Association of Tarot Studies Convention, Australia (2009 & 2010)

In 2009 Jean-Michel David and his team hosted another wonderful Tarot event, this time in Castlemaine, Victoria.

The highlight for me was getting my hands on a number of Magic Realist Press [Prague] products and meeting the lovely Alex Ukolov who was Key Note speaker and there to present The Art of Tarot.

The 2010 the ATS conference changed States and we headed to Brisbane. Mary K Greer was again on Australian soil so we had the pleasure of catching up again. (Mary then headed back to NZ to present workshops for the NZ Guild members.)

The ATS Conventions are wonderful events. Old friends reunite and It sure was nice to catch up with Linda Marson and Kate (from Aeclectic) again.

And of course new friendships are forged.

I have armfulls of gratitude to Jean-Michel, Pauline, Marlene and all the others that work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the Conventions so enjoyable.

I will take a moment however to mention that I am somewhat perplexed at what seems to be a lack of 'support' the ATS Conventions muster from Australian Tarot Guild (TGA) members. Whist I understand that these two identities are very separate organisations, doing very different (but equally beneficial) things for Tarot – I would still encourage the TGA members to support these annual events.

So there you go – a challenge goes out to the TGA – pay a few dollars, travel a few miles and support your fellow tarot enthusiasts. You can only benefit from the content on offer and I am sure you will be warmly welcomed. After all, it is all in the name of Tarot!

Tarot in Paris

A trip to Paris (April 2010) meant I was able to visit the Musée Français de la Carte à Jouer, a museum dedicated to playing cards, which houses both temporary and permanent exhibitions.

The Musee is perhaps a 20 minute Metro ride from the centre of Paris – travelling on Metro 12 to Mairie d'Issy. A short walk up the hill to the left of the station exit and you see the signage clearly.

Unfortunately I was at an incredible disadvantage as I do not speak French, and although the delightful woman on the desk was trying to be ever so accommodating, her limited English mixed with my non existent French, meant communication was tricky and much was – well shall we say – lost in translation!

Posters and signage however indicated clearly that there was a temporary exhibition going on upstairs. And I was delighted to find it was Italian artist Pino Settanni's – Tarot Vivant (Living Tarot) – a collection of 78 gorgeous photographs.

My understanding now is that these works were something he created in 1994 – the 22 Majors and 16 Courts are photographs of actual people, their costumes and props in the distinctive Marseille colouring of blue, yellow, red and green (and in this instance, a splash of purple). All stunningly vibrant on a solid black background.

The 52 minor arcana cards showcased wooden artist models, all brightly painted in the same familiar colour way, positioned on a wooden easel with either a red vase/jug (cups), a yellow disc (pentacles), a green club (wands) or a blue sword (swords).

All the images are depicted solely by women, except for The Fool, who is in fact Mario Scaccia, a great actor in Italian theatre.

Settanni's pre photography sketches (there is probably a technical term for these!) also adorned the walls – and although a deck of cards was obviously produced at some point, as framed sheet of cards hung on the wall, and there was a boxed set in a glass case they were unfortunately not available for sale. Out of print perhaps?

The downstairs area housed a large room, filled with a wonderful collection and whilst there is not a huge number of tarot cards on display – what is there, is still worth a look.

For tarot lovers - a selection of postcards and prints are available to purchase. All in the Marseille style but not a full set of anything! There were a few decks of cards but nothing that tempted me on this occasion.

I would like to visit again, though I must add, having someone that speaks French to accompany me would be a definate advantage.

the Musee website says:

This collection has as its foundation, the donation in 1930 of the collector Louis Chardonneret and has much interesting material. From 1986 the collection has grown, particularly by acquiring the collection of mainly modern cards formed by the late Robert Thissen and some rare early cards.

Musée Français de la Carte à Jouer
16 rue Auguste-Gervais F-92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux, (Paris) FRANCE

Alla Corte dei Trionfi: In the Court of Trumps – Volume 1 (2009)

In the Court of Trumps is a (2009) publication cataloging the art and artists showcased at Museo dei Tarocchi, Riola, Italy. The volume contains 262 pages, is illustrated with colour photos, and has both Italian and English text.

It is a great resource providing especially valuable information for any tarot scholar or collector. Read a review here.

Copies are avaialable directly from Museo dei Tarocchi, Riola, Italy.

Literatarot (2008)

Each year Museo dei Tarocchi, (Riola, Italy), host a new tarot project and invite artists to create an original tarot related work that follows a specific theme. Artwork is submitted and if chosen becomes part of a 22 card colaborative project that is published by the museum as a unique, limited edition, collectable tarot deck.

The theme for 2008 was Literatarot – great classics of literature, either contemporary or of the past.

‘The goal of this project is to merge a recognisable element of literature to the traditional and symbolic meaning of a specific tarot card image.’

Lyn Olds and Fern Mercier co-ordinated the Oceaniac portion of what is to be a five continent series. At the time of writing, decks from Oceania, Asia, America and Europe have been completed. To view decks click here.

Copies of all decks in the series are available for purchase. Contact Museo dei Tarocchi (Italy).

The Sun image, Lyn Howarth-Olds, NZ, The High Priestess image Ronnie Wiblin, NZ

Museo dei Tarocchi – Riola, Italy

Museo dei Tarocchi – a museum dedicated to the art of tarot – is the creation of Morena Poltronieri and Ernesto Fazioli and is housed in a beautiful stone building dating back to the 16th century. Once the blacksmiths shop and dwelling – at a time when the the Riola Vecchia country provided a stop off point for pilgrims – it was purchased by Morena and Ernesto in 1999 and a major renovation project got underway.

The roof of the building was all but destroyed and had to be completely renewed. Heating was installed to accompany existing fireplaces and bathrooms were either renewed or added, along with walls both inside and out. New floors were laid and gardens, fences and gates, planted and built.

Says Ernesto Fazioli re the renovations ... “in august 2000, the first part of [the] works were done. The roof and the stone walls outside and the floors in [the top dwelling] my place ... in that period I went to my place (restoring the inner walls) and it could begin the other works to complete the houses, [taking] maybe another year to complete. What is now the museum was completely 're-restored' in 2006-2007.”

Ernesto (originally from Bologna) and his wife Ornella Lamberti, an artist and photographer, run the Bed and Breakfast Zodiaco in what was originally the blacksmiths dwelling. They are the most generous hosts and I thoroughly recommend you book to stay if travelling through the area. Ernesto who began reading tarot in 1989, is an expert tour guide and very knowledgeable about the surrounding area.

Morena, (also originally from Bologna, who’s interest in tarot spans some 30 years), resides in the ‘front’ building below the Museo – originally the blacksmiths shop.

The Opening

June 2007 saw me along with fellow tarot enthusiast and friend, Fern Mercier, departing New Zealand shores to attend, by invitation, the official opening of the Museo. In true Sagittarian spirit – armed with a precious cargo of work by 16 NZ artists destined for permanent display – we headed for the birthplace and spiritual home of tarot.

The Museo itself is almost impossible to describe. The rooms are adorned with the artwork of talented artists from all around the world. To have access to the rooms for hours at a time over the course of our 10 day stay was like a dream come true. We pored over the art and literature – to lose oneself in this tarot wonderland was incredible.

The inaugural festivities took place over three days right on the Summer Solstice. Around 100 people attended – scholars, artists and tarot enthusiasts – all coming together to celebrate this wonderful new addition to the tarot world. Among the distinguished guests was, Hermann Haindl, (creator of the Haindl Tarot) and his wife Erica (Germany), Ireen van Bel (Amsterdam) and Robert Place (creator of the Alchemical deck) with his wife Rosanne (USA).

The majority of the presentations were in Italian which was a challenge for us non-Italian speakers, however our own presentation was visual, so language barriers overcome! Performances of all kind had been prepared including theatrical delights on the cobbled streets of the 14th century medieval town of La Scola; a traditional Bolognese puppet show; and a troop of young dancers who had choreographed a piece especially for the occasion.

We thoroughly enjoyed the local fare but nothing could equal the magnificent home cooked meals prepared in our honour.

Ernesto, Ornella, Morena and Martino were most gracious – their hospitality second to none and we remain in contact, forever friends, treasuring the memories. I look forward to the day we sit again sharing a plate of pasta and enjoying a glass or two of local vino in the beautiful town of Riola, Italy. To view more images click here. For more information about the museo click here.

Lo Scarabeo, Turin, Italy

In 2006 Lo Scarabeo, were generous supporters of the arcana event in Auckland, NZ – so whilst visiting Italy in 2007, Fern and I made a slight detour to visit Mario, Riccardo and the team to show our appreciation and extend our thanks in person.

We were welcomed as old friends, and spent a memorable few hours talking tarot getting a sneak preview of some of the most wonderful original artwork destined for upcoming decks.

Osvaldo Menegazzi

I had very high expectations of il Meneghello Tarocchi, on Via G Fara. It had once been described to me as ‘the Geppetto’s workshop of tarot’ and in my mind I had conjured up this image of what I thought it might be like. Leading up to our visit to Milan, we had been in the magical city of Venice, spent 10 days surrounded by magnificent tarot art at Museo dei Tarocchi, viewed ancient buildings and frescos in Ferrara, not to mention beautiful Bologna, Florence and Faenza. How could it possibly get any better than that? Well it did!

Tucked behind faded red awnings, the shop of artist and publisher Osvaldo Menegazzi – self taught artist and tarot art historian – was everything I had dreamed of and more.

An artisan in the true sense – words cannot begin to describe what this incredible man has achieved. His output is prolific – his work exquisite.

Osvaldo has been publishing decks since 1974 and they range from replica historic decks to theme or ‘fetish’ decks. Some are his own works – others by artist friends. He also crafts beautiful hand made boxes and extraordinary talismans and tarot shadowboxes.

Born near Verona in 1930, Osvaldo moved soon after with his family to Milan. His mother was the daughter of viticulturists and his father was Aurelio Menegazzi, an Olympic gold cycling medallist at the 1924 Paris games. In 1948 at 18 years of age, Osvaldo attended the Academy of Belle Arti di Brera in Milan. With a love for art and invention, he followed his passions. Sometime around 1962 he was introduced to tarot – it was love at first sight and some 40 years on he remains totally absorbed creating art in its honour.

Osvaldo lovingly defines il Meneghello as “the shop of arts and tastes” – as he is a lover of both fine art and fine cuisine. I am told it is not unusual to be offered an "aperitif prepared with his hands" whilst visiting his shop.

Osvaldo spends his days surrounded by the beauty of his art listening to classical music and has an infectious youthful energy about him. Cristina Dorsini comments, ‘Could it be that the tarot contains the elixir for long life? If this is indeed true, we can be certain that for many years to come, there will be many more surprises from Osvaldo Menegazzi.’

Osvaldo was expecting Fern and I the day we arrived and in true Italian style, we were greeted with warmth and affection. He had arranged for his dear friend Angelo Marchetto to join us as translator and we were very grateful. However, watching a true artisan at work needs little explanation, and much time was spent gesticulating, smiling, heads nodding, as sighs of delight and admiration were shared. We were in Milan for three days and we spent hours mesmerised by Osvaldo’s magnificent work, I for one in total awe. He shared with us his time, showered us with gifts and extended his hospitality at a local cafe where it becomes immediately apparent that the locals hold him in very high esteem.

I came away from il Meneghello Tarocchi many euro lighter, but so much richer for the experience. I am now the delighted owner of numerous limited edition il Meneghello tarot decks, beautifully hand-crafted boxes, tarot paper and glorious artworks. My pride and joy is a limited edition boxed set of 22 Insetti in 22 arcani. No. 8/36. personally signed and dated ‘il mio amico, Osvaldo’.

I look forward to the day I return to visit this beautiful artist and his extraordinary shop. If only I spoke Italian – my dream – an apprenticeship!

To view more images from il Meneghello click here

Castello Sforzesco – Milan, Italy (2007)

A trip to Milan with a tarot focus is not complete without a visit to Castello Sforzesco – (Sforza Castle) seen by many tarot enthusiasts as the birthplace of tarot.

The castle, once home to the Visconti family who it is said commissioned Bonifacio Bembo to create what is considered by some to be the earliest known of the Visconti-Sforza decks, is now a museum filled with important historical artifacts.

Unfortunately not much can be found in the museum that is specifically tarot related, however in room 13, Sala delle Colombine, the walls are covered with frescoes depicting golden suns. They closely resemble the images of the ‘coins’ we are familiar seeing in these older decks.

Accademia Carrara, Bergamo, Italy (2007)

An hour away from Milan by train is the city of Bergamo. It is here at the Accademia Carrara (art gallery and an academy of fine arts) that tarot lovers can get very excited. Amidst the paintings, bronzes, sculptures and porcelains by some of Italy’s finest artists, 26 of the 74 cards from the Visconti Sforza (Pierpont Morgan-Bergamo) tarot deck are housed on permanent display in a long glass case.

Getting up close to these images is quite something – tarot history just inches from the touch makes it easy to appreciate the detail, colours, and illumination of these original works of art.

One is reminded of the age of the cards by the discolouration around the edges and of course some fading – although it must be said – the gold work on some remains incredibly vivid. It is also easy to spot something not always picked up in replica decks, and that is of course the tack holes suggesting these original cards might at some stage have been hung on a wall.

A tiny shop at the entrance carries Visconti tarot postcards and sheets of Visconti image ‘postage stamps’ along with a couple of versions of the deck.

Original cards from the Cary Yale Deck are held at the Brera Art Gallery (Milan). Unfortunatley they were not on permanent display which meant we were unable to view.

arcana – Tarot Art Exhibition, 2-3 September, 2006
by Kaz Blennerhassett

The vivid imagery and symbolism of the Tarot is set to come alive at a spectacular two-day ‘art extravaganza’ in Auckland on the first weekend of September. This exciting exhibition will celebrate the rich art and history of this enduring, powerful tool for personal growth and transformation.

For over 600 years, Tarot has been used as a tool for achieving self-knowledge through a multitude of applications including meditations, rituals, spreads and visualisations. The striking images, with their abundant use of symbolism, appear directly to the intuitive mind, allowing interpretations and understanding that are both personal and universal. Tarot’s history as a fortune telling and gambling tool, and as a popular European card game is familiar to most, yet little is known (even by many who use it) of the amazing variety and richness of art and imagery the Tarot has inspired throughout its history.