by Jennifer Mead

Introduction:
The Sumerians created the first mosaics five thousand years ago by driving colored stones of clay into walls. Floor and ceiling mosaics were also popular in early Christian and Byzantine churches about 1500 years ago. At the same time that the Renaissance in Europe was happening, the Aztecs in Mexico created beautiful mosaics. Today as artists we will make a mosaic mask like the Aztecs.

Materials:

Directions:

1. We are going to construct our mosaic out of shapes. Already cut for you are some geometric shapes. When you are building your mosaic, you can cut your own organic shapes. First you need to sketch your mask with a pencil. Pick a shape for the shape of the whole mask. Then add details like eyes, nose, hair, mouth, jewelry, etc. What details could you include that I've left out: Can you use patterns to fill in the details?


2. Once you have a basic sketch, take the colored mosaic pieces and arrange them on your paper according to your drawing. Once you’ve decided where the pieces fit, glue them in place. It is important to remember that in a mosaic there is room between the pieces (no overlap). Space your pieces out so that it looks like you grouted them like a real mosaic!


3. If you have the time or the inclination, you can cut out the masks, punch out eyeholes, and attach string so you can wear them too!


4. You can find mosaics in Colorado Springs in Acacia Park, at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and at Soda Springs in Manitou.

Art Terms:
Shape – the form made when a line meets itself
Geometric Shape – a shape that you find in math: triangles, circles, squares
Organic Shapes – a shape that is found in nature like leaves, mountains, twigs, etc.
Pattern – a repeating sequence of shapes, colors, lines, images, etc.
Overlap-when shapes, lines, patterns lie on top of each other

Resources:
Goodrick-Clark, Celia and Vance, Peggy. The Mosaic Book: Ideas, Projects, and Techniques. Trafalgar Square Publishing, Vermont: 1995.

*Once you feel you have mastered the art of mosaics, try your hand at creating masterpieces from Mosaic Mercantile's glass tiles!

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