25.May.2009 Westlake Progress 05/25/09 – Installation Test
Artwork by Sonia Romero
We did a test install of one of the Westlake MacArthur Park mosaics in our studio recently. Using a supporting form made from OSB board, we started by centering the medallion. Each piece has been adjusted slightly to achieve a perfect fit and precise overall uniformity. Being porcelain, each piece of the medallion cannot be easily cut without risk of breakage, and therefore must be placed perfectly. We have grouted the medallion in both black and white, in order to hide the seams where the two colors meet.
These photos illustrate the process.
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- Stenciling the wall for the medallion
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- Troweling the wall
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- Fitting the first pieces of medallion
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- Applying spacers for perfect fit
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- Troweling the wall
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- Spacing each piece
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- Spacing each piece
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- Spacing each piece
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- Spacing each piece
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- Spacing each piece
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- Spacing each piece
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- Cleaning edges for border installation
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- Cleaning edges for border installation
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- Back-buttering for border
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- Installing border surround
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- Installing and spacing border
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- Installing and spacing border
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- Installing and spacing border
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- Installing and spacing border
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- Spacing border
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- Grouting with black and white
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- Grouting with black and white
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- Grouting with black and white
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- Grouting with black and white
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- Medallion and border grouted
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- Mosaic grouted and cleaned
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- Mosaic finished detail
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- Dual grout color detail
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- Dual grout color detail
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- Grouted border detail
