MariLon - The New Old

Tuesday 31 January 2023

Mari Lon Tarot Deck Introduction

Art of Tarot is for the second time back under the hills of Monte Verita!

This time along with personal readings, we have a pleasure of introducing our brand new tarot deck in making - Mari Lon Tarot deck & the major arcana, we dreamed of creating for some time now. Mesmerising, visinary artwork by Serbian born Swiss artist Ana D'Apuzzo will take you to another dimension and it will be my great pleasure to give a voice to those magical images & channel those messages to the audience.

Join us on this exciting journey at the Studio Ana D'Apuzzo, Ascona, Switzerland, on Saturday, 8pm, 4th February 2023.

Discover the mystery of the tarot cards, learn how to use it for your own spiritual development before being able to help others. If the Tarot is a new world to you or you have some knowledge, you are at the right place. This two hours workshop sets you on a journey of exploration. And this is just the beginning. The Fool's Journey is a metaphor for the journey through life. Each major arcana card stands for a stage on that journey - an experience that a person must incorporate to realise his wholeness. As we begin to understand the common archetypes and mythology each of humanity we are able to tap into what Carl Jung called the Collective Unconscious. Tarot is a wonderful tool to help us bring these aspects of ourselves to the surface and give the clarity we seek.

Wednesday 22 July 2020

KIMONO - Old / New / Timeless

So, just before The Planet got shut down early March, without knowing that this will be the last exhibition I will be visiting for some time, I made my way to V&A Museum that Saturday morning and completely got lost in the mesmerising world and beautiful story of Kimono for the entire day. The whole experience seemed bit unreal even tho I travelled to Japan earlier and was very familiar with the history of this unique garment, but seeing its whole journey in one place, beautifully curated, was another level - Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk.

From that one Japan trip back in 2014, I brought home this piece of clothing I've been wearing since, but wearing it every day or night, summer or winter, when on my own or having friends unexpectedly pop-in and trying to look more decent. This is where my fascination and obsession with Kimono started.

That ''Historical'' Kimono that changed my personal style & daily routine for ever, wearable 24/7

Sneak a Peek, Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk, V&A

Detail, Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk, V&A

The Winner

Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk, V&A

In Heaven, Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk, V&A
Wearing ASOS Kimono Dress

Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk, V&A

Interesting I never got one for 2020 ...
Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk, V&A

My personal journey with his majesty Kimono is not finished yet I feel...
And you may have already heard, Victoria & Albert Museum will re-open its doors on 6 August, with their phenomenal Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk exhibition re-opening for 27 August.
Tickets are on sale now https://www.vam.ac.uk

Tuesday 28 April 2020

Where Two Worlds Meet

It will be almost a year since my last writing. Life has been hectic, full of wonderful events but there is something I am really drown to write about as it made me think, question, understand, love - my first trip to the city of seven hills, the city of two worlds, as Napoleon explained it - the city that would be its capital if the Earth were a single state - ISTANBUL.

I am not going to write about its mesmerizing history or touristic attractions you can find in any travel guide, but about simple moments I had there that will keep me going for a while and that can bring a true spirit of this magnificent place closer to you.

Coming from Serbia, more precisely City of Krusevac
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kru%C5%A1evac
I am pretty sure that I feel, see and understand the ex Empire of Ottomans bit differently (there is a lot of history there), mentality, ways of living, tradition, even language, there is a lot of similarity there, then again quite a lot of difference.

True Istanbul

The Oldest Market In The World

Artwork from Metro Station

Carpets Heaven

Between The Sky & The Sea

Being in England for too long, where you can hang out with cats only if you pay, literally, this was such a heaven. We spent 4 hours just sitting there and enjoying their freedom

Well, this was an experience I absolutely hated at first, then every time I look at this piece of art at my home I want to hug this unbelievable man for making us buying it..

Topkapi Palace detail, for that place you need like a whole day

Within Istanbul, there’s a ton of people who are totally hip – like the hippest people you could ever meet. So much contradictory and tradition, I guess this is what makes them different, special.
Until the next time ...

Wednesday 28 November 2018

Can I Just Have It All ?

''Can I Just Have It All'' is a poem written by amazingly talented young Serbian writer & poet Staša Vukadinović (Stasha Vukadinovic). The poem beautifully explains the world we live in, the influence of the society we are facing in every day life, norms, barriers, restrictions just so we have that feeling that we belong, that we are accepted & to some extend, the fear of showing that beautiful diversity within us just so we are not judged or misunderstood.

Staša's style is extremely sharp, clear & straight to the point. The words she uses make you think, feel & very often recognise yourself in them. As one said, her poems will save the world, so I have no choice then help the world understands them :) .

Translating from Serbian I always find extremely challenging, due to the depth & the wit of the language, but will do my best to keep Staša's style of expression & the spirit of the language.

Enjoy.

- Can I just have it all?

- What do you mean - ''all''?

- All, just like everything.

- No, not everything, you have to choose the side.

But I want to have it all.

To wake up early

And to fall asleep late at night

To talk nicely

And to swear badly

To live a healthy life

And to party hard

In the nature to live

And the big city to inhale in

To wear girly dresses

And to dress up as a boy

Bright ones to love

And dark ones even more

Peacemaker to be

And fight strongly until the very end

Blues to listen to

And glasses to break*

Ferrante to adore

But keep Knausgard under my pillow

To have a dog

But hang out with that naughty cat

To carry the sword

But leave my shield behind

To hug gently

And bite strongly

To ride the bike

And possess the car

In the eyes of LOVE realistically to look at

And for IT sacrifice myself fiercely.

- You can not do that, I say, you have to choose the side.

- Well, that is not coming to my mind.

*in Serbian culture, when deeply touched by a song, when strong feeling of happiness overcomes, we would break the glass towards the floor or a wall, we call those people ''merakliye'', yes, you do want to have them around you :)

This Is Staša

Written by Staša Vukadinović

Edited and translated from the Serbian

by Mari Lon

London, November 2018

Saturday 18 August 2018

Introduction To The World of TaRoT

The Journey of The Fool

TaRoT - ''Intuitive method that has the purpose of understanding the flow of life'' - Carl Jung.

Discover the mystery of the tarot cards, learn how to use it for your own spiritual development before being able to help others. If the Tarot is a new world to you or you have some knowledge, you are at the right place. This two hours workshop sets you on a journey of exploration. And this is just the beginning. The Fool's Journey is a metaphor for the journey through life. Each major arcana card stands for a stage on that journey - an experience that a person must incorporate to realise his wholeness. As we begin to understand the common archetypes and mythology each of humanity we are able to tap into what Carl Jung called the Collective Unconscious. The Tarot is a wonderful tool to help us bring these aspects of ourselves to the surface and give the clarity we seek.

The deck that will be used for this workshop is Morgan-Greer Tarot deck - reworking of the Rider-Waite deck created in the 1970s. The cards are borderless, and the artwork has a lush, immediate feel, where the characters are shown in close-up, great option for beginners.

Topics:

- My Personal Tarot Story & Journey

- Tarot Symbolism:

Major Arcana - 22
Minor Arcana - 56
Four Suits - Cups, Wands, Swords, Pentacles
Court Cards - Kings, Queens, Knights, Pages

- Psychic Energy: Chakras, Auras, Protection & Cleansing (meditation, crystals, sage, sandal wood, candles)

- How to do readings - basic

- Questions