MIAmi logo

 

South Terminal J, post-security 

Gate J7 

 

“Future Pacific” and “Garden Portals”

Two short documentary films by Lauren Shapiro and Dr. Shireen Rahimi

Now screening through September 30, 2022

 

South Florida born and raised artist and master ceramicist Lauren Shapiro finds inspiration within the biodiversity of coastal and marine environments. She explores these fragile systems through sculptures that exist primarily in the public realm. Her work draws connections between science and craft, often collaborating with ecologists and architects to research, develop and build her work. Shapiro’s projects incorporate hand-formed clay tiles and digitally fabricated molds as friezes and systems of classical architecture to reimagine contemporary buildings overtaken by flora and marine life.

 

For Future Pacific and Garden Portals, the artist invited the public to participate during open community sessions by affixing clay replicas of plants and corals onto large-scale armatures that poetically exist between construction and demolition. During these activations, participants became confronted with understanding their role in the deterioration of these environments. With her work overall, Shapiro aims to cultivate climate resilience, encourage environmental advocacy, and foster a dialog about potential solutions for living in harmony with our natural world.

 

Video: Excerpt from the film Future Pacific, 2020, produced by Lightpalace Productions.

Future Pacific was supported by a National Science Foundation grant (#1924281) to Dr. Nyssa Silbiger, California State University Northridge, Silbiger Labs, and Bakehouse Art Complex.

 

Video: Excerpt from the film Garden Portals, 2021, produced by Lightpalace Productions.

Garden Portals was supported by a Knight Arts Challenge Award presented to the artist, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, and with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor, and the Board of County Commissioners.

 

­­For more information, visit:

laurenshapiroart.com

instagram.com/loshap

 

#ArtsatMIA