Page 109 - Hrobat Virloget, Katja, et al., eds. (2015). Stone narratives: heritage, mobility, performance. University of Primorska Press, Koper.
P. 109
versatility of mosaics ...
Various studies show how particular features of space can change the creativity of individ-
uals living or working there (Bisadi, Mozaffar & Hosseini, 2012; Faizi et al., 2011). Bisadi
et al. (2012) find that beauty, diversity, privacy, and proximity increase the creative think-
ing in employees of research centres. Faizi et al. (2011) demonstrate that different colours,
shapes, flexibility of function in a residential place enhance children’s creativity.
The idea for this project was to engage and activate the citizens and institutions of Ko-
per-Capodistria, Slovenia, in designing the features and activities of their town. A symbol-
ic component is incorporated in this work, with the message of identification with oneself
and the group, and of giving a collective hope for the future. These projects are presented in
detail in the following two case presentations.
Case presentation: Multicultural and multigenerational mosaic construction
In this project, people of different ages and nationalities participated in the construction of a mosaic. Like in Bordeaux,
the tree of life was chosen as the motif for the mosaic template. The mosaic was constructed in two workshops, one at the
event »Oživela ulica 2013«, and other at Tal1t fair (both in Koper-Capodistria, Slovenia). Due to time limitation, the wor-
kshops had to be optimised. In order to reduce the preparation phase, the material was cut into small, irregular pieces at
the home laboratory. The background was constructed at both events by many children and people who were making
the mosaic for the first time in their lives. Hence, the trunk is constructed regularly with one type of tiles, while the back-
ground is irregular and consists of different tiles, plates etc., all brought by the participants of the workshop. Despite the
language diversity of the participants, the group was still able to communicate as the »language of the tiles« is univer-
sal. The mural is installed in the cafe in Muzejski trg, Koper-Capodistria, Slovenia. The participants of the workshop can
identify themselves with the mosaic as their names are written on the description table. This is written in all seven langua-
ges spoken by the participants. The results of the eight-hour mosaic workshop are presented on the left side of Figure 3.
Figure 3: Mosaic as a tool for the activation of citizens and institutions in the creation of
the environment (© MosaicsOfIntention, 2014, Photo: Maja Frencl).
107
Various studies show how particular features of space can change the creativity of individ-
uals living or working there (Bisadi, Mozaffar & Hosseini, 2012; Faizi et al., 2011). Bisadi
et al. (2012) find that beauty, diversity, privacy, and proximity increase the creative think-
ing in employees of research centres. Faizi et al. (2011) demonstrate that different colours,
shapes, flexibility of function in a residential place enhance children’s creativity.
The idea for this project was to engage and activate the citizens and institutions of Ko-
per-Capodistria, Slovenia, in designing the features and activities of their town. A symbol-
ic component is incorporated in this work, with the message of identification with oneself
and the group, and of giving a collective hope for the future. These projects are presented in
detail in the following two case presentations.
Case presentation: Multicultural and multigenerational mosaic construction
In this project, people of different ages and nationalities participated in the construction of a mosaic. Like in Bordeaux,
the tree of life was chosen as the motif for the mosaic template. The mosaic was constructed in two workshops, one at the
event »Oživela ulica 2013«, and other at Tal1t fair (both in Koper-Capodistria, Slovenia). Due to time limitation, the wor-
kshops had to be optimised. In order to reduce the preparation phase, the material was cut into small, irregular pieces at
the home laboratory. The background was constructed at both events by many children and people who were making
the mosaic for the first time in their lives. Hence, the trunk is constructed regularly with one type of tiles, while the back-
ground is irregular and consists of different tiles, plates etc., all brought by the participants of the workshop. Despite the
language diversity of the participants, the group was still able to communicate as the »language of the tiles« is univer-
sal. The mural is installed in the cafe in Muzejski trg, Koper-Capodistria, Slovenia. The participants of the workshop can
identify themselves with the mosaic as their names are written on the description table. This is written in all seven langua-
ges spoken by the participants. The results of the eight-hour mosaic workshop are presented on the left side of Figure 3.
Figure 3: Mosaic as a tool for the activation of citizens and institutions in the creation of
the environment (© MosaicsOfIntention, 2014, Photo: Maja Frencl).
107
