What cat videos teach us about our culture

In a conversation from the Best of Q, Just For Cats Festival curator Scott Stulen joins guest host Piya Chattopadhyay to defend the artistic merit of cat videos. He challenges those who say the clips represent a "dumbing down" of culture. 

Art galleries and other traditional institutions need not shy away from popular texts, argues Stulen -- and, contrary to popular belief, he says new audiences do come for the cats and stay for the classics.

Hear the full segment by clicking here or on the listen button above (audio runs 14:14).

Two of stulen's favourite videos

Stulen, who estimates that he's watched some 2,500 cat videos, tells Piya the following two videos -- Henry Le Chat Noir and Boots and Cats -- are among his favourites.

Pawpulist appeal

The 2014 Just for Cats lineup includes such internet classics as nyan cat, kittens inspired by kittens, L'il Bub, Grumpy Cat, and the original Keyboard Cat. Here's a sample from the museum's Hall of Fame.

Keyboard Cat. Here's a sample from the museum's Hall of Fame.

Want more? Here's the full, curated playlist from the Walker Art Center.