mosc:mosaics

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mosc:mosaics [2025/12/16 10:27] – Dave Darbymosc:mosaics [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Mosaics+This topic is part of [[gt:crafts|Crafts & making]]. 
 +====== Mosaics ======
  
  
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-## What are mosaics?+===== What are mosaics? =====
  
 The word mosaic comes from the ancient Greek, and means ‘muse of art’. It’s an original art form - the placing together of tiles or pebbles, made of natural materials, or ceramics, glass and other synthetic materials (or in modern mosaics, any material) to form pictures or abstract patterns. Mosaics have traditionally been used for public and private spaces, both interior and exterior, for pavements, floors, ceilings and walls. They’re part of the culture of every major civilisation in the world. The word mosaic comes from the ancient Greek, and means ‘muse of art’. It’s an original art form - the placing together of tiles or pebbles, made of natural materials, or ceramics, glass and other synthetic materials (or in modern mosaics, any material) to form pictures or abstract patterns. Mosaics have traditionally been used for public and private spaces, both interior and exterior, for pavements, floors, ceilings and walls. They’re part of the culture of every major civilisation in the world.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Mosaics can provide unique signage.+_Mosaics can provide unique signage._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### History+==== History ====
  
 The oldest known mosaics were installed in the temple of [Inanna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inanna) in Uruk, ancient Sumeria, in the 3rd millennium BCE, to decorate the columns of the temple. The tradition spread to the Mediterranean, where it became an inspiration for the great flowering of art in classical Greece. Mosaics were taken to incredible heights, for example on the palaces of Philip II, in the 4th century BCE, with its extremely life-like pebble mosaics with lead surrounds. The oldest known mosaics were installed in the temple of [Inanna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inanna) in Uruk, ancient Sumeria, in the 3rd millennium BCE, to decorate the columns of the temple. The tradition spread to the Mediterranean, where it became an inspiration for the great flowering of art in classical Greece. Mosaics were taken to incredible heights, for example on the palaces of Philip II, in the 4th century BCE, with its extremely life-like pebble mosaics with lead surrounds.
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 <caption> <caption>
-A Roman mosaic on a wall in Herculaneum, Italy, 1st century AD.+_A Roman mosaic on a wall in Herculaneum, Italy, 1st century AD._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-The mosaic ceilings of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice.+_The mosaic ceilings of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## What are the benefits of mosaics?+===== What are the benefits of mosaics? =====
  
 Anyone can have a go at making mosaics – it’s very accessible, and it’s very popular in schools. The materials can be very cheap, or even free, found materials – although on the downside, mosaic-making can be very labour intensive. Anyone can have a go at making mosaics – it’s very accessible, and it’s very popular in schools. The materials can be very cheap, or even free, found materials – although on the downside, mosaic-making can be very labour intensive.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Mosaic being assembled on craft paper – notice the writing is in reverse, as it will be pressed onto cement in situ, then the paper will be removed.+_Mosaic being assembled on craft paper – notice the writing is in reverse, as it will be pressed onto cement in situ, then the paper will be removed._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-DIY mosaic on a garden table – design, glue, grout and finish.+_DIY mosaic on a garden table – design, glue, grout and finish._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
 To start, you’ll need to get some materials to make a mosaic with. You can start to practice with broken crockery, or tiles that have been thrown out. Look in skips or ask at a tile shop. You can use tile cutters if you want to turn your pieces of tile into specific shapes. To start, you’ll need to get some materials to make a mosaic with. You can start to practice with broken crockery, or tiles that have been thrown out. Look in skips or ask at a tile shop. You can use tile cutters if you want to turn your pieces of tile into specific shapes.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Mosaic-covered lizard by Gaudi in Barcelona.+_Mosaic-covered lizard by Gaudi in Barcelona._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-This mosaic of Martin Luther King was made, unbelievably, from 4200 Rubik’s Cubes, each one ‘solved’ to create exactly the right pattern and colour to fit that part of the image.+_This mosaic of Martin Luther King was made, unbelievably, from 4200 Rubik’s Cubes, each one ‘solved’ to create exactly the right pattern and colour to fit that part of the image._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Fox and toucan on craft paper, waiting to be inserted onto a larger wall mosaic.+_Fox and toucan on craft paper, waiting to be inserted onto a larger wall mosaic._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Mosaics can transform public spaces, and appeal to our sense of touch as well as sight.+_Mosaics can transform public spaces, and appeal to our sense of touch as well as sight._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 It’s possible to make a career in mosaic-making. There are around 20 people making a living from it in the UK, but it could be many more. Any local authority, any mayor who wants to make their town more distinctive and attractive, or any private institution who wants to do the same for their buildings, can commission a mosaic artist. It’s possible to make a career in mosaic-making. There are around 20 people making a living from it in the UK, but it could be many more. Any local authority, any mayor who wants to make their town more distinctive and attractive, or any private institution who wants to do the same for their buildings, can commission a mosaic artist.
  
-## Further resources+===== Forum ===== 
 + 
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:crafts|Crafts & making]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/crafts). 
 + 
 +===== Further resources =====
  
 - [International Association of Contemporary Mosaicists](https://www.aimcinternational.org/) - [International Association of Contemporary Mosaicists](https://www.aimcinternational.org/)
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-## Specialists+ 
 +===== Related topics ===== 
 + 
 +- [[craf:Craft| Craft production]] 
 +- [[comy:Community]] 
 +- [[recl:Recycling|Recycling, reusing & repairing]] 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
  
  • mosc/mosaics.1765880830.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2025/12/16 10:27
  • by Dave Darby