BRuT by Uusi: A Modernist Tarot and Playing Card Deck

BRuT is a unique deck from Chicago design studio Uusi, created by Peter Dunham and Linnea Gits, that merges the functionality of playing cards with the depth of tarot. The deck features entirely hand-painted artwork, drawing inspiration from Early 20th Century Modernism, Art Brut (Outsider Art), and Brutalist Architecture. This fusion results in a distinctive aesthetic that reinterprets traditional card imagery for a contemporary audience.

The deck's design prioritizes versatility, allowing it to function both as a tarot deck for divination and as a standard playing card deck for games. To achieve this, Uusi made the deliberate choice to use modern French suits (Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, Spades) for the court cards and pip cards, rather than the traditional Latin suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles). The trump cards, however, are explicitly based on the early Marseilles Tarot from the 1700s, offering a fresh take on classic divination symbols. The cards are printed on premium Master Finish card stock with a linen finish, ensuring durability and a pleasant tactile experience.

Uusi emphasizes the tarot's role as a powerful, meditative tool for self-reflection and understanding. While acknowledging its use in divination, the creators highlight the deck's capacity to reveal inner truths and facilitate personal growth through engagement with universal symbols. The physical dimensions of the cards, 60mm x 110mm, are slightly longer than standard poker decks, a choice made to enhance the visual impact of the artwork and provide a "mini canvas" for the hand-painted illustrations.

This deck is ideal for collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate modernist art, Art Brut, or Brutalist aesthetics. It appeals to those seeking a versatile deck that can serve both as a divination tool and a functional playing card deck. Readers interested in the historical roots of tarot, particularly the Marseilles tradition, will find the trump cards engaging, while the modern French suits offer accessibility for everyday card games. It is also suitable for individuals who value hand-painted artwork and unique design in their card collections.

Peter Dunham and Linnea Gits are the designers and artists behind Uusi, a Chicago design studio. Their fascination with playing cards and tarot led them to reinterpret these traditional objects for a modern world. After designing six unique, limited edition playing card decks with original hand-drawn artwork, they were inspired by the artistic and imaginative qualities of tarot decks to create their own. Their process for BRuT involved hand-painting all imagery using gouache, drawing on influences from art history and architecture.