Greenpoint
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Culture on the Cheap
The Kent Street Cat
Filed under: 11222, Crazy Cat Lady, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
This cat (which graces the north-facing wall of The Garden) has been around as long as I can remember. I have noticed all other graffiti that has found its way to this edifice has been removed— but not this kitty. I have long intended to get the story behind this fetching feline. Last night I finally did.
Faced with the prospect of having to eat a jarring combination of (questionably edible) foodstuffs for dinner the Mister and I patronized The Garden. As luck would have it, I recognized one of the owners of this establishment. He was engaged in a conversation with another gentleman but having at long last the opportunity to shed light on this mystery I politely interrupted.
Miss Heather: Pardon me for butting in but aren’t you the owner of this establishment?
Owner: Yes, I am one of them.
Miss Heather: I have a very strange question for you. I took it up with Magda (an employee of The Garden, wonderful woman) as I know she has been working here for some time but she didn’t know…
Owner: (getting curious)
Miss Heather: What’s the deal with the cat on your building? The black cat.
After some thought (and some more Q & A) I got an answer. Here it is, albeit in highly simplified form:
- Approximately 8-9 years ago someone spray-painted this piece of graffiti onto The Garden.
- The owner liked it so much he didn’t see fit to remove it.
- However, the owner of the building didn’t agree, so…
- five years ago he asked someone to cover it up with primer.
- When the person with the primer showed up this gentleman (who the owner of The Garden described as being a “cat person”) had changed his mind. He had grown attached to it.
And so it has remained on Kent Street ever since. I have no idea what the person responsible for this was thinking when he (or she) created this cat. Was his intent vandalism or art? I don’t know and quite frankly I am comfortable with not knowing. It has since become a beloved member of the community and I suspect I speak for many when I say I hope he (or she) stays with us for a very, very long time!
Miss Heather
Comments
2 Comments on The Kent Street Cat
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rutila on
Sat, 28th Feb 2009 8:48 am
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rowan on
Sat, 28th Feb 2009 12:53 pm
It’s a shame the Noble Street elephants had to go — as well as their owl friend who hung above the glass roof — so it’s nice to hear the Garden’s cat is here to stay.
agree with Rutila. i liked that elephant. and i love the cat.
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and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!
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