The Tarot Garden (Capalbio)
written by carmendevos
on May 9th, 2008
(1 vote)
Occupying a beautiful hillside overlooking the picturesque Tuscan coast, this completely unique sculpture garden is a result of twenty years labor-of-love of Niki De Saint Phalle, an artist. Born in France, raised in New York and Europe, Saint Phalle began her adult-life as a stunningly gorgeous and eccentric model. She was also a voracious reader and daring artist, who was inspired by the American comic-books, Antonio Gaudì’s Parc Guell and the early horror movies of Hollywood.
When Niki confided her lifelong dream to build a sculpture garden depicting the symbols of the Tarot cards to her friend Marella Caracciolo, wife of Fiat owner Gianni Agnelli, Marella and her brothers gave her a large piece of ground where the artist could erect huge figures made of colorful ceramic and glass pieces. All the figures represent characters of the Tarots and many can be explored also from inside. When the artist was asked why she had chosen Tarots as her theme, the woman, who had created children parks throughout the world, answered, “Life is like a card game, and we are born not knowing the rules, but everyone of us must continue playing the game we are dealt”.
Il Giardino dei Tarocchi is a great place to introduce small children to art, and it’s a wonderful place for adults to relax as well. It is located on the southern edge of the Tuscan coast, just outside Capalbio in Pescia Fiorentina. I keep returning there `cause this garden is a testimony of her love to Jean Tinguely. Every mosaic speaks of the deep connection she had with this man.
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