Mosaic panels made of smalt in the Soviet style

In the autumn of 2023, a customer came to our workshop with an interesting idea to create a mosaic panel of smalt in a given style according to an approved sketch. In addition to the main panel, it was necessary to create a mosaic with a micromodule for a diorama.

We have selected and agreed on a sample of the assembly technique of the main panel. It was decided to assemble the mosaic from an average module of 15x17 mm in a style close to the Soviet mosaic. The micromosaic was assembled from a 5x5 mm module with a reverse set on a special adhesive film.

How did the build process happen?

First of all, we ordered the material for making the panels. We needed smalt of certain colors in a certain amount.


We made smalt in our production using our palette, which significantly accelerated the process of obtaining the right material for work.


We prepared the base (OSB), having previously sawed it into 4 parts (this was necessary in order to make it easier to transport the finished mosaic later.


Then a sketch was pasted on the prepared base, a grid on top and then the mosaic itself.


The panels were assembled with a direct set on Kerabond T cement glue using disk mosaic cutters.
In total, we used about 200 kg of smalt of various colors and shades, a bag of cement glue and a latex additive to give strength and elasticity to the composition.

The size of the finished panel was 200x400 cm .

The most difficult process was the installation of the mosaic on the object. The final installation was carried out directly in the Atom pavilion at VDNH. Before installation, the panel was disassembled and packed for transportation, then delivered to the facility and mounted on the prepared surface.

It was decided to do micromosaic in the process of coordinating works for a large panel. At the exhibition, in addition to all other interesting exhibits, dioramas were exhibited and they wanted to make a mosaic on the facade of one of them, only in the format of a printed image. After some negotiations, it was decided to make a real mosaic in a very small module instead of a printed image.

How did the build process go?

The task was not easy - we needed to assemble the mosaic clearly along the contour of the templates that were provided to us by the layout masters.


Then the finished mosaic had to be mounted in grooves cut on the facade of the diagram specifically according to the contours of the templates.


Since we did not have a wall layout on which it was necessary to mount the finished mosaic, we assembled the image based on the provided template.


The mosaic was assembled by a reverse set on an adhesive film, face down, and then carefully mounted on a thin grid using Titanium mounting glue.


We chose the silicone-based mounting adhesive because it allowed the mosaic fragments to remain plastic after pre-installation and facilitated the process of final installation on the layout.

The final installation took place in the workshop, where the layouts themselves were made, with mounting silicone glue.

The installation of the mosaic turned out to be very difficult, because when we brought the finished fragments to the workshop, it turned out that not all of them fit into the cut-out grooves. We had to disassemble some of the elements in order to place them on the base and perform the final installation.

Now the finished panel and micromosaic is in the Atom pavilion, the exhibition in which will open on November 4, 2023. Come and see the finished result!