Marina Meowović Method
By Suzan van Dijk

Introduction and Vision

“In the beginning, God created man; but when He saw how weak man was, He gave him the cat.” – Warren Eckstein (Garnier, 2018)

The cat, known from many occult myths and legends—ranging from divine creature to dark witch—is, for me, the most extraordinary being there is. It is so close yet somehow intangible and unfathomable, despite the endless studies conducted on cats. What if we, as humans, could expand our perception, transform it, and come a step closer to this fantastic animal kingdom?

By stepping into the cat's world, mimicking its behavior, and identifying with it, we open ourselves to a different perspective. A new view of the world and a more thoughtful perception of ourselves. (Garnier, 2018)

My design, the Marina Meowović Method, focuses on a fascinating question: How can I create an interactive artwork inspired by feline behavior and the Marina Abramović Method that serves to transform human experience and provide insight into the cat's world? This project combines artistic research—drawing inspiration from the works of art critic Janneke Wesseling, performance artist Marina Abramović, and designer Thomas Thwaites—with knowledge of feline behavior to explore a deeper understanding of the world around us from the perspective of these mysterious companions closely connected to our daily lives. My experience as a reperformer during Marina Abramović's retrospective at the Stedelijk Museum significantly contributed to this design. By inviting participants to experience the world as a cat does, I aim to create a space that facilitates a change of perspective and personal growth while highlighting the cat as a remarkable being in its own right.

My vision of art education extends beyond simply transferring knowledge or the idea that art is meant only for observation; it aims to stimulate imagination, explore alternative perspectives, and create a deeper connection between participants and the subject. It is about learning through experience, engaging our senses, and embodying thought. Thus, the Marina Meowović Method will not only be an artistic educational artwork but also a source of inspiration and reflection for those who encounter it.

The Educational Design - Marina Meowović Method

The Marina Meowović Method is an English-language interactive art installation that enables participants to change their perspective by empathizing with a cat. It includes a series of carefully designed exercises that approach the unique aspects of feline behavior. The design is based on the Marina Abramović Method and is a derivative of it. Some exercises, such as Mutual Gaze, are adapted from the original method to the cat's world, while others, like Play like a cat, have been developed entirely by me. The duration of the method is approximately 15 minutes.

Target Audience

The methodology is suitable for a diverse audience, including children, museum visitors of all ages, art enthusiasts, individuals wanting to delve into the experiential world of cats, and those interested in this form of art education. It is particularly effective in a museum setting where interaction and education converge.

The Design

The installation is an immersive space on a human scale, using the primary colors of red, black, and white/light gray. This space is equipped with cushions, faux fur, blankets, toys, food bowls, boxes, and scratching posts to make the cat experience as authentic as possible.
Through a screen, the carefully designed exercises are presented to the participants, as shown here.

Instructions

At the beginning of the installation, an instructor is present to guide the participants. The instructor provides cat ears and a brief explanation of the method, after which the participants can begin the exercises. If no instructor is available, a QR code offers a solution. This code links to information about the artwork and the rules of the method, allowing participants to start independently.

Exercises

Each exercise has a title, followed by an instructional video of the cat or another instruction, after which the countdown begins, and the exercise can be performed. Each exercise has a specific time frame designed to allow participants to engage with it for an extended period. This enables them to be fully present in the moment and truly immerse themselves in the experience of being a cat.

The method consists of the following 8 exercises:
- Chill like a cat (derived from MAM)
- Sounds of the body (based on MAM)
- Stretch like a cat (based on MAM)
- Mutual Gaze (based on MAM)
- Play like a cat (derived from MAM)
- Scratch like a cat (derived from MAM)
- Run around like a cat/Crazy 3 minutes (based on MAM)
- Eat like a cat (derived from MAM)