How to Go From Kitty Riot to Kiddie Ride

Now and then I come across something (whether another would consider it art or not), that amuses or tickles me somehow.  

  According to Henry M. Sayre in his book, "Writing About Art, Fourth Edition" (and I am not quoting but putting my spin on it), art involves choices made by the artist.  The creator and artist of this certainly made choices of all the infinite possibilities to come up with this, especially since in my mind the kitty portrayed here seems to look quite innocent.  Alone (without the words, "kitty riot"), I would never guess this kitty would have riotous thoughts coursing through its furry, little, feline head.

Now whoever created this, well, I tried to find you via internet search.  I found a delightful poster some gal did titled, "Kitty Riot", but that was as close as I got.  Artist of this, "Kitty Riot", if you ever end up reading this, thank you.  Thank you for amusing me.

Of course, while I'd love to give this artist his or her due, I also understand it is probably considered a crime to deface public sidewalks in this manner.  How to find out?  Starts with a "g" and ends with an "oogle".  And we have a winner!  Defacing public sidewalks in L.A. and California is a crime.   Thank you, Sue Basco.

Would you like to see, live and in person, this "Kitty Riot" street art for yourself (assuming it is still there)?  Then get yourself to Hyperion Avenue (north side of the street) by West Sunset Boulevard in the greater L.A. area known as Silver Lake.

Enquiring (purposely misspelled, as in National Enquirer) minds may be wondering what I, Lori Bjork, was doing in Silver Lake since this area is .94 miles away from the nearest Metro Line station (which btw is the Vermont/Santa Monica Red Line Station)?  The crew I was with at the time thought a little gelato after a pedicure would be fun.  So off to Pazzo Gelato we went.  Wahoo!

  I feel that I could argue that not only is gelato fun (in my interesting point of view), but gelato and food in general might also be considered art at times.  Or at least, for sure, definitely a creation.  And most importantly, yummy.  Yeah for yummy!

Now in the most interesting journey I've contemplated in a while, I include the photo here of the Harley Davidson Kiddie Ride at the Wee Soles store next to Pazzo Gelato.  Kitty Riot to Harley Davidson Motorcycle Kiddie Ride.  Couldn't have planned this people!

I am sure there are those who would definitely consider the Harley Davidson Motorcycle a thing of beauty and a work of art AND a functional piece of machinery.  Functional art!  Vrrrrrmmm.  Vrmmmmm.  (oooooooohhhhh!  Functional art.  Did I just come up with a new phrase...coin a new phrase, so to speak?  According to Google, that is a big N-O, good buddy.  Boo freakin' hoo!)

What if the kitty's rioted while riding kiddie ride size Harley Davidson motorcycles?  What if these kitties are so bad ass that they don't need no stinkin' helmets, even though they look sublimely innocent?  Hmmmm!  Sounds like inspiration for some art, maybe even a movie.  Now, that...I might go see! 

 end of posting fine print:  all photos are copyright 2012 Lori J. Bjork, lbjork9999@yahoo.com

Post Script:  As I write this post script, it is the day after I wrote this blog post.  I don't know about you, but sometimes stuff just seems to find its way into my awareness that surprises me.  What popped in was the realization that I had been interpreting the word "riot" in this instance to be the definition, "an unrestrained outbreak", yet outbreak of a violent nature.  If you recall, however, it can also be an unrestrained outbreak of laughter and hilarity.  It also means "unrestrained merrymaking, revelry and debauchery".  Interesting that I immediately went to the violent meaning when I like to think of me as a peaceful being.  

Now that I am reacquainted with it meaning unrestrained merrymaking and debauchery, it really seems appropriate to be paired with motorcycle riding kittens.  Even with this awareness, I still find it an interesting choice the artist made to have the kitty in this piece appear to look so innocent (at least to me) in juxtaposition with the word "riot".  Isn't it usually the ones you least expect?  So much for judging a book by its cover, right?.  Makes me wonder what it would take to start a laugh riot, which technically would "laugh riot" be redundant considering laugh is implied in the word "riot"?  Enquiring minds (or maybe it is just me) wish to know.