Title

Twist

Dimensions

2’-6” (w) x 7’-0” (h) x 2’-6” (d)

Material

3D printed ceramic blocks

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Twist reimagines a ship’s rope as a monumental vertical helix, honoring Erie’s deep maritime heritage. By translating this utilitarian symbol into a contemporary ceramic sculpture, the work bridges the city’s storied shipyard past with its innovative future.

Utilizing 3D-printed ceramic blocks, the sculpture achieves a complex geometry that mimics the tension of wound fiber. The visible "print lines" create a digital grain, while the modular assembly reflects the collective strength found in both heavy-duty rigging and a resilient community. Finished in an aquatic glaze, the piece shifts with the Lake Erie light, integrating naturally into the shoreline.

Standing as a permanent anchor on the waterfront, Twist captures the potential energy of a rope in motion. It serves as a rhythmic reminder of Erie’s seafaring roots and a dynamic vector pointing toward the city’s continued evolution.

Client: City of Erie, Pennslyvania