Tarot cards have been around for centuries and continue to be old and undying in the occult world. They represent the universe and shed light on people by aiding one in “predicting” their own future or help give advice. Author Paula Day, of Tarot gives a general insight simply by explaining that the word ‘tarot’ has ambiguous origins, and its exact meaning has been a mystery since the 16th century (Day 3). I have always been interested in the mysterious and unusual, so creating adaptations of the ‘22 Major Arcana’ of the tarot and my liking of mixing old with new seemed to only be the natural thing to do for me. They are bigger than the average sized card, there is a bright monochromatic color pattern throughout the series, modern imagery mixed with rough textures, and numbered titles with descriptions to match in an off centered abstract approach. I chose to handle my tarot cards in a contemporary manner because for years tarot cards have been using hand drawn illustrations or paintings, and graphic design lifts the tarot cards into a new perspective. The style I’ve created for these cards is related to my previous works in the areas of graphic design, typography, and digitally manipulated imagery. I draw inspiration notable by graphic designer, David Carson because of how he interacts typography by using distorted, doubled, and strangely placed positions in his work with boldly cropped photography . I am fascinated by the connection between color and emotion. Everything we see on a daily basis is filled with color, and emotions get tied to them quickly as you will see in my work with descriptions to match the color ranging from a deep red for anger and light blue for dreams. The imagery comes from the three basic descriptions I gathered from researching each cards major characteristics, and my modern interpretation through remixed imagery. I believe displaying these cards with hands is the best way to emphasize the cards true mystique, and I hope that the mystery and allure of my adaptations through these cards will push the boundaries of peoples minds to greater states of wonder and charm.
Kim Katayama May 2010 Day, Paula. Tarot. Rockport, MA: Element Books Limited, 1997.
t t t t
arot arot a o ar t rot
tarot tarot tarot tarot
Back of Tarot 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Typography pattern from the word Tarot.
t Ru sT ri sK tAk i nG Sp O n tan E iTy
fool
0 Fool 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Trust. Risk-taking. Spontaneity.
s k ill cOn fi den C e co MM u ni cati On
magician
1 Magician 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Skill. Confidence. Communication.
iN tui TiO n dRE am S kNo WLed Ge
high priestess
2 High Priestess 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Intuition. Dreams. Knowledge.
s EcuR u itY w wELL-be in i G m Oth eRh Rhh oo d
empress
3 Empress 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Security. Well-Being. Motherhood.
pRo mOtii o oN aaUtH Or itY rEs E p on Sibi li tty
emperor
4 Emperor 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Promotion. Authority. Responsibility.
te Ac HiNg pRo fesSionaL aDviCe LeA R n i Ng
hierophant
5 Hierophant 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Teaching. Professional Advice. Learning.
cOnN eC Ti On
ha RmOn Y
iNT eN si tY
lovers
6 Lovers 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Intensity. Harmony. Connection.
wiLL p O wEr unSt ab le neS s aMbi Ti oN
chariot
7 Chariot 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Will-Power. Stableness. Ambition.
Le Gal MaT t erS bA LLa Nce
rrEA s On
justice
8 Justice 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Reason. Legal Matters. Balance.
in DeP en denCe sol it ari neSs al o ne nesS
hermit
9 Hermit 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Independence. Solitariness. Aloneness.
E aB unDan cE u ooVeRiNdULg EnC e d f At E
wheel of fortune
10 Wheel of fortune 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Abundance. Overindulgence. Fate.
pRi De ssUcc cc Ess CoUr aG e
strength
11 Strength 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Pride. Success. Courage.
ssAc ri FiCe
deDiC a TiOn tRi A Ls
hanged man
12 Hanged Man 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Sacrifice. Dedication. Trials.
cHa cHa ng ng ee enD enD ii Ng Ng ne ne W W BeG BeG ii nn nn iNgs iNgs
death
13 Death 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Change. Ending. New Beginnings.
pA Ti eNc e mOdE mOdE rr atiO atiO nn mAtUr i ty
temperance
14 Temperance 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Patience. Moderation. Maturity.
aNg a g Er ooPrEss iOn rEs Tric Tric TiO TiO nn rEs
devil devil
15 Evil 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Anger. Opression. Restriction.
sh sh O O ck ck aa cc cc ide ide nts nts rEveL rEveL aa titi Ons Ons
tower
16 Tower 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Shock. Accidents. Revelations.
hEA Ling pe a ce rreL ax a tioN
star
17 Star 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Healing. Peace. Relaxation.
dEp ReSs iOn de CepTi On cOn fusion
moon
18 Moon 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Depression. Deception. Confusion.
O pti Mism s U cc e Ss hig H iD eA s
sun
19 Sun 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Optimism. Success. High Ideas.
assEs sEs s Me N T sAt is fAcTi o n rE b iRth
judgement
20 Judgement 5.25 X 3.75 in. Graphic Design
Assessment. Satisfaction. Rebirth.
Left Hand 8 x 3 in. Sculpture
For tarot card display.
24 hands plus Hand with Light Baby 12 x 8 ft Sculpture Installation Display without tarot cards.
Hands with Hand and Light Baby 12 x 8 ft Sculpture Installation
Display without tarot cards and artist statement display box.
22 12 x 8 ft. Sculpture/Graphic Design Installation
Trumps from the Tarot including 2 backs displayed on 24 hands.
22 12 x 8 ft. Sculpture/Graphic Design Installation Tarot cards displayed on hands.
Artist statement Display 8 x 3 in. (hand) Sculpture/Graphic Design Installation
Display box with artist statement, Hand with Light Baby, and tarot cards.