|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Artist Statement and Project Description |
The
Photographic Tarot project is intended to
investigate the ideas of destiny and agency through
the medium of portrait photography and the symbolism
of the Tarot. Tarot cards have traditionally been
viewed as a way of divining an individuals’
future, with the symbols and meanings found on
the cards used to interpret and meditate upon
events in the seeker’s life. Photography
is traditionally seen as a medium that in some
way reflects real life. The act of combining the
myth and symbolism of the Tarot with the photographic
medium meshes the imagination of the participants
with elements of the real world.
For this work I photographed 78 different people
in various environments using the symbolism found
in the traditional Rider Waite Tarot deck. Participants
in the project randomly chose from a deck of Tarot
cards, reflected on the meaning of this card in
relation to their life and in turn, create a new
personalized vision of that card. I chose to interpret
the remaining card as my card. Accompanying each
photo/card is the person’s name, the title
of the chosen tarot card and it’s traditionally
meaning, as well as a brief explanation of how
that meaning was translated into the new card.
For me, the process involved in creating this
work is almost as important, if not equal to,
the final photographs.
I have only presented the first 25 of the series,
please contact me if
you wish to see the whole series.
This work was graciously funded by the Alberta
Foundation for the Arts.
|
|
