Eye Think, Inc.
Commission an Original LIFETILES Mural
A Collaborative Process
Every
commissioned LIFETILES mural is custom-designed specifically for its
installation site. When considering an area for a LIFETILES mural,
prospective clients should first identify a location where the mural
will be viewed as an observer is moving alongside it (rather than
toward it), a place where it will be viewed from a distance greater
than four feet, and a place where the glass LIFETILES will not reflect
a blinding glare from windows directly opposite them. For space
planning, it is also a good idea to lay out a LIFETILES mural's shape
and size on an architectural elevation. Each Lifetile is eight inches
square, and a LIFETILES mural may be composed of any number of
tiles. It is also important to anticipate what the average observer
viewing distance from the LIFETILES mural will be, and if there is any
predominant direction in which the observer will be moving by it. Once
the points above have been discussed and a sound conceptual approach
to the piece has been mutually developed, Rufus can start designing
the work.
Design
Rufus researches the subjects in
question, culling related info and images from books, photos, video
documents and even going out and filming the subjects himself. He
emails his client JPEG sketches and GIF animated designs that simulate
how the finished LIFETILES murals might look, move, and change for a
casual observer. Regular feedback and a timely interchange between
Rufus and his client enable him to refine the animated design until it
is completed. He then submits the completed design in the form of a
printed book of Final Drawings. Subject to his client's written
approval, fabrication commences.
Fabrication
A sample LIFETILE fired with
the agreed-upon color palette to be used is prepared and approved. In
the studio, the images are painstakingly hand-aligned tile by tile and
permanently etched into the glass. Each tile then travels through an
exhaustive process of paintings, scrapings, inspections, and kiln
firings until the animated image has been indelibly fused into the
glass. Once completed, the loose LIFETILES are arranged on the studio
display rack. At this point, clients are invited to come to review the
almost completed work in person. If it is inconvenient for a client to
visit the studio, Rufus will videotape the work showing it in motion
and send the videotape so his client can evaluate and approve the
work.
Assembly and Installation
The LIFETILES are
silicone-adhered onto customized modular panels of marine-grade
plywood or stainless steel, depending on whether a mural is to be
installed indoors or outdoors. The assembled panels are then crated
and transported to the site, where LIFETILES installers permanently
attach them to the wall. The joined panels create a seamless,
full-sized, “living, breathing” LIFETILES mural.
Want to discuss a custom LIFETILES job?
Contact
Rufus directly at LIFETILES@eyethinkinc.com