Uncategorized – Jules Kobek

Proletariat Tarot at the 1369 Coffee Shop!

Prints of my cards are on exhibit through March 1369 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA

Apprentice Cards from the Proletariat Tarot

The Proletariat Tarot uses the title of Apprentice instead of Page to depict young people learning a skill: a busker, a student, a graffiti artist, and an informant.

Chess Hustler: 5 of Blades

A chess hustler plays chess in parks for small amounts of money. Beware if you sit down with one! This is a very good player, highly skilled in chess, who may verbally intimidate and manipulate you, and might even cheat you. The image in this card depicts a chess hustler in Harvard Square playing anContinue reading “Chess Hustler: 5 of Blades”

Hanging pictures for my exhibit!

Thanks, Helen, for taking the pictures as well as for all your support over the years. Thanks George, Richard, Sarah Sue and Marion, members of the exhibits committee for your help and encouragement. Opening Reception is March 6, 12:15- 1:15 Friends Meeting at Cambridge 5 Longfellow Park, Cambridge, MA

My first solo exhibit!

I am very excited to announce that I will be exhibiting prints from my work in progress, The Proletariat Tarot. The exhibit will be at the Friends Meeting at Cambridge (Quaker), 5 Longfellow Park, Cambridge, MA. The exhibit will run from March 1st to May 1st. The opening reception is March 6, 12:15-1:15. Continue reading “My first solo exhibit!”

Linking Tarot to the Transition from Feudalism to Capitalism

I found a great article on the history of Tarot: A Sociology of Tarot by Mike Sosteric https://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/CJS/article/viewFile/20000/17203 To summarize, tarot started in 15th century Italy as a card game for the nobility, a form of entertainment with no mystical connotations. Towards the end of the 18th century, a French Freemason wrote as essay presentingContinue reading “Linking Tarot to the Transition from Feudalism to Capitalism”

3 of Cups: Camaraderie

When I was a child, I admired the other girls who could jump double dutch. I could never do it myself, although the others graciously allowed me to try. Girls playing double dutch in a schoolyard stayed in my mind as an image of female friendship that was joyful and dynamic. The excitement of theContinue reading “3 of Cups: Camaraderie”

King of Wands: Master of Fire

Here the King of Wands is interpreted as a steelworker, someone who works with fire in a way that combines skill with bravery. In a reading, this card indicates someone who is passionate, forceful, daring, and creative. I depicted the King of Wands wearing a Mohawk Warrior Flag decal on his helmet (partially seen) to honorContinue reading “King of Wands: Master of Fire”

Cards from The Proletariat Deck

The cards in traditional decks that touched me the most were about the regular people: laborers, peasants, and homeless people. As someone whose father, paternal grandfather, and uncle were union carpenters, and whose maternal grandfather was a coal miner, I respect the dignity of labor. I want to celebrate with love and beauty the livesContinue reading “Cards from The Proletariat Deck”