“Future Pacific” at Bakehouse Art Complex
2020-2021

Future Pacific (2020-2021) is a project supported by a broader outreach grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant was awarded to marine ecologist Dr. Nyssa Silbiger for research on how human-driven stressors, including climate change, affect coastal marine ecosystems in the Pacific Ocean.

Together, Shapiro and Silbiger cast silicone molds of coral specimens to recreate them as textures in an immersive installation. Shapiro uses unfired clay to illustrate the fragility of coral reefs in response to human activity.

The material gives visual form to the importance of Dr. Silbiger’s research: as the clay dries, cracks and tears apart, it mimics the degradation of the corals.

The artistic interventions facilitated by Future Pacific are a testament to the power inherent in collaboration.

Over the course of a month, Shapiro worked with the local community to layer the clay over subverted architectural forms. Through these experiences, she aims to cultivate environmental stewardship and recognize the researchers who work to protect coral reefs. As participants touched the clay, they contributed to Shapiro’s interpretation of a vanishing underwater world.

To view the 360 virtual tour of the exhibition at the Bakehouse Art Complex click this link.

Contemporary art installation titled 'Future Pacific' featuring monumental sunken arches covered in clay forms like seashells and corals, displayed inside a gallery with dark ceiling, spotlights, and painted walls in orange, blue, and white.
A woman with curly hair wearing a long beige coat standing beside a textured clay wall with coral and shell textures embedded in it, in a dimly lit setting.
Contemporary art installation titled 'Future Pacific' featuring monumental sunken arches covered in clay forms like seashells and corals, displayed inside a gallery with dark ceiling, spotlights, and painted walls in orange, blue, and white.
Contemporary art installation titled 'Future Pacific' featuring monumental sunken arches covered in clay forms like seashells and corals, displayed inside a gallery with dark ceiling, spotlights, and painted walls in orange, blue, and white.
Contemporary art installation titled 'Future Pacific' featuring monumental sunken arches covered in clay forms like seashells and corals, displayed inside a gallery with dark ceiling, spotlights, and painted walls in orange, blue, and white.
Contemporary art installation titled 'Future Pacific' featuring monumental sunken arches covered in clay forms like seashells and corals, displayed inside a gallery with dark ceiling, spotlights, and painted walls in orange, blue, and white.
Close-up view of sculptural monumental sunken arches covered in clay forms like seashells and corals.
The Future Pacific catalog was designed by Exile Books, with essay contributions from Curator Laura Novoa, Marine Ecologist Dr. Nyssa Silbiger, and artist Lauren Shapiro. View and download a free digital copy.
Close-up view of sculptural monumental sunken arches covered in clay forms like seashells and corals.
Close-up view of sculptural monumental sunken arches covered in clay forms like seashells and corals.

Community Collaboration and Impact

To build the exhibition, Shapiro engaged the local community through a series of hands-on, physically-distanced workshops at the Bakehouse. Participants pressed clay into silicone molds of coral reef textures, actively contributing to the installation by applying the forms to foundational structures installed in the gallery.

Eventually, the unfired clay dried and cracked, creating the visual effect of a fossilized coral reef. Once the exhibition comes to an end, the clay will be deconstructed, reclaimed with water and recycled.

“Future Pacific” combines art, community engagement, science to make this project revelatory. 

The very existence of the installation relies on collectivity through participation, creating personal connections to nature while simultaneously sharing important information about coral reefs and our relationship to the environment.

Through this project, we hope to advocate for marine researchers by elevating their continuous investigation of changes in reef architecture and how it may affect the world we live in. 

A person kneeling and painting a clay wall with a brush, wearing a gray cap, green hoodie, and blue face mask. The wall is covered in clay forms like seashells and corals.
Four women working together on a large wooden structure, applying a layer of clay on its surface inside the Bakehouse Art Complex art gallery.
A person applying clay seashells, corals, and marine forms to a wall, wearing a hat and a face mask.
Person working on a large wooden sculpture or installation in anindoor art gallery, sitting on the floor with tools and materials around.
A person in a red apron is pouring green powder over a pile of mixed colored clay materials on a table in an art gallery setting.
A woman kneeling and working on a clay wall in an indoor art gallery, wearing a mask, with buckets and wooden boards around.
A person holding a purple silicone mold, with a larger white ceramic coral skeleton in the background on a white wooden surface.
Collection of various white coral pieces and shells displayed on a gray cloth on a wooden table.
Several pink coral silicone molds surrounding a chart with images of different coral types and laboratory items.
Two people wearing gloves working with clay coral specimens, one is spray painting and the other is holding a paintbrush.
Person shaping a clay piece with both hands, surrounded by white coral pieces on a wooden surface.
A purple silicone mold with intricate coral reef-like patterns carved into the surface.
Two hands hold coral-shaped objects, one is silicone in a pinkish-purple hue and the other is clay, with white corals in the background.
A person with tattoos on their arms is installing shell-like appliques onto a stone or concrete surface.
Person holding a piece of 3D printed coral with purple branches and white base.