Laticrete, a global leader in the manufacturing of innovative systems for the installation of tile and stone, supplied artists Hank Saxe and Cynthia Patterson with GreenGuard certified Laticrete products for a new landmark sculpture at the El Paso Sun Metro Downtown Transfer Terminal in Texas.
The 25-foot tall, structural steel sculpture set on a six-foot concrete base, titled "Confluencia," (Spanish for confluence), was commissioned by the City of El Paso Museum and Cultural Affairs Department's Public Art Program.
There are two important icons of El Paso culture that are reflected in this breathtaking sculpture: the sun and the Rio Grande River, which serves as the only divide between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez just over the border in Mexico. Confluencia rests just a few city blocks from the international border, and through intricate artistic detail displays the rich, cultural connection between El Paso and North Central Mexico. The city of El Paso has historically served as a significant passageway and crossing point from Central Mexico into what was the northern frontier and is now part of Southwest America. From even before its boomtown days in the 1880s up until present-day, El Paso has shared a unique and intriguing kinship with Ciudad Juarez and its people.
Laticrete supplied the installation materials for this impressive sculpture, including Laticrete Hydro Ban over a cement backerboard to provide a permanent waterproofing and anti-fracture base for glass mosaic tiles provided by Hakatai, as well as Stone and Pewter Accents. Laticrete 254 Platinum was selected as the thin-set adhesive to install all of the tiles that adorn Saxe and Patterson's Confluencia. Hakatai, a leading importer and distributor of glass mosaic tile based in Ashland, Oregon, supplied its top-selling Classic series for the eyecatching "sun" discs at the top of the sculpture. Stone and Pewter Accents Malaga Cove Chimera series of glass mosaic tile was used along the side of the two "river" bands that weave in serpentine fashion to the top and slice the circular sun discs in half on each side. The sun discs were water-jet cut by Hydro Cut, Inc. in Belen, New Mexico, and pre-assembled on a HardieBacker cement board.
To grout the glass mosaic tiles, Laticrete PermaColorTM Grout was selected for its ability to provide unmatched color consistency, and Laticrete Latasil, a 100-percent silicone sealant, was used as the final step for added protection for the exterior installation that stands in a challenging environment. An interesting side note, Confluencia was actually built and fully installed at Southwest Ironwork in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the structural steel fabricator, and driven the 275 miles to its final resting site in El Paso without one piece of tile coming loose or cracking during delivery.
Laticrete International, Inc. is a familyowned business dedicated to innovative, high quality tile and stone installation systems. Based in the USA, the 50-plus year old company is one of the world's leading manufacturers in its field. Its well-known brands Laticrete, Latapoxy and SpectraLOCK are manufactured and sold worldwide. In the USA or Canada call 1-800-243-4788, outside USA +1203-393-0010, www.laticrete.com
Laticrete supplied artists Hank Saxe and Cynthia Patterson with a full system of installation products for a new landmark sculpture in El Paso. The sculpture is just a few city blocks from the border of Mexico. "Confluencia" stands 25-feet tall on a six-foot concrete base. The tribute to El Paso's heritage was commissioned by the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department's Public Art Program.
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