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hanging system for large mosaics

updated mon 22 sep 03

 

pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET on tue 16 sep 03


Hi Susan,



How big is it?


Or, are there intended to be contiguous 'panels' as somehow
go together, and if so, how big are they, and how many, and
how do they go together? (...seperated by some distance or
abutted?)

Phil
Las Vegas

----- Original Message -----
From: "Susan Fox-Hirschmann"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2003 4:54 PM
Subject: hanging system for large mosaics


> I have been commissioned to do some large clay
installations that will be
> done as a series of mosaics but adhering to wood, and I
would appreciate a
> hanging system that would work for large pieces (each one
may be about 2-3' x 6-7')
> . Also what type of wood would you recommend to hold the
"tile mosaics".
> They will not directly adhere to the wall as I live 1/2
across the country
> from the woman that is commissioning me to do this
artwork.....so I figured I
> would create it on wood and ship here 'common carrier"
with instructions for
> hanging, on completion.
>
> Any advise on those of you who have done large
constructions would be
> appreciated.
> (I already have a history having been part of Peter King's
workshop, at the
> Corcoran years ago, so am experienced with his methods
but mostly he creates
> for adhering directly to walls)
>
> Thanks
> Susan
> Annandale, VA
>
>
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Susan Fox-Hirschmann on tue 16 sep 03


I have been commissioned to do some large clay installations that will be
done as a series of mosaics but adhering to wood, and I would appreciate a
hanging system that would work for large pieces (each one may be about 2-3' x 6-7')
. Also what type of wood would you recommend to hold the "tile mosaics".
They will not directly adhere to the wall as I live 1/2 across the country
from the woman that is commissioning me to do this artwork.....so I figured I
would create it on wood and ship here 'common carrier" with instructions for
hanging, on completion.

Any advise on those of you who have done large constructions would be
appreciated.
(I already have a history having been part of Peter King's workshop, at the
Corcoran years ago, so am experienced with his methods but mostly he creates
for adhering directly to walls)

Thanks
Susan
Annandale, VA

Susan Fox-Hirschmann on wed 17 sep 03


Thanks....I actually have that book and will take a look for the hanging
system....forgot it was in there.
Thanks for writing
Susan
Annandale, VA
WAITING for Isabel to hit us, hopefully not too hard.

Eric B on wed 17 sep 03


there is a method of hanging heavy-ish tiles that might work, which i first
saw in a book called Handmade Tiles. i'm in the process of moving so can't put
my hands on it to get the page-reference or author, but his name sounds
Italian and begins with a G. can anybody help with his name? i think it was first
published within the last 5 years or so.

anyway, one method he suggests -- which i've tried and it works very well --
is to permanently bond (e.g., with epoxy) the tile or mosaic to a piece of
exterior or marine-grade plywood (if it will be outside in wet weather). once
that is done you saw a strip of wood (about 1" x 2" i think, or bigger if you
need perhaps) longitudinally at a 45 degree angle. then you permanently bond
one of the resulting halves to the backside of the plywood backing, horizontally
and toward the top; alternatively, a better method of attaching the strip to
the plywood would be to do it with wood screws before epoxying the tiles to it.

then you securely fasten the remaining half of the sawed wood strip to the
surface (wall, fence, etc.) on which you intend to hang the piece, with the
sawed, "angled" side of it facing toward the surface. once done you can the hang
the piece on it and the weight is much better distributed on the surface and
secure than the "nail and wire" method. it also has the advantage of being
movable if the owner ever changes her mind about where to put it; or, of course,
she could render it non-movable with a few drops of epoxy on the angled wood
strip before resting the piece onto it.

i hope this gives you some idea of this method. if you choose to try it, i
would definitely first get the book and look at the author's pictures and
measurements. the above description is just to give you a "mental picture" of the
idea.

cheers.

eric
SpunMud

Alyss Dorese on wed 17 sep 03


Eric,

The book you are referring to is Handmade Tiles by Frank Giorgini published by Lark Books.


Alyss Dorese
dorese@ix.netcom.com

Charnley McCrorey on thu 18 sep 03


Eric's description of the hanging system is great, the system is called a
French Cleat.

The two things he didn't deal with is that the cleat needs to be 1/4 of the
way from the top to decrease the stress on the Plywood and the wall, (if the
piece is over 100 pounds). He is right about using Marine grade wood, and most
important of all is that you adhere the wall portion to into the studs and
make good and sure your into them deeply, Predrill the holes into the studs so
the screws take a good solid bite when you put them in.

I apprenticed to a design company for a year and we used french cleats to
hang almost all art over 3 feet wide. I recently learned that the 600 pound 4 x
6 foot, 5 inch deep faux stone frame and picture we hung on one of those
cleats 10 years ago made it through the earthquake we had 2+ years ago here in the
NW and while everything else came off her walls the picture was steady as a
rock.

Joy to you all
Charnley

Susan Fox-Hirschmann on sat 20 sep 03


Thanks!!!
GOt hit with the hurricane and no electricity for 2 days.....so I will re
read what you wrote and see how I can use that system. Watched a 60 foot tree
come hurdling to the ground only a short distance from my new studio.....we are
happy to get thru it without anyone getting hurt, or property damage. Pretty
scary stuff, that Isabel!
Appreciate your taking the time to write.
I have that book and will take a look
Thanks!
Susan
Annandale, VA

Susan Fox-Hirschmann on sat 20 sep 03


Hi,
Right now I am in the process of designing them....the largest may be 5 feet
by 3-4 feet...
did not answer you since we got hit with a hurricane and had no power for 2
days.

EAch piece may only be 6-8 " apart and form a design across a 12'x17'High
wall.
Thanks for you assitance.
Susan
Annandale, VA

Susan Fox Hirschmann
Art Pottery
please visit http://www.silverhawk.com/ex99/hirschmann