Cathenge is an Immersive Cat Temple Art Installation
Created by David Normal for:
~Patricia’s Green (San Francisco Arts Commission – Currently Installed!)~
~Institute of Crazyology 2021~
~Burning Man 2019,2022~
Cathenge at Patricia’ Green (Now Exhibiting!!!)
Cathenge is now installed at Patricia’s Green in Hayes Valley and will remain on exhibit there until late October 2023. Come experience the spectral Aura of the Catoliths and the interactive harmonic “purrburations” of Holofelinity through direct communion with the Space Cats!!
In 2021, The San Francisco Arts Commission voted unanimously to award David Normal the grant to create a new installation of Cathenge at Patricia’s Green Park in the Hayes Valley district of San Francisco. This prestigious award continues a tradition of noteworthy Burning Man art often showcased at this popular location.
Cathenge is an interactive 3D printed Cat Temple dedicated to the Extraterrestrial Spacecats. Think: Tall, Elegant, Mystical Cat Statues – “The Catoliths” . Six in total, arrayed in a circle like the standing stones of Stonehenge, the Catoliths symbolize “Holofelinity” – Universal Cat Consciousness. Like the Monoliths of “2001: A Space Odyssey”, through direct interaction with the Catoliths human consciousness is evolved. The Catoltih’s intuitively bestow “Holofelinity”, the way of the Space Cats; a healing message of timeless love and peace.
As a 3D printed sculptural installation, Cathenge represents the leading edge of ambition for the artistic application of large format additive printing. The sculptures are a multi-media fusion using 3D printed plastics and iridescent clearcoat finish. LED lighting, lasers, sound, vibration and electronic interactive sensing are integral to the effect and provide visitors a direct experience of the mystical Spacecat consciousness.
Visitors to Cathenge experience the majesty of the Catoliths through their interactive sound and lights. The six Catoliths are like a set of windchimes and entering into their circle is an interactive experience of harmonic tones and lights that respond directly to movement. The Cats use a passive infrared sensor to trigger an array of harmonic samples in the sacred Gregorian Chant tones and these tones are coordinated with changes in the color and pattern of the LED lights that illuminate the cats from within through the translucent plastic.
- Cathenge Mythos
- Cathenge at Burning Man 2019
- Cathenge at Institute of Crazyology
- Cathenge at Patricia’s Green
Cathenge at Burning Man 2019
Cathenge was first created as theme art for Burning Man 2019. It was Black Rock City’s original, official Cat Temple.
Cathenge at Institute of Crazyology 2021
The Catoliths, the mystical interactive Cat Statues of Black Rock City’s Cathenge Cat Temple, were installed in downtown San Francisco at David Normal’s, “Institute of Crazyology”, which was located at 1000 Van Ness, the landmark “Don Lee Building”, the gothic revival historic Cadillac Dealership building in the heart of San Francisco.
