About the Mosaic

Gardner had already designed the mosaic when she discovered that Target’s logo is three circles. The mosaic design is her circular response to the angular architecture of the building.

While constructing this style of mosaic, Gardner glued the tesserae (tile) face down on a paper pattern. It is then transferred to the wall, and the paper removed, revealing the reversed pattern. During the store construction, Gardner gave builders three plywood circles to install on the wall. They matched the dimensions of the mosaic being created in Italy. Once the mosaic and the wall were ready, she popped the plywood circles out and moved the mosaic snugly into place. 

Note: A close-up look will reveal the splendid colors and shimmer in each tile!

About the Artist

Seattle-based Ann Gardner went to Northern Italy to pick out the glass pieces and supervise the construction of this project. She prefers this mosaic style for exterior installations because the material is durable and the work honors an artistic tradition that dates back to the Byzantine era in 32 Constantinople. Gardner studied ceramics and fine arts at the University of Oregon and Portland State University. She has created works in a variety of mediums, including glass, steel, concrete, ink and blown glass. 

Location: At the rear of the Target store on the southeast corner of California Boulevard and Ygnacio Valley Road at 1871 North Main Street in Walnut Creek, CA.

Image Credit: Uno, Dos, Tres, 1999, glass mosaic tiles and concrete. Photo courtesy of Shaun Roberts.