It's named for Els Quatre Gats, the cafe in Barcelona where Picasso and friends used to hang out when he was a young man. The cafe was founded in 1897 and is still there, with its black and white tiles, marble tables, and piano and violin music.
The cafe's owners, primarily artist Ramon Casas i Carbó, promoted art, artists, and art events. He and his partners even ran an art paper for a while called Pel & Ploma, and another called Forma.
The cafe became a hub of Modernism, with Picasso's friends, the sculptor Julio Gonzalez and the painters Miguel Utrillo and Santiago Rusiñol i Prats, frequent visitors.
I love the idea of a place where ideas about art were batted around and printed words and images flowed along with the wine and tapas.
Hence, my version of Els Quatre Gats: 4Cats Art Cafe.
I see that the restaurant is now using the same incarnation of the name, along with a charming flash animation introduction. Times, change, eh, Pablo? But a drawing is still a drawing, even digital. Viva ink, pen, and pixels.
I love the idea of a place where ideas about art were batted around and printed words and images flowed along with the wine and tapas.
Hence, my version of Els Quatre Gats: 4Cats Art Cafe.
I see that the restaurant is now using the same incarnation of the name, along with a charming flash animation introduction. Times, change, eh, Pablo? But a drawing is still a drawing, even digital. Viva ink, pen, and pixels.
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