Mosaic is the art of connecting broken pieces to form a new design. I use mosaics to connect with the countries I live in, practising and teaching the art to those around me, to connect with people and enable others to connect with each other.
The German Organization for Mosaic Art and the Aldersbach Art Association organized a mosaic exhibition with international participation in the grounds of the Aldersbach monastery. my 3 bird mosaics were neighbors with works by Giovanni Alvich, in the chapel of the cloister.
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Giovanni Alvich, Rinasci, Italy
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Corinne Stratzieri, In-Fini, France
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Lissi Meyer-Rappaport, Zwischenräume, Germany
I was at the opening on May 20, 2023 and met some of the artists there. At the general meeting held on the same day, I was elected to the DOMO board. Since then, I have learned a lot about mosaic art in Germany and Europe and can contribute my international experience at the board meetings.
The video of the community mosaic “Möckernkiez” is here! A document of the creative work of a house community.
” I would not have thought that my neighbors could produce such beautiful designs. Now I see some of them with a whole new set of eyes.”
a resident and participant in the Mosaik project told me during the opening of the first part of the Community Mosaik for House 1 in the Möckernkiez in Berlin Kreuzberg.
32 residents from the 22 apartments that use Staircase A on a daily basis each designed a mosaic tile. On May 5, the mosaic tiles were installed by me and 3 other helpers from the house in the entrance area as a frieze.
Installation preparation – a team lays out the tiles and decides on their arrangement
Final design of the mosaic frieze
Saturday, May 6, was scheduled for joint grouting. Unfortunately, no one had signed the list of helpers. We “installers”, still tired from the previous day’s concentration and physical exertion, were worried. Would we manage to grout and clean the mosaic before the inauguration which was scheduled for 3pm?
We started to mix the grout. And lo and behold, one neighbor came, then a second, and by 11 o’clock I didn’t have enough gloves and spatulas so that everyone could join in at the same time. It was wonderful! One team scraped out overcrowded joints while immersed in conversation. Some children grouted with their mothers, others checked the grout lines for small holes that still existed, and the prudent ones immediately cleaned up and swept the floor to quickly remove unavoidable dirt with grout. It was a wonderful togetherness!
And suddenly there were the helpers …..
Promptly at 3 p.m. the champagne corks could be popped and the mosaic and the effort of the house community could be celebrated.
Admiring the joint effort and the shape of the mosaic
It was a successful start for the workshops @ MosaicMoments studio in Berlin! 25 brave people came to the taster courses in December 22, January and February 2023 and were able to experience the calming effect of mosaic making as well as the special energy that arises when several people in a room immerse themselves in crafting.
Birthday party beginners workshop Feb 23
“On the occasion of my birthday, I attended a workshop with my friends at the wonderful MosaicMoments studio. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming and making mosaics together under Gertrud’s expert and loving guidance gave us a special and bonding memory. I will never forget this birthday and each of us went home with a beautiful mosaic at the end!” Sylvie, participant February 2023
“The great thing is that you can switch off for 3 hours and forget everything around you. ” Brigitte M., December workshop
The magical moment of grouting
“I also really enjoyed the days because of the nice company. It definitely put me in the mood for the quieter Christmas period. …The tension between resistance and feeling, randomness and precision, conviviality and concentration when laying mosaics really inspired me. The connection between people and material is really great. ” Franziska Sch., December workshop 2022
“I’ve enjoyed these days at your place! Realize now, how I missed crafts! Had no opportunities to do things with own hands since fled home! And I like it so much!”
dersbach monastery. my 3 bird mosaics were neighbors with works by Giovanni Alvich, in the chapel of the cloister.
