5 4 Three techniques These are the hammer and hardie, mosaic tools used for cutting stone by Italian mosaic artists There are three main methods: the direct method, the indirect method and the double indirect method. Direct method A 'Direct Method' mosaic courtyard made from irregular pebbles and stone strips, Li Jiang, Yunnan, PRC (China) The direct method of mosaic construction involves directly placing (gluing) the individual tesserae onto the supporting surface. This method is well suited to surfaces that have a three-dimensional quality, such as vases. This was used for the historic European wall and ceiling mosaics, following underdrawings of the main outlines on the wall below, which are often revealed again when the mosaic falls away. The direct method suits small projects that are transportable. Another advantage of the direct method is that the resulting mosaic is progressively visible, allowing for any adjustments to tile color or placement. The disadvantage of the direct method is that the artist must work directly at the chosen surface, which is often not practical for long periods of time, especially for large-scale projects. Also, it is difficult to control the evenness of the finished surface. This is of particular importance when creating a functional surface such as a floor or a table top. A modern version of the direct method, sometimes called "double direct," is to work directly onto fiberglass mesh. The mosaic can then be constructed with the design visible on the surface and transported to its final location. Large work can be done in this way, with the mosaic being cut up for shipping and then reassembled for installation. It enables the artist to work in comfort in a studio rather than at the site of installation. Indirect method The indirect method of applying tesserae is often used for very large projects, projects with repetitive elements or for areas needing site specific shapes. Tiles are applied face-down to a backing paper using an adhesive, and later transferred onto walls, floors or craft projects. This method is most useful for extremely large projects as it gives the maker time to rework areas, allows the cementing of the tiles to the backing panel to be carried out quickly in one operation and helps ensure that the front surfaces of the mosaic tiles and mosaic pieces are flat and in the same plane on the front, even when using tiles and pieces of differing thicknesses. Mosaic murals, benches and tabletops are some of the items usually made using the indirect method, as it results in a smoother and more even surface. Double indirect method The double indirect method can be used when it is important to see the work during the creation process as it will appear when completed. The tesserae are placed face-up on a medium (often adhesive-backed paper, sticky plastic or soft lime or putty) as it will appear when installed. When the mosaic is complete, a similar medium is placed atop it. The piece is then turned over, the original underlying material is carefully removed, and the piece is installed as in the indirect method described above. In comparison to the indirect method, this is a complex system to use and requires great skill on the part of the operator, to avoid damaging the work. Its greatest advantage lies in the possibility of the operator directly controlling the final result of the work, which is important e.g. when the human figure is involved. This method was created in 1989 by Maurizio Placuzzi and registered for industrial use (patent n. 0000222556) under the name of his company, Sicis International Srl, now Sicis The Art Mosaic Factory Srl. * SICIS METHOD, EASY, LIGHT, QUICK. Doppio metodo indiretto Tale metodo può essere utilizzato durante la lavorazione per vedere e controllare il lavoro come apparirà una volta finito. Le tessere sono poste al positivo su un supporto (spesso carta o plastica adesiva sul retro) a faccia in su, come appariranno quando saranno installate definitivamente, a differenza degli altri sistemi in cui il disegno musivo viene creato al negativo. Quando il mosaico sarà completato, verrà ricoperto totalmente da un supporto adesivo simile al precedente. Il pezzo verrà quindi capovolto nuovamente e il materiale sottostante verrà accuratamente rimosso. A questo punto il mosaico verrà installato direttamente a contatto della superficie con malte o siliconici adeguati. In rapporto ad altri metodi questo è un sistema complesso da realizzare e richiede una grande abilità da parte degli operatori, ma il grande vantaggio risiede nella possibilità di controllare costantemente il risultato finale del lavoro, prima della sua posa finale; soluzione molto importante in opere complesse o di grandi dimensioni. Questo metodo è stato creato nel 1989 da Maurizio Placuzzi e registrato (brevetto n. 0.000.222,556 mila) per uso industriale con il nome della sua azienda, Sicis Srl. * Wikipedia, 2018 “Mosaic”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosaic
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