Cathenge is an Immersive Cat Temple Art Installation
Created by David Normal.
Installations Include:
~Patricia’s Green (San Francisco Arts Commission) 2022 – 2024~
~Institute of Crazyology Gallery (1000 Van Ness Cadillac Building), 2021~
~Burning Man 2022~
~Burning Man 2019~
Cathenge is an interactive 3D printed Cat Temple dedicated to the Ancient Space Cats. Think: Tall, elegant, mystical cat statues – “The Catoliths” . Six in total, the Catoliths are arrayed in a circle like the standing stones of Stonehenge. Similar to the Monoliths of “2001: A Space Odyssey”, interaction with the Catoliths evolves human consciousness to a higher frequency: “Holofelinity”, the Universal Cat Consciousness – the way of the Space Cats!
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: 3D printing, LED lighting, lasers, sound, vibration and electronic interactive sensing are integral to the effect and provide visitors with a direct and palpable experience of the mystical Space Cat consciousness.
Visitors to Cathenge experience the majesty of the Catoliths through their interactive sound and lights. People moving within the circle of cat statues are detected by LiDAR beams. Soft harmonic purring tones and synchronized pulsing lights are generated which respond directly to the movement. These interactive light and sound effects evoke the power of Holofelinity.
Cathenge at Patricia’ Green (October 2022 – April 2024)
Cathenge was installed at Patricia’s Green in Hayes Valley for over 16 months – from October 2022 through the end of March 2024. Everyday thousands of people beheld Cathenge and enjoyed the spectral aura of the Catoliths. Countless visitors experienced direct communion with the Space Cats through the interactive harmonic “purrburations” of Holofelinity – the interactive purring sound system that was a central part of the Cathenge installation and its concept.
In 2021, The San Francisco Arts Commission voted unanimously to award David Normal the grant to create this installation of Cathenge at Patricia’s Green Park in the popular Hayes Valley district of San Francisco. This prestigious award continues a tradition of noteworthy Burning Man art often showcased at this popular location.
- 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.
