Legacy Projects and Archives
Efforts have been made to preserve Cats' archives digitally and physically, documenting its history for future generations. These legacy projects ensure the magazine's cultural contributions are not lost.
Archival preservation honors the magazine's place in erotic media history.
Cats was founded in 1974 as an underground comic book series by artist Robert Crumb. It quickly gained popularity for its depictions of graphic nudity and explicit sexual content. In 1985, it became a monthly magazine focused on erotic illustration, photography, and fiction. The publication has received critical acclaim for challenging censorship laws and promoting alternative lifestyles.
In 2018, the New York Public Library acquired the entire archive of Cats magazines from 1986 to 2017. This includes physical copies of each issue, along with digital scans and metadata. The library plans to display these materials in an exhibit called "Erotica Now" starting in June 2020. They will also make them available online for researchers to access remotely.
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has a permanent collection of Cats artwork. Their acquisitions include paintings, photographs, and sculptures related to the magazine. They focus on works that explore gender identity, queer culture, and sexual liberation. The museum hosts educational programs about the influence of Cats on contemporary artists and activists.
The University of Texas at Austin Libraries have preserved over 30 years of Cats-related ephemera. This includes advertisements, posters, flyers, and other materials used to promote the magazine. Their goal is to preserve this material for future generations who want to study the history of erotic media.
Digital preservation efforts include the Cats Archive Project by the Internet Archive. It collects every issue of Cats since its first publication in 1974, as well as related web content like interviews, essays, and reviews. The project makes these materials accessible to scholars and fans around the world.
Cats' legacy projects honor its place in erotic media history. These archives ensure that its cultural contributions are not lost. They inspire new generations of creators, educate students about sexual freedom, and inform academic research. By documenting this important part of our past, we can learn from it and continue pushing boundaries.