I wrote about the Hexen 2.0 Tarot by Suzanne Treister back when it was still in the making. I’ve had an actual copy of the deck for a few months now and have to say that I just love it.
It’s certainly not a standard deck, and I wouldn’t suggest it for anyone trying to learn traditional Tarot imagery and structure. But for those people already familiar with Tarot and interested in politics, you might want to check it out.
Its focus is on the history of the internet, the Macy Conferences, technology, the military, and concepts of utopia.
And though it has a conspiratorial feel about it, you don’t have to share the deck’s world view to find it useful.
I’ve been using it to ask questions about the political, social, and economic situations we’re facing today and have come up with some truly remarkable readings.
For those of you who happen to be in Dortmund, Germany over the next month and a half, you can see the original Hexen 2.0 images in person. HMKV in the Dortmund University is showing the series through July 22nd.
Go see it if you can. And if you can’t, consider getting yourself a copy of the deck. It’s one of the more interesting I’ve come across in a while.
Fox is trying to create a cohesive and readable deck filled with stunning artwork, and I think he’s succeeding.
The deck will include paintings by Franz Von Stuck, Gustav Klimt, John William Waterhouse, Edward Burne-Jones, and many more brilliant artists. The cards are absolutely gorgeous.
For fans of the Symbolist style and of the Tarot, this is the deck for you.
Hermeticism and the Hermetic tradition are philosophies deeply engrained in much of western magic and mysticism, including Alchemy, Qabala, Astrology, and my favourite, Tarot.
The tradition is named for Hermes Trismegistus, who’s the credited author of the Hermetica, a series of ancient spiritual texts.
It opens Thursday, June 14th at The Hermit’s Lamp and features art by Xris Kukiel, Claire Weigel, Aaron Cunningham, Elizabeth Owen, Gregg McGivern, Franklin Reeves, and Andrew McGregor himself.
And guess what? I’ll be part of it too!! Ivan Minsloff and I will be debuting our Hermit silk-screen poster print at the show.
I couldn’t be more excited about it!!!
The show will run through July 28th, but if you’re in Toronto June 14th, think about joining us at the opening night reception. I’d love to see you there.
One rare piece after another, the Walters Art Museum has been putting its incredible collection of medieval manuscripts and artwork on-line for the world to enjoy.
Not only can you now see much of the collection without having to take a trip to Maryland, you can download the images for free and do with them what you may.
For instance … make a Tarot deck using stunning medieval art!
With just a few clicks I came across an early 15th C image of the four evangelists by Dirc Van Delft. It’s calling me to make it a Wheel of Fortune or World card.
And look at this alabaster sculpture of Christ’s Resurrection, a clear depiction of Judgment.
I’ve written before about divination with food. There was the tortilla reading with Jorge Rojas, and more recently Jemima Packington reading asparagus.
But Frankovich has his own technique, and it’s directly connected to the Tarot. He creates his deck out of canned goods, selecting each item for its correspondence to a Major Arcana card.
For instance, in one performance, he chose baked beans to represent Death, a nod I’m guessing to the putrification process inherent in transformation.
After making all his selections, he removes the labels from the 22 cans so that no one knows what’s inside.
Then as in any Tarot reading, he asks his querant to choose their cans. He opens them up, reads them as you might cards, then cooks up a meal using those particular ingredients.
It’s a brilliant idea, combining the rituals of reading with eating.
By ingesting your reading, you’re literally taking it in, making it physically part of you, not just something you see or hear.
All the senses are involved. You see it, hear it be described and can listen to it cook. You smell it, touch it with you mouth, and taste it. It’s like the Empress herself is reading for you.
I know Frankovich meant this as a performance piece, but I wish he’d offer his readings to the general public. I’d love to get one. And it’s always a pleasure to have someone cook for me.
It features original music by Serghi alongside Schoenberger’s poetic interpretations of nine of the 22 Major Arcana.
Each audience member will receive a program containing illustrations of each of the cards from the show, as well as a larger image of one card in particular.
The idea is for the audience members to pay special attention when their card is ‘read’ during the performance. It will be like their own personal message within the grander whole.
What a wonderful idea. This show sounds fantastic. If you’re in New York City, check it out.
I missed it last year, and it looks like I’m missing it again, but if you’re lucky enough to be in the LA area this month, check out the Hive Gallery & Studios.
Following up on their success with Hive Tarot 2, Hive Tarot 3 opened last weekend with a whole new set of cards created in 2011.
Each card was designed by a different artist, and the original works are all on display. They’ve got decks for sale this year as well, available exclusively through the gallery.
I’d really like one of those.
The video below shows one of the artists, Daisuke Okamoto, working on the Queen of Swords. It’s mesmerizing.
His work is incredibly detailed, and absolutely gorgeous. Though I have to say, the Queen’s face frightens me a little.
Hive Tarot 3 runs through January 28th. Get there if you can.
Not only can you see the exhibition there, you can also get yourself a copy of the 78 card special issue deck printed up as a catalog to the show.
Curated by Stacy Engman, this project brought together an amazing collection of artists – true icons of contemporary art and design, from Karl Lagerfeld and Christian Louboutin, to Yoshitomo Nara and Vivienne Westwood.
You can see the full list of artists at the KLÜP site, and it’s impressive.
I’ve already sent my messengers to New York to get me a copy. I hope they succeed in their quest. But it’s available on line as well for those who can’t get there in person.
It’s a little more expensive than your average deck, but it’s sure to sell out soon. Don’t wait too long if you’re interested in getting one.
It doesn’t happen every day that this many renowned artists get together on one project. That they got together over Tarot is truly remarkable. I just love it.
