You are currently browsing the daily archive for November 2nd, 2006.
Ostia Antica, originally uploaded by Shelley A.
One of the mosaic merchant signs, for an ivory trader
Ostia Antica, Italy - “located at the mouth of the River Tiber, Ostia was said to have been founded by Ancus Marcius, the fourth king of Rome, in the 7th century BC. A later inscription refers to the event [Anco Marcio regi quarto a Romulo qui ab urbe condita primum coloniam --- deduxit]. However the most ancient archaeological remains so far discovered are no older than the 4th century BC. The most ancient buildings currently visible are from the 3rd century BC, notably the Castrum (military camp) and of a slightly later date are, the Capitolium (temple of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva). The opus quadratum, the walls of the original castrum at Ostia provide important evidence for the building techniques that were employed in Roman urbanisation during the period of the Middle Republic.
Although Ostia was probably founded for the sole purpose of military defense — since hostile armies could eventually reach Rome by water through the mouth of the Tiber River — in time the port became a very important commercial harbor.” excerpt from wikipedia
great collection of mosaic photos from Ostia Antica
close up of the sidewalk, originally uploaded by efortuna.
pebble mosaic photographed in Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy
Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy - “occupies a beautiful position on the Gulf of Tigullio. Its attractive palm-fringed harbor is usually thronged with fun seekers, and the resort offers the widest range of accommodations in all price levels on the eastern Riviera. It has a festive appearance, with a promenade, flower beds, and palms swaying in the wind. As is typical of the Riviera, the town’s sandy, pebbly beach is packed with a party crowd in fine weather. Santa Margherita Ligure is linked to Portofino by a narrow road. The climate is mild, even in winter, drawing many retirees from northern Europe.
The town dates from A.D. 262. The official name of Santa Margherita Ligure was given to the town by Vittorio Emanuele II in 1863. Before that, it had many other names, including Porto Napoleone, an 1812 designation from Napoleon.
Santa Margherita Ligure became a tourist attraction in the latter half of the 19th century, drawing important visitors such as royal family members, important politicians, industrialists and international celebrities. The elegant villas and grand hotels encircling the Gulf, combined with remarkable natural beauty have contributed to making this a classic tourist destination. ” excerpt from pano views
Mosaic Art Source - pebble mosaic images archive
mosaic detail, originally uploaded by Jessica & Greg.
Hadrian’s Villa (Villa Hadriana) - “is a large Roman villa built by the emperor Hadrian in the early second century CE. The villa was a sumptuous complex of over 30 buildings, covering an area of at least 100 hectares (c. 250 acres), maybe even 300 hectares, of which much is still unexcavated. Hadrian’s Villa is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The villa was Hadrian’s preferred residence when he was in Rome.” excerpt from Hadrian’s Villa
japan, originally uploaded by tiny slip of a girl.
mosaic entrance to a public toilet @ asakusa (i was going to photograph the entrance to the men’s but then i realised you could see right in to guys at the urinal)
“Asakusa is one of the few traditional quarters left in Tokyo. During the Edo period, it marked the Northern limit of the city. It was where the out-classed such as the prostitutes, yakusas and priests (as strange as it may seem) lived. Yoshiwara, the infamous pleasure quarter, was located in the Northern part of Asakusa, not far from Senso-ji Temple.In the Meiji era, it was in Asakusa that the first Western imported entertainment were tested. That is where the first public cinema opened, where the first Western operas were shown (at the Imperial Theater) and that the first music hall and striptease clubs made their appearance.
The most notable touristical attraction is the Senso-ji Temple (浅草寺). According to the legend, in 628 two fishermen found a 50cm high golden statue of the Buddhist goddess “Kannon” in the Sumida river. The county chief Haji Nakatomo errected a small construction to house the statue, which then became Senso-ji.” excerpt from Tokyo Guide
Sat’Agata Feltria - Arnaldo Pomodoro’s fountain, originally uploaded by Jazz Girl.
Arnaldo Pomodoro’s mosaic fountain, Fontana, Italy
Arnaldo Pomodoro - “was born on June 23, 1926, in Morciano, Romagna, Italy. From the mid-1940s until 1957 he served as a consultant for the restoration of public buildings in Pesaro, while studying stage design and working as a goldsmith. In 1954 Pomodoro moved to Milan, where he met Enrico Baj, Sergio Dangelo, Lucio Fontana, and other artists. His work was first exhibited that year at the Galleria Numero in Florence and at the Galleria Montenapoleone in Milan. In 1955 his sculpture was shown for the first time at the Galleria del Naviglio in Milan.
Pomodoro visited New York in 1956 and traveled in Europe in 1958. In Paris in 1959 he met Alberto Giacometti and Georges Mathieu, before returning to the United States, where he organized exhibitions of contemporary Italian art at the Bolles Gallery in New York and San Francisco. In New York the following year Pomodoro met Louise Nevelson and David Smith. He helped found the Continuità group in Italy in 1961–62. The sculptor traveled to Brazil on the occasion of his participation in the 1963 São Paulo Bienal, where he was awarded the International Sculpture Prize. A solo show of his work was included in the Venice Biennale of 1964. In 1965 he was given the first of many solo exhibitions at the Marlborough galleries in New York and Rome.The artist taught at Stanford University in California in 1966. In 1967 Pomodoro was represented in the Italian Pavilion at Expo ’67 in Montreal, and he received a prize at the Carnegie International in Pittsburgh. In 1968 he taught at the University of California at Berkeley; in 1970 he returned to Berkeley to attend the opening of an exhibition of his work that originated there and later traveled in the United States. During the late 1960s and early 1970s he executed commissions for outdoor sculpture in Darmstadt, New York, and Milan. In 1975 a Pomodoro retrospective was sponsored by the Municipality of Milan at the Rotonda della Besana. Pomodoro lives and works in Milan.” excerpt from Biography by Arnaldo Pomodoro
Sant’Agata Feltria - Arnaldo Pomodoro’s fountain, originally uploaded by Jazz Girl.
Arnaldo Pomodoro’s mosaic fountain, Fontana, Italy
mosaic plan in color.JPG, originally uploaded by Summer Kitchen Studio.
This is the design for the community mosaic project, Winter Park Community Pride in Hannibal Square, Florida. Lead artist, Lynn Tomlinson.
check out Lynn’s Community Mosaic Blog
harvest day, originally uploaded by janette~.
2006-10-22 0849 Diversity, originally uploaded by juverna.
Beautiful mosaic on the ground in front of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego sign.
Virgin as seen in mosaic, originally uploaded by happykatie.
Our Lady of Guadalupe mosaic piece at MECA Houston
Barcelona art nouveau shop frontage in mosaic, originally uploaded by Kentigern.
Mosaic art nouveau Letter ‘T’ - Barcelona : on building front, originally uploaded by Kentigern.
Barcelona - on building front
Mermaid Mosaic, originally uploaded by ccerruti.
The photographer’s notes - I took a 10 week long class in beginning mosaic at this wonderful place in Montclair (Oakland), called Snap Shot Mosaics. Everyone worked at their own pace, on their own project (entirely up to your own vision/ ideas!) Gina and her husband Milton were AWESOME! Very friendly and enthusiastic. Gina is a great teacher, and the atmosphere is very casual. I would definitely recommend this to anyone!
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