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Oliva Lara


In social media, pictures are edited to perfection often featuring unrealistic and unattainable traits. What would happen if we added the same effects to our cats?

This series features photographs of my cats with glittery and shiny effects. The cats go about their everyday activities, looking outside, playing, or even sleeping. Effects and details are added make the cats shimmer and twinkle. The works portray the love of every cat owner, highlighting the absurd. The works also comment on meme culture. The effects mimic those found on Instagram or Snapchat; however, a selfie is replaced by a cat photo. By pairing the filter with a cat, the viewer is forced to consider the ridiculousness of altering the photograph.

Additionally, the works mean to highlight the cat owner’s love: complete awe and utter adoration. Beyond the glitter and sparkly effects, the tiaras and wings, also reinforce the glorification of the cats. The feline pets are so admired and adored, that some owners, myself included worship our beloved cats. Afterall, even their puke is glitter.

CC’s Fur
 4” x 6”
 Digital collage, Archival inkjet print 


Tigerlily’s Whiskers
 4” x 6”
 Digital collage, Archival inkjet print


Tigerlily’s Puke
 4” x 6”
 Digital collage, Archival inkjet print


Roo’s Imagination
 6” x 4”
 Digital collage, Archival inkjet print


Roo’s Whiskers
 6” x 4”
 Digital collage, Archival inkjet print


CC’s Whiskers
 6” x 4”
 Digital collage, Archival inkjet print


Tigerlily’s Paws
 6” x 4”
 Digital collage, Archival inkjet print


BIO
Olivia Lara grew up in San Francisco. She is pursuing a double major in computer science and digital arts and a minor in mathematics. Her work is focused in photography and animation, exploring themes of intimacy and the feminine. Though she uses found images, she prefers to create her own images. Her artwork generally encapsulates a sense of playfulness and innocence, utilizing atypical materials such as glitter. More recently, she has been examining augmented and virtual reality, considering technology presence in today’s society.