mosc:mosaics

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mosc:mosaics [2026/03/12 20:52] – 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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 </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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-## 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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-## 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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 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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-## Related topics+===== Related topics =====
  
 - [[craf:Craft| Craft production]] - [[craf:Craft| Craft production]]
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-## Specialist curators of this topic+===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
  
  • mosc/mosaics.1773348726.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2026/03/12 20:52
  • by Dave Darby