Dig. And keep digging.

Ok. My view from here, through my eyes, is different. I see the darkness, the lust, the humor, the life in our human experience as urgent and universal. I must be getting jaded from looking at a lot of art. Maybe it is because I have looked at a great deal of art and so much of what I have seen leaves me, unmoved. In the past few years I have been more enticed with the materials of a work because the idea behind it is less interesting. Perhaps that is because so many people creating artwork have style without vision; technical prowess without heart; soulessness.

I am wrestling with words and pictures, clay and glass and cement and tears. I am digging to find meaning in those visions, to find purpose in this art. This takes thinking and critical discourse and a willingness to make mistakes. Art without experimentation, without daring, is beautiful numbness. Say something.

Mosaics created without education

Decay in Chicago

Almost 15 years ago, when I began working in mosaics with public art groups in Chicago, I had many questions and concerns regarding the wear and tear of mosaic tile outside in the extreme elements. I got different answers from different artists and tile installers, and I worked under the guidelines of the agency that commissioned the works although I was not satisfied with the array of information I received. I was surprised to find that artists with little or no technical knowledge of mosaic art were doing public pieces with inappropriate materials. Over the years, many of these pieces have seen decay due to poor installations, incorrect use of material for exposure to Chicago weather, or vandalism. These public works are in need of varying degree of repair or renovation to bring the beauty of these works back to their intended condition.

The mosaics in front of Lakeview High School have several issues. The mosaics have been fabricated and installed by a variety of people at different times, using different materials and applications. This has created an inconsistency in the permanence of the installation. For example, some of the materials used (such as indoor bathroom tile) was not made to withstand freeze/thaw situations. Because of this, many of the panels have decay and missing tile. Other sections are missing because of the application; the mortar mix may have been mixed poorly and applied to the substrates unevenly. Some mosaics were applied to the top (horizontal surface) where water can gather, freeze and thaw, creating an expansion of the underlying materials that over time cause the tiles to loosen and erode.

There are other mosaics at the school that are in very serious states of decay. Like a rash, when moisture or cracking occurs in a poorly fabricated or installed work, the disintegration spreads. Unfortunately, these pieces will continue to erode and crack; tiles will become loose and fall out. At some point the pieces will become dangerous to the public as exposed and ungrouted tiles will jut from the panels. This is happening now and the erosion will continue unless restoration and preventative measures are taken soon. These particular installations will continually break down over time, leaving partial imagery and a onetime vibrant colorful art installation in ruins.

It is unfortunate that some artists do not ask questions about creating and installing public mosaics; artists should consult with experts and do research before creating work that could become a public eyesore and personal embarrassment. It is the responsibility of artists to be accountable for the work they do; if a mosaic decays because of one artists negligence or lack of information, it makes all mosaic art seem impermanent and temporary. Contemporary mosaic artists have the ability to make work that is technically sound and able to withstand effects of time and the elements. It is important to learn how to solve the issues that occur when a mosaic has been installed incorrectly, with inappropriate materials (erosive), as well as when there has been damage due to vandalism or wear and tear. Mosaic artists must educate themselves well so they can create long lasting mosaics that the public can admire for a long time , and they will last as long as the artist takes great care in choosing the correct materials for the correct environments.