THE ELEMENTS & THE WALL
We live in a harsh climate here in the upper Midwest, and persistent moisture, deep freeze, and thaw can have extreme effects on building materials over time. In the case of our wall, moisture had made its way deep into the cement block at the center of the red brick faced wall, undetected, for years. Because of an unfortunate lack of drainage or evaporation, this trapped moisture made its way deeper into the cement block year after year, despite our best efforts to preserve the integrity of the structure. Each year the cement block shifted slightly at its seams as it slowly drained and refilled, froze and thawed, drained and refilled, froze and thawed. Slowly but surely the wall was eaten away from the inside, and was no longer a solid surface for the mosaic.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE RED RIVER ZOO’S MURAL
Once the Mosaic Mural had spent it’s first winter in the zoo these slipping block-course lines were apparent in the glass tesserae. Evidence of the drainage of the water could be seen as traces of minerals leaking out through the breathable outdoor grout, especially on the lower portions of the mural. The Summer of 2018 the situation became critical as the cement block at the wall's core became so saturated with moisture that it started dissolving the adhesive that attached the glass mural. This dissolution created loose areas, only held together by the adhesive and grout. Fearing for the mural, the Zoo staff covered it with a tarp.
I returned to the Zoo in the fall of 2018, this time to systematically remove the mural in hopes of preserving it for reinstallation elsewhere in the zoo. Most of the mural was removed quite easily by chipping it away over a few days. The animals were once more divided into sections, this time for storage until they are cleaned and repaired.
We live in a harsh climate here in the upper Midwest, and persistent moisture, deep freeze, and thaw can have extreme effects on building materials over time. In the case of our wall, moisture had made its way deep into the cement block at the center of the red brick faced wall, undetected, for years. Because of an unfortunate lack of drainage or evaporation, this trapped moisture made its way deeper into the cement block year after year, despite our best efforts to preserve the integrity of the structure. Each year the cement block shifted slightly at its seams as it slowly drained and refilled, froze and thawed, drained and refilled, froze and thawed. Slowly but surely the wall was eaten away from the inside, and was no longer a solid surface for the mosaic.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE RED RIVER ZOO’S MURAL
Once the Mosaic Mural had spent it’s first winter in the zoo these slipping block-course lines were apparent in the glass tesserae. Evidence of the drainage of the water could be seen as traces of minerals leaking out through the breathable outdoor grout, especially on the lower portions of the mural. The Summer of 2018 the situation became critical as the cement block at the wall's core became so saturated with moisture that it started dissolving the adhesive that attached the glass mural. This dissolution created loose areas, only held together by the adhesive and grout. Fearing for the mural, the Zoo staff covered it with a tarp.
I returned to the Zoo in the fall of 2018, this time to systematically remove the mural in hopes of preserving it for reinstallation elsewhere in the zoo. Most of the mural was removed quite easily by chipping it away over a few days. The animals were once more divided into sections, this time for storage until they are cleaned and repaired.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE RED RIVER ZOO’S MURAL
Once the Mosaic Mural had spent it’s first winter in the zoo these slipping block-course lines were apparent in the glass tesserae. Evidence of the drainage of the water could be seen as traces of minerals leaking out through the breathable outdoor grout, especially on the lower portions of the mural. The Summer of 2018 the situation became critical as the cement block at the wall's core became so saturated with moisture that it started dissolving the adhesive that attached the glass mural. This dissolution created loose areas, only held together by the adhesive and grout. Fearing for the mural, the Zoo staff covered it with a tarp.
I returned to the Zoo in the fall of 2018, this time to systematically remove the mural in hopes of preserving it for reinstallation elsewhere in the zoo. Most of the mural was removed quite easily by chipping it away over a few days. The animals were once more divided into sections, this time for storage until they are cleaned and repaired.
WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE RESTORATION
This Winter, with the mural safely stored in large bins under my couch , I returned to the Zoo to discuss the fate of the Mural with it's current Director, Sally Jacobson. We tentatively decided that the best next location for the restored Mural would be on a NEW exterior wall made of SOLID cement, with the possibility of the addition of benches or other functional elements. We thought we might be able to place it in the Extreme Asia exhibits planned for the northwest section of the Zoo. This section is coincidentally represented in the original mural design as the future of the Zoo's growing animal community.
TIME FOR US TO ASK FOR HELP
The original creation of the Mosaic took more than four dedicated months of planning, assembly and installation. I anticipate that the cleaning and restoration of the rescued glass, replacement of missing or damaged areas of the mosaic, planning, designing and construction of the new installation site, and the coordination of the installation of the restored artwork will take place over a number of months as well.
The Red River Zoo's own fundraising efforts go towards the care of the zoo inhabitants and grounds. In order to not interfere with these very important priorities, and to be free to complete the restoration as soon as possible, it was agreed it would be best to start an independent campaign, dedicated to raising funds for the restoration of the mural and the construction of a new wall with seating. That led our Mural Restoration Team to Go Fund Me.
If you are interested in supporting the work that we are trying to do please consider donating to our campaign.
Visit: gofundme.com/red-river-zoo-mosaic-mural-restoration
The great folks over at KVRR of Fargo did a story about the beginning of our campaign.
You can view it Here:
https://www.kvrr.com/2019/02/06/woman-raises-funds-to-repair-mosaic-at-red-river-zoo/
or Here:
Once the Mosaic Mural had spent it’s first winter in the zoo these slipping block-course lines were apparent in the glass tesserae. Evidence of the drainage of the water could be seen as traces of minerals leaking out through the breathable outdoor grout, especially on the lower portions of the mural. The Summer of 2018 the situation became critical as the cement block at the wall's core became so saturated with moisture that it started dissolving the adhesive that attached the glass mural. This dissolution created loose areas, only held together by the adhesive and grout. Fearing for the mural, the Zoo staff covered it with a tarp.
I returned to the Zoo in the fall of 2018, this time to systematically remove the mural in hopes of preserving it for reinstallation elsewhere in the zoo. Most of the mural was removed quite easily by chipping it away over a few days. The animals were once more divided into sections, this time for storage until they are cleaned and repaired.
WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE RESTORATION
This Winter, with the mural safely stored in large bins under my couch , I returned to the Zoo to discuss the fate of the Mural with it's current Director, Sally Jacobson. We tentatively decided that the best next location for the restored Mural would be on a NEW exterior wall made of SOLID cement, with the possibility of the addition of benches or other functional elements. We thought we might be able to place it in the Extreme Asia exhibits planned for the northwest section of the Zoo. This section is coincidentally represented in the original mural design as the future of the Zoo's growing animal community.
TIME FOR US TO ASK FOR HELP
The original creation of the Mosaic took more than four dedicated months of planning, assembly and installation. I anticipate that the cleaning and restoration of the rescued glass, replacement of missing or damaged areas of the mosaic, planning, designing and construction of the new installation site, and the coordination of the installation of the restored artwork will take place over a number of months as well.
The Red River Zoo's own fundraising efforts go towards the care of the zoo inhabitants and grounds. In order to not interfere with these very important priorities, and to be free to complete the restoration as soon as possible, it was agreed it would be best to start an independent campaign, dedicated to raising funds for the restoration of the mural and the construction of a new wall with seating. That led our Mural Restoration Team to Go Fund Me.
If you are interested in supporting the work that we are trying to do please consider donating to our campaign.
Visit: gofundme.com/red-river-zoo-mosaic-mural-restoration
The great folks over at KVRR of Fargo did a story about the beginning of our campaign.
You can view it Here:
https://www.kvrr.com/2019/02/06/woman-raises-funds-to-repair-mosaic-at-red-river-zoo/
or Here:
Our team is dedicated to the restoration and reintroduction of the PAST PRESENT & FUTURE Mosaic Mural and through
our efforts we hope that it will be enjoyed for many many years to come by new and returning visitors to the Red River Zoo.
our efforts we hope that it will be enjoyed for many many years to come by new and returning visitors to the Red River Zoo.