'Kaikai Kiki' is a company led by contemporary artist Takashi Murakami. We visited Kaikai Kiki's Miyoshi Painting Studio in order to meet Studio Director Shisho-san and photograph his beloved cat Bibi in her art playground. As the production staff quietly works away, Bibi cheerfully runs around the studio, barely paying attention to what is going on around her. Then Pom arrives. Pom is Mr. Murakami's pet dog, and a great admirer of Bibi.
Beautifully Proportioned and Friendly - The Attraction of Abyssinians
— How did you first come across Bibi?
"It's well-known around the office that I'm a cat-lover and that I've been hoping to eventually have my own cat. When I started looking for an apartment near the studio, one of the criteria was that the place be 'cat-friendly'. When I finally decided that I would get a cat, I began to do some research on the different kinds of cats out there. I went to cat cafes to see actual cats and did some consulting with staff members who also happen to be into cats. After I realized that I wanted an Abyssinian, I visited the pet shop inside of the large supermarket chain that happens to be in front of our studio. They searched for me. Right away, I found out that some kittens had just been born at a breeder in Akita Prefecture. It was great timing."
— Of all the cats you researched, why did you select an Abyssinian?
"To begin with, I'd have to say appearance. In addition to looking wise, Abyssinians give off both a snobbish and friendly vibe. When I researched them, I found an article that called Abyssinians "the most dog-like cats." When you call them, they respond... it kind of seems like they are communicating with you. I like calico and Japanese cats as well. However, I feel that Abyssinians have such a beautifully slender physique. I guess the reason really comes down to appearance."
— At the time you first met Bibi, what was your actual impression?
"Being just 2 months old at the time, she was devastatingly cute. She was a kitten (laughs). Because Bibi's eyes were so big, even the staff at the pet shop raved, 'She's going to be so beautiful.' Though the name 'Bibi' has no special meaning, I took the 'bi' from A'b'yssinian. It has a nice sound.
— Is this your first time to ever have a cat?
"A long time ago, my family had a Siamese cat (It looked like a Siamese, though it was actually a calico/Siamese mix). It lived to age 16, which is quite long. It was such a clever cat. Bibi as well - I was glad to learn that she was already toilet-trained by the time I picked her up from the pet shop. She doesn't make much of a sound either. I think she's a rather easy pet to live with."
—Is Bibi very picky about things like toys and food?
"Bibi loves balls attached to strings. She plays with them every night. She also enjoys her 'cat tunnel'. For the winter months, I bought her a heated carpet designed specifically for cats. As for food, Bibi mainly eats crunchy style Royal Canin. After she turned one, I started getting her special food for adult indoor cats. However, she didn't take to it very well. In fact, she even developed a bald spot under her chin. The veterinarian said that she was possibly allergic to the new food. After she went back to kitten food, it took about 3 months months until she was totally healed. I feel sorry for what I did to her."
—Since you began living with Bibi, have you noticed any changes in your lifestyle?
"I started making sure that I returned home. I know this sounds obvious (laughs). However, I used to spend a lot of nights at the studio. Now, even if I find myself working late into the night, I make sure that I eventually return home. Everyday, I get up at 6 a.m. and go to the studio at 7. I then usually work until late at night. Because Bibi is at home all by herself during this time, I always make a point of going home and playing with her before I go to sleep. Because Bibi is probably sleeping during the afternoon, she is extremely active at night. She runs around and doesn't want to sleep. Now I'm sleep-deprived (laughs)."
Pom and Bibi. What's the truth about cats and dogs?
— Considering that Takashi Murakami's beloved dog Pom resides at the Kaikai Kiki Studio, is it okay for Bibi to visit?
"Bibi only comes once or twice each month. Though she is friendly with people, she doesn't like to be held. Without permission, she walks around the studio and explores. Though Bibi initially borrows Pom's cage, she quickly jumps out and escapes to the office, where she walks around the desks. Because it's larger than her home and has more places to play, you can tell she really enjoys herself. At first, we were a little worried about things such as her scratching panels. However, now she doesn't cause any mischief."
— What did you think when Pom first came to the studio?
"To be honest, because I'm a cat person, when there was first talk about a dog coming to the studio, I was against it. I said 'No way!' (laughs). However, I changed my mind the instant Murakami-san brought Pom in. Because none of the staff members had ever raised a dog before, we bought a dog owners manual and did some research on the web. After that, everybody took lessons from a pro dog trainer. Because this is something that can't be done with a cat, it was a new experience for me."
— Do Pom and Bibi get along?
"Though they generally get along, Pom always seems to be chasing after Bibi. So Bibi is usually running away from him. Pom really seems to like Bibi. His tail is always wagging. In contrast to this, the hair on Bibi's tail nearly stands up when she encounters Pom (laughs)."
— When you look at cats and dogs, what do you feel is the difference between them?
"The difference in their body language is really interesting. When cats feel stress, they wave their tails. However, when dogs wag their tails it means they're happy. I feel that cats have more variety as far as expressions go. Instead of showing dramatic emotions such as happiness, anger, sadness and enjoyment, cats express themselves with many types of movements. Though I don't have much experience with dogs yet, I might come to a better understanding of them over time. However, the biggest difference I see between cats and dogs is the selfishness of cats. When you call a cat, it won't come. They won't listen to commands. During the day, they do whatever they please. At night, they come to you for affection. I like this contrasting character of cats."
The affinity of cats and artists
— Do you have any favorite cat items, such as books or manga?
"Before I had my own cat, I would often go through cat magazines. As for manga, I love the book called 'Tensai Yanagisawa Kyoju Tama to no Seikatsu' (Genius Professor Yanagisawa's Life with Tama the Cat'), which collects all of the episodes of 'Tensai Yanagisawa Kyoju no Seikatsu' that feature his cat. I also buy DVDs and check out Youtube videos that involve cats. There is also a cat painting that I love. I got it at the Geisai art fair. It was created by an artist from Iwate Prefecture. I knew I wanted it the minute I laid eyes on it. However, at that time, the artist wasn't manning their booth. To make sure that no one else bought it, I waited around for about 2 hours (laughs). It features the cutest pink cat. I really love it."
— Artists such as Andy Warhol and Leonard Foujita often featured their beloved cats in their artwork. However, in Murakami-san's artwork, his dog Pom appears.
"One day, next to Mr. Murakami's self-portrait, a dog character suddenly appeared. This occurred even before the arrival of Pom. In fact, he has been sketching himself along with dogs before he was a dog owner himself. Maybe Pom's arrival was an inevitability. At the same time Pom arrived, Murakami-san introduced a character that looked just like his dog. The younger staff members were quite surprised."
— In the Miyoshi Studio, you have collected many living things, such as beetles, small fish and cacti. Has this at all influenced your work here?
"Living alongside the natural world is very important within both art and our ordinary lives. Before our current Kaikai Kiki Studio was built, we were located in a building near the Arakawa River in Asagiri, Saitama. Now, when I reflect back on the artwork we made at that time, I also remember the natural atmosphere - the sky and the changing seasons. I've always hated the winter. Likewise, I become really excited by the coming of summer. I think these kind of animistic feelings are important. Therefore, it may be necessary for us to surround ourselves with things like plants, dogs, and cats. However, whenever I glance at Bibi or Pom, I only find myself thinking, 'They are so cute!' (laughs) As for cats, though I have already been living with them for quite some time, they still hold many mysteries for me. I can't imagine what they will do next or what new pose they will choose to show us. The lovableness of cats has new surprises for us everyday. Though there is nothing concrete that I can put my finger on, this probably does have an effect on our artwork. Because Bibi is a kitten of just over a year, everyday is still an adventure for her. As we continue to live together, our feelings for each other will grow. Just like it was with my family's first cat, I think Bibi and I will develop our own sort of non-verbal communication. Now, however, instead of taking pity on me for my hard work at the studio, she just wants to play when I get home (laughs)."
