MosaicsMosaics

Mosaics are…Mosaics are…

the the artart of creating images with small pieces of of creating images with small pieces of colored colored glassglass, stone or other material. It may be , stone or other material. It may be a technique of a technique of decorative artdecorative art, an aspect of , an aspect of interior decorationinterior decoration or of cultural and spiritual or of cultural and spiritual significance as in a significance as in a cathedralcathedral. Small . Small tilestiles or or fragments of fragments of potterypottery (known as (known as tesseraetesserae, , diminutive diminutive tessellaetessellae) or of ) or of colored glasscolored glass or clear or clear glass backed with glass backed with metalmetal foils are used to create foils are used to create a a patternpattern or picture. or picture.

History of MosaicsHistory of Mosaics Mosaics of the Mosaics of the 4th century BC4th century BC are found in the Macedonian palace- are found in the Macedonian palace-

city of city of AegaeAegae, and they enriched the floors of , and they enriched the floors of HellenisticHellenistic villasvillas, and , and RomanRoman dwellings from Britain to dwellings from Britain to Dura-EuroposDura-Europos. Splendid mosaic . Splendid mosaic floors are found in Roman villas across north Africa. In Rome, Nero floors are found in Roman villas across north Africa. In Rome, Nero and his architects used mosaics to cover the surfaces of walls and and his architects used mosaics to cover the surfaces of walls and ceilings in the ceilings in the DomusDomus AureaAurea, built AD , built AD 6464. .

Mosaic art also flourished in Rome, gradually declining as Mosaic art also flourished in Rome, gradually declining as conditions became more difficult in the conditions became more difficult in the Early Middle AgesEarly Middle Ages. Fifth-. Fifth-century mosaics can be found over the triumphal arch and in the century mosaics can be found over the triumphal arch and in the nave of the basilica of nave of the basilica of Santa Maria Santa Maria MaggioreMaggiore. The 27 surviving . The 27 surviving panels of the nave are the most important mosaic cycle in Rome of panels of the nave are the most important mosaic cycle in Rome of this period. Two other important 5th-century mosaics are lost but we this period. Two other important 5th-century mosaics are lost but we know them from 17th-century drawings. I know them from 17th-century drawings. I

Mosaics influenced…Mosaics influenced…

Islamic artIslamic art Jewish FaithJewish Faith The Christian EastThe Christian East Renaissance and BaroqueRenaissance and Baroque Byzantine CultureByzantine Culture Rome in the High Middle AgesRome in the High Middle Ages

Historical MosaicsHistorical Mosaics

Modern MosaicsModern Mosaics A modern example of mosaic is the A modern example of mosaic is the

Museum of Natural HistoryMuseum of Natural History station of the station of the New York SubwayNew York Subway. Some modern mosaics are . Some modern mosaics are the work of the work of modernismemodernisme style architects style architects AntoniAntoni GaudíGaudí and and JosepJosep Maria Maria JujolJujol, for example the , for example the mosaics in the mosaics in the Park Park GüellGüell in in BarcelonaBarcelona. Today, . Today, among of the leading figures of the world in among of the leading figures of the world in mosaic art is Saimir Strati. His process is similar mosaic art is Saimir Strati. His process is similar to traditional oil painting wherein the artist first to traditional oil painting wherein the artist first sketches a design onto a canvas before creating sketches a design onto a canvas before creating the layers of the artwork. Among his credits are the layers of the artwork. Among his credits are two Guinness World Records for largest 'Nail' two Guinness World Records for largest 'Nail' and 'Toothpick' mosaics. and 'Toothpick' mosaics.

Modern MosaicsModern Mosaics

Toothpick and Nail MosaicsToothpick and Nail Mosaics

Mosaic TerminologyMosaic Terminology

Mosaic is an art form which uses small pieces of materials placed Mosaic is an art form which uses small pieces of materials placed together to create a unified whole. The materials commonly used together to create a unified whole. The materials commonly used are glass, ceramic, marble, pebble, mirror, shells and china.are glass, ceramic, marble, pebble, mirror, shells and china.

The term for each piece of material is The term for each piece of material is TesseraTessera (plural: (plural: tesseraetesserae). ). The term for the spaces in between where the grout goes is the The term for the spaces in between where the grout goes is the IntersticesInterstices. . AndamentoAndamento is the word used to describe the movement is the word used to describe the movement and flow of and flow of TesseraeTesserae. The 'opus', the Latin for ‘work’, is the way in . The 'opus', the Latin for ‘work’, is the way in which the pieces are cut and placed varies and is known.which the pieces are cut and placed varies and is known.

Opus Opus TessellatumTessellatum: Tesserae laid in regular straight lines like bricks. : Tesserae laid in regular straight lines like bricks. Opus Regulatum: Vertical and horizontal lines in regular grid. Opus Regulatum: Vertical and horizontal lines in regular grid. Opus Vermiculatum: Flowing lines of tesserae wriggling over the Opus Vermiculatum: Flowing lines of tesserae wriggling over the

surface. surface. Opus Musivum: Vermiculatum used totally over image and Opus Musivum: Vermiculatum used totally over image and

background. background. Opus Palladianum: Irregular fitting shapes like crazy paving. Opus Palladianum: Irregular fitting shapes like crazy paving.

Steps to creating a MosaicSteps to creating a Mosaic Create a good design, but no words or cutesie Create a good design, but no words or cutesie

cartoons!cartoons! Take broken tiles to layout your design on a Take broken tiles to layout your design on a

piece of wood or cardboard, taking color and piece of wood or cardboard, taking color and shapes into account (you can paint the broken shapes into account (you can paint the broken tiles with acrylic before you glue them down to tiles with acrylic before you glue them down to give them a better look).give them a better look).

Glue them down with hot glue/ Wood glue, etc.Glue them down with hot glue/ Wood glue, etc. Carefully put grout in between the tiles to seal Carefully put grout in between the tiles to seal

your design… try to be neat so the grout doesn’t your design… try to be neat so the grout doesn’t get all over your tiles!get all over your tiles!

Allow to dry.Allow to dry.

Your assignmentYour assignment

To create a picture or design using the To create a picture or design using the mosaic tiles provided.mosaic tiles provided.

Use a method learned in the presentation.Use a method learned in the presentation.You must glaze or paint the tiles to You must glaze or paint the tiles to

enhance your design.enhance your design.You will use grout to fill in between the You will use grout to fill in between the

tiles.tiles.Make it cool, not LAME!!!!!!!Make it cool, not LAME!!!!!!!