Funfair and circus TAROT des forains et du cirque is an artistic research project initiated by Kurt Vanhoutte (University of Antwerp, Research Centre for Visual Poetics) in collaboration with the artists Roger Cremers and Doina Kraal. The project draws from the rich visual archives of the Allard Pierson Circus and Theater Instituut Nederland (TIN) collections, transforming historical images of magicians, sword swallowers, lion tamers, strongmen and -women, acrobats, and other performers into a unique deck of tarot cards. Each card, such as The Chariot - Le Chariot, The Devil- Le Diable, The King of Cups – Le Roi des Bâtons or the Queen of Wands – La Reine des Bâtons, is meticulously crafted through collage, blending iconic tarot symbolism with the whimsical energy of the fairground.
The project explores visual correspondences between popular entertainment imagery and tarot iconography, highlighting how gestures, expressions, and symbolic systems circulated within fairground culture. Through collage and digital drawing, the resulting cards reactivate archival material while keeping its historical traces visible, foregrounding the fairground as a site where spectacle, symbolism, and visual knowledge intersect. By repurposing archival materials, the Funfair and circus TAROT offers a fresh perspective on both tarot’s mystical heritage and the playful, ephemeral world of the fair.
The deck is set to be published in 2026: sign up here to stay updated on the project and secure your limited edition copy!
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The Chariot -
The Devil -
King of Cups -
King of Pentacles -
The Moon -
Coupes/cups
