Mosaics uses small pieces of pebbles, stones, glass or other materials laid on a bed of cement, plaster or adhesive to create huge uniform artworks (Locktov,Glagett,1998,6).The art form started off with small stone pebbles placed close together to form geometric designs and patterns (Harris, 2003, 6). Pebble mosaics are usually used for outdoor setting to decorate floors, gardens and so on (Harris, 2003, 6). Later the pebbles were cut into smaller and flat units which allowed the mosaicist to create more detailed designs and figures; the refined pebbles were called tesserae (Baldry, 2009,51). The tesserae were also made of glass, ceramics, stones and mixed media; the tesserea were produced in various colors which gave the art more diversity and options (Harris, 2003, 6).
Glass, ceramics, and stones have a similar factor for their use, they are more traditional based compositions and the purpose is decorative, those techniques use small units to create a whole unified composition (Locktov, Glagett, 1998, 6). While the mixed media mosaics have an additional purpose which is to emphasize on the parts used rather than the whole (Locktov, Glagett, 1998, 84).
The characteristics that make this art form remarkable are the process the mosaicist goes through, the brilliant colors of the mosaic and its sturdiness and long lasting effect (Harris, 2003, 6). The process of creating the mosaic is more mechanical then gestural; the mosaicist chooses the colors, creates the patterns, and then follows up the pattern to press the tesserea pieces one by one into the cement or adhesive surface (Harris, 2003, 6).The mosaic art form is very convenient for architectural schemes where many architects apply it onto their designs and decorations for decorative and artistic factors (Locktov, Glagett, 1998, 84).
Fig1. Antoni Gaudi
Antony Gaudi a magnificent architect and designer applied mosaic techniques onto his buildings and designs. Gaudi was known for his use of color, shapes and asymmetry that he applied into his work (Crippa,2007,12) fig 1. A large amount of Gaudi's mosaics were mixed media. He mainly used ceramics, broken plates and glass. His inspirations came mostly from nature as he quotes "Do you want to know where I found my model? An upright tree; it bears its branches and these, in turn, their twigs, and these, in turn, the leaves. And every individual part has been growing harmoniously, magnificently, ever since God the artist created it (Crippa, 2007, coverpage)
Fig2. Park Güell by Antoni Gaudi, Spain
Fig3. Wardens building by Antoni Gaudi, Spain
Fig4. Serpentine seats by Antoni Gaudi, Spain
First example where Gaudi used mosaics is in Park Güell; an impressive garden in Barcelona which in a way is any mosaicists dream world (Harris, 2003, 49) fig 2. Gaudi's structures, sculptures, buildings and the curving benches were covered in free form colorful broken tile, glass, and recyclable material mosaics creating a dreamy world (Harris, 2003, 49). The warden's building is located at the entrance of the park, the roof of the building is laid out with ceramic and tile mosaics in addition to small cups at the very top of the small dome (Crippa, 2007, 60) fig 3. The serpentine seat bench was covered by fragments of colored tiles and ceramics (Crippa, 2007, 59). Under the serpentine seats there is the columned hall with white and crystal colored mosaics on the ceiling (Laguerta, 2003, 146) fig4. There are also ceramic medallions on the walls of the park saying the name of the park "Park Güell"(Laguerta, 2003, 120) .The simple color combinations of the mosaics, the details of the mosaics, the smooth flow of architecture and the bizarre imagination of Gaudi make the park a remarkable place.
Fig 5. Casa Batlló by Antoni Gaudi, Spain
Second example is the Casa Batlló fig 5. The Casa Batlló had a huge facade laid out with tiles of mosaic that hint to animal shapes, leaves, and nature aspects (Watkin, 2005, 562). The colors of the tiles and broken ceramics lean toward a shiny blue-green that suggest colors of nature (Watkin, 2005, 562) (Laguerta,2003,47). Above the broken tiles there are about 200 hundred ceramic discs of different sizes that imply the texture of scales (Crippa, 2007, 65). The building suggests the shape of a dragon especially with the reptilian texture roof and the hump back shape (Crippa, 2007, 65). The integration of mosaic into Gaudi's work makes it exceptional and fairy tale like.
Fig 6. Hundertwasser
Another architect that works in a similar style as Gaudi is Friedensreich Hundertwasser fig 6. Hundertwasser was known for the bright colors he uses, organic forms, mosaics and the dismissal of straight lines. Hundertwasser was also inspired by the organic forms of nature (Landry, 2008, 30).
Fig 7. Hundertwasser House, Vienna
One example of his use of mosaic is in the Hundertwasser House that is located in Vienna (Landry,2008,30) fig 7. The use of mosaics can be seen on the facades of the buildings. He used broken tiles and ceramics of various harmonious colors giving the building a bizarre yet a beautiful natural organic aspect to it; He also used ceramic and mixed media mosaics on the staircases (Mackinnon,2008,280).
Mosaic art continues to be a fascinating art where smaller pieces are gathered to create a complete harmonious whole. The art has went through different processes ,stages and cultures. It will continue to appear into different surfaces, buildings, interiors by artists that embrace it like Gaudi and Hundertwasser. Their work is more or less permanent and has made the dream of fairy tale worlds come true.
Bibliography
Crippa,M.A.(2007).Gaudi. Koln: Taschen.
Harris,N.(2008).Mosaics. NewYork: The Rosen Publishing Group Inc.
King,S.(2003). Mosaic techniques & traditions: Projects & Designs from around the world. United States:Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. (King,2003,)
Laguerta,J.J.(2003).Antoni Gaudi. Milano: Electaarchitecture.
Ligtelijn,V., Saariste, R.(1996). Josep M. Jujol. Koln: Taschen.
Locktov,J.,Clagett,L.P.(1998). Mosaic Design: A collection of contemporary artists. United States: Rockport Publishers,inc.
Watkin, D.(2005). A history of Western architecture. London: Laurence King Publishing.
Landry,C.(2008). The creative city: a toolkit for urban innovators. Uk:Earthscan.
Mackinnon,A.J.(2008). The unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow. Australia:Black Inc.
Photo's References
Fig 1, (Antoni Guadi, Retrieved December 18, 2010, from: http://www.gaudidesigner.com/uk/index.html).
Fig2, (Park Güell, Retrieved December 18, 2010, from: http://www.perfecttravelblog.com/2010/10/park_guell_barcelona.html).
Fig3, (Wardens building, Retrieved December 18, 2010, from: http://barcelonatravel.goedbegin.nl/ ).
Fig4, (Serpentine seats, Retrieved December 18, 2010, from: http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-10308007-parc-guell-bench-detail-barcelona.php ).
Fig5, (Casa Batlló, Retrieved December 18, 2010, from: http://www.concierge.com/travelguide/barcelona/photos/photoview/57981 ).
Fig6, (Hundertwasser, Retrieved December 18, 2010, from: http://www.aeiou.at/aeiou.encyclop.h/h964948.htm%3Binternal&action=_setlanguage.action?LANGUAGE=en ).
Fig7, (Hundertwasser House, Retrieved December 18, 2010, from: http://www.wayfaring.info/2008/05/24/the-hundertwasser-house/ )
