The Time Capsule

Posted on by September 24, 2022

So the Brooklyn Art Library Sketchbook project has been through some things. They had a fire. And then moved. Then they did this free Time Capsule project.

Of course I had to think what I could put in a time capsule opened years from now. Did I want something personal? I wasn’t sure about that. But I did want to express my feelings at the time it was made.

So I decided to use cat memes. I wanted to express how things were going in the world. And where I live. And show what was happening in the zeitgeist. I often did the memes as is. Sometimes I changed them up and made them a bit more my own.

You might recognize a few faces and memes. Know that this is not for profit and entirely fan art. If you wanna check out history and explanations behind memes, go here: https://knowyourmeme.com

Cover with cat drawing of this time capsule sketchbook
A time capsule Sketchbook as told with cat memes by sheala bacon at this website.
A painting of Nyan cat
>nyan< which is Japanese for meow. Nyan Cat is part pop tart, part rainbow and flies through space spreading joy.
Time Capsule Explanation Sketchbook Page
The year is 2022. I’m in a Southern, barely blue state. We are still in a pandemic, worldwide, though it is hard to tell. The world has taken some weird turns. When thinking about how to time cap this moment, how to explain, I was stumped. So I turn to the internet and two of it’s core ingredients- cats and memes. Cats are my default setting and memes are Generally X’s natural communication. And for me, both can reveal our humanity. So I give you cat memes in their original or slightly changed form. topics include: self discovery, self care, getting the work that needs doing done, consent, puns, making fun of capitalism and good trouble. Oh and of course the nature of cats. Peace- Sheala
a painted, well lit, black cat offers a quest to passersby.
This cat has a quest for you. Take it!
A painted kitten sits on a hand, waiting to be picked up.
It’s dangerous to go alone. Take this! Take her…
A painted seal pointed cat looks unsmiling, at the viewer
No. No is a complete sentence. A tribute to Grumpy cat (aka tarder Sauce) We are who we are.
A painted grey cat in an orange jacket shows you what's cool.
Catching bugs at 3PM Catching bugs at 3AM Find the joy.
A painted page showing two cats, one is singing, the other friendly. Both are fluffy cream colored with cowboy hats.
Joleeeeeeen Meowwwwdy! Express yourself!
a painted page with a cat McMahon surprise meme
Human walks into the kitchen. Human grabs cat food can. Human pops open food can! Human fills food dish!!!
A painted benevolent white cat, pokes his head through a hole in the ceiling. A painted black cat with red eyes, stalks from below
Ceiling cat is watching. Basement cat waits.
A painted grey tabby stands on hind legs looking at something.
Me, minding my own business.
A painted double page showing a raccoon and screaming opossum confronting a seated white cate who is indifferent.
The days events. Me, waking up.
A painted black cat in a tie sits in front of a colorful backdrop.
Business cat needs those files. So he can sit on them.
a painted page with a grey bread cat
Bread cat is loafing around. You should too.
a double painted page showing a Jorts and Jean tribute. The Jean tribute includes a nod to Carrie Fisher aka space mom.
Classic Jorts! Remain unbuttered work together for your rights! Do self care. Your work belongs to you. Make Space Jean proud.
a double painted page with cat traps and hover cat memes
The cat traps are working. If it fits, it sits. Hover cat off to help his peeps.
A painted page show a Venn diagram and a cat in the overlap.
green circle: racing, howling, demanding demons. Purple Circle: warm, sweet, curious fuzz muffins. An arrow labeled ‘my cat’, points to a tabby cat in the overlap of the two circles. There’s a Venn Diagram for everything! Even if it’s a circle.
a painted page of a cat grooving out.
Good Vibes!
A painted orange cat is wrapped in a blue blanket, burrito style.
Purrito! The more people I meet, The more I like my cat! (the pandemic has been brutal)
A painted grey cat demonstrates wear the good scratching places are.
The cat petting guide, it shows different areas on a cat wear scratched might be welcomed and where they would not be. There is also a reminder that consent is enthusiastic.
A painted Tuxedo cat shows his belly.
it’s a trap!
A painted smug tabby in a cat condo discusses mistakes
I don’t always make mistakes, but when I do , I act like it never happened.
a double painted page showing three cats, one clearly distracted.
Watch for distractions!
A double page showing orange cats painted into two works of known art.
Moewna Lisa shows a Mona Lisa figure holding a large orange cat on her lap. The Purrsistance of Cats has orange cats in a Dali style painting.
A painted page of a Kitten dressed as a shark riding a Roomba
a striped kitten in a aqua shark costume rides a roomba vacuum saying, “go get it.”
Painted page of a triumphant orange cat with paw fist raised.
Woke human at 3AM… Didn’t need anything!
A painted page showing a mischievous kitten on a unicorn stuffed animal.
Onward Buttercup! There is mischief to spread!
a painted page showing a cat caught in a hanger needing help meme
human! i request your assistance!
a painted page with 12 cat faces showing different moods
What’s your mood today?
a painted portrait of a grey and white #caturday cat
#caturday
Time Capsule Sketchbook gallery

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