interview

And I'm writing this after coming back from another interview that went pretty well. Having a prototype deck in hand for in-person interviews is wonderful - people are just mesmerized by the images. This deck definitely works.

WILLIAM HENDERSON AUGUST 21, 2008
Oracular Occularity
Introducing Egypt Urnash and Her Silicon Dawn Tarot

I was a believer of sorts even before transgender artist Egypt Urnash met me at Diesel in Davis Square to talk about her debut exhibition, a collection of new, original graphic illustrations making up the 78 images of the tarot deck. Not that I think my future can be told by a deft cutting of the deck and spreading of the cards, but I do believe that there are those who believe in that kind of thing.

So when Urnash brought forth from her bag a demo deck of the cards — made to see if she could, and as a prototype for interested distributors — and laid them on the table, the card of Justice on top, I was instantly smitten. And if believing in tarot divinations brought me closer to such carefully rendered images, than far be it for me to stand in the way. So I apologize. When it comes to this specific art exhibition, I have to chuck any objectivity out the door. The images are beautiful, as a whole set, or card by card, as they’ll be exhibited at Space 242 in the South End starting next week.
And for Urnash, a native of New Orleans who relocated to Boston after Katrina’s trail of destruction left her and her mother homeless, hearing that the images are striking is reassuring, if only because after working on them for the better part of a year, she no longer sees them for what they are, merely for what they’ve come to represent: a chance to up her game, take her animation skill to the next level, and if a publication deal of sorts results, all the better.

“Tarot,” says Urnash, “is a fascinating labyrinth of seemingly significant imagery, muddied history and confusion. It’s a sprawling canvas of images that are just far enough from being something archetypical to be fun to play with.”
And fun Urnash had in creating her deck. At a rate of one finished card every three days — thanks in no small part to her mastery of computer-based illustration programs, into which she could import her sketches and begin her digital creation — inside each card you can find images influenced by Edward Gorey, Mike Magnolia, and, in one very clear example, Jack Kirby, perhaps best known for his work on the comic book, “Fantastic Four” and for the creation of one big bad in general, Galactus. Here, in Urnash’s image, think the stereotypical Kirby Galactus — all purple and pointy — and add breasts.

“It’s Galactus with boobs,” laughs Urnash.

For the uninitiated, tarot decks of playing cards can be tracked back to Europe in the 14th Century. Later, in 1540, tarot became known for its use in divination, the art or practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omens or by the aid of supernatural powers.

Four suits of 14 images each (known as the “minor arcana”) and 22 “major arcana” constitute a traditional tarot deck. And while this is the sum total of what Urnash will have on exhibit, she is stretching her deck by 12 cards not typically found in decks. There is a card for History, a Zero, three versions of the card known only as “The Fool,” and others, each of which have their practical reasons for inclusion.

When asked about the meaning of her cards, Urnash says simply that “they are the answers to questions about your life, raised by the cards.”

While she’s had a reading from her deck, she’s mum on what the cards told her, if anything. She does believe that in each card, in each reading, one will find a story. She starts the story with her images. It’s up to you to figure out what happens next, whether to you or in response to a question you ask the deck. It never lies, the card. Inside it you will find a truth, even if just for that one moment in time.

So will I take advantage of the seer tapped to be on-hand at the opening reception for Urnash’s exhibit? Probably not. Better to let my own future unfold in these cards day by day, tantalizingly near, unexpected, un-ordinary, much like the deck itself. //

Images from the Silicon Dawn Tarot Deck will be on display at Space 242, 242 East Berkeley Street, 2nd Floor, from August 29 through September 19. An opening reception, at which Urnash will be on-hand and the images will be on sale, will be held on Friday, August 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information about Urnash go to egypt.urnash.com. For more information about Space 242, go to www.space242.com.