Cat images in the modern cultural industry: representations, functions, meanings

Thee intensity of modern visual space with cat images testies to the demand for this image in the industry of modern culture, its proximity and comprehensibility to the majority, its ability to evoke an emotional response based on the needs, personal experience and values of the audience. The article presents examples of using diferent facets of cat images in order to activate consumer behavior, increase the popularity and monetization of the product introduced by various institutions; the reasons for the demand in modern culture in Russia and other countries are considered. An attempt to highlight the key functions and meanings of cat images in the current socio cultural space is presented. It is concluded that the cat images in the mass industry oll the decit of living principles in culture, “domesticate” the urban environment, and paradoxically “humanise” various environments. Special attention is paid to urban sculpture, local identity and branding of cities, processes of mythmaking and creation of “points of identity” on the basis of animalistic characters in the visual socio cultural space.