QUALIFIED LABOR –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– fixers (setters) in action.” Symbolizing the industry’s vast offerings, technological advance- ments and improved installation methods – as well as the origins of tile – a massive globe structure fea- turing quadrant impressions of earth, water, air and fire coalesced in the center of Tiling Town. Here, jagged surfaces of thin tile, flexible strips of oly-tile (a resin-based mosaic tile, custom-made for each project), and row upon row of shimmer- ing mosaics made it clear that this was the work of artisans. Onlookers were captivated as they watched the installations. Presentation booths in Tiling Town featured expert talks on installation methods, illustrations of good versus poor installations, and clever demonstrations that showed the effectiveness of new products. u v y x w 1. Origins of Tile installation at Tiling Town. 2. Glass mosaics wrap around cloudlike formations to emulate wind. 3. Thin porcelain applied to backer board creates a dra- matic “rock” formation. 4. Flexible strips of “poly-tile,” a resin-based mosaic tile, cus- tom-made for each project – is trimmed to illustrate water’s role in tile production. 5. Tile fixer (setter) installing the glass mosaic wrap for the massive globe structure. 54 TileLetter | December 2017