Metrodeck Playing Cards by Norman Ibarra

For the past two years, Brooklyn-based designer Norman Ibarra has been collecting discarded Metrocards. Gathered together and screenprinted with original images, they’ve become playing cards, available as sets [as if you’d ever play with them] or individually, as miniature works of art.

Above, the Joker is represented by an illustration of Coney Island. The other cards also feature references to NYC landmarks, like the Jack with the Unisphere and the Ace with a manhole cover design.

The 4-color card designs were screenprinted by hand at the Gowanus Print Lab. Check out all the cards at Metrodeck, and purchase one or a whole set at Etsy; via Subway Art Blog. Ibarra isn’t the only person who uses the ubiquitous Metrocard for art-making; check out also lovely collages by Nina Boesch.