Pittsburgh #5

The Toynbee Mosaics What if every street hid a message? The Toynbee Mosaics are a tribute to the mysterious Toynbee Tiles—enigmatic linoleum plaques embedded in asphalt across North and South America since the 1980s. With cryptic slogans invoking resurrection, space travel, and secret knowledge, the original tiles blurred the line between street art, conspiracy, and spiritual beliefs. This project works to reimagine that legacy by creating custom tile designs for cities where the Toynbee phenomenon appears. Each piece weaves together local history, symbolism, historical landmarks, and civic archetypes, embedding them into weathered, linoleum-style tiles, as though they've endured decades underfoot, ignored by the masses. From Philadelphia's alchemical ghosts to São Paulo's spirit rites, and Washington D.C.'s occult geometries to Buenos Aires' literary mysticism, these tiles channel the intent of the original Tiler—resurrecting hidden narratives, subversive iconography, and cosmic warnings in plain sight. This is not just homage. It is a call to look—and question everything.