The Courtyard of Arcana

The art object explores the phenomenon of escapism—the attempt to flee from a gray, oppressive reality into the safe space of magical thinking. Between golden portals on the canvas, an urban landscape is captured, one completely devoid of people. Instead, the space is populated by cut-out figures from Tarot cards, which have literally replaced the living inhabitants of courtyards and apartment entrances.

This visual metaphor reflects the drama of modern humanity, which immerses itself so deeply in esotericism and pre-packaged archetypes that it dissolves its own identity within them. The residents of the courtyard willingly renounce authentic life, substituting it with external prophecies and roles, turning the utopia of escape into an existential trap.