Artist's mosaics fill potholes with actual street art

For years, literal street artist Jim Bachor has been using an ancient mosaic technique to turn Chicago's potholes into playful works of art.

[@mogulmayhem]

the "mosaic banksy". your art will reach many and act as a spark to others to be more creative in their otherwise mundane world. love this.

[@wolfgang4468]

Or maybe the Andy Goldsworthy of the road?

[@scottywood6544]

I work at a big tile and stone manufacturer and distributor and we throw away literally tens of thousands of dollars in tile and marble every day. I run the sample department, and I am an artist myself. I hate to see this beautiful stuff go in the trash! We do donate to the local schools but they don’t have the resources to store the material half the time. Can you help me help the kids?

[@mandyvansomerensheher2180]

I am an art teacher in Minnesota and would LOVE to help you help the kids! Where are you located?

[@graceaxisa4213]

What a generous and wonderful gesture. Anything that beautifies a community is worthwhile. The mosaics are GORGEOUS! My only worry is the fact that Jim did not wear a respirator when opening the bag of cement. The fine particles of cement spraying everywhere may damage his lungs over time.

[@candaceturner6924]

What a great idea! 🤩Councils should pay him for his service to the community! At least to cover his costs. But to have such beautiful pieces in the neighbourhood, is priceless. What a great legacy to leave behind! 🥰👍🏻🙏🏻

[@mtbootz512]

Love it! Wouldn't it be great if more artists joined in and a mosaic street tour was a noted attraction. Thanks for beautifying our world. Be careful out there.

[@RocketChild]

Such beautiful art, but also such a great community gilft to not only share his art, but also fill in the pot holes for the locals

[@MonsterMacLLC]

“I don’t know if it’s legal or not” I love this guy!

[@denisedecarlo9311]

Love the art...fun, beautiful, and public...great idea...making many happy with your art...Thank you

[@rachelandrea2300]

I don't think this showed the finished work long enough for the audience. Could've been way better

[@moiragoldsmith7052]

Hahahaha LOVE this. Well done for bringing so much quirky joy to your surroundings and community. 👏👍🥳🌞

[@JaylenPotts-zs2qw]

How creative and generous to our society. Art has always been very special and relaxing for me.

[@jillianandrews7569]

This is the kind of crazy we need more of in this world.

[@marinellaartist]

He's amazing thank you so much for sharing. Just love it . I have always so many ideas and now I have even more😊

[@alpinat0rsflyingadventures413]

Whow I really love that idea!

[@waterbird91]

There's a chance too that someone who likes the mosaic will dig it out, steal it and take it home and start a collection of his own by putting these mosaics in his own home. Even in Italy, mosaics were installed in flooring in the home, not where chariots treaded. Or on walls to be enjoyed by all.

[@ikram11003]

Very beautiful nice work man

[@HighOnAmmo]

neat piece but many of us who do not live near there would've loved to see some finished pieces by him or a reference in the description on how to see more of this

[@lovewillwinnn]

I LOVE this man. ❤😊

[@tomg3285]

Top notch work

[@3pan1]

Jim must have been the/an inspiration for French street artist Ememem.

[@user-jq4dn3wv9t]

When you pulled up the mesh, I was surprised it came off the tile with such ease. How did you do that? Would putting the mosaic on one sided sticky plastic work the same with the concrete as the mesh did, with getting the cement in between the pieces? How long did you wait to pull the mesh off?

[@catsinq5726]

Hey Jim, how deo you make the original mosaic - the backing came off so easily it doesn't seem like it was glued on. Is the mosaic grouted simply by pushing it into the sakrete? I tried to do something like this but the pieces kept sinking in and disappearing. Is there another piece of fabric on the other side of the mosaic that prevents that from happening? Do you have any other videos on your technique?

[@KMF3]

I would love to see all his techniques too

[@Snowymae]

I don’t know if this helps but I did a similar project with ceramic tile, I placed the tile mosaic exactly how I wanted it with small spaces in between each tile piece on a board, then you add a mesh with water activated adhesive to keep the pieces steady. In his case he mixed some aggregated concrete and filled most of the hole then laid the mosaic in and allowed only the sand/ cement mixture to cover it, made sure it was leveled and then removed the support mesh on the top and wiped just the tiles clean. The best way to keep the tile from sinking in too much is to make sure your concrete mix is a bit dry and to let it set just a bit. There are KZbin videos on lots of techniques

[@lostandfoundsheep]

@@Snowymae thank you for your detailed reply

[@cows3043]

@@Snowymae can you link some total beginners techniques?

[@ashbran5125]

That's so cool

[@magalymor5991]

Awesome!! Jim, do you know of someone doing it in Los Angeles? Loved it!!

[@KMF3]

How awesome

[@irapadnos1298]

This is great want to do a project in New Orleans

[@derickellis6746]

Nice asmr

[@scummymummy2548]

Amazing

[@helenanderson4114]

So cool

[@janicesass3664]

What is the name of the tile and method you use.

[@alpineflauge909]

so dope

[@Fantabiscuit]

Good bloke

[@edithdegantemorales8519]

Amigo hola en donde puedo conseguir es prensa manual te agradecería mucho tu información te escribo de puebla Mexico

[@portretmastercom]

Оригінальне гарне рішення. Вперше бачу)

[@joychip5994]

I think it may be stuck on mesh as well , or the reverse method

[@darioam3329]

That man is very nice and hot

[@waterbird91]

A pot hole would be the last place I would put a mosaic. All that hard work only to be put in a pot hole ? What happens when the ashfalt cracks or when snow gets in the pot hole. These beautiful mosaics will get ruined by heavy traffic. Why can't the mosaics be put on walls instead ?? They are too beautiful to be inlaid in a street.

[@user-ss3bl9jj3p]

I need job I'm marbal artis

[@badboybootz8]

How do people have time for this

[@N2008ful]

Dude, your art beautiful you should not place it in the middle of the street. The pavement is going to change one day and the street is gonna change then they’re gonna scoop your art and throw it away. I will choose a good location where your art last forever and did not, stained by a car tires or by walking over by people, but it sidewalk for God sake

[@vassilissa0188]

Сама краща техніка з тих що я бачила.

[@bleugaze]

Just a cool human being giving away his dope art, nothing to see here

[@PenguinTac0s]

Pretentious asf ngl

[@sendalunar2974]

Explain?

[@jamesmcpherson8599]

Learn to enjoy things

[@chadwells7562]

Why is it pretentious?

[@lightwarrior1]

Wow I Love It !! 💕😊