Mosaic as we know it is rich. Rich in its history, rich in the imprint of its creator and his artisanal know-how, but also rich in its colors, textures, and finishes… but how will it survive the digital era?
In April 2017, there were already 3.81 billion Internet users, i.e. 51% of the world’s population. In 2005 this number was “only” around 15%.
It’s safe to say things are moving quickly. Very quickly. And the more digital professions develop, the more we fear for the survival of certain crafts, whose unique know-how is sometimes passed on from generation to generation.
Will mosaic disappear?
If, for some, digital technology is synonymous with the future, for others it will never replace certain trades, including high-value manual craftsmanship.
The art of mosaic is one of them. Indeed, it is highly appreciated for its variety of materials and its unique use of color. This is particularly true in the field of interior design.
Beyond that, mosaic grows, adapts, and inspires.
In recent years, more and more digital mosaic solutions resulting from this practice have emerged.
This is the case with social networking applications like Pleek, which enables participatory mosaic, or Layout (for Instagram), which turns this art into a playful and user-friendly practice.
The first compositions of this type were created in the 1960s. Photomosaic is, in some ways, the “modern version,” creating a universe of photos inside a single image based on the average color values of each unit. And although today this is mainly achieved through specific algorithms, it remains a modern tribute to a practice that has travelled through the ages… without ever blushing.