Sat 7/8 @ 7PM
Considering we live in an age where viral animal videos and cat memes qualify as entertainment, ARTneo has decided to sort of join the fun with its latest exhibit, ARTmeow, which runs now through 9/1 at its gallery at 78th Street Studios. The display includes 75 pieces that not only explore how cats inspire local artists, but also how they have impacted the history of art.
ARTneo is asking visitors to participate with their cats in a digital display consisting of Instagram photos using #ARTmeow2017. For a fundraiser, ARTneo will be getting kitty with it at its Caturday Night Fever: A Disco Party taking place Sat 7/8 at its gallery.
CoolCleveland talked to ARTneo curator and collections manager Christopher Richards about the purrfect exhibit.
Aside from its great name, what exactly is “Caturday Night Fever: A Disco Party?”
It’s a fundraiser for ARTneo with DJ Jerry. We’ll have a cat-themed silent auction including works of art, as well as cat toys and treats. There will be a wide variety of items. There will also be a cash bar with cat-inspired cocktails and light refreshments.
How did you land a feline celebration exhibit?
One of the things we wanted to do was to have a more summertime-appropriate, light-hearted exhibition. We noticed that people are responding more to thematic exhibitions. Also, it’s a survey going all the way back to 1920. We have two contemporary works made specifically for this show. So there’s about 100 years of cats on the wall. We have 75 pieces in the exhibit, all original works. There are sculptures — clay and stone. We’ve got etching, watercolors, oil on canvas, constructions made out of wood and a couple of pieces of folk art as well.
Can you elaborate on the light-hearted approach?
It’s a little bit more whimsical. Cats are whimsical. Just the different attitudes. The aloofness and the personalities of the cats really come through on the paintings. Each artist is able to capture something different about cats’ personalities. This is the first time we’ve done something focused on a particular animal. We have done surveys before that span a century of art, but this is the first time we’ve done something like this.
Let’s be honest, cats are kind of the snobs of the animal kingdom, right?
(laughs) Yeah, they can be. There’s a lot of catitude in this show. It comes across very strongly in some of the pieces. There’s also a little bit of like how the ancient Egyptians saw the cat. There are some pieces that reference the history as well.
Any concern about dog owners barking up a storm over a cat-only exhibition?
We have had some dog lovers come in saying where’s the dog show, and I just say, “No dogs allowed.” Really, cat lovers, and animal lovers in general, who enjoy art will very much find it fascinating to see the different style of changes throughout the century.
How does ARTmeow fit into ARTneo?
They are all Northeast Ohio artists and it really does give a history of some of the who’s who of Cleveland art from the early 20th century all the way to today. Through our collections and exhibitions, and educational programs, we research and document the art of Northeast Ohio.
Finally, just to confirm, we shouldn’t bring our cats?
No, however, we are trying to do a cat adoption day towards the close of the exhibition. We’re trying to partner with an animal shelter. So details for that will be coming.