Mosaic Today: Create Contemporary Projects Using New and Recycled Material - Hardcover

Goodwin, Elaine M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1570763992 ISBN 13: 9781570763991

Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books, 2008

Synopsis

From an abstract wall panel to a sumptuous table top, each of these 16 projects—from Austria, Belgium, Morocco, ancient Rome, and beyond—clearly demonstrates how a design is developed, from the initial idea to the finished product. Praising the satisfaction to be found in mosaic work, with its simple techniques and stunning results, the chapters introduce materials and patterns—and explain how the process of application is an integral part of the design, whether using recycled china, glass, Venetian smalti, marble, slate, stones, pebbles, shells, or mirror.

About this title

About the Author

Elaine M. Goodwin is a leading figure in the contemporary mosaics world who works in studios in England and Morocco. She is the author of Classic Mosaic and Encyclopedia of Mosaics.

Reviews

This is an ancient Old World craft requiring time, extraordinary discipline, painstaking attention to detail, and an eye on the desired imagination’s end. In her sixth book on the subject (including Classic Mosaic, 2000; Encyclopedia of Mosaic, 2003), Goodwin speaks not only with authority but also with a phenomenal love for all mosaics, old and new. Drawing on such disparate inspirations as the Acropolis and Los Angeles’ Watts Towers, she divides her 16 projects into four facets—decorative and ornamental, exterior and garden, experiential and enquiring, and personal and self-expressive—explaining her aesthetic motivation behind the categories. Every page features at least one historical mosaic masterpiece, with tons of footnotes and insights about that particular artwork (and others). Every project refers to its original inspiration, then includes color photographs of the finished piece as well as the step-by-step instructions. Contemporary design rules, with geometrics and abstracts dominating, whether a three-dimensional spiral frieze or a lounger à la Antoni Gaudi. Level of difficulty is not indicated; chances are, though, that readers must be familiar with snippers and a variety of grouts, adhesives, and tiles. --Barbara Jacobs

Edition details

• Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1570763992
• ISBN 13: 9781570763991
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 144