Baba Studio moving away from tarot

[Danvers]

Has anyone heard that Baba Studios is moving away from tarot completely?

I just read on their Facebook page that they will transition into other things but will be completing all current tarot decks. 

I for one am very sad to hear the news. No reason has yet been given.

 

[Decan]

😯 I just checked Facebook and indeed...

[Little Fang]

I know they wanted to remake the cats deck with the artist, I hope they still do. 😞

 

[Raggydoll]

6 minutes ago, Little Fang said:

I know they wanted to remake the cats deck with the artist, I hope they still do. 😞

 

I’m pretty sure it’s in the works. I have seen pictures of cat costumes..

[Flaxen]

It’s very sad as their decks are just amazing works of art and so readable. I can understand why though if they are having constant trouble with piracy. 

[kudos91]

I remembered they announced this together with the reprint of FM deck a while ago. They say that they will do the slow transition in couple of years after some last projects (bohemian cats and new oracles deck if i remember it right) 

Edited August 12, 2020 by kudos91

[ballerina]

Thanks for the news everybody.  I, too, am sad to hear this news.  I love my Baba decks.

[katrinka]

Yes, the BB Cats is still happening, and, as far as I know, the fortunetelling deck. But they do intend to get out of the Tarot game. I think those decks will be the last.
That's two great ones we've lost to pirates: Baba and Ciro. Expect more to follow.

Edited August 12, 2020 by katrinka

[Decan]

They said:

Quote

(...) * We have been discussing making the new Bohemian Cats Tarot our last for some time now - since about mid last year. Which is one reason we're putting SO MUCH effort into it. It's a bit of a swan song - or a tabby purr.

(...)

(...) We are raring to go on to some other plans (see my comment below), but at the same time, we don't like some of the way tarot is going. Rampant counterfeiting is part of the issue, but not all of it. We want to make things that are beautiful, and that's best done in a calm and creative situation. We're not sure tarot will provide that going forward.

[Decan]

I don't know exactly the situation with Tarot, but even on Kickstater things seem different, like a race for profit at all costs. It was for help new creators at the beginning I guess. Well, consumerism isn't good!

Lenormand suffered from its success too, it would have been better that there was less craze with it. But it's another topic of course.

 

[katrinka]

Yeah. Making money is something everyone has to do, but this crazy late-stage capitalism run amok is really bad for the arts. It's not just Tarot.

[devin]

12 minutes ago, katrinka said:

Yeah. Making money is something everyone has to do, but this crazy late-stage capitalism run amok is really bad for the arts. It's not just Tarot.

[katrinka]

@devin - The power of positive thinking. I think Norman Vincent Peale left some stuff out. 😬

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

7 hours ago, Decan said:

, but even on Kickstater things seem different, like a race for profit at all costs. It was for help new creators at the beginning I guess. Well, consumerism isn't good!

I think many of the early kickstarter deck campaigns realized far too late that the expenses of getting a deck produced and in the consumer's hands were much higher than the goals they set. Today's goals are far more practical. Benebell Wen has been very transparent about what it cost to produce her decks and the time involved. I think big publishers have been ripping off new artists forever now that we know more about the behind the scenes stuff. 

[Decan]

2 hours ago, AJ-ish/Sharyn said:

I think big publishers have been ripping off new artists forever now that we know more about the behind the scenes stuff. 

Unfortunatelly I think you're right 😟

 

Okay, so good transition to Baba Studio! I'm sure what they will do will be great too! 💜

[Niobium]

I was really hoping Baba would opt t reprint the Fairytale tarot, alas. Well, at least I got MC and have a pre-order for FM. MC is gorgeous, probably one of the best I have. 

[kudos91]

3 hours ago, Niobium said:

I was really hoping Baba would opt t reprint the Fairytale tarot, alas. Well, at least I got MC and have a pre-order for FM. MC is gorgeous, probably one of the best I have. 

I had hoped for that too but seem too good to be true from their lastest post where they gave more info regarding their decision  between the fairy tale and FM deck, I would go for the FM anyday.  They might consider a LE larger version of Victorian Romantic though, I think I might go for that also

[reall]

On 8/13/2020 at 4:17 PM, AJ-ish/Sharyn said:

I think many of the early kickstarter deck campaigns realized far too late that the expenses of getting a deck produced and in the consumer's hands were much higher than the goals they set. Today's goals are far more practical. Benebell Wen has been very transparent about what it cost to produce her decks and the time involved. I think big publishers have been ripping off new artists forever now that we know more about the behind the scenes stuff. 

Exactly! I think people have no idea How Much Effort & investment on all levels is required to publish Any decent deck!

& considering Baba Studio top standard quality (& current shipping crissis on top of all other reasons) no wonder they decided it's taking to much time they can spend better to bring other projects in life!;) so I'm looking forward to what we get next!;D

[reall]

1 hour ago, kudos91 said:

I had hoped for that too but seem too good to be true from their lastest post where they gave more info regarding their decision  between the fairy tale and FM deck, I would go for the FM anyday.  They might consider a LE larger version of Victorian Romantic though, I think I might go for that also

I keep my fingerscrossed for mini VR they were considering!:D

[kudos91]

given the amount of work need to publish a deck independently, I highly doubt we will ever see any artist/studio that reach baba's profilic status again.

well @katrinka, just imagine how many people are stocking Baba's deck now 😆

[katrinka]

@kudos91 - I'm not sure what you mean? New Baba decks are stocked exclusively by Baba, IIRC. Do you mean "stocking up",buying extras in the event that the resale price skyrockets? I suppose we'll see some of that...but the OOP ones already tend to fetch a hefty price.
And yes - I'd snap up both a large format and a mini Victorian Romantic, if it comes to pass. Not to sell. I USE those things!😁

[kudos91]

8 hours ago, katrinka said:

@kudos91 - I'm not sure what you mean? New Baba decks are stocked exclusively by Baba, IIRC. Do you mean "stocking up",buying extras in the event that the resale price skyrockets? I suppose we'll see some of that...but the OOP ones already tend to fetch a hefty price.
And yes - I'd snap up both a large format and a mini Victorian Romantic, if it comes to pass. Not to sell. I USE those things!😁

yes I meant stocking up 😆

I went back and forth a lot whether to buy both the normal size and LE of FM tarot but in the end I only ordered the LE edition.  With the Victorian I think I will go with both, too

[katrinka]

Yes, I thought of getting both, too. Lol. But I already have the first edition, so I just ordered the large format. That way I get the cold stamping, whatever alterations they've made, that pouch and that box...it doesn't feel excessive, if that makes any sense. I know some people are dedicated collectors and try to get every version of things, but I buy decks to read and try to stick with things I'll actually use. And I will definitely use that large format FM!

 

[sixdegrees]

This is very sad news. I consider Baba the very pinnacle of deck creation in the indie tarot world. They put so much time, thought, and care into their work, unlike anyone else. Their exit will leave a huge hole in the tarot community.

 

From what I can see the studio has been very cryptic on social media about its reasons for exiting. They admit that piracy has contributed to their decision but are also quick to note vague impressions about the changing nature of the tarot world.

 

On 8/14/2020 at 8:24 PM, kudos91 said:

I had hoped for that too but seem too good to be true from their lastest post where they gave more info regarding their decision  between the fairy tale and FM deck, I would go for the FM anyday.  They might consider a LE larger version of Victorian Romantic though, I think I might go for that also

I also hope that they go through with a large version Victorian Romantic as part of their final projects.

 

On 8/14/2020 at 10:32 PM, kudos91 said:

well @katrinka, just imagine how many people are stocking Baba's deck now 😆

Yes, I imagine that this announcement will only increase collectors' desire for their work. There will inevitably be some who purchase up their final offering with $$$ in their eyes.

Edited August 16, 2020 by stephanelli
removed link and statement, we do not want to bring up unnecessary drama on this forum

[kudos91]

5 hours ago, sixdegrees said:

This is very sad news. I consider Baba the very pinnacle of deck creation in the indie tarot world. They put so much time, thought, and care into their work, unlike anyone else. Their exit will leave a huge hole in the tarot community.

 

From what I can see the studio has been very cryptic on social media about its reasons for exiting. They admit that piracy has contributed to their decision but are also quick to note vague impressions about the changing nature of the tarot world. I wonder how much this recent exchange with Benebell Wen factored into their decision.

wow when they mentioned online drama, I would never imagine that kind of drama.... Anyway the official announcement might have some part to do with it. However, I follow Baba's FB page closely and actually in the comment section they have mention the transitioning from tarot quite sometimes ago when they started mentioning that they might reprint the FM deck. So that should be the end of last year I think

just random thought but I have a feeling they will focus more on fashion/textile work ...

Edited August 15, 2020 by kudos91