The Haptic Tarot + Altar Cloth
The Haptic Tarot is the culmination of the author's passion for art history and design theory. By utilizing the incredibly powerful and often surprising results of generative AI, he has infused each card with select details from his knowledge and practice, creating a deck that calls users to explore the fascinating interplay between symbolism and sensation. The Haptic Tarot celebrates the fusion of tradition and innovation, offering an experience for those ready to embark on a journey of self-reflection and discovery.
The rise of generative AI prominence is a hard topic to ignore, especially as a San Francisco/Bay Area resident. Discussions regarding its positive, altruistic applications and negative, potentially dystopian implications became prevalent in my day-to-day. However, that didn’t stop me from tinkering around with the tools available to make my dream a reality."
The Haptic Tarot’s inception started in December of 2022 as I experimented with different AI platforms, prompts, visual styles, and my own image manipulation techniques. As I worked with the technology I found that the less detail that was given, the images produced were more closely aligned to what I saw in my imagination. It wasn’t until a full year later that I was able to finally bring this vision into focus, creating the decadent images that make up the 78 cards of this deck.
The artwork itself pays homage to the early history of the Tarot. Although not of Italian descent—the understood homeland of the original Tarot (or tarocchi)— Jan van Eyck’s inclusion of iconographic elements is similar to that of the artist(s) responsible for the earliest deck(s). These icons and symbols often conveyed what he saw as a co-existence of the spiritual and material worlds.
THE ARTWORK
The artwork itself pays homage to the early history of the Tarot. Although not of Italian descent - the understood homeland of the original Tarot (or tarocchi)—van Eyck’s inclusion of iconographic elements is similar to that of the artist(s) responsible for the earliest deck. These icons and symbols often conveyed what he saw as a co-existence of the spiritual and material worlds.
In a world increasingly defined by digital interactions, the deck invites users to engage with the haptic sensations of the cards, tapping into their tactile feedback as a means of connection. By excluding faces and choosing to focus on hands, the cards encourage users to let their intuition wander. Though they possess objective meanings intertwined, the artwork enables readers to formulate their own interpretations, fostering a more personal connection with Tarot symbolism.
THE DETAILS:
- 78 original cards
- Each card measures 8.8 x 12.6cm
- Printed on premium quality 330gsm black core cardstock with a smooth matte finish
- Premium quality 2-part box with anti-scratch matte finish
THE ALTAR CLOTH
There is a myth in the Tarot community that, to protect its energy, one must wrap their decks in silk. While I don't necessarily take this superstition to heart, I do find truth in designating certain accouterments to a reader’s overall practice.
Measuring 53 x 53cm The Haptic Tarot altar cloth not only serves as the perfect surface to highlight the deck but also focuses on the interpretations of readings. Its size provides ample room for spreading out the cards, creating an immersive experience during one’s divination practice.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Nicholas Jacobs
"The love and passion for all things visual were baked into my soul at a very young age. From "reading" simple wordless storybooks as a toddler to clipping photos from magazines for my wall collages as a teenager, I always found that images have provide me with an incredibly robust vocabulary. I went on to study drawing, painting, printmaking, and art history in collage culminating with a degree in design. However, throughout the entirety of my art education, the best lesson I received was in visual literacy; the ability to decode, interpret, and contectualize simple (or sometimes complex) imagery. This ability also allows me to unpack how influential images are for us as beings here on Earth.
After discovering my first Tarot deck at the age of 12, I began to vigorously practise with the cards, learning their meanings and becoming familiar with various spreads.
Over the years I founf a rhythm with my intuition, helping family, friends and clients reflect upon their current life paths. From the moment I picked up that first deck, I continue to seek guidance from the Tarot and have been sharing this gift with others. With over 20 years of experience, I have found that the cards can provide clarity, guidance, and reflection in all aspects of a person's life."
