Tarot began as a card game and soon became a tool of occult divination. In this form, with its usually elaborate illustrations, the tarot deck found a significant cultural role as an artistic object: here on Open Culture we have featured decks either designed or inspired by Aleister Crowley, H.R. Giger, Philip K. Dick, and Salvador Dalí. The last, whose limited edition was published in 1984, gained the attention of Taschen, the publisher of visually (and often physically, in terms of dimensions and weight) intensive photo and art books. Next month they are bringing out a new edition of the artist's tarot deck, boxed with a companion book by tarot scholar Johannes Fiebig.
Although Dalí and Broccoli ultimately could not agree — not least over the amount of money upon that the artist insisted — Dalí decided to see the work through to completion on his own.
Anybody who's had an interest in Dalí's artwork (as well as a lack of willingness to pay premium prices for these first editions) will find themselves intrigued by Taschen's Dalí Tarot. Those who are unfamiliar with the rules of the tarot can rest assured that the companion book, along with providing stories about the deck's conception, also includes Fiebig's explanations of the meanings of the cards and instructions of how to perform readings with them. According to enthusiasts, if perceived correctly, the cards of the tarot open a window onto an alternate perception of reality — which is a similarity with the artist's art hardly lost on the artist himself. You can pre-order a copy (set to be released on November 15, 2019) here.
I always like his work it's like a glimpse into his mind.
— Lady Jane Grey Revisited (@GreyRevisited) October 23, 2019
OMG YAY
— Malediction Mel ديبوك (@DybbukStay) October 23, 2019
Very cool!
— RedwoodResistance (@CoolGreenPines) February 7, 2018
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