Laticrete Donates Mural Materials for Cisneros Fontanals Foundation
LATICRETE® International, Inc., a global leader in the manufacturing of ceramic tile and stone installation systems, once again collaborated with world-class glass tile manufacturer Bisazza for a charitable cause. Together, Bisazza and LATICRETE generously donated materials to create a 4,800 sq. ft. mural for the Cisneros Fontanals Foundation in Miami, Florida.
Ella Fontanals created the Cisneros Fontanals Foundation in 2002 with an objective of providing support for the Miami Art Center's many local activities. As a non-profit organization, the foundation is dedicated to support emerging talent within the community, with a strong emphasis on contemporary artists who are of Latin American and Hispanic descent.
Products from both Bisazza and LATICRETE were used to install the mosaic mural that is located just outside of the foundation's headquarters in downtown Miami. Bisazza is known for designing its specialty mosaics featuring 24-carat gold and traditional vitreous glass finishes - all of which are hand cut. Within this particular mural, a garden scene was depicted using these mosaics, with bamboo, grassy vines and colorful foliage as part of the overall image.
Incorporating an assortment of different tile colors from its numerous series, Bisazza creatively formatted the mural and positioned each individual piece in a way that made the mural, in some ways, look like puzzles inside of puzzles. For a project like this, which used state-of-the-art exquisite mosaic tiles, Bisazza's materials needed the expertise of LATICRETE installation systems to ensure the project was installed at optimal levels.
"LATICRETE has a long standing relationship with Bisazza that has always resulted in great success," said Arthur Mintie, Technical Services Supervisor for LATICRETE. "We're delighted to work with them once again for this project."
LATICRETE provided its wide palette of grout colors for the designers of the mural to choose from, including: LATICRETE 272 Floor N' Wall Thin Set Mortar (white), LATICRETE 101 Rapid Latex Mortar Admix, SpectraLOCK(TM) Pro Liquids, # 1288 Silver Shadow Unit Part C, and # 1288 Silver Shadow SpectraLOCK Pro .
For the Bisazza mural, Mintie recommended SpectraLOCK Pro because it provides all of the benefits of traditional epoxy grouts, yet has a longer working time. Furthermore, it also has improved stain and chemical resistance without discoloration or cracking.
LATICRETE 101 Rapid Latex Mortar Admix was also chosen for the mosaic mural. Mintie noted that when this product is mixed with LATICRETE thin-set mortars, such as the LATICRETE 272 Floor N' Wall Thin Set Mortar that was also donated, the mixture offers high strength, quick setting properties, ensuring a faster installation time for the Bisazza mural.
With all of the needed materials from LATICRETE and the mosaic tile granted by Bisazza, a completed mural was presented to the Cisneros Fontanals Foundation. Both Bisazza and LATICRETE were pleased to contribute.
"Through visual and performing arts, the Cisneros Fontanals Foundation fosters a cultural exchange within the artistic community in Miami," concluded Mintie. "We at LATICRETE feel honored to be a part of that."
LATICRETE International is a global leader in the manufacturing of tile and stone installation systems, known and trusted for industry leading innovation and expertise. For additional information in the USA contact LATICRETE toll free: (800) 243-4788 ext 235, or outside the USA: (203) 393-0010, ext 235. For in-depth technical support and answers to your installation or application questions call toll free: (800) 243-4788 in the USA or (203) 393-0010 from anywhere in the world. For literature 24 hours a day call toll free (800)-359-3297 in the USA, Outside the USA, (203) 393-0015 ext. 360. E-mail: support@laticrete.com. Comprehensive LATICRETE and industry information can be found on the web at: www.laticrete.com LATICRETE® is a registered trademark of LATICRETE International, Inc.
