Researching "Mosaics Made in Africa"

Cover: Mosaics Made in Africa by Marina Giovitto Ehlers

By now it is apparent that I enjoy writing. Not a blossoming Nadine Gardiner by any remote chance or a Nobel Prize in the very far distant future, but my meanderings and observations of my Life, Love and Universe seem to strike a chord. And way down, tucked away deep under my left boob, is the dream to one day write a book.

So you can imagine my absolute joy when Marina of Mosaic Arts asked me to come and help research the book she had been threatening to write for years. It was to be a book on the mosaics produced by her mother, Vera Giovitto over the 45 years of Mosaic Arts' existence. Vera would be turning 70 the following year and Marina felt the time was right to get the project done, so in August 2011 I became "mgeassist" (Assistant to Marina Giovitto Ehlers). 

Although much of the work would be done from home, basic information needed to be found and verified and half of a storeroom was converted into a work space for me. The first draft put together was very simple and straightforward and comprised 8 Chapters, divided into "type": walls, floors, florals, pools, arabic, animals etc. This was probably the only time that this format was thought of and would change many, many times over the next two years.

Stuck to the screen in front of my desk what a copy of a photograph which speaks volumes and is on the fly page of the book - Vera "running" with Wildebeest. During the installation of the mosaic in Nelspruit, Vera playfully posed as if running together with the wildebeest and somebody took the photo which served as my inspiration for the duration of the project.

There is no list of every mosaic ever created by Mosaic Arts, and it was necessary to do some digging to find the dimensions and date of completion of certain mosaics. This entailed diving into boxes of old quotations or simply asking either Vera or Marina. It was adorable the amount of times the date  of the mosaic being completed was ascribed to the age or milestone of one of the children or grandchildren and often helped by one of the grandchildren appearing in the photograph.

Vera and Cher at the launch of the book

Boxes of old photographs were often produced by Vera and hearing the stories and memories evoked by those sometime faded pictures was a magical experience. While compiling the Introduction I spent hours with Vera learning about her home, her life in the hamlet she grew up in, the people and surrounding area. She would show me books and narrate experiences which I could only have imagined. In relating the hard and tough times she survived (cancer, the loss of her husband), it was sometimes very difficult not to become emotional and I learned what a strong and amazing woman she is, worthy of much admiration and huge respect.

Spending so much time in the factory, often with a camera taking pictures of the current mosaic in progress, I was lucky enough to capture some stunning photographs. Unposed and entirely natural, the one on the left in particular captures the relationship and fun attitude of the team at work. Marina and Vera were grouting the SA Reserve Bank Mosaic, with grouty hands and grinning from ear to ear - it is a huge favourite of mine! Another one is of Vera working on the giant Protea destined for a private home in Johannesburg. With all the painstaking work and meticulous attention to detail, Vera was not impressed that it was going to be installed in a guest bathroom!, yet did not for one second prevent her from doing her magical thing with shading.

Vera with the giant protea on the back cover

Of course, other stories emerged that never made it into the book. For example, the team that cut and shape tiles in the factory are all women and when it comes to mosaicing, they all have a specialty. One does faces very well, one is extremely good with intricate patterns, one is an absolute whizz at repeat patterns and so on. There is however one area that is bound to create some giggles and much debate and that is creating the umm really delicate parts of a male nude. The debate would center around how realistic the mosaic should or should not be and who actually gets to do the part - knowing she is going to be teased for the duration.

Marina, Gavin, Laura and Vera

Research also comprised obtaining permission from hotels, businesses private homes and a celebrity. Most  were happy to let us use their names together with the mosaics and and the celebrity made us sign a contract to the effect that we would not use the image to promote the book in any way. In complying with that regulation, I will not mention the celebrity here either *chuckle*

The one thing in life I have always hated is doing something over, I am just not good at it and tend to get grumpy when I have to repeat something again, and again. Yet with this project, it did not matter! There were a number of people involved in the project and reading the first, second, eighth, tenth draft produced some changes as each person added to the base and made it better. Gavin, (Marina's husband), Laura (Marina's  friend and editor), Rikus Keyser and Ian all read bits and added their input which in the end produced a product which we are all very proud of.

My signed copy of Mosaics made in Africa

 
My part of the project was completed in March 2012 and then it was a case of being supportive of Marina from the sidelines while she completed the layout of the book. Disaster struck when her laptop was stolen from her office putting her back six months with the layout but she soldiered on with little sleep and reworking, reworking, reworking the book till it satisfied her high standards of perfection.

The book was launched on 17th August 2013 in Pretoria and a few days later, Vera went back to Italy with 30 copies of the book. Knowing her background I can only imagine the joy and pride she must feel when giving the book to her family and friends as a testament to what she has achieved during her years in darkest Africa. I thank her and Marina for allowing me into their lives and giving me the opportunity to be part of this amazing process.