Trencadís

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/trencad-s

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the artistic medium?Mosaic technique utilizing cemented shards of broken tiles and chinaware
2. What is the etymological root?Catalan term 'trencadís' translates to 'broken up'
3. Why do artists use broken pieces in trencadís?Using broken pieces lets artists recycle old materials, making art that is both beautiful and good for the environment.
4. How did Antoni Gaudí use trencadís?Gaudí used trencadís on buildings like Park Güell and Casa Batlló, adding bright, flowing designs to walls and benches.

Tesserae: The individual pieces used in mosaics, typically small cubes of stone, glass, or ceramic.
Catalan Modernisme: A cultural and artistic movement in Catalonia, akin to Art Nouveau, flourishing from the late 19th to early 20th centuries.
Substrate: The base layer or surface onto which a mosaic is applied.
Grout: A cement-like mixture used to fill the spaces between mosaic pieces, binding them together.