▼

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

$60k Bronze Cat Sculpture Sparks Kitty-Sized Controversy


Bronze Cat by Dean Bowen

Residents of one Australian town are furious over a nine-foot-long cat sculpture set to be put on display at their local community center. The problem? It's not a case of feline discrimination, rather that "Bronze Cat" by artist Dean Bowen, cost the town a reported sixty thousand dollars.

One opposing council member proclaimed, "Whilst I have great respect for artists and their work, I cannot in good conscience and in decent taste support paying public money on something which in my opinion, its appearance resembles a warthog and not a cat." (Ed note: So if it looked more like a cat, she'd be ok with it?). Other protestors have also called the pricey sculpture "disgusting" and not worth the money.

So what say you, fine readers? Is this controversial cat-hog worth the four paws it stands on?

Another councilor who approved the installation, says in its defense:

"It's a talking point, a giant cat, and I think that's a great thing about art that people will talk about it. Some people will think it's cute, some people will well might think it's huge. I think it's a beautiful representation of home and art."

at

10 comments:

  1. Katnip LoungeAugust 30, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    Nine feet of bronze ain't cheap! I LOVE the cat and some people apparently need glasses. Warthog. As if.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Random FelinesAugust 30, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    Here's the thing....all we can think about is how much good work could be done by shelters with that kind of money. Cute statue, but.....

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousAugust 30, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    AHAAHAHHAHAA I WOULD HAVE GLADLY PUT MONEY TOWARDS THAT THAN THE UGLY ART THAT WAS INSTALLED ON OUR FREEWAY... A GIANT SHINY ORB! REALLY!?!?!? AND WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DRIVE WITH THE SUN BEAMED INTO OUR EYEBALLS HOW? OR THE CHIPPED TEACUP ON ITS SIDE? SOMEONE HERE LOVED IT SO MUCH, THEY SPRAYPAINTED A TOILET GOLD AND PUT IT UP...THE PEOPLE WHO CONTROL SAID "ART" DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE UNTIL 2 WEEKS LATER WHEN NEWS COVERAGE HAD STARTED.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Weetzie'sAugust 30, 2011 at 3:12 PM

    Art. I never know. $60,000 is actually cheap compared to a lot of government art expenditures that have made the news where I live. Personally, I like this one - but I can't be trusted when cats are involved! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownAugust 30, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    I expected some kind of monstrosity reading the councillor's comments, but I actually kinda like it. Not sure I can fully comprehend how big it is though...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Fluffy and HeatherAugust 30, 2011 at 3:58 PM

    Hmm I'm not keen, but then, I'm not overly appreciative of modern art in general. Definitely not worth $60,000!

    ReplyDelete
  7. PumpkinpuddyAugust 30, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    I think whether or not one likes the sculpture and whether or not a community should, in good conscience, spend $60,000 on an art installation are two different issues. I wouldn't care if it was the Mona Lisa. Communities world-wide are struggling to provide, basic, necessary services to their citizens. Spending $60,000 on an art installation is unconscionable.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousAugust 30, 2011 at 11:05 PM

    very ugly!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. MadameMAugust 31, 2011 at 7:24 PM

    Koko's mum here~
    I think the very least the Aussi's got for the sixty smackers, was to put their town on the map! As art goes, it's a steal. I love it and wish we had a companion piece here in San Diego the land of public atrocious art. I can visualize it even being larger, say a cross walk over one of our roadways.
    Hurray for giant kitties!

    ReplyDelete
  10. JennaNovember 15, 2011 at 3:32 AM

    If people can sit on it and take photos of themselves, then they will enjoy it. I think it's pretty cute.

    ReplyDelete