Back to that VR 2 of Swords. I don't see her like people here do at all. I see her large, intelligent, clear eyes as expressing a calm, analytical, peaceful intelligence. To me, she is deep in thought - not remotely 'spaced out' but rather focussed inwardly.
Ah, but all art is subjective. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, one man's ceiling is another man's floor, and all that.
Interesting take on the meaning of the art.
Her hands look as if she has some type of minor deformity, like ones due to rheumatic fever - which many, many people suffer. I don't feel the revulsion expressed here for people's physical (or mental) disabilities, & in fact I'm rather happy to see a disablement presented here, & wish there were more - NOT just as objects of pity.
I don't think everyone in the media / illustrations / mainstream saleables should have to be 'perfect'. I have a friend with hands like this, who is thrilled to recognise 'her' hands in the deck!
See, I didn't at all think of her as disabled. For me, it was more of an issue about distortion via lack of technical perspective in art. The proportions are off, IMO. And I agree, not everyone has to look airbrushed (in fact, personally, I love diversity in the human race
) I like faces that have character! And I have no qualms or quibbles about putting disabled people in decks - they should be, they are just the same as anyone else. Human is human. And it would be an accurate reflection of life.
My pet hates are the sleazy-looking nightclub Queens of Cups & Swords in the Tarot of Dreams - especially the latter, who looks far too young & 'done-up' seductively to display her voluptuous sexual charms rather than portraying any intellect or insight.
And I don't get the naked crotch emphasis in the Chariot of the Golden Tarot of Klimt, with no chariot at all - eugh - what's this about?
Do you have links or pics of these? We'd all be interested to see what you are referring to. I understand the dislike for the dumbing down/sexualising of the queens, or other characters...and nudity - while it has its place in art - meh. Not necessary, IMO...though, I can see where the visual cue in a card could be seen via nudity. As in, "you may be feeling exposed or vulnerable" or, "You feel you have nothing to hide" etc.
I did this as an example a couple of years back during the 'Banana Man' discussion - and I always add, ladies, that having seen a lot of male appendages in my day ... this one is not all that unusual!
I always wanted to start a thread about penises in Tarot and call it 'Tarot Dicks' !!!!
Ha! You did a great job on that, tb! Almost looks printed on
and yes, I agree with Carla, please start your thread - sounds really amusing and interesting! I am sure you'd get flooded with responses!
Here is the Tower card from the Silicon Dawn - and I correct myself, the jumpers are NOT smiling - not sure why I remembered them as doing so. I still don't like the card, but I suppose, in the overall theme of the deck (which I don't care for at all), it could be considered appropriate. If I had a close friend or family member who died that day, I might think differently.
Hmmmm....I could not work with that card, myself. I find it pretty disturbing. I have to agree with Laura - that was one of the things that I found really hard to look at while watching the news footage.
My cousin survived 9/11 because he was on the 9th floor when it happened. Had he not given up smoking and been in the 83rd story smoking area with co-workers, he would have been killed.
tb, I am so glad that he survived...and wow, irony - "smoking kills". ;p
Such interesting insights! I am really curious and very interested in everyone's card "recoils" and views...and it is interesting to see how much, and how profoundly, image/art affects us...and the diversity therein!
