BELONG TOGETHER FAQ
A few frequently asked questions and some helpful answers.
Getting Started…
(aka – What do I need to know?)
In some instances the tiles may be a tight fit, but they do work and are all identical… meaning there are many ways to assemble your tiles.
The surface can be prepared with a (white) gesso or acrylic paint… but it’s not required! While there are lots of ways to paint and decorate your tiles, I prefer acrylic (craft) paint. Whatever you use, just make sure that the edges are wiped clean so that the tiles still fit together.
If your tile has engraved lines (some designs do!), then this is the front and all tiles must face out so that they fit together.
How do I put it together?
(aka – Any suggestions on installation?)
I’m sure there are lots of ways to assemble the tiles but here are three suggestions that have worked well for me…
Lean them! Tiles will lock together and can be assembled on an easel (or something similar) leaning against a lightweight board. This is a great way to assemble a temporary installation or even put them together as they’re being created. Just make sure that the incline is enough so that they don’t fall forward!
Glue to a board! We used this method for the Waterloo project and it’s probably the simplest way to put it together. But be careful, depending on how many tiles you have it might be heavy! Make sure that your wall or hanging system has enough structure and support to hold it up. Also be careful as you’re glueing tiles… Because there might be a slight shift in each one, they may not lock together if the ‘gaps’ are wonky.
Glue to fabric! This is my new preferred way of assembling the tiles. (It prevents the tile shift and wonky gaps because the fabric can shift with the tiles!) To hang the final piece, add wire by glueing it between the tiles and fabric.
How big will it be?
(aka – How many tiles do I need to make this huge?)
As long as the edges have been kept clean, Belong Together pieces will fit together to create a single mosaic to display in your space. (Since it can be extended in any direction… The final piece will not have smooth edges.)
The number of tiles will increase the surface area but, ultimately, the shape and size is up to you! Here’s a little information to help you visualize how big it could be…
How can I guarantee that this looks awesome?
(aka – How can be sure that this will work?)
Because this is a community art project, the final piece will be determined by the contributions of your individual artists. This has the potential to create some amazing results but, if you have a vision, it could also be tricky to control. While there’s no guarantee that individual tiles will work with the whole, here are a few options you can consider…
Find ONE thing! Try picking at least one consistent element to help the tiles work together. This could be the use of materials, a colour palette, or how the materials are applied, etc.
Outline! Even with all the planning in the world, the tiles may ‘blend’ together. But… With an acrylic paint pen you could outline every tile! (Pick a single colour that will provide some contrast against the work. ie white or black.) This will take some time but the results are amazing.
Don’t worry! This is how I worked through the Waterloo Belong Together project. Suggestions were given but I didn’t try to control, direct or steer the outcome. I believe that the scale of the project helped the ‘chaos’. Seeing so many unique pieces together is extremely powerful because of the incredible resulting mosaic.
The smell of the cut wood is amazing… How long will it last?
(aka – The smell of the cut wood is annoying… Will it go away?)
Since the tiles are laser cut… wood burning is part of the process (much like the smell of oil paint on an oil painting). If your tiles were recently cut then they’re still fresh. Not to worry… it won’t last long!
The best way for the smell to go away is to simply let them sit and air out. (Perhaps outside or in a garage with the box lids open.) With 1000s of tiles in schools, churches, libraries and homes… I can confidently say that the smell is definitely temporary!
Can the pieces be installed outdoors?
(aka – Can they get wet?)
Tiles are cut from MDF which may swell or warp when around water. Because of this I do not recommend the tiles for outdoor installation or any use close to or around too much moisture.
Have more questions?
(aka – I still need help!)
No problem! Just send me an email (jason@kwpanda.com) and I’ll see what I can do to answer your questions! Talk soon.
Belong Together is a tile based project created as a response to connections lost and communities fragmented during the COVID-19 pandemic. My goal is to remind everyone that we're not alone and, even apart, we’re each an integral piece of the puzzle.
Tessellation (tes·sel·la·tion): An arrangement of shapes closely fitted together, especially of polygons in a repeated pattern without gaps or overlapping. (Oxford Languages) Using this format I illustrate whimsical patterns & incredible worlds to connect people, ideas & community. (Jason Panda)
Jason Panda is a Graphic Artist, Photographer and Educator living and creating in Ontario, Canada. He is passionate about belonging, collaboration and connecting with art. (www.jasonpanda.com)