Work collection: Cat Pleasure

Minna Herrala became interested in one topic that summarised chapter 7 of the book: animal welfare. Welfare is a life-sustaining feeling. For her research, Herrala chose cats as she has lived with cats for over 30 years, she had been observing the behaviour of tens of cats.

A cat became a partner for a human being when in addition to hunting and picking berries and mushrooms people started growing crops. Cats were needed to keep rodents away from granaries. Since then, cats has been visually portrayed, depending on different periods of time, as worshipped, hated, feard or loved and, in general, particulary as an object. In this collection of works, cats are subjects, doers. Herrala pictures things and situations that please cats. Her works are created in the symbolist style. Desiring, enjoying, sosiability and playfulness bring pleasure to cats.

In the background of the work of collection, a sound production focusing on cats are playing. The music has been composed by Jimi Savola based on the artists instructions. The piece is created following the needs of cats. For example, it plays at a softer volume as cats have a considerably better hearing than human beings. Research material for the song has used Charles Snowdon` s research; Cats Prefer Species- Approbiate Music and music for cats by David Teien. The song has been test played for 18 cats.

What´ s it Like to Be an Animal?

Kunsthalle Seinäjoki 2020

The exhibition is based on evolution biologist and scientist Helena Telkänranta's book (2015). Helena Telkänranta specialises in animal behaviour, emotions and cognition. She has carried out research at the University of Bristol and University of Helsinki. She is currently working
on measuring animal welfare and detecting states of pain in veterinary medicine and is developing innovative ways of communicating zoology to the audiences and schoolchildren visually and experientially.

The artists' art work reflect and are thematically based on the book. The book is an introduction to the animal behaviour and the art works widens and broadens its' themes with artistic and visual thinking. Each artist has chosen a chapter in the book that they have used as the base for the art work. Helena Telkänranta has worked as a discussion partner for the artists. The exhibition doesn't illustrate the book, but deepens it thematically. In scientific research anything is not possible but in art boundaries can be crossed.

The exhibition helps us gain better understanding of human affection and behavior. It gives us better abilities to understand the other feelings and perceptions populate this planet. The exhibition highlights the ability and willingness to understand other beings' perspective and experience. Using this ability is not making us dehumanized – but the opposite.