Largest Bead Mosaic

A novel way to dispurse your creative energy in doing something good to the environment in return.Using recycled mardi gras beads which otherwise would be a landfill is used to create the largest bead mosaic measuring 8 ft in height and 30 ft in width.The artwork is called “Sanctuary of Alegria – Home of Happiness and showcases the skyline of New Orleans.Yes we are talking about artist and german native Stephan Wanger who is the brain behind this effort.
Wanger undertook the tedious process of assembling a million single cut beads in ordee to create awareness or thousands of tons of annually discarded Mardi Gras beads that are destined to become landfill this Mardi Gras season.The colorful mosaic “Sanctuary of Alegria” is now on display at his Galeria Alegria on 1924 Magazine St., in New Orleans .The art piece was auctioned to raise enough money for the lower ninth ward neighbourhood  in New Orleans that was destrtoyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
About 97% of all the beads that Stephan is using in his artworks, are recycled and many of them spray-painted. He continues to create huge mosaics that will help promote his adopted hometown and the state of Louisiana.
The work  "Sanctuary of Alegria” showcases a view across the mighty Mississippi River towards downtown New Orleans, complete with the Natchez steamboat, the Carnival Triumph, the Italian tall ship “Amerigo Vespucci” (America received its name from Amerigo) and the German tall ship “Gorch Fock” because of Stephan’s heritage as he was born in Wilhelmshaven, Germany – a seaport on the North Sea.The technique of cutting beads, using glue instead of hot glue and the process of creating these art works is new and Stephan gladly teaches it to students and in adult classes. It is an art form by the community for the community as many people drop off these Mardi Gras beads so Stephan can continue with his vision to promote New Orleans and the state of Louisiana in order to increase tourism.
Wanger replied on the reason that prompted him to craft  this unique creation to  New Orleans  as the city had given him such a beautiful gift with the idea and he just wanted to return that favour back to the city.He inspires people to collect mardi gras and drop them in his gallery at 1914 Magazine street or at the ARC in greater New Orleans.Mr. Wanger re-creates scenes, images, and icons of Louisiana to help bring awareness to the world of the innate beauty and wonder of the state's unique culture and varied communities.
In preparation for the formal construction of each piece, beads are meticulously sorted by size down to the exact millimeter and perfect shade, creating a detailed and varied palette much like a painter would for painting. The resulting play of light and color recalls several Post-Impressionistic artists' works while adding a new dimension of glitter and shine through the use of metallic, plastic and luminescent beads. The illusion of three-dimensional space is often created through the use of perspective but also the variety of sizes of the beads he uses to create actual dimension add an element of bas-relief. The finished works are stunning to regard both from distance and upon close inspection of his fine craftsmanship.It has always been Mr Wanger's goal to use recycled materials  for his pieces  and he collects discarded beads in an effort to clean up the post parade debris.
The largest bead mosaic with over one million beads was achieved by Stephan Wanger after 14 months of hard toil  in New Orleans,Louisiana,United States of America  on February 2,2012 when it became a world record done with a greener perspective.