Title: November 9th - 14:48
Medium: Super-8 film
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Resolution: 2880 x 2160
File Type: H.264 Codec / MP4.
Comments: A year before this video was created I dreamed to exhibit my photography at Paris Photo. It was my first time visiting Paris for this acclaimed photo fair, where all the historical legends and contemporary icons showed and sold their work through prominent and emerging galleries. I walked down the halls in awe of all the artists I had studied and am now learning about. Manifesting, saying to myself. This time next year, I will exhibit my photography, my tarot scrolls! A few months later a wonderful French woman approached me at NFT Paris. Her name was Marlene. She had asked if I would like to work together and show my work at Paris photo in 2023. I was ecstatic. Could this be the wish I had asked for? She had so much faith and trust in my work. I mentioned the tarot scrolls and she was more than thrilled to show this work with La Collection. My final stop in Europe for this solo Eurotrip was in Paris. To celebrate the opening of the fair, and the exhibition of my work. Originally, we wanted to showcase all 78 tarot scrolls. Marlene made the curatorial decision to include other outstanding artists in the booth, like Operator. Therefore, we decided to only show the 22 Major Arcana pieces from the series. The booth was located at the entrance of the book fair, where everyone would be walking by. It was the perfect placement. Apparently, the French minister of culture took a fancy to our booth. Out of the hundreds of works exhibited, she showed up for us. During our show I sat with the artwork and the passersby to read Polaroid tarot cards to museum heads and intrigued fair-goers. I am an artist that stands by his work when it is shown. To meet the people and patrons who take the time to understand what the work is about. After all, the artist is the best person to speak with about the art! It was the final day of the fair and Marlene had caught a cold from working so hard this week. I made her portrait in front of the art, as we did once before in Berlin with Anika. To intertwine the artists past work within the new work was sort of like an easter egg for me. To tell a bit of my story diaristically and what was happening in my professional life within the travels around the world meeting and connecting with people. The inner and outer worlds come together. Since the tarot scrolls were silkscreened on Egyptian papyrus paper I gave Marlene my clear crystal quartz Ankh that I picked up in Ireland from the king himself. Held it to her heart and breathed deeply the power of creation. A symbol of unity of man and woman; Of life beginning. The journey ahead. For the next time you see this sacred tool will be in Egypt and it's ancient hieroglyphs on the stone temple walls.