Sections
  • Home & Style
  • Editors’ Picks
  • Events Calendar
  • Food
  • Health
  • News & Politics
  • Longreads
  • Our Events
  • Parenting
  • Real Estate
  • Shopping
  • Things to Do
  • Travel
  • Weddings
Reader Favorites
  • 100 Best Restaurants
  • Takeout Guide
  • Quiz
  • Neighborhoods
  • Newsletters
  • Directories
Washington’s Best
  • Apartment Rentals
  • DC Travel Guide
  • Dentists
  • Doctors
  • Financial Advisers
  • Health Experts
  • Home Improvement Experts
  • Industry Leaders
  • Lawyers
  • Mortgage Professionals
  • Pet Care
  • Private Schools
  • Real Estate Agents
  • Restaurants
  • Retirement Communities
  • Wedding Vendors
More
  • Subscribe
  • Manage My Subscription
  • Digital Edition
  • Shop
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
© 2021 Washingtonian Media Inc.
Privacy Policy
All Rights Reserved
 Rss
Skip to content
Washingtonian.com
  • Search
  • Subscribe
  • Menu
  • News & Politics
  • Things to Do
  • Food
  • Health
  • Shopping
  • Home & Style
  • Real Estate
  • Weddings
  • Travel

  • 100 Best Restaurants
  • Takeout Guide
  • Quiz
  • Neighborhoods
  • Newsletters
  • Directories
Things to Do

Behind the Scenes: Tysons Tiles

Here's how the massive community art project came together.

Written by Angie Hilsman
| Published on June 25, 2015
Behind the Scenes: Tysons Tiles
The sun comes up on Tysons Corner as a crew from Severn Graphics starts on the second day of installation of the Tyson Tiles public art project. Photography by Jennifer Heffner
Tweet Share

Artist Julia Vogl surveyed 1,000 people in roughly 20 locations around Tysons to create an ambitious community art project. Each respondent’s answers were translated into a color-coded tile, and the tiles were then fit together to make this 5,000-square-foot ground mural. Here, from photographer Jennifer Heffner, is the story of how Tysons Tiles, currently on display through August 3, hit the pavement.

Vogl pushes her custom made Tysons Tiles art trolley into the Silver Line Center. Vogl used a custom developed app, and three questions about the individual’s role in the community, opinions on culture, and a fun fact about them, at 27 different locations in Tysons to gather information that was used to create the Tyson Tiles.

Vogl (center) and Lisa Mariam with the Arts Council of Fairfax County (right) collect data from participants in front of the McLean Metro Station on the Silver Line in Tyson Corner.

A young participant waits for his colors to be put on his tiles while at the Tysons Farmers Market while visiting the Tyson Tiles art trolley.

A worker from Severn Graphics consults the map of tiles at Greensboro Green Park to figure out where to lay the next set of tiles.

Severn Graphics crew begins installation in front of Tysons West.

Vogl installs tiles in front on Tysons West, which is approximately 700 square feet.

The tiles are printed on aluminum-based vinyl, which is often used as ground graphics for marathon start lines. It is 100 percent recyclable, water-resistant, and slip-proof.

Vogl installs some of the missing tiles at Greensboro Green Park. Participants can find their tile using a map onsite at either location.

Vogl (second from right) answers questions from a curious onlooker while the crew from Severn Graphic (left) installs the Tysons Tile public art project.

Workers from the Meridian Group reinstall the Greenboro Green Park furniture.

An overhead view of Greensboro Green Park, at 8301 Greensboro Drive, after the project was completed on Wednesday, June 24.

Correction: This post originally misspelled Lisa Mariam’s name.

Don’t Miss Another Washingtonian Event—Get Our Newsletter

Don’t miss another great party.

Or, see all of our newsletters. By signing up, you agree to our terms.
More: After HoursPhoto Gallery
Join the conversation!
Share Tweet
Angie Hilsman
Angie Hilsman

Related

Photograph by Evy Mages

Photos: A Look Back at 2020, a Very Long, Very Strange Year in Washington DC

Video From Fall Real Estate Market Update With Local Leaders

Videos from Washingtonian’s Wellness Day

Washingtonian Wellness Day

More from Things to Do

James Comey, MLK Day, and an “Indoguration”: Things to Do in Washington, January 14-18

Outdoor Fun This Winter: Hikes, Igloos, Ice Skating, and More Around DC

Queer Portraiture, Criticizing White Feminism, and a Spy Chat with Former Intelligence Officials: Things to Do in Washington, January 11-13

Candle-Making, a Virtual Art Tour, and Classical Music in Cinema: Things to Do in Washington, January 7-10

Hitchcock, Billy Stewart, and Sanjay Gupta: Things to Do in Washington, January 4-6

Here’s What We Know About the Bachelor Contestant From Maryland

Happy New Year: Things to Do in Washington, December 31-January 3

2020-top-reads-dc-library

These Were the DC Public Library’s Most Popular Books in 2020

Most Popular

News & Politics

White House Staff Packs for Move Behind Trump’s Back

News & Politics

Here’s a Map of the “Capitol Green Zone” (AKA Inauguration Street Closures)

News & Politics

What Happened After My 13-Year-Old Son Joined the Alt-Right

A Washington family's nightmare year.
Food

The Most Charming Outdoor Bar and Restaurant Setups Around DC This Winter

News & Politics

The New York Energy Mogul Who’s Remaking an Eastern Shore Town

Paul Prager has opened seven very swanky eateries (and counting), bankrolled a very long roster of civic causes, and, in a move unwelcome to some,...
© 2021 Washingtonian Media Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Washingtonian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Privacy Policy and Opt-Out
 Rss
Get the best news, delivered weekly.
By signing up, you agree to our terms.
  • Subscribe
  • Manage My Subscription
  • Digital Edition
  • Shop
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs