Dear Niki

I visited you ten times already. Tomorrow may be 11th.

Il giardino dei tarocchi, the Tarot Garden, is where French artist Niki de Saint Phalle was living for a while, creating the world around her. Her accommodation most resembled living in a disco ball, that’s why I’m not surprised to learn that she only lasted there for a short time and then built further underground and arranged a flat down there (to be investigated in situ – they don’t show that to visitors!).

When I moved to south Tuscany 3.5 years ago, I found a list of Tuscan attractions online and the Giardino made no. 1. (I think Sovana, Pitigliano and Terme Saturnia were in the top 5, that’s how I learnt of the first two at all. Amore had never been there before.)

Tomorrow is the first Saturday of the month, and in the months from November through March this means an Open Door Day, and that’s when I pounce. See you there, but only until 1pm.

Niki’s living room before she moved underground.

The Sun.

The dragon of the statue La Forza (Strength).

The Devil. Somehow I’m very drawn to it…

The Empress.

First thing you see. And you’re not the same.

Photo: a © signature mmm production

For those who like to linkhop, more posts on the Giardino from my old blog and one from the new:

• Upon my very first visit;
• Return to the Garden;
• When I took my mom;
• WPC: Ornate;
• Niki’s Moon;
• Niki’s women;
• Niki’s doors;
• Niki’s numbers.

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