Step into Cat Art
Did Mewna Lisa just stick out her tongue? Was that a yawn by the Kitty With the Pearl Earring? Step into Cat Art is a virtual art exhibition that brings Shu Yamamoto’s characters of CAT ART to life in four virtual rooms that feature distinct painting styles and a concerto of feline audiovisual experiences. You will spawn into the Feline Forum, the meeting point and the start of the experience. From there you will be teleporting to the four major rooms.
The Hisstine Chapel
All 124 artworks constituting The Hisstine Chapel are on display for the first time. Feel the majestic and sacred atmosphere of the chapel and listen carefully to its sounds.
Portrait of Ancient Cats
Can you hear Mewna Lisa speaking? Does she sound cold and confident or passionate and mischievous? Did the Kitty With the Pearl Earring just yawn? Look closely, and you'll find that they are listening to your every move.
Beauty of Feline Body
Subtly manipulating natural light combined with the sound of flowing water, you can almost hear the chatter of Grande Odalisque, The Saucer, The Birth of Felinus, and The Lick. Who's that fluttering her fan elegantly?
Art from Far East
Listen to the wind chimes dancing in the crisp breeze while appreciating the gracefulness of Madam Meownet in Kimono In Japanese Costume before dozing off at the Lakeside. But be wary, there might be a mouse moving near Children at Play in Winter. Don't get too close!
PURCHASE A TICKET
The virtual art exhibition is live on the Engage social VR platform from September 17, 2021 until March 31, 2022. Tickets are on sale until March 25, 2022. You can purchase a ticket here.
HOW TO ENTER THE EXHIBITION
“Step Into Cat Art” Online Exhibition is a multiplayer art exhibition held on ENGAGE social VR platform which supports PC (Windows 10, macOS), Mobile (Android, iOS), multiple VR headsets:
Standalone VR: Oculus Quest/Quest 2, Pico Neo 3/Neo 2, VIVE Focus Plus/Focus 3
PCVR: HTC Vive/Pro/Pro 2, Oculus Rift/Rift S, Valve Index and Windows Mixed Reality headsets
Please download the ENGAGE app, and register for a free account to be able to redeem your ticket and enter the exhibition. Find the exhibition map and more access instructions here.
ABOUT THE CREATOR
Shu Yamamoto was born in Yokohama, Japan. He had graduated from the Aichi Prefectural University of Art and Music, earned a BA in industrial design. He immigrated to Canada in 1973 and worked as a freelance illustrator. After 10 years in Canada, he moved to Utah in 1983 where he has lived since with his wife and four children. His cat project started in 2007 when he saw a color pencil drawing done by one of his four children. It was an imitation of the self portrait of Van Gogh. All was done in Van Gogh style, but the only difference was Van Gogh’s face was replaced with a cat’s face. That gave Shu a thought: It works great on this, but would it work on other paintings? Since then he hasn’t stopped painting cats in a similar manner replicating works of art but changing the characters into felines. So far 500 paintings have been done either on canvas, on illustration boards or on Photoshop.
CREDITS
Artist and Creator: Shu Yamamoto
Exhibition Organizers: VIVEPORT, DNP, udnFunLife
Virtual art exhibition | Running time: 45-60 mins | Platform: ENGAGE | Compatible headsets: HTC Vive/Pro/Pro 2/Focus Plus/Focus 3, Oculus Quest/Quest 2, Oculus Rift/Rift S, Pico Neo 3/Neo 2, Valve Index and Windows Mixed Reality headsets
Award nomination: Best Multiplayer Experience