Teaching the Enchanting Art of Mosaic with Video and Subway Tours

"My subway videos are different than any others you might find because I focus on explaining the fine art points of the mosaics to the viewer. They are very much teaching videos," says Carol. "After I posted my first Chuck Close subway videos, I was delighted to receive a message from the artist's assistant. The artist loved the videos and asked for copies so he could share them himself." Carol has also received praise from the mosaic fabricators, Mosaika in Montreal. Usually, fabricators are not mentioned when people talk or write about the mosaics. The publication Mosaic Art Now also shared Carol's videos, and she is now slowly gaining a small following of mosaic fans on YouTube.

Carol's latest video features William Wegman/Mayor of Munich mosaics on 23rd Street. Carol’s other videos are: Vik Muniz on 77th Street, Yoko Ono on 72nd Street, Valerie Maynard on 125th Street, Elizabeth Murray on 59th Street, Robert Kushner on 77th Street, four videos of Chuck Close on 86th and 2nd Ave, Peter Sis on 86th Street, and a video about the conceptual installation in Union Square that is a tribute to the old mosaics.

 

"My mosaic class is doing exciting work. One of their pieces was making eye mosaics inspired by the eye mosaics at the World Trade Center," said Carol. "Students used the reverse method that I learned in Italy to achieve a smooth surface." Here is a short video of their mosaic reveal.

Students are currently making mosaic wall fountains. Past projects include experimental panels, mosaic cacti on laser cut forms and micromosaics. Upcoming assignments will focus on the use of stained glass and Italian smalti and will include still life and lamp making.

Carol is grateful to Dalton’s New Lab,  specifically Regis Zaleman, for supporting her with the guidance and resources to make these fantastic videos a reality.