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CRANE DREAMS was created from Indian, Chinese, Brazilian and Pennsylvanian slates.CRANE DREAMS is a stone mosaic fireplace commissioned by the executive director of American Players Theater, a company devoted to the staging of Shakespearean plays, in Spring Green, Wisconsin and his spouse the owner and lead instructor at the Wisconsin Ballet Academy. I provide this brief background sketch because it is integral to the performance art themes celebrated in the mosaic. The right side, with warm colors, and the andamento of the "floating" mosaic tesserae is meant to portray the ritual crane dance, somewhat of a "crane plie". The left side takes a more dramatic turn--perhaps an allusion to the Tempest? The effort to celebrate the owners' performance art achievements is represented in the horizontal andamento.

The vertical andamento turns the page to an environmental theme. Color choices and "night sky" images speak to the centuries old history of the venerable and beautiful bird and the threat of extinction due to destruction of wetland habitat. It is the vertical andamento that seeks to honor the founders of the International Crane Foundation, Mr. George Archibald and the late Mr. Ron Sauey. Crane Dreams is dedicated to Mr. Archibald and Mr. Sauey for their vision and relentless efforts to protect crane habitat and thus the survival of this magnificent bird.

Information on the International Crane Foundation and Mr. Archibald can be referenced at www.SavingCranes.org. The stone mosaic was created from Indian, Chinese, Brazilian and Pennsylvanian slates. I acknowledge the valuable assistance of two apprentices on this commission, Ms. Barbara Sella and Ms. Diane Neukirch.

SANTA FE DESIGN STUDIO
ARTIST ERIC RATTAN
STONE AND TILE MOSAICS