(from the June 2009 Issue)
LATICRETE Products For
Award-Winning Mosaic Mural
LATICRETE, a global leader in the manufacturing of innovative systems for the installation of tile and stone, has enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with world-renowned mosaic artist Sonia King of Mosaic Works in Dallas, Texas. King’s latest project installed with LATICRETE® products, “Nebula Chroma” (think giant space cloud), is now the focal point of the multi-story main lobby in the newest tower of the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. The light-filled, three-story atrium creates a dynamic setting for Nebula Chroma, King’s 7’ x 17’ masterpiece that was awarded first prize in the “Design and Detail” category at the 2009 Spectrum Awards ceremony at Coverings in Chicago.
King’s Nebula Chroma features a huge variety of materials, including
glass tiles from over 10 manufacturers, multiple layers of ceramic tile,
agate slices, marble gems, beach glass, art glass, vintage mosaic glass
and more. In all, over 200 different kinds of tile from 20 manufacturers
were installed with LATICRETE installation products on this large-scale
mural that represents King’s fourth completed mural wall at the
Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. Her first four mosaic walls,
also installed with LATICRETE products, all won Spectrum Awards as well,
which are presented annually and sponsored by the Tile Council of North
America, the National Tile Contractors Association, the Ceramic Tile Dealers
Association, the Association of Ceramic Tile Manufacturers of Spain, and
Assopiastrelle, the Italian tile association.
The mural was installed in sections, first glued to mesh and labeled for
placement, and then installed on the curved mural substrate with LATICRETE
254 Platinum, the ultimate one-step, polymer fortified thin-set adhesive
from LATICRETE. To grout the award-winning mural, King got ultra-creative
with LATICRETE 1500 Sanded Grout, creating a design-friendly option of
her own she’s dubbed “Fresco Grout.” To add even another
layer of interest, King infuses pure pigments of color by hand into the
grout as its curing with sponges and water. This hand-colored treatment
of LATICRETE 1500 Sanded Grout helps to shift and blend the mural as it
“continually plays a mind game” with its viewer, according
to King.
LATICRETE International, Inc. is a family owned business dedicated to
innovative, high quality tile and stone installation systems. Based in
the USA, the 50-plus year old company is one of the world’s leading
manufacturers in its field. It’s well known brands LATICRETE®,
LATAPOXY® and SpectraLOCK® are manufactured
and sold worldwide. USA /Canada: 1.800.243.4788, outside USA: +1.203.393.0010,
www.laticrete.com.
Copyright 2009 Stone Industry News. All rights reserved.