The butterfly of the Aegean, #Greece

Astypalea (Αστυπάλαια)

I haven't written any mosaic travel posts in a while. I'm glad that due to an incident, of which details I hardly recall, I stumbled on a late-Roman impressive floor mosaic situated on the island that's known as "the butterfly of the Aegean". Astypalea in Greece.

But. I have just realised that in one week from now Summer will be officially over and this post is still sitting in my drafts!! I better do something!

So, little butterfly island won't you open your wings for me, fly and press Publish. Please!

Astypalea is not exactly famous among the international crowd. Most of the tourists that go there are from mainland Greece.

The reason why it's been dubbed as "the butterfly of the Aegean" is due to its butterfly shape!

This blue gem of the Dodecanese seems to be a very ancient island. According to Wikipedia, its first inhabitants, the Dorians, apparently named the island after "asty" (city) and "palea" (old) which could justify the long history of the island.

I quote from dodekanissaweb.gr

Astypalea has a long history, ranging from the Protocycladic times, to the Golden Age and the Athenian Alliance, to the Roman times, the Byzantine times and lately to the Venetian rule, the Turks and the Italians, where in 1948 it was reunited with the rest of Greece. 

And...the reason for this post is ....

This lovely mosaic floor featuring the Zodiac. It's situated in the Baths of Tallara, late Roman Baths in the Analipsi area on the island. Among other finds of this site, there are two other mosaics depicting the four seasons and Cronus holding the earth.

I really hope for the best as far as far their conservation is concerned and I will try to find more information in the near future. I have done some googling but not much about the mosaics. I think I want to go there. Actually.

Well, that's all!

I hope you enjoyed this little voyage.

Wishing you a great September! A presto!


Image credits: astypaleaholidays.gr, myphotopic.blogspot.it, el.wikipedia.org, 12tetragonika.gr, ethnos.g

News about Chedworth Roman villa

This is a very short post to share what I have read a while ago from the BBC. A new archaeological dig is to take place to uncover floor mosaics at Chedworth Roman villa in Gloucestershire. Read the article HERE.

BBC News - Chedworth Roman villa mosaic excavation to begin http://t.co/HdIP0BSZuw #mosaic
— Mosaicology Blog (@poshmosaic) August 19, 2013

New ancient mosaic discovery in Zappeion (Athens) in Greece

I have just stumbled upon an article in Greek published on 23 June 2013 about a discovery of an ancient Roman times mosaic floor in Athens. The mosaic has survived in parts and it features various geometrical shapes with vine leaves and other vegetal motifs. It's a small portion of a luxurious villa which apparently belonged to an important ruler.

Article in Greek

Please help me continue sharing the passion for mosaic(ology)

 

Turtle and Rooster mosaic from Aquileia

image creditt Andrea Bertolazzi

This is the stunning turtle and rooster theme from the mosaic floors of the Aula Theodoriana (in the Basilica) in Aquileia in Italy dated 4th cent.AD. 

How delightful and playful!

It would make a great theme for a backsplash mosaic above the cooking area! 

Chevron pattern then and now

mosaic from Damascus

chevron mug

Look at this pattern.

The pattern is the same (and rather trendy right now). what changes is who, when, why and what (for)

New Hermes Paris store (and under the influence of mosaic)

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I am fascinated with Hermes and the fact that they love mosaic and have incorporated it in their products. The mosaic logo on the floor is situated in the newly launched luxury boutique on 17 Rue De Sèvres on the left bank in Paris once used to be Hotel Lutetia's indoor swimming pool.

More on Paris popcorn as well as on the accessorator.

Hermes, the Greek God, was the Messenger, flying from one place to the other to spread and deliver the news!

So if I was to pretend I was an ancient Greek lady, I would ask HERMES for assistance so that all my followers from www.musingovermosaic.blogspot.com can join me here!

This is the first post on new Mosaicology.

So what is new?

1. A new location that corresponds to the blog's name mosaicology.blogspot.com

2. Left and right columns for easier browsing and more professional look.

3. You can email me with a click! Do you like the button? It is on the left column under my profile which I have updated.

4. I have selected some videos (go down right column) that I find interesting and informative on mosaic how to. It is not easy to find good quality videos or videos that actually show you step by step all the things you need to know but at least it is a way to get an idea.

5. My new banner now. I have made something I am happy about. I am such a perfectionist and I sincerely hope this is it. I love purple (the colour of emperors and princes) and I adore gold mosaics. I have also given a short description for this blog to help the people not familiar with this blog (for those who have recently joined and those who will do so later).

What is new about me?  That is a surprise! Follow me here NOW and you will not be disappointed!

The best is yet to come and the best things come to those who wait.........

I will not be posting on my old blog anymore.

Ktisis mosaic (good wishes)

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The woman personifies foundation and donation whereas the little man brings good wishes. A positive message to all of us for the new year. To build those solid foundations necessary to develop and work on your dreams and more heartfelt wishes.

You should read a wonderful description of this superb mosaic here.

Heraclea Lyncestis: Colourful floral, animal, pattern mosaics

If I had to choose a mosaic panel for my dream living room it would be something along the lines of the mosaics from the ancient town of Heraclea Lyncestis. Blends with all styles. Classical, minimal, lavish, high tech.

You?

Sophia Loren as Cleopatra lying on a mosaic floor

I was not planning to post anything today but this picture had to become part of Mosaicology blog.

If you love the 60s and all things glamour - true glamour - go visit the relevant post on Stirred, Straight Up, with a Twist.

You will not be disappointed.

Minimal attitude in fashion and mosaics

(akris spirng 2010 RTW)

no pattern or design similarities here like the previous posts but the concept of minimalism in clothes and mosaics.
I love mimimalism and as far as mosaics are concerned, there are many mosaics that fall into that category. What comes to mind are the mosaics in Pompeii and in general mosaics where an emblema is the centrepiece and an outline, be it greek key or more intricate and whimsical, frames the mosaic.
now emblema is a Greek word and I want to show you what it looks like.
in fact i will demonstrate mimimalistic mosaics with emblemata.
i need the pictures to be inspired to write. (to be honest today i have no motivation to write).

Simplicity of design is all that is required for a beautiful and accomplished work. Complicated designs and pictures are more suitable for painting or ceramics. When you need to work with pieces of stone, your focus is to translate something "continuous" into a discontinuous object and to give new life to your subject matter. You don't depict, you translate and represent things somehow. This is why complex designs are not "that welcome" or at least easy to work on, unless you are a great craftsman. In class and in the books I read, they always stress the importance of working on a simple design or that your draft is simple. The reasons behind this are mainly technical but beyond that it's the medium that asks for simplicity. It's the art process that becomes the art (object). ..Well at least something along these lines. ....

I had no espresso coffee this afternoon that is supposed to wake me up. 

Enjoy the post and your evening my dear friends and if you are not bored, or made feel bored, by the post, drop a comment.

Gwen Stefani's Spring 2011 collection and... mosaic art

Take a look at this superb intricate dress from spring 2011 Gwen Stefani's collection reminding of mosaic floors...and then browse through the following random pictures of mosaic floors of geometrical patterns...chosen for you so that you too can see the relevance.

ps: mosaic and fashion on this blog is a new feature on this blog..let's see how it goes.

All images link back to their source.

Mosaic floor at a shopping centre in Greece

Hi everybody!
I am back.
Longest holiday ever.
Done all unpacking and looking forward to the usual routine....

A glimpse of a modern, beautiful mosaic floor at a shopping centre in Larisa, Greece.

Thank you all for your comments while away and thanks Amoronia for the reward, will see to it when i get a momenttttttt

The land of the Minotaur + Onassis's swimming pool/dance floor

For my last post of the summer, I chose some mosaics from Hersonissos, a summer resort 25 km away from Heraklion, the capital of Crete (Greece) and a little "surprise" swimming pool, both linked to Crete and Heraklion (the land of the Minotaur)..

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The following frieze with the jumping bull is a very famous fresco from Knossos, Crete which I wanted to include in this post, as it is linked with mosaics in the sense that Aristoteles Onassis had a mosaic floor for the swimming pool of his yacht designed on the basis of this specific fresco. This is what I had read in one of my mosaic books years back and on the occasion of this post I said, let me see if I can find out more and get pictures of this swimming pool ! I have been truly lucky.....

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Here it is right here (picture shows Onassis with Churchill) - look where they are sitting on! From what I read from the pic source Onassis's party trick was to flood the swimming pool (which also served as a dancing floor) while people were still dancing. Read more here

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VERY BEST SUMMER WISHES!