ANIMA: Voyage to the Subconscious Mind

ANIMA are Tulisan limited edition playing cards illustrated by myself and a Swiss Canadian Artist, Sébastien Théraulaz. We have been working on this project together through the internet and long distant communications since last December 2013. The four suits correspond to the four classical elements: Air (Hearts), Fire (Spades), Water (Clubs), and Earth (Diamonds). Additionally the deck features two jokers depicted by the artists’ Oracle of the Sacred Catfish and two special Anima cards portrayed by their Supreme Hippocampus.

Time passes through and divides our lives into several facets. My very first sensory of this life was the warm skin of my mother. The very first shape of emotion was her eyes that gave me a blanket of protection. Since then, between reality and dream, I hold a set of cards which unfold both weaknesses and strengths. Every encounter and dialogue with other individuals became a game where we exchange our cards, for the better or for the worse. As I play my game, I discover something new about myself.

We all live in four different dimensions. The first fundamental dimension is an awareness of the corporeal body and its changes.

The second dimension is our dream and our vision. The third dimension is our soul and spirit. The fourth is our mind and how we conquer it.

These dimensions are like chambers of games.

Only the self have the ability occupy the four chambers at all times. A balance person takes full control of these four dimensions.

With most other players, we share at least one dimension. If we are lucky, we would meet another player whom we get to share three chambers. Then at a very rare occasion, we might cross our path with another player who plays the game in the same four dimensions.

The Anima Playing Cards is a project is about facing the truth of our being, confronting the worst of our fears, embracing all imperfections and setting the mind free from any dogmas.

Throughout history playing cards have served a variety of enigmatic purposes. Originally only the front of cards were printed, while the backs were left blank. This free space combined with their petite size made them ideal for use in sending secret love letters and covert messages. Playing cards have also been linked to secret societies as it is believed that the seemingly benign symbolism used for the cards’ suits and values actually relayed hidden messages. This complex and mysterious history adds to the charming allure inherent to a deck of cards. Whether it is through the love of games or secrets, playing cards have been bringing people together ever since their creation hundreds of years ago.

Tripple kisses,

Melissa Sunjaya
Founding Artist