SUN AS A TOOL

Inspired by the history of the characters in classic decks of French playing cards, the face cards have been reimagined using the process of full, human-scale sun photography. The characters have been recreated with floral symbolism and pay homage to the

historical inspiration of each face card.

Made Possible by

Katherine GramesYvonne Vairma

Nick RussellJoseph Algieri

Charles WitherspoonErhan Bilici

Bradley IsnardMelodi BozkurtNadir PuccinelliSean Bozkurt

Sun as a Tool is a project by Müzz Design Studio, Light & Noise and Studio Ultralite.

J

JACK OF HEARTS

Etienne de Vignolles or La Hire

One of Joan of Arc’s military commanders. Spent his life fighting the English. He fought for the cause of Charles VII (King of Hearts). La Hire was known for his ill temper and high regard for Joan of Arc. He was one of the few men who tried to save Joan of Arc from imprisonment

and flames.

Grape VineCoat of Arms of La Hire

Q

QUEEN OF HEARTS

Judith

Derived from the Old Testament Book, she was a beautiful widow and heroine. To deliver her Jewish countrymen from their conquerors, she decapitates Holofernes the enemy general after gaining his trust.

Nasturtiumpatriotismconquest

Heliotropedevotion

Proteacourage

Lavanderdevotion

Oak Leafstrength

Sunflowerpure thoughts

K

KING OF HEARTS

Charles (Charlemagne), Suicide King

King Charles of France (possibly Charlamegne or Charles VII) is depicted as stabbing himself. Rachel (Queen of Diamonds) would be the

pseudonym of his mistress.

Acaciasecret love

Arbutus“You are the only

one i love”

Angraecumroyalty

Gardeniasecret love, joy

DaffodilChivalry

Honeysucklebonds of love

Hibiscusrare and delicate

beauty

Tulipundying love

Strawunited

J

JACK OF SPADES

Ogier the Dane

A knight of Charlemagne and a hero from Chansons de Geste. His son was killed by Charlemagne’s. He took revenge for this infraction by slaying Charlemagne’s nephew.Eventually became one of Charlemagne’s paladins. He came to be

regarded as the patron of hunting.

Morgan Le Fey, the enchantress, took him to Avalon to live in immortality until he is summoned back to defend France

against enemies.

Bird of ParadiseLiberty,magnificence, good

perspective, faithfulness (given by a man to a woman)

Q

QUEEN OF SPADES

Athena

Queen of Spades is often called “Black Lady”. Athena is the godess of courage, wisdom, civilization, inspiration, strength, mathematics, strategic war, arts, craft and skill. She is the patron godess of heroism and she is the virgin patroness of Athens.

She is represented by the number seven, and she is portrayed in the gesture of a

flying eagle.

CarnationFascination,distinction

K

KING OF SPADES

Biblical King David

David holds the sword of Goliath whom he slew. The term spade is derived from the

Italian word spada, meaning sword.

In fortune telling, King of Spades is viewed as a stern law giver not swayed by emotion.

Ivydependenceendurance

loyalty

Lilypurity

J

JACK OF DIAMONDS

Hector (From the Iliad)

Hector was the chief warrior of the Trojan army. His fighting skills were admired by the Greeks and his people alike. He was described as “incredible dynamite” and a “maniac” by

Diomedes and Odysseus.

In the Iliad, he is portrayed as a good son, a trustworthy friend, and a loving husband and father. Hector was slain by Patroclus, a friend

of Achilles.

Q

QUEEN OF DIAMONDSRachel

Rachel is a possible pseudonym for Agnes Sorel, the mistress of Charles VII (King of Hearts).

Her company to the king was alleged to have brought him out of depression. She was the first of-ficially recognized royal mistress and she had great

influence over the king.

The corsage and style of fashion is named after her.

Acaciasecret love

Arbutus“You are the only

one i love”

Angraecumroyalty

Gardeniasecret love, joy

DaffodilChivalry

Honeysucklebonds of love

Hibiscusrare and delicate

beauty

Tulipundying love

Strawunited

K

KING OF DIAMONDS

Caesar, Suicide King

King of Diamonds is commonly depicted with an axe behind his head, with the blade facing him. He is based on Julius Caesar.

Olive Leaves

J

JACK OF CLUBS

Lancelot or Judas Maccabe

Lancelot, one of the most famous knights of the round table, was tricked by Elaine de Corbenic, who made Lancelot beleive that she was Queen Guinevere. Lancelot has an affair with Elaine, who then gives birth to Galahad.

Banished by Queen Guinevere for his affair, Lancelot goes mad and wanders the wilderness for two years until he is shown the holy grail

through a veil, which cures his madness.

He returns to Camelot with Sir Percival and Sir Hector. Upon his arrival he takes part in the

quest for the Holy Grail.

Q

QUEEN OF CLUBS

Argine, an anagram of Regina

She is known as the flower queen. In spite of King Creon’s forbidding orders, Argine sets out to find her husband among many

lying dead in the battlefield.

She searched until she found him and tried reviving him with kisses and tears, but her efforts were in vain. He was cremated

afterwards.

Arbutus“You are the only

one i love”

Ivydependenceendurance

loyalty

Lilypurity

Aloe Veragrief

Oxeye Daisypatience

Rosemaryrememberance

Jasmineunconditional and

eternal love

K

KING OF CLUBS

Alexander the Great

King of clubs symbolizes loyalty and strong character. Strength without realization and

reserved character with a cheerful facade.

JOKER

Medieval Street Entertainer

Other names include: The Mountebank, The Thimble-Rigger, The Quarterpenny, Le Pagad,

Le Bateleur, Il Bagatino.

The skillful entertainer was known to perform magic tricks and sleight of hand tricks as well as juggling. Also known as a great chatterbox.

BEHIND THE SCENES...