“Blue Horizon”
Proposed Public Sculpture
The Blue Horizon Project is a public sculpture encouraging people to take environmental responsibility through community participation, innovative technology, and ceramics. The project involves creating ceramic components using silicone molds, based on 3D-scanned coral reefs. These ceramic pieces are created with the community's help during interactive workshops and then later fired, glazed and affixed to a monumental, sinking arch sculpture, which recreates the sensation of being submerged beneath the sea.
Shapiro aims to bring artists and audiences together by engaging the public in the process of creating ceramics through workshops. She collaborates with coral reef research institutions to make this project more inclusive, supporting their efforts and inspiring her ceramic designs. Her initiative that aims to showcase the significance of incorporating underwater environments into Miami's urban landscape, given the rising sea levels and deteriorating coral. The project combines art, science, and community participation to demonstrate the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. Shapiro hopes to inspire people to tackle global challenges, emphasizing the role of art and culture in promoting environmental sustainability and civic space ownership.
Currently, the project is in its initial planning and fundraising stage and is seeking additional support to achieve its goals.
Implementation & Team
Shapiro collaborates with Dr. Ian Enochs from the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory and Dr. Diego Lirman from the Reef Restoration Lab.
Both coral reef experts at the University of Miami, this collaboration is essential to ensure the accurate communication of the project's scientific aspects which inform Shapiro's work. They will also provide Shapiro access to new technologies, diving expeditions to local reef sites, and help generate 3D models of local corals for the project.
The Bakehouse Art Complex continues to support Shapiro by providing a free studio space and access to ceramics facilities.
They will also assist in sharing her video content related to the project, increasing its public promotion.
In 2023, Lauren received the “Anonymous Was a Woman” environmental arts grant by New York Foundation for the Arts, to support the development of her concept.
This film was made with support from NYFA, Commissioner and GMCVB to capture the collaborative processes that will ultimately help realize The Blue Horizon Project. It was filmed and edited by Alexa Caravia.
Renders for The Blue Horizon proposed public sculpture
Renders for The Blue Horizon proposed public sculpture
Renders for The Blue Horizon proposed public sculpture
Research & Development
Workshops
Over the course of 2024, Lauren Shapiro undertook public workshops in support of the Blue Horizon Project, including community events with the Vizcaya Village Farmer’s Market and an interactive workshop at the Miami Waterkeeper Earth Day. Shapiro aims to unite artists and audiences by engaging the community in creating ceramics to create this new large public sculpture. The objects produced will be fired, glazed, and affixed to a monumental, sinking arch sculpture, evoking the sensation of descending into an underwater world where our city is submerged, transforming into an artificial reef colonized by corals. With rising sea levels threatening coral reefs, the project aims to raise awareness about incorporating underwater environments into urban landscapes and promoting environmental sustainability through art and civic engagement.
Both workshops received support from Anonymous Was a Woman in partnership with The New York Foundation for the Arts.
In the Field
On May 11, 2024, Commissioner and artist Lauren Shapiro co-hosted a curated snorkeling expedition to Key Largo to support her Blue Horizon Project.
On the expedition, Shapiro shared her texture-capturing processes in the field, using underwater photography to capture 3D models for casting ceramic molds. Award-winning filmmaker, photographer, scientist, freediver, and National Geographic Explorer Dr. Shireen Rahimi agreed to document Shapiro’s process in creating The Blue Horizon Project.
An all-day affair, the exclusive adventure began at Silent World Dive Center in Key Largo and included a boat ride to two coral reef sites. To make this trip accessible, payment is based on a sliding scale, from $90 to $150. Contributions went toward underwriting the trip’s cost and help support The Blue Horizon Project.
Artist Lauren Shapiro on the Blue Horizon Project Snorkeling Expedition in Key Largo on May 11, 2024. In partnership with Commissioner.
Artist Lauren Shapiro creating molds with community participants at the Miami Waterkeeper Earth Day 2024 Cleanup with BLUE Missions, Repair the World, NAHREP West Broward, Ballyhoo Media, and Lauren Shapiro at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.
Digital Fabrication for Ceramics
Shapiro's latest sculpture series incorporates 3D coral models into three-dimensional structures and high-relief tiling systems.
She collaborates with scientific institutions and employs an inventive approach to create durable sculptures. As the project's leader, she emphasizes the importance of adaptation in addressing global challenges, such as the climate crisis.
To represent the current state of reefs accurately, Shapiro acquires 3D models from scientific databases, institutional partnerships, and personal scuba expeditions.
Proof of Concept
Shapiro draws on her experiences with site-specific exhibitions to make this project. “Future Pacific,” a fifteen-thousand-pound unfired clay installation about the fragility of coral reefs created in collaboration with the community, is proof of concept for Blue Horizon.
Read more about “Future Pacific” here.
Shapiro's latest sculpture series incorporates 3D coral models sourced from scientific databases, institutional partnerships, and personal scuba expeditions into three-dimensional structures and high-relief tiling systems.
"Future Pacific" is a fifteen-thousand-pound unfired clay installation at the Bakehouse Arts Complex about the fragility of coral reefs created in collaboration with the community. The project is proof of concept for Blue Horizon.
