Counterspeculative Constellations (CC) is a card-reading artistic-research format I created to question the use of Tarot and astrology in queer-feminist artistic practice. Its first iteration was a deck of cards, interpretation guide for the cards, and essay for my Masters project at the Art in Context programme at the University of the Arts Berlin. I gave readings with the cards and presented on their making, and published a peer-reviewed essay on them in the JAWS Journal.
A video recording of a lecture and reading is available below. For a copy of the cards and their interpretive booklet in English or German, or for my chapter in the JAWS Journal, please contact me.
Abstract: Astrology and Tarot are trending in some queer-feminist circles, which is also reflected in the art world. However, their use raises ethical and political questions, for instance: when is white artists’ use of magic neo-colonial or appropriative? Why does the political right also use esoteric magic for their propaganda? How is magic in artistic practice affected by the profit-driven boom of astrology apps and digital Tarot services? Based on Tarot, I created a card deck with interpretive texts questioning the use of magic in art called Counterspeculative Constellations. The reader pulls cards to create a constellation of critical concepts in an intuitive, serendipitous and ritualistic way. This article looks at some of the curatorial aims of the use of magic in art and how they can sometimes fall into a trap of ‘cruel optimism’. I then share some ideas of how critical analysis might be brought to magical practice, and how the powers of magic can be used to deepen critical discourse.
