Alice Smeets

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Ghetto tarot

The Ghetto Tarot mixes the magical with the real world and motivates you to activate your imagination; the mystical and ancient tarot cards come alive in this modern, vivid and provocative book.

"The creativity of some photographers astounds me. Just when you think you've seen every creative, strange and unique photo idea, another comes along. These fascinating images by award-winning photographer Alice Smeets transform the mysterious cards into real-life scenes captured in the ghetto of Haiti." Photo blogger DL Cade, 500px

In this book multi-award winning artist Alice Smeets interprets traditional tarot cards through the art of photography. The scenes are inspired by the Rider Waite Tarot Deck, designed in 1919, and were recreated with a group of Haitian artists, the Atis Rezistans collective, in the ghettos of Haiti. The traditional symbolism of 78 tarot cards is transformed into timeless images. "Taking ordinary pictures of the scenes seemed too simple, my aim was to create a very personal deck without losing the spirit of the cards. I combined my passions: the spiritual world, the Haitian culture, the philosophical reflections about the dualities in our world and, of course, photography," says Alice Smeets. Atis Rezistans played a special part in the realization. They acted as models in front of the camera and constructed the objects needed. Smeets doesn't show the expected image of despair in the slums, instead she presents life in the ghetto full of power, joy and creativity.

Text in English, French, and German.