Located next to the Frog Pond, Tadpole Playground features a vibrant mosaic that appeals to children and adults alike. The mosaic technique dates back thousands of years, to when artists first began to arrange pebbles and small stones into patterns. As the technique became more refined, artists experimented with various materials—most frequently ceramic and glass—in order to achieve certain effects. For example, ceramic tiles (called “tesserae”) are opaque and can be deeply colored, whereas glass tesserae reflect light. Cultures from all over Europe and the Middle East have used mosaics to decorate both secular and religious buildings, including synagogues and mosques. Created with glazed ceramic pieces, this contemporary work recalls the natural themes prevalent in many Islamic mosaics, but it features a more open, less geometric design.