Photo of Edward Westerhius aka Double Cat jump for joy photo by Eyoalha Baker
Introducing the playful jumping joy of Edward Westerhuis aka Double cat!
Q: What inspires you to jump for joy?
A: When I put on my cat mask, I transform into a new character. It’s kind of like Being John Malkovich—a mix of the dream world and reality. It all comes with a rush of excitement that gets me hopping.
Q: Your experience doing the jumping photo shoot?
A: It kind of reminded me of wondering around parking lots and construction sites as a kid. My friends and I would make our own fun, filming each other doing different ridiculous tricks. It was kind of like a throwback to high school.
Q: How do you describe the feeling of joy?
A: Joy is a rhythm that runs up my body, into my shoulders, and through my arms. I start to squirm, and when I get really excited I rub my hands together as fast as I can.
Q: Your greatest passion?
A: I love making art and sharing the experience of making art with other people. There is an indescribable energy released from that exchange that I find so addictive. It allows you to communicate and discover new things on the deepest of levels.
Q: Your driving force?
A: Knowing that there is always something new to see and experience in life. The world is a constant estuary of old and new. Keeps me on my toes.
Q: Your philosophy?
A: When I think about the cosmos and our role within it, I always consider how minuscule each of us are. I actually find this comforting because it reminds me that my job isn’t to change the world, but rather to live meaningfully with others. I am just a small little kitty.
Q: Anything in the world?
A: I would be making art in a large studio with a team of other really great artists. I get to do this sometimes, here and there, but it’s hard to manifest. One way I am making this happen is working with the City of Surrey to launch a new Community Art Program which supports youth and activates public space to discover and share creativity.
Q: Working on?
A: I always have a lot of projects on the go. I just released my latest music video, featuring a dance battle between two giant cats. Check it out and share with your friends! www.doublecatvideo.com. I’m also working on a new sci-fi western cardboard puppet show, that integrates live video with puppet performance www.ramshackletheatre.ca. And I’m also currently experimenting with concrete and styrofoam to develop a new photo/sculptural series.
Q: Mini bio…
A: I am a multidisciplinary artist who makes art to spark conversation. My work moves between visual art, video, and performance–often collaborating with other artists and working within the community. I create imaginative worlds that play with an epic sense scale that form allegories for stories that shape the places we live. You can find all of my work on my website http://www.edward.gallery where you can also see my TEDx talk and here my recent interview with the podcast Your Creative Push. You can also find me on Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat with the handle @corrugatedcut.
Edward Westerhuis aka Double Cat jump for joy photo by Eyoalha Baker
