The Tarot Garden

by Niki de Saint Phalle

Inspired by Antoni Gaudí’s Parc Güell in Barcelona and the mannerist Bomarzo Park, Niki de Saint Phalle created her sculpture park in Garavicchio, in the southern-most part of Tuscany. In this vast garden, the 22 cards of the tarot’s Major Arcana are represented in the form of enormous sculptures, 12 to 15 meters high. This enchanted world was, for her, the ultimate achievement of her oeuvre, its culmination. When she died in 2002, she left the Tarot Garden uncompleted. The book it is a piece of art in its design, inspired and created by Saint Phalle herself.

Genres: Art

76 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Niki de Saint Phalle was an artist whose career spanned five decades. De Saint Phalle was largely recognised by her naively decorated sculptures. Her mythology, feminist ideology, creative energy and personal anxieties were poured into her work, making for rich and magical creations.

Reviews

[S©aP · Rating 4 out of 5]

La piazza Igor Stravinsky, a Parigi, vicino al centro Pompidou, è caratterizzata da una fontana rettangolare e molto ampia, nella quale fanno bella mostra di sé alcune sculture variopinte e inconfondibili, realizzate dall'artista franco-americana Niki de Saint Phalle, in collaborazione con l'amico artista Jean Tinguely. L'allegria policroma e la fantasia leggera di tali installazioni difficilmente sfugge alla memoria di chi si sia recato da quelle parti anche solo una volta. E' meno nota, invece, ma solo a noi italiani, la vicenda che tra il 1979 e il 1997 portò l'artista a realizzare una serie di enormi sculture, ispirate ad alcune carte dei tarocchi, tra gli ulivi di una splendida collina in località Gravicchio, vicino a Pescia Fiorentina, letteralmente vivendo per anni all'interno di una di quelle stesse strutture. Aperto da aprile a ottobre, visitabile dal 1998, il Giardino dei Tarocchi è un luogo fantastico, dolcemente visionario, intriso di magia evocativa e materna, passeggiando nel quale facilmente si perde il senso del tempo e ci si raccorda per incanto a un'armonia superiore, improvvisamente tangibile.
In questo piccolo libro autografo, corredato da splendide foto, l'artista descrive motivi e ispirazione di ogni scultura. Ma né il libro, né tantomeno le mie poche righe possono rendere un'idea compiuta dell'assoluta magia di quel luogo, e del viaggio intimo che si compie, entrandovi.
Il libro evoca. Dopo.
Le mie poche righe servano a consigliare una passeggiata di cui non pentirsi.

[Lucie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un très bon livre avec de très belles photos qui nous apprend pleins de choses sur ces oeuvres gigantesques.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having known of Niki de Saint Phalle for a long time, and seen some of her work, her Tarot Garden was a complete surprise and such a happy read--imagining the imagining of it--then the meticulous building of it and her living for months inside the Empress, crystal hall and everything--well, it's larger than life and phenomenally beautiful and utter delight to spend time with! Super wonderful read.

[Andrea Samorini]

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FROM BOOK: Volevo un regno più grande. Niki de Saint Phalle (Lorenza Pieri)

[Linnea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always thought Niki deSaint Phalle was under-rated. It amazes me this ‘tarot’ body of work took less than one lifetime!

[Fraisinette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinante et gigantesque œuvre réalisée et expliquée par elle-même!
A défaut de pouvoir aller admirer sur place ces représentations de cartes…

[GoldenjoyBazyll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book for my Steve's mom, who was an AMAZING artist, a few years ago. It is a magical book. I would love to visit Niki de Sainte Phalles sculpture gardens some day. Each sculpture is modeled afteer how she sees the deck of Tarot. My favorite is the Empress.... let me know your thoughts!

A couple of years ago - while at the botanical gardens in Chicago- I did get to see some of her work that was on display there. She is incredible!

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great photographs of the garden--I'd love to see it firsthand. Wish there was another perspective in the book other than just hers. Would have also enjoyed some sizes to help me better understand the space.

[Gregoire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le bon point : magnifiques photos et explications sur les valeurs en trois langues (français, italien, anglais)

[Sissi · Rating 5 out of 5]

a place to visit when in Tuscany

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely inspiring