Tarot Cards as World Commentary: Obrist, Marsili, and Kluge

Hans Ulrich Obrist and Lorenzo Marsili have invited German filmmaker and writer Alexander Kluge to create a tarot deck that offers a commentary on the state of the world. The project, featured in Monopol magazine, combines Kluge's narrative and visual style with contributions from various artists. One card depicts Jean-Jacques Lequeu's utopian 'Lighthouse for the Lost in the Desert' (1757–1826), an unrealized architectural project, set against an abstract watercolor by Katharina Grosse. The juxtaposition of the revolutionary architect and the contemporary colorist highlights the deck's thematic range. The tarot project is part of a broader engagement with alternative ways of understanding contemporary events, as Obrist and Marsili have previously collaborated on projects that explore new forms of knowledge and dialogue. The deck is presented as a tool for reflection, with each card offering a unique perspective on global issues. The article in Monopol, a German art magazine, introduces this initiative, which is currently available to subscribers. The project underscores the enduring appeal of tarot as a medium for artistic and philosophical exploration, bridging historical references with contemporary artistic practices.