Marysville’s LifeTiles murals: the picture changes when you move

Usually, you stand still to study a mural. Marysville’s LifeTiles invite a different approach: change your position and watch what happens. Here, movement is part of reading the artwork.

Glass tiles with a sequence inside

The Kansas Murals listing describes three works by Rufus Seder, each assembled from 90 specially made ribbed glass tiles. Images are fused into the tiles so the scene appears to move as the viewer passes in front of it.

The recorded subjects connect with Marysville’s history. One follows a Pony Express rider carrying mail. Another changes a steam locomotive into a diesel locomotive. A third brings together elements of life in the town.

Try looking in both directions

From a safe pedestrian position, pass slowly across your view of a panel. Then reverse direction. Pay attention to what changes first and what remains recognizable throughout. A still photograph may record one moment, but it cannot explain the entire encounter.

If you make a short video, keep the camera steady and let your movement do the work. Leave room for other visitors and watch the pavement, not only the screen.

Why movement suits the subject

Mail delivery and rail travel both involve journeys. The viewing method gives those subjects an extra connection: the person looking is moving too. That is an interpretation to test for yourself, rather than a claim about the artist’s intention.

For a Kansas mural outing, LifeTiles is a useful reminder that material can change the experience as much as subject matter. Glass, position, and a few deliberate steps become part of the picture.

Explore the mural and its setting

Open the LifeTiles Murals mural listing for its photograph and recorded details. Use the Kansas mural map to choose your next stop.

Sources and image information

• LifeTiles Murals — Kansas Murals directory

Image: the existing mural directory photograph. This story draws on the linked records; the looking exercises are editorial suggestions, not an account of an on-site visit.