Traditionally, linoleum tiles are used to cover floors. We place them on the ground to make the floor more attractive. Linoleum tiles are mass produced. Millions upon millions are made, each looking identical to another. They may vary in style and color according to the particular design, but within these designs each tile is exactly the same; totally lacking individuality. The concept of utilizing tiles to cover flooring is to hide the unsightly structure beneath; by doing this, the identity of the actual floor is concealed.

Our main goal is to now reverse the concept and further, exploit the tiles that we normally see on floors. Instead of the tile being the primary surface of the floor, it will now act as the ground on which we normally lay it on. The tile will act as a canvas upon which objects and media will be used to make each square unique; somewhat similar to the idea of the tile making the floor attractive. In other words, whereas the ground used to be the canvas and the linoleum tile the paint, the tile now becomes the canvas and the mixed media will act as the “paint”.

The canvas we are using in this investigation will be 12”X12” linoleum tiles. “Nature” will be the primary theme and therefore, objects found in nature (i.e. sand, branches, twigs, leaves, flowers, etc.) will be used as media in recreating the tiles. Traditional forms of art media will be used as well (i.e. paint, glue, etc.). Each artist will create his/her own original artwork using the tile and the above mentioned media. The end result will be the transformation of a mass produced linoleum tile into an original piece of art with its own character and individuality in accordance with the artist’s motif. The finished pieces will finally be arranged into a mosaic collage that will be displayed on the wall.