![]() |
Day In Clay |
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAMS |
16 Lavender Lane |
Phone: 845-786-2243
|
Theme Based Tile Mural Programs
It has been a very fulling experience to see students take pride in seeing their hand made tiles permanently installed in the school.
Tile murals are a great vehicle to work individually for the collective communal goal. The end is greater than the sum of the parts. It can also be used as an architectural element permanently installed in the school setting.
Students learn that different cultures have developed similar techniques, yet the tiles have purpose and design unique to each culture There are many subjects and imagery that are very poignant today that can take a subject from the past and make it relevant today. Native American connection to nature or the rain forest theme.
ie. The Rain forest theme could include the science and social studies/geography curriculum that one might find a rain forest, as well as the political issues that surround its most important ecology. The Native American tile mural is an example of a great theme representing respect for nature and how rich geometric patterns and symbols are an integral part of the art and culture making a great visual statement for a mural.
Architectural ceramics:
These are just some of the ideas and applicatons of tiles that can be used and will continue to explore as new ideas arise to express each schools individuality.
Sites:
Tiling door ways, adorning a structure with a tile facade to a bldg. entry walls, corridor walls, portico and pediments,columns, poles and posts,door frames arches, doors, courtyard table and benches,tiled planters, plaques, memorial planters, sculptures,columns, table tops, window frames, stair railings, bus stop shelters, vases, ledge walls, walk ways, mirror frames, tables, chairs,tiled paths (garden stepping stones) ledges.
Each class will be responsible for creating there own individual tile and painting it and preparing it for the first firing. Each individual tile will be treated as a single work of art that is going to be used and assembled to create a whole mural. The whole will be greater than the sum of the parts.
Sources of themes:
The themes can manifest and be adapted to many art forms.
Music
Universal themes
Peace
Our Fragile Planet
Rain forest – social and ecological elements
Narratives – story telling
Memorials – people and events
Applied Arts -Applied art and design:
Applied art is the integration of fine art and craft. using the forms and techniques to create a lasting piece in the school
Applied art can result in a permanent installation for the school. What I offer in my program are ways to use every day objects as a source for making art in a style that makes reference to some time in history -Architecture Greek, Egyptian, Renaissance, Native American…
Fountains – permanent installations for a schools court yard. Applied art – fountains, benches, tile murals, memorial objects (wall murals, vases, plaques, sculptures) in a style that referrers to some time or style in history Architecture Greek, Egyptian, Renaissance, Native American…
Story telling – (Narratives)
Personal stories on tiles or a vessel. The use of imagery in art and creating your own symbols to tell stories using references of pottery forms from the past. Greek, Asian, Native American pots. Gods and Goddesses mythology-
Design and Nature in the mural: (symbols pattern and design) How they relate to the various cultures i.e. From contemporary to ancient arts. How these manifests in fabric design and clothing pottery, architecture, sculpture, and everyday designs. Explore patterns in nature and how they make reference to various cultures and how that can be translated into art i.e. Native American Greek, Asian,
What symbols do you recognize in your own culture?
Visual language - Patterns and Symbols in various cultures What do those symbols and patterns evolve in that particular culture? i.e. telling a story, funerary,spiritual, celebratory, ceremonial, ritual, customs, religious, recording history, personal meanings, *(what is important to you)
Program Structure and Scheduling for a Tile Mural
A scale drawing will be made and each student will sign the place where their individual tile will need to be installed as a way of owning and committing to their space on the wall.
Day one: Students will be exposed to images and patterns and symbols in the form of line drawings and photographs. They will have some time to design and draw their own as well as work from the existing symbols of the chosen theme. They will have to pick and chose the ones that they will use to create their own story. Patterns will also be used to create borders/ frames around each tile that they carve and paint.
Day two: There will be various categories of images that they can chose from animals, people, designs, images… They will then be responsible for transferring their visual idea or one that already exists onto a 6” x 6” clay tile using carving ,coiling techniques and hand building techniques to create the 3D relief effect.
Day three: We will use colored clay underglazes to hand paint and highlight the various detailed areas of the images ,symbols and patterns. This detailed coloring will allow for a one firing process with the glaze coat on top.
Writing poetry could be incorporated into the mural as well as a literary element to the project.
Firing – the Arts teacher can then just apply a coat of glaze onto all the tiles and fire in the kiln. I will not need to be present for this step unless of course I have to take the tiles back ot my studio to fire.
Regarding installation. Many schools that I have worked in have access to parents or contacts that are connected to contractors who might be better and faster and skilled at interior tile installations. bathrooms kitchens.. You might want to add some costs on to the grant for installation, materials, and labor.