Inspirational Tarot Garden
(06/10/2016)
by
Laura P. Valtorta
www.thearthousemovie.webs.com
Our trip to the Tarot Garden in Capalbio, Italy, two days
ago reinforced the idea that art inspires art. Looking at modern art, and the
fantastic sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle, helps me to write better.
Before visiting the Tarot Garden, it’s important to read the
sweet, chaotic, horrible story of Niki’s life. A recent article in The
New Yorker allowed us to do that.
The giant tarot sculptures built by Niki and her friends and
the people of Capalbio emphasize the sadness and the chaotic nature of life and
love. “Death” is one of the most beautiful sculptures. She had abandoned her
young children years earlier and spent time in an insane asylum.
The sculptures are ceramic and mirror tiles, reinforced by
steel and cement. Niki lived alone inside the Empress for many years while
building the 14-acre garden.
The poignancy of this garden comes from knowing about Niki’s
sad, messy, creative life and seeing the joy she infused in the gigantic
sculptures. On the side of the Impicciato sculpture is a love story in tiles
with drawings that illustrate the first meeting, desire, love letters, breaking
up, and remaining friends.
Any artist – writer, painter, sculptor, or musician – can benefit
from walking through Niki’s garden. It took her seventeen years to create and
shows how steadfast her passion for beauty was.
