LUX: Solis Occasum Lux Bromalis by uusi (Tarot)

[Harvonsgard]

[Harvonsgard]

This is going to be good.

[Harvonsgard]

[kevork]

Launching tomorrow, October 22nd at 11am EST. Gilded versions, wooden items, etc. will also be made available at that time.

[Honeybee]

They look very interesting but no tarot is one of the ways I keep myself in check

[kevork]

They look very interesting but no tarot is one of the ways I keep myself in check

I used to say that, but there are certainly exceptions to this rule Having more surface area to display art is a significant plus, but I generally do not look for tarot decks. Out of sight, out of mind.

[brownsl]

I generally really like UUSI's work but I am not feeling this one.

[GandalfPC]

Not feeling this one either.

I am sitting on a gilded one for 24 hours, so should anyone desire it let me know before then and we can arrange a hand off.

[kevork]

Not feeling this one either.

I am sitting on a gilded one for 24 hours, so should anyone desire it let me know before then and we can arrange a hand off.

I reached out to Ivan since I know he collects UUSI gilded decks.

I'll be passing on this campaign as well, although I weirdly like the tuck and want to touch it, assuming it's not smooth stock. The cards do nothing for me.

I imagine they should be able to fund with the following they have.

[manu]

The early bird tier sold out in under a minute (it was only limited to 10). Im in for now, but we’ll see as we get closer to the end date.

[traaaf]

Not for me but glad to see they are continuing to make decks

[caniveski]

Thanks Kevork, I am collecting the gilded decks and still missing a few. I don't wish to go down the gilded tarot hole!! Looks nice tho.. I have backed for a standard....

[STLBluesNut]

i have never understood the uusi appeal.

[Harvonsgard]

Projects that don't repeat themselves, rudimental/pagan vibe, great understanding of material and design, no bloated output and maybe the thing that appeals the most to me, they aren't card designers ergo no shit show like diffraction gilded decks, haha.

[rousselle]

i have never understood the uusi appeal.

I wasn't into Blue Blood when it was first developed, but Bohemia was nice enough, so I picked 'em up. Royal Optik just... wow. I could (and at some point, I will) go on for a while about why that deck is one of my "Top 100 of All Time Must Haves." Hotcakes was simply fun. Pagan and classic were both fine. I picked up a Blue Blood and a Blue Blood Redux just to "complete the set," and likewise with Brut, which didn't otherwise sing to me. While I very much enjoyed a few of their Tarot offerings, yeah... their style hasn't continued to keep me engaged.

Truly, they points Harvonsgard mentioned above about how they do unique art for each deck, their understanding of material and design, that they don't keep going to the same well over and over again (recolors of the Pagan deck notwithstanding), and that they put a lot of thought and creativity into their designs -- all while maintaining an excellent aesthetic -- are reason enough to respect them. But, if the art doesn't sing to you, the art doesn't sing to you. Like others above, I find this deck, like a few of their others, just doesn't resonate with me the way a few others have, and I've shed my completionist tendencies, so I'll be sitting this one out.

But every time they release something new, I'm going to check it out because when the work they do connects with me, it REALLY connects.

[hsbc]

We are touching base with you on the project and where everything is at. Currently, we are in the stage where we are putting all the artwork to date together for a review. This stage requires a lot of editing and reworking to ensure the deck's narrative and artistic style flow. It happens with every divination deck we have done, and it is an intense, "private"—often frustrating—but ultimately necessary and rewarding part of creating this work. In the next update, we will show you the comprehensive look of the deck moving forward with its final details worked out.

With "Lux," the linocut medium has been extra challenging, requiring a few more steps than most traditional art mediums we have worked with. Our process starts with sketching the artwork, and once a sketch is completed, it is transferred to a linocut block. Peter is hand-laminating all the linocut blocks with cutoffs from work he's done with old-growth, reclaimed redwood – very stable for a lino backer. These special blocks are then carved and, finally, printed. We are in both the sleeves-rolled-up-carving part and the final deck edit. Both require an enormous amount of focus. So, not a lot of photos of the process in this update, just a lot of "Shit! I didn't want to carve that area." Or, "Whoa...that was an awesome surprise!" It's a lot of fun and a lot of work, which is a lot like everything we do, but in the end, it all comes together.

Here is our current schedule: March will see us finishing the pips (all the Cups, Swords, and Seal designs are done – they look fantastic, and we can't wait to share!) and the Major Arcana. The courts will be finalized in April and early May. By mid-May, it will be time to pull all the finished artwork into print-ready files so we can send it to our Printer in June. As we move into the summer, the book will be laid out and headed to print, and by late summer, all should be moving toward our studio.

Alongside all the joyful activity of making art, Life has been happening. In early February, Peter's Mom passed away, and we needed time to deal with an incredibly painful loss. Nine months earlier, he had lost his beloved Father, Jim. Life ebbs and flows, and we gather ourselves back up and carry on, but for our family, Marlene and Jim were the Sun—all warmth, grace, and love – and navigating the world without them has been a monumental orbital adjustment.

But as we said, Life flows on, and the next time we chat, we will have a lot of "Lux" to show you, which is super exciting!! Also, for those asking about the tarot cloths and altars – don't worry, you haven't missed them! As soon as they are ready to show, our KS Backers will have the first chance to pick them up We can't give you a date on those items' release right now, but it will happen after the artwork for the deck is completed and off to print.

Talks soon! Linnea & Peter

[KGthePrince]

i have never understood the uusi appeal.

I wasn't into Blue Blood when it was first developed, but Bohemia was nice enough, so I picked 'em up. Royal Optik just... wow. I could (and at some point, I will) go on for a while about why that deck is one of my "Top 100 of All Time Must Haves." Hotcakes was simply fun. Pagan and classic were both fine. I picked up a Blue Blood and a Blue Blood Redux just to "complete the set," and likewise with Brut, which didn't otherwise sing to me. While I very much enjoyed a few of their Tarot offerings, yeah... their style hasn't continued to keep me engaged.

Truly, they points Harvonsgard mentioned above about how they do unique art for each deck, their understanding of material and design, that they don't keep going to the same well over and over again (recolors of the Pagan deck notwithstanding), and that they put a lot of thought and creativity into their designs -- all while maintaining an excellent aesthetic -- are reason enough to respect them. But, if the art doesn't sing to you, the art doesn't sing to you. Like others above, I find this deck, like a few of their others, just doesn't resonate with me the way a few others have, and I've shed my completionist tendencies, so I'll be sitting this one out.

But every time they release something new, I'm going to check it out because when the work they do connects with me, it REALLY connects.

I really appreciate how you expressed this. Very well said. I for one, am a huge fan of Uusi and all of their work (including Lux). They are the only designer where I am trying to complete my collection of every standard, non-gilded deck they've produced. Their aesthetic really appeals to me, but I totally understand if doesnt resonate with members of the community. That being said, the only deck I wasn't really impressed with was Brut. However, I still want the tarot to complete my collection

[rousselle]

That being said, the only deck I wasn't really impressed with was Brut. However, I still want the tarot to complete my collection

You're looking for the Brut Tarot? Feel free to DM me if you're looking for that one, or for any of the other non-gilded, non-special edition decks, as I most likely have an unopened duplicate I could be convinced to sell if it's going to a good home.

[KGthePrince]

That being said, the only deck I wasn't really impressed with was Brut. However, I still want the tarot to complete my collection

You're looking for the Brut Tarot? Feel free to DM me if you're looking for that one, or for any of the other non-gilded, non-special edition decks, as I most likely have an unopened duplicate I could be convinced to sell if it's going to a good home.

Cool! Sending you a PM now : )

[KGthePrince]

Another sneak peek

[KGthePrince]

Loving all these progress pics

[KGthePrince]

Something from the latest KS really caught my eye:

"When "Lux" is finally completed, don't worry; we are still pushing to finish close to our goal date! – we will close a chapter with our tarots at Uusi. "Lux" will be the last tarot that Peter and I work on. This wasn't planned, but it feels like our work with this object has come full circle. With this deck's content, we are looking far back to places of felt knowing, and as the saying goes, when you know, you know."

I know Uusi isn't for everyone, but knowing this is their last endeavor in this space is bittersweet for those of us who appreciate their work. Hopefully this doesn't mean they are leaving the card space. I asked but we will see...

[manu]

That stood out to me as well. I definitely hope they will continue making other types of cards.

[hsbc]

I feel like (hope?) they would have said playing cards if they meant that

[Harvonsgard]

They always (rightfully) made the destinction between oracle and tarot decks so, calling tarot quits doesn't really mean anything in that regard. Furthermore they said no more Pagan years ago and changed their mind on that later.
That said, I still doubt though that we'll see a true newly designed uusi poker deck - I would have said the same pre the 52+J deck so, all I know, is that I don't know.

[brownsl]

I backed this because it is from UUSI but to be honest I find it very bland and boring. The art seems very lazy. My least favorite deck from them by far. If this deck was from some lesser known creator, I would never have bought it.

[Harvonsgard]

I never understand what "lazy art" means especially when the creator made 70+ wood cut prints for this project alone .

[brownsl]

I never understand what "lazy art" means especially when the creator made 70+ wood cut prints for this project alone .

For me it means, not withstanding creating the wood cut prints, a lot of time was not spent in the "art". The fact that wood cut prints were made versus something created digitally, personally, I do not care. It does not add any value to the deck to me. But at the same time, my artistic vision is almost non-existent.

[manu]

It seems clear to me from the updates that a lot of time was spent on the art.

A small pet-peeve of mine is when "simple" is equated to "lazy." Just because an art style seems simple, does not automatically mean it was easy to make. In fact, often the reverse is true—simple art styles require a lot of work in order to convey more meaning with fewer shapes.

Of course, if a style just does not appeal to you that's completely fine.

[Harvonsgard]

… a lot of time was not spent in the "art".

How do you quantify that? Just because it looks simple too you?