The Tarot Garden
Journey into the fantasy world created by sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle
In the heart of Maremma, between the hills of Capalbio and the sea, hides a very special artistic park: the Tarot Garden.
Born from the imagination of French sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle, the Garden gathers her statues inspired by the figures of the major arcana of the tarot deck, which give life to an esoteric path, inspired by Gaudi's marvelous Parc Güell in Barcelona.
Influenced by the soft forms and majestic constructions of the Catalan architect, Niki de Saint Phalle began building the works at her own expense and with the cooperation of her husband Jean Tinguly.
The twelve- to fifteen-meter-high sculptures are made internally of iron rods of various thicknesses and concrete castings: a special weave that also made these "cyclopean papers" anti-seismic.
Later, the works were covered with mirror mosaics, Murano glass and ceramics.
Some works have been created by other artists, such as the ceramic benches placed outside the garden, the iron and ceramic chairs inside the empress, and the furniture in the ticket office, by Pierre Marie Lejeune.
The frescoes inside the magus are by painter Alan Davie, the sculpture placed inside the priestess is by Marina Karella, while the construction of the ticket office was by architect Mario Botta.
Accessibility information: ilgiardinodeitarocchi.it
