“Collected Forms”
Commission for MSC Cruise Terminals, Miami Beach, Florida
(2025)

Collected Forms is a large-scale, site-specific ceramic installation composed of two monumental friezes installed in the MSC Cruise Terminal at PortMiami. Designed by Miami-based sculptor Lauren Shapiro, the work explores the delicate interconnection of marine ecosystems through immersive, wall-mounted ceramic forms.

The installation features hand-built ceramic elements arranged in a Penrose tiling pattern, mounted on routed wood panels etched with sacred geometry. The sculptural components—corals and other marine life—were digitally captured through a decade-long archive of 3D scans collected by the artist. These textured forms fuse geometric precision with organic flow, reflecting both the complexity and harmony of underwater environments.

A gradient of glazes—shifting from off-white to soft blues, greens, and pinks—echoes the transformation and vulnerability of coral reef systems in the face of climate change. Fabricated using mold-making, slip casting, and layered spray glazing, the work invites viewers to contemplate the relationship between craft, ecology, and public space. As a permanent commission within a major transportation hub, Collected Forms bridges art, science, and civic engagement on a global stage.