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Sunday, March 11, 2012

Rubik's Cube and Cat Painting in Tianjin

One day over a year ago I was walking down a street with several art galleries in Tianjin, China. Most of them did not catch my attention but one had a painting that caused me to stop dead in my tracks. This painting seemed particularly... unique. Especially since it was so prominently displayed, I wondered if the painting was a sign of local "creativity" or something else. In some parts of China it can be relatively easy to find copies of famous and even less-than-famous paintings.

I was in a hurry so I just took a quick photograph before rushing off. I have yet to see anything similar to the painting in other art galleries or anywhere online. Several friends who have seen it have been equally stumped. So, I will share my photograph of the painting here. Maybe someone can recognize it or be more successful in finding a match.

painting in Tianjin, China, of a Rubiks Cube and a cat with differently colored eyes in front of a pathway to a rural house

Also, bonus points if you can explain its symbolism.

More on creativity in China in future posts. I assure you, though, that none of them will involve cats and Rubik's Cubes.

2 comments:

  1. I wonder if a rich cat owner wanted their feline's portrait painted. To me it's perfect Chinese Nouveau Riche tacky.

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  2. Myra, so far, nobody I've heard from has been able to identify the painting so your suggestion remains a possibility. And if you're right, I wonder if the painting was waiting for pickup or the cat owner had second thoughts after seeing the results.

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