Kane's photos appear on new Konxari cards

Ogdensburg - The Detroit-based IRM Foundation has released a new “ghost-hunting” supplement called Konxari cards, featuring 88 images by award-winning photographer and local resident Paul Michael Kane. Described as a cross between Tarot Cards and a Ouija Board, “the card game has taken paranormal enthusiasts by storm, allegedly giving people the ability to communicate with the deceased,” the foundation said. After seeing images of Eastern State Penitentiary Kane released on his Web site for an upcoming book entitled “Captured: The Ruins of Eastern State Penitentiary,” The foundation hired Kane. With evocative subjects ranging from “desire” to “suffocation,” Kane created a broad body of work for the cards. “I am a skeptic by nature,” Kane said, “but kept an open mind when hearing the proposal. The publishers gave me a list of 88 images they wanted me to conceptualize and gave me free reign to interpret the subjects as I saw how. It features some of my friends and family and even some amazing locations where I live and work.” Konxari (pronounced kon-zar-ee) cards are said to have been created by the ancients; a form of “Cartomancy” which was originally a divination process practiced with stela tablets, according to the foundation. Now Konxari is offered as a set of 88 playing cards which can supposedly help folks communicate with the other side; a handy tool for those looking for a ghost hunt, séance, or spooked-out slumber party. The game is designed for two or more players, where after flipping a certain number of cards, the photos, symbols, and letters are assessed and interpreted as a message from the spirit world. The idea is to find ways to help agitated souls seeking resolution, “so they can finally rest in peace and leave you alone,” said foundation officials. Despite the fact that many of the photos appear to show impossible or metaphysical imagery, Kane swore no PhotoShop was used. “The decision was made early on to let the images be subtle and not do any clichéd digital effects.” said Kane. “The images were all processed through Adobe Lightroom, but only to give me the options that a traditional darkroom would. While I did use a number of physical slight-of-hand or in-camera tricks, there is no digital slicing, layers, or alterations of any kind.” Already available on-line at the official Konxari Web site, the cards will soon be distributed to book stores like Borders, as well as new age, comic book and hobby shops. To view some of the Konxari images and learn more about the game, visit: www.konxari.com. To learn more about Kane, visit: www.paulmichaelkane.com.