Lauren Walkiewicz

Foam coat, epoxy, foam, chicken wire, fiberglass, 6 ft x 8 ft x 8 ft

Cambaridae is a statuary fountain inspired by the crayfish that reside under Calsi’s general store in Wassaic Creek. During Lauren Murao Walkiewicz’s time in residence at Wassaic, she would pass by the creek on her way from the schoolhouse to Maxon Mills, and as many as 15 crayfish could be visible in the creek along the way. This installation is a love letter to the creek and the creatures that reside there. The fountain’s forms draw from both native and invasive crayfish species found throughout New York State, alongside AI-generated imagery. Continuously pumping water, it mirrors the role of the state’s 51 freshwater mussel species, which filter up to eight liters of water per hour, helping to cleanse the ecosystem. By collaborating with AI to reimagine these creatures, the work ultimately blurs the boundaries of authorship and natural formation, questioning the role of human interference in reshaping the wild.