"A Geometric Dream" Mosaic by Toyoharu Kii

In his whimsical mosaic “A Geometric Dream,” Toyoharu Kii creates a dialogue between a circle and a rectangle. The shapes engage in a park-like setting, suggested by the orderly arrangement of “bricks” and a lawn of randomly arrayed stones. The circle, with round stones for eyes and a gap for a mouth, speaks through the hatch marks that animate its surface. In response, the square undulates in rhythmic curves and through corresponding slash marks.

A leader of the cross-cultural craft resurgence, Japan-based artist Toyoharu Kii creates his intricate mosaics with hand-cut Italian marble and smalti, Venetian glass made by the same Italian family for over 400 years. Using traditional Italian techniques, Kii’s art is nonetheless modern. It is monochromatic, abstract, and highly textured and highlights the involved and technical art of mosaic making.