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| Learning To Fly by Eric Sealine |
This mosaic by artist Eric Sealine is made from over 200,000 1" tiles and is 1,395 square feet you can find it in the swimming pool facilities on the first floor of the State Gymnasium. It is also a 2013 CID award winner. The Covering Installation And Design Awards is a competition for architects, designers, contractors, installers, and manufactures to demonstrate creativity and outstanding technical know-how in the use of tile and stone in commercial and residential projects.
Eric Sealine received his undergraduate degree from ISU. He is a nationally recognized glass artist and now lives in Boston.
The following is Sealine's description of the memory that inspired him to create this mural:
I remember the day I learned to swim. I couldn’t have been more than four or five, and the swimming lessons were not going well. The instructor kept telling us to relax, that we could float, that the water would support us. I sank. I was a scared, skinny kid, blue with cold, and I resolutely sank.And then… I took a big gulp of air, intentionally went under water and kicked off the wall. I pulled up for more air, went back down, and found that I didn’t have to swim, because I could fly… underwater. I’ve loved the water ever since.Learning to Fly is about that oceanic delight we take at moments of great engagement with the world, moments when all our senses are running at 100% of their capacity.
Swimming is my favorite exercise. I love the complete workout, the challenge and that feeling of flying through the water.
By Josianne Ishikawa
