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Above: Crabgrass, 2023, series of 50 earthenware vessels by Lee Pivnik
Artists Lee Pivnik and Lauren Shapiro Dive into The Kampong’s Archives and Florida International University’s International Center for Tropical Botany Labs for, studiolab, a Site-Specific Project Transforming The Kampong into a Living Laboratory and Artist Studio
October 3 through December 14, 2024 (Tuesdays – Saturdays)
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (last entrance at 3:00 p.m.)
The Kampong
What happens when we blend different realms of knowledge through the process of art-making?
The Kampong is pleased to announce studiolab, an upcoming exhibition featuring Miami-based artists Lee Pivnik and Lauren Shapiro, running from October 3 to December 14, 2024. This site-specific project transforms The Kampong into a living laboratory and artist studio, offering visitors an in-depth look at the artists’ practices and processes.
The exhibition brings together a curated selection of natural and historical materials from The Kampong’s library and archives, alongside the artists’ personal collections. Featured works range from botanical illustrator Margaret Mee’s prints and plant life from the International Center for Tropical Botany (ICTB), garden clippings and books from The Sweeney Library at The Kampong, all in conversation with Pivnik and Shapiro’s own research, models, and ceramic-based artworks.
“We’re thrilled to have Lee and Lauren collaborating on this exhibition, uniquely centering the contributions of botanical illustrator Margaret Mee and collections from the ICTB,” said Brian Sidoti, Director of The Kampong. “We’re fortunate to experience their interdisciplinary interest in art, science and the environment through their curatorial lens and artworks.”
Throughout the exhibition, studiolab will reset multiple times, reflecting the fluid and evolving nature of artistic practice, while offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative process.
“I think for Lauren and myself, our studios can feel a bit like labs from time to time, where we experiment with different materials, look closely and learn from other species, and work through processes to better understand the world around us,” said Pivnik.
“It’s interesting to think of molds and clippings and anthropological drawings as birds of a feather, but they’re all effectively studies,” added Shapiro. “I hope this exhibit demonstrates just how many infinite ways there are to approach and examine the natural world, and how crucial each and every one of them is to our collective perspective.”
Visitors to The Kampong can enjoy the studiolab exhibition included in the price of admission for a garden tour. Parking is limited and online reservations are strongly encouraged. Reservations can be made via our online booking site. Email kampong@ntbg.org for additional information.
Thursday, October 3, 2024 | 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
From left: Oceanic Oracle by Lauren Shapiro; Cordyceps by Lee Pivnik; Crystal Coral Lamp by Lauren Shapiro.
About the Artists
Lee Pivnik (b.1995) is a Miami-based artist whose interdisciplinary practice draws inspiration from living systems and the concept of ecological entanglement—exploring the mutating relationships between species and their environments. His sculptures, drawings, and installations reference fungal networks, epiphytic plants, and animal architectures found in South Florida, envisioning futures based on mutualistic relationships rather than extractive economies. In 2022, he launched Symbiotic House, a long-term project reimagining the home as a site for climate care and adaptation. Pivnik is the co-founder of the Institute of Queer Ecology (IQECO), a collaborative organism that has presented projects with institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum, ICA Miami, and Biosphere 2. He has exhibited in numerous solo and two-person shows and received multiple awards, including the Knight Arts Challenge and Ellie awards.
Lauren Shapiro (b.1984) is a Miami-based artist and explorer who integrates ceramics and technology to explore and communicate insights from the natural world, often collaborating with scientists to highlight diverse ecosystems, particularly in South Florida. Her work has been exhibited in solo shows at venues such as Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Bakehouse Art Complex, and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, as well as group exhibitions internationally. Shapiro holds an MFA from the University of Miami and has received awards from the New York Foundation for the Arts and Knight Foundation, along with commissions from Miami-Dade Art in Public Places. Her work is included in the Soho House and Jorge M. Perez collections.
About Margaret Mee
Margaret Mee was a renowned British botanical artist whose work had a significant impact on the field of botany, particularly in documenting the plant species of the Amazon rainforest. Over three decades, she made 15 expeditions to the Amazon, where she meticulously illustrated the region’s diverse flora. Her drawings, particularly of rare and endangered plants, contributed valuable scientific data to botanists and conservationists. Mee’s work highlighted the importance of preserving biodiversity, as she captured the beauty and detail of plants that were often overlooked or under threat. Her contributions extended beyond art, as she raised awareness about deforestation and the ecological fragility of the Amazon. Mee’s legacy remains influential, blending art with environmental advocacy and scientific discovery.
About the International Center for Tropical Botany (ICTB) at The Kampong
The ICTB is a state of the art facility dedicated to training the next generation of tropical botanists. With an extensive herbarium collection from the Caribbean and South and Central America, focusing on the Amazon forest, ICTB fosters a global network of collaborative scientists, promoting scientific understanding and conservation of tropical plant species and ecosystems. Valuing community, the team is engaged in public programs, particularly in Coconut Grove. Our renowned faculty aim to cultivate tomorrow’s decision-makers and leaders while safeguarding biodiversity for future generations.