A Mosaic Commission from start to finish

Well you've probably read the theory of how a mosaic commission works on my previous pages but you're wondering what that really looks like in practice. Here I will share with you a real project from start to finish looking at each step of the way as we go...

Follow here how this particular project had to overcome floods, fire and a volcano to be delivered successfully on time and on budget.

0.cover
1. This is the story of a mosaic commission for the University of Iowa.
Iowa Faces Next Round Of Flooding
2. The University approached me following the devastating floods caused by the Iowa River bursting it's banks in Iowa City.
1.initial site visit
3. As part of the recovery The University were building a new Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in the city. I visited the site early in the development to discuss project ideas with the Arts Committee. They wanted a feature mosaic that encompassed the centre philosophy of wellbeing together with a unique sense of the local area.
DeerThigh_IowaNative
4. Whilst in Iowa City I undertook research beginning with the local museum and library.
Iowa City, Amana, Hoover Museum 079
5. The significant local Amish community were an important factor to consider.
amishquilt
6. I was inspired by the Amish quilting patterns and tradition.
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7. ...and the beautiful patterns of First Nation Iowa textiles
2.1designwork
8. Back in the studio I began work drawing up design ideas.
2.2.initialdesignsketches
9. My initial design concepts focused on the connections between wellbeing, balance and the river. They looked at the traditional idea of a 'River of Life', however the designs were a little 'overblown'.
2.4.2ndsatge designs
10. A breakthrough happened when I revisited some NASA images of the Iowa River which highlighted the meandering nature of the river and the patterns of fields and city around, these pushed the designs back to a simpler idea.
2.5.stage2designworkup
11. The final design which was approved by the committee features the 'River of Life' beginning at a spiral source representing birth. The River meanders through life and is comprised of distinct lines, representing the life-lines of people. The background is formed of the myriad of patterns taken from Amish quilts, First Nation textiles and local basket weaving traditions. The central 'Golden' section symbolises life in balance, whilst the outer areas in greys symbolise life out of balance.
3.1thecartoon
12. Now the design was approved work could begin on the full scale cartoon
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13. This full size drawing is drawn on both sides of the special cartoon paper.
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14. On the back of the paper the design is drawn in mirror image
4.1construction
15. Now the construction in the studio begins. The initial phase is all about working out how the design will be translated into the tough unglazed porcelain floor grade mosaic.
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16. The background patterns are worked out in mosaic.
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17. And the way the 'life-lines' of the river is set.
IMG_6954
18. And the way the 'life-lines' of the river is set.
4.2halfway
19. Once the mosaic style is worked out the studio team join in and work in earnest can get underway.
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20. As the mosaic is constructed the completed areas are cut into sections
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20. Each tesserae is carefully cut and laid by hand, glued face down onto the mirror image of the design.
fire_04
22. Unfortunately sometimes things can happen quite out of our control. There is small electrical fire in the studio and although the fire damage is minimal the water damage from the sprinkler system to the mosaic is severe.
4.3 teamwork
23. The team work hard to get the project back on track but it is clear that there could be a delay. Luckily two experience mosaic makers from the USA offer to help get the project back on track.
Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupting in Iceland
24. Nature steps in again as on 16 Apr 2010, Eyjafjallajokull Volcano, Iceland sends up a massive ash plume erupting through 200 meter thick glacial ice sheet. The eruption stops air traffic and delays the arrival of the mosaic makers from Texas.
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25. Help finally arrives and the whole team pull hard to get the work back on schedule.
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26. Finally complete it just remains to lay out all the cut sections to check each piece.
5.2shippingboxes
27. And then to pack the mosaic in our specially designed bespoke boxes before being crated and shipped.
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28. The crate is air freighted to Iowa and as soon as it has cleared customs the installation team are on their way too.
5.3arrival
29. The installation team arrive on site and unpack and check the the mosaic and make sure the base is ready to go.
6.3installbegins
30. And so the installation of the mosaic begins, each section is laid into the wet cement based adhesive with the paper facing upward.
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31. As the mosaic is laid into the wet cement the paper is dampened and removed to reveal the mosaic pieces bedded in the cement.
6.4install
32. The installation progresses along the floor.
6.5grouting
33. Once the mosaic has been laid and the paper removed the gaps between the tesserae are grouted to form the solid hard wearing pavement.
18200Drostle_4
34. The the mosaic is thoroughly cleaned and treated with a porcelain sealant.
7.1completed1
35. The mosaic is complete
18200climber-12©LVandervelde
36. And the students, public and faculty can enjoy their splendid new building.
18200_climber-2©LVandervelde
37. In addition to creating a unique and beautiful interior lobby for the client the mosaic attracts the prestigious 2011 'TileLetter' Award for Commercial Mosaic from the National Tile Contractors Association.

Thank You

I will be in touch to arrange your appointment as soon as possible.

Currently all appointments are being carried out by ZOOM in order to comply with the Covid restrictions.

I look forward to speaking to you soon.

Gary