with cats in them, but actual felines who take pigment to paw) at work. The authors present an elaborate and semi-plausible history of cat painting, starting with eerie photos of cat mummies clutching papyrus scrolls, through medieval illuminations and even some 19th century carnival posters. The artistry require to create this parallel universe in which cats paint gives some indication of the lengths to which the authors go to make the satire work.

   Following the history is a collection of page after page of cat artists, each with his/her own style. The “artists” are shown at work, putting painted paw to paper (and sometimes the surrounding walls and floors) as they create their masterpieces. The animals themselves are beautiful, and their “creations” equally, in a weirdly non-human way. The joke is subtle and might be funnier for the art insider. Though I enjoy art, I’m no expert. But even with my skeptical antenna perpetually tuned to “high,” it took quite awhile to finally determine that “Why Cats Paint” was definitely unreal.

   Those familiar with the world of art criticism will probably get the joke behind “Why Cats Paint?” fully. There are invented footnotes implying scholarly works, events and books — none of which (apparently) are real. But if you are not really into art criticism, the photos and their captions are amazing enough. As for me, having finally gotten the joke, I would have appreciated a section that explained how the cats were enticed to adopt painterly poses they took here.

   But at least I can say this — I have satisfied my long curiosity about this beautiful, clever fake. My bookstore can finally put it away.

5. We know pussens are intelligent – this shows they are artistic also!!! It’s truly interesting!

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