We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hannah Wnorowski. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hannah below.

Alright, Hannah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My favorite project to date is creating The Deck of Character, an art object that sparks meaningful conversation. The DOC is a playful oracle card experience that has been updated to appeal to the modern user and feel game-like. Players ask The DOC life questions like “Is love real?” and “What happens after we die?” Then randomly selected poker-sized playing cards from the deck’s universe of 111 minimalist cartoon symbols answer participant questions. With card combinations like Angsty Teen, Broken Heart, and Dumpster, or Grim Reaper, Flower, and Graveyard, The DOC’s relatable collection makes the experience less about fortune telling and more about collectively contemplating the human condition. It is often addictive and humorous.

I came up with the idea of “the game” the night before a meeting with an art gallery, Special Special, in New York City. Then I slowly shared the prototype with friends, and to my surprise, people thought The DOC was fun to play. After about a year of using it as a prototype, an art collective, The Palace, invited me to a mental health for the arts symposium in Berlin, Germany, where I felt inspired to professionally produce the cards. Art spaces were my holy sanctuary to test The DOC; in open minded, creative communities, I discovered how The DOC wanted to be used and shared.

Five years later, people all over the world collect The DOC. It is rewarding that this card deck inspires impactful moments both with yourself and those around you, and people in diverse areas around the globe are resonating with the intimacy of the project.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I first and foremost am an artist. While I am honored to draw, write, and bring people together through my work, I am most proud that I use art to bring communities peace by sparking constructive conversation. Peace icons like Thich Nhat Hanh, whose written word and inked imagery help raise the consciousness of humanity, motivate me.

Like Marina Abramović’s “The Artist is Present,” I occupied art spaces across Europe and the US solo, talking with people to spread my most prominent project, The DOC. My time and energy, sitting with people and sharing my presence, is just as much part of my artwork as anything physical. I have spread the reach of The DOC almost solely through word of mouth sharing.

I serendipitously fell into the world of oracle design. I was at a crossroads in my life when the concept for the tool, The DOC, divinely and mysteriously came to me one night. The DOC is an anthology of my life experiences and a portrayal of the human condition. My advice to anyone looking for deeper meaning to their human experience is to be open to receiving it. Life is a dance between creating purpose and letting it flow to you by circumstances out of your control.

As an artist, I am interested in bringing objects to the world that ignite people’s sense of purpose and set the soul free. My vision is uniquely American: to express ourselves is a fundamental human right. And every time we have a chance to connect with ourselves and each other is a chance to make our reality a better place. Every part of my process matters: from the accessible design of the artwork to the commonplace materials it is made of and its affordability for the average citizen to collect it.

I believe to live fully, we must build a world together where all people are free. And I am committed to using art, design, economics, and technology to bring inspiration and support to people.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is connecting with people. I am honored to have had thousands of conversations with people playing The DOC. It’s a blessing to hear people’s stories and life insights, and it melts my heart to think of the pockets of friends playing The DOC together, having honest discussions with each other over the cards.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As The DOC grows, I wish to facilitate even more conversation globally. I am proud of how The DOC has naturally found its way across continents. I am currently designing an app experience that will continue to connect people around the world in a digital community.

Contact Info:

• Website: thedeckofcharacter.com
• Instagram: @thedeckofcharacter
• Other: hannahwnorowski.com

Image Credits
Hannah Wnorowski, Jackie Riccio, Cup of Rahman, Special Special Gallery, P.A.D. Gallery