Learn about the Under Island book or our limited edition CD

The Subliminal History of New York State story begins with Roosevelt Island as Under Island, “As Roosevelt Island gains sight through a lighthouse, first built as an illusionary fort by an insane inmate, the island now sees as well as is seen. With new vision the island develops a desire to leave the East River. Once the empty and controversial South End is developed, it does. In an alternate time of now, condensing past, present and future, it embarks on a journey up the Hudson, onto the Erie Canal, following this Empire State’s (and thus the United States’) route of progress. An itinerant island traveling through the short-lived industrialization of upstate, eventually finding itself in the shallow dead waters of Lake Erie, known for its torrential waterspouts.”

Under Island is the story of a living land with its own agency that speaks through us and the built structures atop it.

The Book

Ms. Dashow has translated her original discoveries of Roosevelt Island into a series of 21 poems.

From these poems, composer Jesse Pearlman Karlsberg created original shape note songs, to be sung by participating audiences in conjunction with stories and visuals at performances.

Beginning as an Artist in Residence at Woman’s Studio Workshop, Carrie created UNDER ISLAND, the land revolts, (artist book, edition of 5). The 5 handmade books are silkscreened by the artist, the cover printed on canvas with letterpress embossed title. The book includes drawings, historical collages, and original shape note compositions along with a CD of 11 of the songs sung by shape note practitioners in a defunct cement mine in Rosendale New York (The Widow Jane Mine: next stop of the island as it leaves New York.)

UNDER ISLAND, The Book is on view through January 19, 2007 at Gigantic ArtSpace, 59 Franklin Street, NYC. The book will be performed as a participatory story and singing event at the gallery on January 11, 7:30 PM. This performance follows a shape note singing school earlier in the day from 5-7 PM.

Shape note singing is a community singing tradition, with a unique pedagogical system for sight reading music. Shape note singing is sung in a square with local practitioners conducting chosen songs from the center, it does not require an audience. Once popular in upstate New York in the early 1800s, itinerant singing masters would tour upstate (and New England) writing songs and conducting workshops concluding with the sale of tunebooks. Given its pedagogical focus, participatory nature, and historical relevance it has become a useful vehicle to tell the story of New York.

Visit the page for UNDER ISLAND, the land revolts, the Under Island song poem book for more information, and to view pictures of the book.

The CD

Carrie and Jesse have also released a limited edition Under Island CD, featuring the 11 songs on the CD included with the song poem book (edition of 75). The CD features a screenprinted cover and an editioned, handmade booklet with scores for the songs on the disc.

To see pictures of the CD and for sample tracks, visit the Under Island CD page.

How It Started

Beginning in 2004, Ms. Dashow worked with Roosevelt Island historian, Judy Berdy trying to connect with and understand this place, enlivened by a strange energy. Through her work with Judy, and weekly brainstorming sessions with three island teenagers and writer/musician Sxip Shirey, an unbelievable story emerged.

The story was performed as a slide show lecture on the island and in a courtyard installation, with Matt Bua and Jesse Bercowetz at PS1/MOMA, as part of Grizedale Arts “Romantic Detachment” show in October of 2004.

In November of 2005, the Under Island story was presented in a participatory performance, with shape note singing led by Jesse Pearlman Karlsberg, at the Contemporary Artists Center in North Adams, MA.

Visit this page about the beginnings of Under Island (external link) for documentation of these events.