The Divination Set in an installation conceived and produced during the Masseria Cultura 2021 artist in residency programme. This work is inspired by the practice of tarot’s reading, and is composed of a series of nine metal plates, three headpieces and nine numbered coins.

The zinc plates are etched with drawings depicting the various elements of the Masseria’s environment: plate I represents Bruna the dog, plate II is the Lizard, plate III the Figs, plate IV the Trunk, plate V the Gate, plate VI the Millstone, plate VII the Fox, plate VIII the Agaves, plate IX the Bones. The accompanying headpieces are made of copper wire and organic material found in the surroundings of the Masseria, and they represent the material, mental and emotional sphere, while the coins each have a numerological meaning connected to their number.

The Divination Set is an interactive piece an can be consulted by viewers following the instruction written on the installation’s key line. Firstly they shall wear a headpiece of their choice, depending on the kind of question they wish to ask; they can then pick a coin randomly, and see to which plate does the number correspond; finally by reading the meaning of the drawn plate, the viewers will get their answer.

Special thanks go to Francesca Calignano for her precious insight in Tarot reading and numerology, as well as to Mirko Matarante for his support in the making of the installation’s clay props.