Who is Pino Bisazza?

Pino Bisazza is a man who risked everything and started again from scratch. With his two brothers he used to be one of the three partners of Bisazza Mosaico, a historic firm based in Vicenza that manufactures glass mosaics for floors and panelling. At the end of 1999, after having spent more than twenty years in his family's firm, he developed a different strategic vision and decided to go it alone.

He founded Trend in the same city of Vicenza in early 2000, and created a reference point for the industry with its production of glass mosaics and agglomerates in glass or quartz and granite grits.

Mr Bisazza, therefore, choose to diversify from glass and took a new route in January 2003 by acquiring control of the Orsoni furnace in Venice, a historic company that has been producing for 115 years gold leaves and coloured enamels. In 2004 the story continued with the acquisition of a Southern Italian company: Le Chiance in the region of Apulia, which added stones to Trend's range of material and products.

President Bisazza, I hope that the recent successes of your company - 63,1 million euros turnover in 2006, 24,4% Ebitda margins and 700 employees after just a few years - have not managed to erase the memories of the two decades you dedicated to your family's firm?

There is a human and professional legacy which will always be there. Yet launching my own company gave me the freedom to pursue a pre-determined objective: shifting the focus towards the needs of professional clients, i.e. architects, thus targeting the higher end of the market.

trend vitreo tile - mosaic tile sauna bench

In order to make this possible I had to innovate products and services, placing them at the centre of a different business model. Architects are creative persons and they need flexibility for their products, allowing the maximum degree of personalisation for interior decoration.

Your business model, therefore, places great emphasis on sales and after sales services. What specific strategies did you adopt in this field?

We created 'ateliers' where we can assemble our products according to our clients' demands. At the moment we have five of these sites, all of them outside Italy in order to ensure the best results in terms of service and costs.

Vitreo and Aureo glass mosaic, inserts of STRASS® Swarovski® Crystal rhinestone tesserae

One is in Bulgaria, one in Russia, two in the States and one in Malaysia, and we plan to open more before the end of the year. These 'service points', focused on their respective geographical areas, allows the company to provide in one to three weeks whatever designs our clients indicate to us, creating a series of unique pieces.

While your entrepreneurial initiative was based on the idea to concentrate on the needs of your professional clients, your strategy would probably not have succeeded had you not paid attention to developing your products at the same time. What were the main innovations introduced by Trend?

We branched out from glass mosaics to explore new materials, even if most of them are still glass-based. We decided to 'contaminate' traditional mosaics by inserting stone elements, with great results.

trend liberty mosaic glass tiffany

We also played with dimensions, developing larger mosaic tesserae compared to the conventional square size, 2 cm long. Furthermore, we applied the traditional methods of glass colouring, used for glass panes in Cathedrals, to develop new glass and panelling materials.

Did you relocate your production abroad?

We have two glass manufacturing plants in India, while our US affiliate in Florida produces agglomerates in glass or quartz and granite grits for the local market.

orsoni mosaic gold

As far as the Middle East is concerned, our production remained in Italy because those markets demand special materials, such as the 'golden mosaic'.

orsoni furnace - venice, italy

This is manufactured exclusively in Venice by the Orsoni furnace, which goes

orsoni mosaic gold buddha thailand

back to the 19th century and is famous for its golden leaf mosaics and enamels that can reproduce in an almost unique fashion antique materials on the basis

The Vatican on Flickr - Cris Pierry

of its craftsmanship tradition. The Orsoni furnace is an official supplier to the Vatican

The Sagrada Familia at dusk in november on Flickr - Miguel A. Yuste

and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Italtrade

TREND presents Eco-philosophy

At the Milan Salone del Mobile the company is anticipating the concept at the basis of the development of a new line of mosaics and agglomerates by supporting a series of initiatives devoted to ecological compatibility.

The Eco-philosophy will be presented in the historic Giardini Ingegnoli, where TREND is participating in the Milano Green Project in the Nido d’uomo exhibition conceived and designed by Angelo Jelmini and Patrizia Pozzi. A series of artistic installations will be exhibited, supported by the contribution of various companies and designers, and developed on the theme of the nest understood as the manifesto of the human habitat considered with an eco-bio approach. In this extraordinary open-air frame there’s a series of nest-islands in which TREND has created symbolic totems covered in mosaic and agglomerate.

trend mosaic penguin on Flickr - mosaicartsource

The number one draw is the large green penguin, the icon-testimonial and voice of the ecological awareness of TREND, inspired by the recycled plastic animals of the Cracking Art artistic movement, standing imposingly in the middle of a nest in which three areas are developed, devoted to cooking, eating and resting respectively. Another penguin with a large egg beside it, a genuine symbol of the birth of Eco-philosophy, welcomes visitors to the entrance.

As in a garden, a series of huge leaf-shaped seats and large arches covered in mosaic and agglomerate are placed around a circular resting area, this too paved with TREND materials. The theme of the leaf reproduced here in macro proportions is not coincidental: it cites and introduces the leaf-trademark of the new TREND green collection accompanied by the effective pay-off “Green can be any colour you want”. This fantastic landscape, populated by animals and plants, is animated by TREND trees with mosaic trunks and branches that intermittently sprinkle a light vapour of nebulized water. And in homage to water, the most precious commodity of the near future, and glass, the eco material with which TREND makes its Green products, a bottle of ultra-pure Acqua Surgiva will be given free of charge to all visitors. The invitation is not to waste water. TREND will deal with recycling the glass.

We will then see TREND present at the fourth edition of Remade in Italy 2008, the most significant institutional Ecodesign event in the schedule of April design week, which presents innovative products with low environmental impact made with recycled material (paper, wood, aluminium, glass and rubber). TREND is embracing the Remade in Italy project on account of the support they provide to the firms and designers involved in the development of eco products. Among others, the Remade project enjoys the support of the Ministry for the Environment and the Lombardy Regional Authority. In this context the company will preview an indication of what will be its brand new Green offer: mosaics and agglomerates made from recycled postconsumption (bottles and glasses from domestic use).

TREND is also present at Salus per Aquam, an exhibition of design and materials devoted to well-being, in the Zona Tortona. The exhibition, designed by Studio Asia, is organized in a sequence of rooms devoted to sensoriality that are inspired to the environments of Roman spa baths: calidarium, tepidarium, frigidarium. The Water Room is entirely covered with blue Liberty, Trend’s exclusive glass collection, the Jewel Room with Aureo mosaic, the Green Room with Glamour. The exhibition, organized with the participation of a pool of sponsor companies, handles lightly and sensually the theme of environments devoted to relaxation, care of the body and the mind. TREND participates in this sensory path because they believe that research in this area can contribute to developing in an innovative way the theme of the spa, a place for well-being that is increasingly present in hotels and public and private spaces.

It is no coincidence that in its headquarters in Vicenza, the 17th-century Villa alle Scalette, with the creative contribution of Alessandro Mendini, TREND has created a spa for its employees to use. A contemporary reinterpretation of the workplace, an initiative consistent with an industrial project that never neglects the respect for and quality of life.

India's Vast Trash Garden a Monument to Recycling

Pallava Bagla
in Chandigarh, Punjab, India
for National Geographic News
October 7, 2002

A glorious testament to the artistic and intrinsic value of trash stands in the middle of the northern Indian city of Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab and Haryana, India's storied northwestern state on the border of Pakistan.


Rock Garden in Chandigarh on Flickr - briandubois

Called the "Rock Garden," this sprawling amusement "kingdom" has been made completely from waste materials.

Nek Chand's Junkwall detail on Flickr - diametrik

"Built of industrial waste and thrown-away items, the Rock Garden in the city of Chandigarh is perhaps the world's most poignant and salient statement of the possibility of finding beauty in the unexpected and accidental." Carl Lindquist - Nek Chand's Rock Garden at Chandigarh, India

Nek Chand Rock Garden Outsider Art Wall of Electricity on Flickr - Uri Zer aviV

Created by celebrated artist Nek Chand, the garden highlights the value of materials many people consider trash.

Nek Chand Rock Garden Recycled materials - ska ska202

For Chand, the Rock Garden is an expression of his hope for humanity and an idea that came to him four decades ago. "It all started out of personal curiosity," said Chand, emphasizing that while others looked at trash as a problem that needed to be "hidden away," he saw it as something that could be creatively transformed into art.

Mosaic Artist Nek Chand - Recycling Genius, Outsider Art - rougetete

Nek Chand started building his trash garden in the 1950s with urban and industrial waste, using everything he could lay his hands on, including stones and boulders to represent humans and animals. Pallava Bagla - India's Vast Trash Garden a Monument to Recycling

Who is Nek Chand?

Nek Chand, a humble transport official in the north Indian city of Chandigarh, began to clear a little patch of jungle to make himself a small garden area.

ROCK GARDEN Mosaic Pebble man - the black samurai

Nek Chand Rock Garden Pebble, Rock people Chandigarh, India - morleyroarly

He set stones around the little clearing and before long had sculpted a few figures

Nek Chand's mosaic material stash ceramic tile broken crockery china- ToreaJade

recycled from materials he found at hand.

Nek Chand Rock Garden Mosaic Sculpture Bangle dudes - Carol Mitchell

Gradually Nek Chand's creation developed and grew;

lil ppl rock garden ceramic tile mosaic art NeK Chand on Flickr - krazykrayons

before long it covered several acres

Figurenpark im Nek Chand Rock Garden von Chandigarh on Flickr - Uli Franke

and comprised of hundreds of sculptures

Bunte Figuren im Nek Chand Rock Garden von Chandigarh on Flickr - Uli Franke

Neck Chand monkey pebble art sculpture in rock garden on Flickr - baignid

set in a series of interlinking courtyards.

Moon over Nek Chand Mosaic Garden- Rock Garden on Flickr - rougetete

After his normal working day Chand worked at night, in total secrecy for fear of being discovered by the authorities.

Recycled Wall Art ceramic tile, motors, sockets, ceramic pots - Ajay in India Tallam

When they did discover Chand's garden, local government officials were thrown into turmoil. The creation was completely illegal - a development in a forbidden area which by rights should be demolished.

Nek Chand Picassiette Ceramic Tile Mosaic Art Garden - Angad

The outcome, however, was the enlightened decision to give Nek Chand a salary so that he could concentrate full-time on his work, plus a workforce of fifty labourers.

Nek Chand Rock Garden A Fantasy Monument Chandigarh, India - raksh

Nek Chand's great work received immediate recognition and was inaugurated as The Rock Garden of Chandigarh.

Nek Chand Mosaic ceramic tile picassiette steps on Flickr - travellingjohnny

Now over twenty five acres of several thousand sculptures set in large mosaic courtyards

Nek Chand garden, Rock Walls Chandigarh on Flickr - Rena S.

linked by walled paths and deep gorges,

Nek Chand Rock Garden chandigarh india cathedral on Flickr - diametrik

Nek Chand's creation also combines huge buildings

Figuren über Wasserfall im Rock Garden von Chandigarh on Flickr - Uli Franke

with a series of interlinking waterfalls.

Nek Chand's Sculptural Army above waterfall on Flickr - Uri Zer aviV

The Nek Chand Rock mosaic art people fountain sculpture - Matthew Winterburn

Ceramic Tile Mosaic Art Sculpture - Ant Smith

The Rock Garden is now acknowledged as one of the modern wonders of the world. Over 5000 visitors each day, some 12 million people so far, walk around this vast creation - the greatest artistic achievement seen in India since the Taj Mahal. Nek Chand Foundation

Where is Chandigarh?

Lower Shivalik Mountains on Sukhna Lake on Flickr - Pradeep

Chandigarh is located near the foothills of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas in Northwest India.

Le Courbusior Sculpture Open Hand official emblem of city of Chandigarh - Koshyk

Chandigarh, also called City Beautiful, is a city in India that serves as the capital of two states, Punjab and Haryana, and is a union territory of India.

Le Corbusier Chandigarh, India on Flickr - duncid

Known internationally for its architecture and urban planning,

Fine Art Museum-Punjab University, Chandigarh on Flickr - Shubh M Singh

Chandigarh is home to numerous architectural projects of Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Matthew Nowicki, and Albert Mayer.

Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh, India on Flickr - Shubh M Singh

The city boasts a high standard of living with the highest per capita income in the country. Chandigarh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tags: art, mosaic, mosaic art, recycled art, outsider art, nek chand, rock garden, garden art, chandigarh, india, waterfall, sculpture, trash art, rocks, pebbles, ceramic tile, picassiete, pique assiette, modern art, architecture, le corbusier

Nek Chand has stirred the imagination of rich and poor and persons of all races and nations, regardless of their beliefs. It is a mixture of folk-art and provocative plastic forms of all shapes and sizes, blended in a natural and most imaginative environment created by the Master of Arts.

Hobby horse on Flickr - Two little Shutterbugs

Going through the narrow passages one can experience sudden surprises of beautifully landscaped open spaces articulated by sculptures reminding you of Henry Moore. Nek Chand's architectural and engineering innovations have the touch of Antonio Gaudi.

Nek Chand rock garden picassiette mosaic birds sculpture - india - blaighnid
Of course, Nek Chand is unaware of such big names or their works!

Nek Chand Garden mosaic birds pebble rock sculpture wall on Flickr - Uri Zer aviV

Nek Chand picassiette mosaic goose garden sculpture - fiercetigress

Nek Chand picassiette & pebble mosaic garden sculpture - mirthwood

The only dream Nek Chand was not aware of was that one day he would rank among the great masters and would receive unmatched recognition and the most prestigious awards.


Nek Chand - Rock Garden Art walls stones pebble mosaic on Flickr - rougetete

Nek Chand picassiette mosaic peacock garden sculpture- fiercetigress

NNek Chand picassiette mosaic garden sculpture - rougetete

Nek Chand is far greater than his creations.


Nek Chand picassiette mosaic horse garden sculpture - fiercetigress

Dog mosaic sculpture, Picassiette Rock Garden Chandigarh, India - Dey

Nek Chand Rock Garden Art sculpture pebbles on Flickr - Carol Mitchell

He does not speak much, but his creations speak volumes for him. M.N. Sharma - Nek Chand Foundation

Nek Chand pebble mosaic bear garden sculpture - fiercetigress

Nek Chand pebble mosaic animal garden sculpture - fiercetigress

Nek Chand outsider art mosaic and elephant garden sculpture - pashasha

Nek Chand india outsider art mosaic garden sculpture - Ant Smith

Animaldom at Rock Garden on Flickr - Two little Shutterbugs

More mosaic animals on Flickr - Two little Shutterbugs

Nek Chand india outsider art mosaic animal sculpture - fiercetigress

Nek Chand india outsider art mosaic dog sculpture - pedroquintelaborges

Ceramic tigers on Flickr - Two little Shutterbugs

Wooden monkeys mosaic outsider art on Flickr - Indian Curry

Monkey see, monkey do on Flickr - Two little Shutterbugs

Monkey sculpture Nek Chand india outsider art - Ant Smith

Nek Chand Rock Garden Art Sculpture - Ant Smith

Tags: art, outsider art, recycle, nek chand, rock garden, mosaic, garden art, stones, pebbles, mosaic, animals, birds, creatures, ceramic tile, china, india, chandigarh

The Little Chapel in Guernsey is just five metres by three metres and "possibly the smallest chapel in the world".

picassiette steps to archway to little chapel on Flickr - zenitpetersburg

In 1913 Brother Deodat, a religious refugee from France, saw the location and received a vision of recreating the Lourdes grotto and chapel on the hill.

picassiette archway to little chapel on Flickr - zenitpetersburg

Little Chapel broken china, plates, crockery on Flickr - photo_blog_farley

picassiette mosaic walls of little chapel on Flickr -zenitpeterburg

walls broken china pebbles of little chapel on Flickr - zenitpeterburg

picassiette mosaic walls of little chapel on Flickr - zenitpetersburg

Mosaic Art walls chapel at Guernsey 104 on Flickr - Annemoni

broken china in walls of little chapel on Flickr - zenitpetersburg

Little Chapel pique assiette exterior on Flickr - Van Tassel

He actually built it three times, demolishing it twice, the first time as a result of unspecified criticism,

Little Chapel picassiette architecture - Guernsey on Flickr - modogoo

the second because the Bishop of Portsmouth hadn't been able to get through the doorway.

Little Minature Chapel mosaic architecture on Flickr - Artoo UK

In 1939, he built this version, the smallest of the three attempts.

little chapel mosaic interioron Flickr - zenitpetersburg

The chapel is decorated inside and out with seashells and pieces of china:

mosaic chapel wall texture picassiette on Flickr - dmcneil

little chapel picassiette walls on Flickr - xxxrmt
by the time he had come to the third attempt, his project had become famous and islanders brought him tiles and coloured china from all over the world.

Little Chapel pique assiette mosaic interior on Flickr - dmcneil

The Little Chapel picassiette mosaic ceiling on Flickr - Artoo UK

Little Chapel pique assiette interior stained glass shells tile Flickr - dmcneil

St. Bernadette picassiette mosaic on Flickr - Auntie Doris

infront of little chapel picassiette on Flickr - zenitpetersburg

From a distance the colours and design make a pleasing whole, close-up it's amazing to see all the different pieces used to create the effect.

Where is Guernsey?

The Bailiwick of Guernsey (French: Bailliage de Guernesey) is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.As well as the island of Guernsey itself, it also includes Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou, Burhou, Lihou and other islets. Although the defence of all these islands is the responsibility of the United Kingdom, Guernsey is not part of the UK but rather a separate possession of the Crown, comparable to the Isle of Man. Guernsey is also not a member of the European Union. The island of Guernsey is divided into 10 parishes. Together with the Bailiwick of Jersey, it is included in the collective grouping known as the Channel Islands. Guernsey belongs to the Common Travel Area. Guernsey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mosaic Art Source mosaic definition:

pique assiette

pique assiette - or picassiette ( a french term -”stolen from plate”) - pieces of broken pottery, china, glass, buttons, figurines, and/ jewelry are cemented onto a base to create a new surface. Almost any form can be used as a base, and any combination of pieces can be applied, restricted only by the individual creator’s imagination. m.a.s. mosaic glossary

Mosaic Art Source picassiette mosaic photo & resource archive

Tags: art, mosaic, mosaic art, garden art, pique assiette, picassiette, chapel, little chapel, guernsey, smallest chapel, mixed media, architecture, shells, pebbles, broken china, china,

Mosaic wall of shells honduras on Flickr - hjselde

mosaic and shell fort bragg, california coast on Flickr - swirly

queetsy mosaic art opus sectile shell stone mosaic artist on Flickr - brooks_tower

intarsio panel palazzo massimo rome Nymph. mother of pearl inlayon Flickr - jmss

panel of Junius Bassus. Closeup of Hylas.mother of pearl inlay on Flickr - jmss

body by phil mosaic art opus sectile on Flickr - brooks_tower

mosaic niche with inlaid shells palazzo massimo rome on Flickr - jmss

neptune and amphitrite, originally uploaded by heavenuphere.

Shell Mosaic Getty Villa Malibu on Flickr - sfPhotocraft

Qasr Libya fish, sea urchin, sea monster, conch mosaics on Flickr - h_savill

flagler college, st. augustine scallop shell mosaic wall on Flickr - QwirkSilver

Mosaic Art - Tacoma, WA on Flickr - AlessandraHayden

Mosaic Sea Shell Tacoma, Washington on Flickr - AlessandraHayden

mosaic column on Flickr - by brewbooks

The Naturalist's Day on Flickr - by brewbooks

The Naturalist's Day
May 2004
By Joanne Hammer

mosaic deer detail on Flickr - by mjanean

The Naturalist's Day Mosaic on Flickr - by brewbooks

mosaic dog detail on Flickr - by mjanean

mosaic deatail on Flickr - by mjanean

Seattle Seattle international terminal airport columns on Flickr - by marypcb

Awesome mosaic tree on Flickr - by Aaron Gustafson

mosaic redwood tree column on Flickr - by shannonb


mosaic redwood on Flickr - by myjanean

green tile on Flickr - by shannonb

paradise floral mosaic on Flickr - by mjanean

Paradise March, 2004
Juan Alonso

floral mosaic on Flickr - by mjanean

Paradise flower mosaic on Flickr - by brewbooks

Roaring Mosaic Column on Flickr - by brewbooks

Roaring March, 2004
Robert Yoder

seatac mosaic column on Flickr - by cap'n cyril

In Memory of My Father, Nai-Ling Cheng on Flickr - by brewbooks

In Memory of My Father, Nai-Ling Cheng
May, 2004
by Amy Cheng

In Memory of My Father, Nai-Ling Cheng on Flickr - by brewbooks

column dragon on Flickr - by shannonb

Mosaic Columns - Sea-Tac Airport Concourse A

Nine artists designed the mosaic images for these architectural columns that begin at the entryway to the south checkpoint and flow into Concourse A. The designs were created by artists Juan Alonso, Rudy Autio, Marlene Bauer, Amy Cheng, Sam Gilliam, Peter de Lory, Joanne Hammer, Robert Yoder and Susan Zoccola. Stephen Miotto, of Miotto Mosaics, translated the designs into hand-cut glass and stone tessarae mosaics.

Mosaic Gate on Flickr - by AssafBA

blue door on Flickr - by nilly oren

blue window on Flickr - by nilly oren

blue spiral on Flickr - by nilly oren

The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is a highly important Byzantine mausoleum in Ravenna, Italy. It is one of the eight structures in Ravenna that were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1996. As the UNESCO experts reasoned, "it is the earliest and best preserved of all mosaic monuments, and at the same time one of the most artistically perfect".

mausoleum of Galla Placidia on Flickr - by saintpeg

Mausoleu de Gal·la Placídia, Ravenna on Flickr - by Sebastia Giralt

Built in 425-430 AD, the structure is designed in the shape of a Greek cross, and has a cupola that is entirely in mosaics, representing eight apostles and symbolical figures of doves drinking from a vessel. The other four apostles are represented on the vaults of the transverse arm; over the door is a representation of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd, young, beardless, with flowing hair, and surrounded by sheep; opposite, there is a subject that is interpreted as representing Saint Lawrence. Thin, translucent panels of stone admit light into the structure through the windows.

Galla Placidia Mausoleum, Ravenna on Flickr - by breic

galla placidia interior on Flickr - by designucdavis

The building contains three sarcophagi; the largest is said to have been that of Galla Placidia, and that her embalmed body was deposited there in a sitting position, clothed with the imperial mantle; in 1577, however, the contents of the sarcophagus were accidentally burned. The sarcophagus to the right is attributed to Emperor Valentinian III or to Galla Placidia's brother, Emperor Honorius. The one on the left is attributed to Galla Placidia's husband, Emperor Constantius III. In fact this building was the oratory of a wider church: the Holy Cross.

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Colours on Flickr - by James Macdonald

Mosaic Inside on Flickr - by pietroizzo

The inside is relatively small and extremely simple. The mausoleum was intended from the very start to be covered with mosaics, and these are the oldest in Ravenna. The eye is seduced by the brilliance of the colours, which mask the architecture and create an illusionistic effect.

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia - Ravenna, Italy - Great Buildings Online

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia on Flickr - by Rosy Hunt

Mosaics Stars Mausoleo di Galla Placidia Ravenna on Flickr - by blu_blue

Mausoleo di Galla Placidia on Flickr - by Arrigo Ceramista

Mosaic detail on Flickr - by vanalledag

Dettagli sottarco Mausoleo Galla Placidia on Flickr - by Arrigo Ceramista

Mosaic tiles on Flickr - by James Macdonald

Mosaic Art Source mosaic definition:

smalti

smalto (pl. smalti) - smalti is characterized by its dazzling range of brilliant opaque colors. Smalti is prepared by adding crystalline material (corpo) and coloured material (anima) to the colourless or coloured fused glass. Smalti is literally available in thousands of colors, is a very stable glass, easy to cut and very durable. m.a.s. mosaic glossary

Mosaic Art Source mosaic definition:

gold leaf tesserae (mosaic gold)

gold leaf tesserae (mosaic gold) - 24k gold-leaf tesserae are made up of a glass support layer (usually transparent, at times opaque red or coloured) less than one centimetre thick. The 24k gold metal leaf is then sandwiched between the support and a thin protective glass layer (the cartellina). In tesserae the colour shade is determined by the purity of the metal, the thickness of the leaf, the colour, if any, of the cartellina and of the support. m.a.s.mosaic glossary

Nature & Geometry, originally uploaded by pietroizzo.

Where is the Hearst Castle?

Hearst Castle was the palatial estate of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. It is located near San Simeon, California, on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Donated by the Hearst Corporation to the state of California in 1957, it is now a State Historical Monument and a National Historic Landmark, open for public tours. Hearst formally named the estate 'La Cuesta Encantada' ('The Enchanted Hill'), but he usually just called it 'the ranch'.

Hearst Castle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hearst Castle Roman Pool Mosaics on Flickr - by patacancha

The Casa Grande Roman Pool

The pool appears to be styled after an ancient Roman bath such as the Baths of Caracalla in Rome c. 211-17 AD. The mosaic tiled patterns were inspired by mosaics found in the 5th Century Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, Italy. They are also representative of traditional marine monster themes that can be found in ancient Roman baths.

The Roman Pool Hearst Castle on Flickr - by eye_fish

The Roman Pool is decorated from ceiling to floor with 1" square mosaic tiles. These glass tiles, called smalti, are either colored (mainly blue or orange) or are clear with fused gold inside. The intense colors and shimmering gold of the tiles combine to create a breathtaking effect. The designs created by the tiles were developed by muralist Camille Solon.

Hearst pool bottom mosaic detail on Flickr - by vikram_muthanna

Bottom of the indoor pool mosaic detail on Flickr - by SFAntti

Hearst Castle Pool bottom mosaic detail on Flickr - Rock and Racehorses

Hearst Castle Roman Pool mosaics on Flickr - by Sandra Leidholdt

Mosaic wall & floor detail on Flickr - by Stellae et Luna

Mosaic Design Inspiration

The inspiration for some of these designs came from the 5th Century Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. Hearst was affected by the beauty of the mosaics in the mausoleum and incorporated similar styles into his Roman Pool. The walls of the mausoleum are marble but the vaulted arches are composed of blue and gold smalti. The roofs and dome are covered with mosaics of night blue, powdered with stars. The Roman Pool is similar to the mausoleum with its blue and gold color scheme and stylized star patterns. It differs because marble was only used in the statues, not on the walls, and their are no religious murals.

The Roman Pool at Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle wall mosaic detail on Flickr - by Rock and Racehorses

Hearst Castle Mosaic floor detail on Flickr - by Isalcedo

Mosaic Floor Tile Detail. on Flickr - by blisseau

Roman Crab mosaic floor detail on Flickr - by Stellae et Luna

Mosaic Gold tesserae texture detail on Flickr - by klabhead

Mosaic Art Source mosaic definition:

gold leaf tesserae (mosaic gold)

gold leaf tesserae (mosaic gold) - 24k gold-leaf tesserae are made up of a glass support layer (usually transparent, at times opaque red or coloured) less than one centimetre thick. The 24k gold metal leaf is then sandwiched between the support and a thin protective glass layer (the cartellina). In tesserae the colour shade is determined by the purity of the metal, the thickness of the leaf, the colour, if any, of the cartellina and of the support. m.a.s.mosaic glossary

Vasarely mosaic, detail on Flickr - by erich289

Vasarely-Monaco on Flickr - by toog

The large-scale complex of the Congress Center (called Les Spélugues)
was opened in 1978. The boulevard Louis II runs under the massive
building which has been constructed of elements on a hexagonal plan and
includes the 636-room Hotel "Loews" and 100 apartments. On the highest
roof-level, of which there is an excellent view from the terrace. There
is a striking mosaic composed of colored tiles, which was designed in
1979 by Victor Vasarély and has the title "Hexagrace - Le Ciel, la Mer,
la Terre". The Fondation Vasarély in Aix-en-Provence was responsible
for its execution. planetware.com

Victor Vasarely, Masterworks Fine Art

Who was Victor Vasarely?

Victor Vasarely (Vásárhelyi Győző) (9 April 1906, Pécs - 15 March 1997, Paris) was a French Hungarian-born artist often acclaimed as the father of Op-art. He was a very talented artist.

Working as a graphic artist in the 1930s he created what is considered the first Op-art piece — Zebra, consisting of curving black and white stripes, indicating the direction his work would take. Over the next two decades, Vasarely developed his style of geometric abstract art. His work won his international renown and he received 4 prestigious prizes. He died in Paris in 1997.

Victor Vasarely - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

La Mosaïque Sculpture (Fountain)
Date: 1981
Artiste: Michel Deverne

Art integrated into Architecture, is the creed of Michel Deverne, born in 1927.

He conceived for La Defense the "Reliefs of the room of exchanges of the RER" with the sculptural decoration of the ventilation chimneys, designed by Andre-Prothin. The mosaic which accompanies the buildings by the Mirrors (1981) is also a beautiful illustration of the mixture between art and town planning: a surface of 3000 m2, creating an aesthetic effect of four cylindrical volumes intended to mask the flues ventilating, the exits of elevators and carparks becoming a sculptural work of art.

Where is La Défense?

La Défense is a major business district for the city of Paris (French:"Ville de Paris"), bordering Neuilly-sur-Seine, west of the city proper. It is centred on an ovular loop of roadway straddling the Hauts-de-Seine département municipalities of Nanterre, Courbevoie and Puteaux. The district is at the westernmost extremity of Paris' Historical Axis, which commences at the Louvre in the centre of Paris and crosses the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe.

Around its Grande Arche and esplanade ("le Parvis") centre, this district holds many of the Paris urban area's tallest high-rises: with its 3.5 million m² of office space, La Défense is the largest business district in Europe.

La Défense - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

sculpture mosaic detail, originally uploaded by ciglieggia.

vitreous & ceramic tile mosaic detail, originally uploaded by ciglieggia.

vitreous & ceramic tile mosaic detail, originally uploaded by ciglieggia.

Who is Michel Deverne?


DEVERNE Michel

Born in 1927, Deverne is a contemporary sculptor whose many achievements in Paris,France reveal his drive to weave a close link between architecture and the visual arts. His sculptures of steel, brass, aluminium as well as enamelled metal & tile decorations illustrate the diversity of his approach, the breadth of his ideas and the meticulousness of his work.

Inside Aya Sofya on Flickr - by krensucht

Why were Hagia Sophia's mosaics covered?

Because Islam tends away from representational imagery, many mosaics were destroyed and others were covered with plaster.

Hagia Sophia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

047 - Hagia Sofia uncovered mosaic on Flickr - by Metatron

plaster & mosaic detail on Flickr - by kenzilicious

049 - Hagia Sofia uncovered mosaic on Flickr - by Metatron

Why aren't all the mosaics uncovered?

Restoration work in the 20th century was begun in 1932 by the American Byzantine Institute, during which most of the figures were uncovered. Due to its long history as both a church and a mosque, a particular challenge arises in the restoration process.

plaster detail on Flickr - by howtorowacat

The Christian iconographic mosaics are being gradually uncovered. However, in order to do so, important, historic Islamic art would have to be destroyed. Restorers have attempted to maintain a balance between both Christian and Islamic cultures.

Mosaic column detail on Flickr - by SUE&XU

Is there a Mosaic under the Dome's Calligraphy?

In particular, much controversy rests upon whether the Islamic calligraphy on the dome of the cathedral should be removed, in order to permit the underlying Pantocrator mosaic of Christ as Master of the World, to be exhibited (assuming the mosaic still exists).

Hagia Sophia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Is the Pantocrator Mosaic of Christ under there? - by guranf

Mosaic detail on Flickr - by Mistress B

mosaic detail on Flickr - by feuillu

Mosaic detail on Flickr - by Mistress B

Mosaic niche, originally uploaded by manwerk.

Nut cracking squirrel on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

1911, Jugendstil quarter Mathildenhöhe, Darmstadt

madame, originally uploaded by laeli.

Couldn't resist this one, Madame's ensemble matches so perfectly! ;-)

More Beautiful mosaics from "Palace of Catalan Music” Barcelona, Spain

Amazing on Flickr - Photo Sharing! by 300 spartans

Outside detail on Flickr - Photo Sharing! by 300 spartans

El Palau on Flickr - Photo Sharing! by spacedoll

The Palau de la Música Catalana Interior Mosaic & Stained Glass Images

Inside El Palau on Flickr - Photo Sharing! by spacedoll

my favourite part on Flickr - Photo Sharing! by 300 spartans

The glass ceiling on Flickr - Photo Sharing! by 300 spartans

Beethoven on Flickr - Photo Sharing! by 300 Spartans

The Palau de la Música Catalana Exterior Mosaic Facade & Column Details

façade detail on Flickr - Photo Sharing! by kitta

Sección de la fachada del Palau de la Musica. on Flickr! by xip

Span_20051005_1685 on Flickr - Photo Sharing! by Meg Hajekova

2006_Spain_Barcelona_44 on Flickr - Photo Sharing! by shengmei_zhang

Palau de la Musica Catalana on Flickr - Photo Sharing! by leprechaun_il

The Palau de la Música Catalana Exterior Mosaic Ticket Booth & Floral Column Details

old ticket booth on Flickr - Photo Sharing! by hirsak

Mosaico on Flickr - Photo Sharing! by manelcap

Mosaic on Flickr - Photo Sharing! by Van Tassel

Barcelona - Palau de la Musica Catalana on Flickr - by biketrouble

2005-12-31-Barcelona, Palau de la Musica Catalana on Flickr - Photo Sharing! by Matilde Gaspar Silva

Palau de la Música Catalana - Barcelona, Spain

The Palau de la Música Catalana ("Palace of Catalan Music") in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, is a concert hall built between 1905 and 1908, designed by the Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. It was inaugurated in 1908, and its style is known as modernisme, the local term to design the Art Nouveau, whose most noteworthy practitioner was Antoni Gaudí.

The Palau de la Música Catalana was built to be the concert hall of the Orfeó Català ("Catalan Choir"), the most important choir in Catalonia in the beginning of the XXth century. The project was financed by this institution, principally, but also by the donations of the well-living bourgeoisie in the city.

Due to the wealthy circumstances and the increasing sympathy of industrialists and bourgeoisie to Catalan nationalism, Montaner was asked for a national, symbolist architecture and building. So he added the traditional ceramics and "maons", and asked other well-known Catalan artists to work with him. As a consequence, the Palau shows a wide variety of techniques and materials, both inside and outside.

In 1997, it was added as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Palau de la Música Catalana - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mosaic Art Source - Spain Mosaic Image Archive

detail of rookery floor, originally uploaded by riddiculus.

Elevator Area, originally uploaded by iLoveButter.

The elevator area of the hotel was very grand. The building is an old historic landmark, said to be the first sky scraper. Hotel Burnham, Chicago

Mosaic Floor detail Hotel Burnham, Chicago on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Mosaic Floor detail Hotel Bunham, Chicago on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

mosaic, originally uploaded by Roadstar Photos.

pompeii & herculaneum « Mosaic Art Source

Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura_1 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Basilica di San Paolo fuori le Mura - mosaico on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

mosaic of the front of San Paolo church, work of Filippo Agricola and Nicola Consoni (XIX century)

San Paolo Exterior Mosaics

The gold mosaics are impressing, especially on a sunny day or in the evening when the façade is floodlit. The mosaics that were here at the time of the fire were moved to the arch over the apse. The present ones were made between 1854 and 1874 by Vatican workshops, based on designs by Filippo Agricola and Nicola Consoni. Christ is shown between the Apostles Peter and Paul. Below is the Lamb of God on the mountain of Paradise. The four rivers symbolize the gospels, and the twelve lambs drinking from the rivers symbolize the Apostles. The cities are Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The lower section shows the Old Testament Prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.

San Paolo fuori le Mura - Churches of Rome Wiki - A Wikia wiki

American Visionary Art Museum on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

American Visionary Art Museum on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

avam exterior on Flickr - Photo Sharing!