Cats In The Bag

Bringing the Presence of Cats into Everyday Life

This project, aptly named "Cats In The Bag," was inspired by the common sight of cats sleeping in bags or plastic bags. Cats have always been known to seek out small spaces for protection and rest, and the bag seemed to serve as a perfect nest for them. This observation led the designer, Kozo Asada, to realize the complementary relationship between cats and bags.

The uniqueness of "Cats In The Bag" lies in its ability to bring the presence of cats into everyday life. Asada created a simple graphical representation of a cat and a bag, depicting a scene that could easily be encountered in daily life. The artwork appears three-dimensional when viewed, capturing attention and adding a touch of whimsy to one's surroundings.

The project features a variety of cat breeds, including long-haired, short-haired, and hairless cats, each depicted with meticulous detail. The choice of using bags with different appearances further enhances the diversity and charm of the artwork.

The realization of this design involved a combination of digital painting and silk-screening techniques. Asada carefully fixed the digitally painted illustrations onto acrylic plates using silk-screening, experimenting with layering the plates to create a three-dimensional effect. The artwork is then framed with an original picture frame specifically designed for the two acrylic plates.

The specifications of "Cats In The Bag" are as follows: Height: 422mm, Width: 422mm, Depth: 50mm (including the frame). The artwork's dimensions make it a visually striking piece that can easily fit into various living spaces.

Multiple silkscreened acrylic boards are stacked on top of each other, with paper and cutting sheets placed at the bottom to create a single painting. The artwork is framed in a special frame that allows for a shift in perspective, producing a three-dimensional effect when viewed from a few millimeters away.

The "Cats In The Bag" project began in Tokyo in April 2016 and has since been showcased in solo exhibitions in Tokyo and Hiroshima. The design process involved extensive research on different cat breeds, their unique characteristics, and the visual appeal of combining them with bags.

Asada faced various challenges throughout the creative process, including determining the optimal size for the artwork to create the most visually appealing display. Additionally, the minimalist and simple presence of the illustration needed to be maintained, leading to the decision to create a primitive square shape for the artwork.

"Cats In The Bag" is a testament to the inspiration that comes from sharing life with cats. Through layered acrylic plates and a combination of different materials and techniques, Asada has created a series of illustrations that bring the charm and playfulness of cats into our everyday lives.

Image Credits: Illustration by Kozo, Photography by Arisa Kasai, 2016.

Intellectual Property Notice: Copyrights belong to Kozo, 2016.

Awards and Accolades: "Cats In The Bag" was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2021 in the Graphics, Illustration, and Visual Communication Design category. This prestigious award recognizes designs that are well-designed, practical, and innovative, meeting professional and industrial requirements while contributing to a better world.