Ghetto Tarot - Tapa dura

"The creativity of some photographers astounds me. Just when you think you've seen every creative, strange and unique photo idea, another comes along. These fascinating images by award-winning photographer Alice Smeets transform the mysterious cards into real-life scenes captured in the ghetto of Haiti." Photo blogger DL Cade, 500px. In this book multi-award winning artist Alice Smeets interprets traditional tarot cards through the art of photography. The scenes are inspired by the Rider Waite Tarot Deck, designed in 1919, and were recreated with a group of Haitian artists, the Atis Rezistans collective, in the ghettos of Haiti. The traditional symbolism of 78 tarot cards is transformed into timeless images. "Taking ordinary pictures of the scenes seemed too simple, my aim was to create a very personal deck without losing the spirit of the cards. I combined my passions: the spiritual world, the Haitian culture, the philosophical reflections about the dualities in our world and, of course, photography," says Alice Smeets. Atis Rezistans played a special part in the realisation. They acted as models in front of the camera and constructed the objects needed. Smeets doesn't show the expected image of despair in the slums, instead she presents life in the ghetto full of power, joy and creativity.

Alice Smeets is a photographer, journalist, artist, film maker, project manager, teacher and traveller. Since 2007 Alice has repeatedly lived and worked in Haiti for extented periods of time. In 2010 she founded Viv Timoun, a non-profit organisation to develop projects in Haiti. Alice Smeets has shown her work in many countries and received numerous awards.