Many of us are looking forward to spending time amongst friends and family this coming winter, and with that arrives the promise of a new pastime potential: playing cards.Handout
If there’s an inanimate object that best defines the past two years, it’s the puzzle. For one thing, the pandemic has introduced an unprecedented level of chaos, akin to what happens when you first dump out hundreds of puzzle pieces. Then, there has been the need to occupy endless hours, especially ones spent solo, which for many was sated with the completion of all manner of puzzles, be they minimalist or eclectic in aesthetic.
Now, many of us are looking forward to spending time amongst friends and family this coming winter, and with that arrives the promise of a new pastime potential: playing cards. I’m not talking about your classic Bicycle deck – although they’re certainly nostalgic and retain a sense of classic graphic design. There’s a host of new card decks on the market – from tony offerings by luxury fashion brands to the pop culture-themed fare from the card-focused brand Theory 11 – set to delight serious players and idle time passing types alike.
Art of Play is a company run out of California founded by Dan and Dave Buck. The twin brothers are touted as pioneers of cardistry, the art of creating all manner of fanciful motions and formations of cards, and the company boasts an eye-catching selection featuring designs done by artists including Philadelphia-based Armando Veve. His Cabinetarium deck took around two years to complete, says Dan Buck, and each card features “a unique illustration [from Veve’s] imaginative curiosity.”
Noting that Art of Play’s customers include serious gamers, magicians and collectors, Buck says that the brand’s San Diego storefront allows the card playing-curious to come in and see which of the many decks pique their visual preference. “It’s really fun for people to come in and just stare at our giant wall,” Buck says. “To find what fits them, what goes with their home decor, what goes with their style. There’s all these choices, and we try to have a deck for everyone.” For those who’ve built up a reserve of card decks, Art of Play also sells an ornate, display-worthy DIY drawer that holds up to nine packs.
As part of Art of Play’s endeavour to bring a creative twist to your next stretch of leisure time, the brand recently collaborated with the Toronto-based design studio Humble Raja on its newest deck, called Forbidden Forest. The designs represent fantastical takes on figures found in South Asian mythology, and it’s the second card deck created by Humble …….