Siting and Lighting Recommendations

Reflective glass mosaics work best situated opposite a main light source, when the light is at some distance and rather broad. A bright wall is ideal. Picture windows are good daylight sources, but need some artificial light at night to compensate for the loss when the window goes dark. A more varied and interesting light source will be reflected in the mosaic.  Taking the time to find the right location for your mosaic is frequently more successful than hanging it on a wall you have chosen in advance.  Proper height and the angle of the light source are crucial to getting the best from this art.  Remember, these are mirrors.  They reflect what is opposite.  If what they are reflecting is dark, they will be also.

While this may seem a limitation, it can also be a virtue.  When these mosaics are placed on a dark wall, with a bright wall opposite, they brighten.  This contrast makes them particularly effective in hard to light areas, because the mosaics themselves require no direct illumination.

The tilt up or down and the angle from side to side also have a bearing on how the mosaic will best respond to its environment.  The well placed mosaic will glow diffusely in a well lit room.  Yet, no matter how bright or dark the room may be, there is always a sweet spot.  That is the point at which the observer and the mosaic are interacting at an ideal angle.   The visual surprise that greets the casual observer when the sweet spot is reached can be striking.  They often sway back and forth in front of the work  to alter the intensity of the reflection.  Where this interaction happens is altered by tilt and angle.  A subtle adjustment can direct the observer to the location of your choosing.

Height is also a factor.   A small mosaic placed at the eye level of a seated person has maximum impact when a person sits down.  While well lit environments are generally beneficial, one candle may be all that is required in an intimate setting.  As with most works of art, placement at eye level is preferred.

The maximum distance at which any given design remains effective is a function of the level of detail in the work and the contrasts among the colors of glass.  Most of the small works carry an average room.  The newer works all contain pieces too small to be picked up by the unaided hand, and it is these details that require closer inspection.

If you have any doubts about whether your preferred location is well suited, please send pictures of the room in question.  I will be glad to help.