Essential Shore / Permeable Future…  Ferry Event

Essential Shore / Permeable Future…  Ferry Event

On Saturday, May 3, I had the pleasure of leading a special event aboard the ferry between Corlears Hook and Bay Ridge, organized through the Ferry Community Outreach Initiatives & Jeannine Bardo, director of Stand4 Gallery, as part of the exhibition Essential Shore / Permeable Future, curated by Jennifer McGregor. My focus for this project was the Purple Sandpipers—a migratory, medium-sized shorebird that winters along the Shore Promenade in Bay Ridge, right by the Belt Parkway. They arrive from their high Arctic breeding grounds in Northern Canada in late November or early December and stay with us until late April or early May. By the time of the event, the Purple Sandpipers had already migrated north for the season, so we didn’t get to see them. To make up for it, here is a PDF with more information about the Purple Sandpipers and details about my installation, for those who couldn’t make it to the gallery. The exhibition runs through June 21, so let me know if you plan to visit—I’d love to meet you.

This blog offers a few impressions, documentation, and glimpses—including notes from the day itself, as well as reflections and materials related to its preparation. Uncertain about the weather, I had prepared some materials in case we had to remain inside the ferry. Fortunately, it turned out to be a gorgeous, sunny day, and we were able to observe from the deck, followed by a lovely stroll on the pier and through the Narrows Botanical Garden.

The group included longtime residents of the Lower East Side, Brooklynites from Bed-Stuy & Sunset Park, and myself from Bay Ridge. While the tour focused primarily on birds and nature, I always feel it’s important to contextualize and better understand the shores we journey alongside. I gathered some basic information—some of it drawn from a previous project—to share with the group, and since we didn’t have time to cover everything during the ferry ride, I’m collecting it here as a memento.

First, the list of birds & creatures we saw along our excursion:
Double-crested Cormorant, Laughing Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, American Black Duck, Brant, Canada Geese, Common Tern, House Sparrow, Gray Catbird, Common Grackle, Mourning Dove, Fish Crow (and their nest), Painted Turtle, Box Turtle.

Since we boarded the ferry at Corlears Hook…

Corlears Hook holds a rich and layered history, evolving from a Lenape settlement to a Dutch farm, a site of colonial violence, a bustling 19th-century port, and later, an infamous red-light district. The name comes from Jacobus van Corlaer, a 17th-century Dutch schoolmaster, and also from the shape of the land itself—jutting into the East River like a hook. In the 1820s, the area became notorious for its brothels and, according to some sources, even gave rise to the term “hooker.”

Indigenous Presence and Displacement

Originally marshland, Corlears Hook was used by the Mareckawick group of the Canarsee tribe—part of the Lenape nation—as a canoe landing site. The settlement, called Naghtongh, was covered in swamps and beach land. The Wecquaesgeek, a Munsee-speaking band of the Wappingers people (closely related to the Lenape), lived along the east bank of the Hudson in what is now the Bronx and Westchester.

On February 25, 1643, Dutch Governor Willem Kieft launched coordinated attacks on Weckquaesgeek and Tappan encampments at Corlears Hook and Pavonia (across the river in present-day New Jersey). That night, 120 Native men, women, and children were massacred—an event that remains a brutal marker of early colonial violence. More info here

Manhattan: The Name and Its Meaning

The name Manhattan originates from the Lenape language, specifically Munsee. The word manaháhtaan combines manah- (“gather”), -aht- (“bow”), and -aan, a grammatical element used to form verb stems. It’s often translated as “the place where we get bows” or “place for gathering the (wood to make) bows.” This name, still in use today, carries with it traces of the island’s original use and inhabitants.

The Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge was the first fixed bridge to connect Manhattan and Brooklyn across the East River. Designed by German immigrant John A. Roebling, construction began in 1870 and the bridge officially opened on May 24, 1883. At the time, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world, stretching 1.1 miles. Before its construction, ferries were the primary means of crossing between Manhattan and Brooklyn. The bridge not only revolutionized transportation but also physically united two formerly separate cities—Brooklyn and New York—forever changing the shape of the city.

Roebling died of tetanus after a surveying accident crushed his foot, and his son, Washington Roebling, took over the project. Washington later developed caisson disease—commonly known as “the bends”—while working in the pressurized foundations. Though physically incapacitated, he continued to oversee construction with the crucial assistance of his wife, Emily Warren Roebling. The bridge took 13 years to complete and claimed the lives of 27 workers.

It’s also worth noting that U.S. Senator Henry Cruse Murphy—considered a founding father of Brooklyn—drafted the bill authorizing the construction of the bridge from his mansion, which once stood on the grounds of what is now Owl’s Head Park in Bay Ridge. He also founded The Brooklyn Eagle and served as one of its first editors, shaping both the physical and cultural landscape of the borough.

In 2005, while researching for another project, I wrote a song in honor of the Brooklyn Bridge. It was later recorded and included on my album The Bi-Continental Chowder. You can listen to the track below with photo taken then.

Liberty Enlightening the World

As the ferry continued south, we passed the Statue of Liberty. Officially titled Liberty Enlightening the World, the statue was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States. It was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886.

Constructed in France over the course of nine years (1875–1884), the statue was then disassembled, shipped across the Atlantic, & reassembled on Liberty Island in just four months after the pedestal was completed. The full process—from initial conception in 1865 to final dedication in 1886—spanned 21 years and required massive fundraising efforts in both France and the United States.

PAGGANK a.k.a : Governors Island

Originally known to the Lenape people as Paggank (“Nut Island”) for its abundance of nut-bearing trees, the island was later named Noten Eylandt by the Dutch, then Anglicized to Nutten Island, and finally became Governors Island by the late 18th century. In 1755, during the French and Indian War—a North American theater of the global Seven Years’ War—the island was first used as a military installation. The war saw British colonies (population ~2 million) clash with French colonies (~60,000), each side supported by different Native American allies. The French, being outnumbered, relied heavily on their Native alliances.

Bay Ridge: A Neighborhood with Deep Roots
Our final stop was Bay Ridge, located in southwestern Brooklyn—a neighborhood with a rich history dating back to the 17th century. Originally part of the Dutch town of New Utrecht, the area was once known as Yellow Hook, named for the color of its soil.

During the American Revolution, Bay Ridge played a small but strategic role due to its location along New York Harbor and proximity to the Narrows. On August 22, 1776, British troops under General William Howe landed near what is now Bay Ridge, using the shoreline as a staging ground for the Battle of Long Island (also known as the Battle of Brooklyn), the first major battle following the Declaration of Independence. The British landed just south of Bay Ridge, near Gravesend Bay, and advanced north through Brooklyn, eventually outflanking and defeating American forces led by General George Washington. The loss forced the Continental Army to retreat to Manhattan, preserving its strength for future battles.

Narrows Botanical Gardens: A Community Oasis
Established in 1995 by local volunteers, the Narrows Botanical Gardens transformed 4.5 acres of neglected parkland along Shore Road between Bay Ridge Avenue and 72nd Street into a vibrant green space. This community-led initiative features a variety of themed gardens, including a lily pond, butterfly garden, Zen garden, and a Native Plant Garden with a turtle sanctuary. It also serves as a sanctuary site for the Wild Bird Fund, offering a safe habitat for recovering and released birds. Maintained entirely by community volunteers, the gardens are a beloved oasis for both people and wildlife in Bay Ridge. They host various events throughout the year.

To me, it was a really special day—full of small discoveries, good company, and moments of connection across neighborhoods. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who joined, shared, and made time to be part of it.
Special thanks to Jeannine Bardo, director of Stand4, and to Sarah and Anika from the Ferry Community Outreach team for making it all possible.
I hope these notes, reflections, and glimpses offer something back to those who were with us, and to those following along from afar. You can view the full album of photos from the day and the exhibition here. Meanwhile à bientôt ! and keep in touch!

Karstic-Action: VOTE 2024!

Karstic-Action: VOTE 2024!

Voting in November 2024 is of the utmost importance. With Pierre Joris, we are steadfast in our mission to mobilize voters. In 2020 we did a series of Karstic-Actions and decided to reiterate the experience this year. This is what we have been doing so far.

From August 17-31, 2024 we had an exhibition: Karstic-Action: Vote 2024! at Stand4 Gallery in Brooklyn, Bayridge (Press Release). On display was the full documentation (paintings, videos, texts, photos) of our Karstic-Action 2020! (details here). Also on display a series of paintings I started in August titled: Birds Can’t Vote, But You Can!



Full video with readings by Jeannine Bardo & Pierre Joris et a performance by Nicole Peyrafitte
Time lapse video performance Nicole Peyrafitte (60 seconds)

Extracts of the Karstic-Action: Vote 2020!

Karstic-Action: Resist-Persist-Assist 11/2020

Stand4 Gallery and Community Art Center
414 78th Street
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn New York 11209
GOOGLE MAP

More info on the exhibitions below:

Gerrit Lansing (1928-2018): CRYSTALS OF TIME

Gerrit Lansing (1928-2018): CRYSTALS OF TIME
GERRIT LANSING : CRYSTALS of TIME 

A film by:
Nicole Peyrafitte
Pierre Joris & Miles Joris-Peyrafitte
Runtime: 33″07′
2024 Version (footage from November 2012 & June 2013)

In 2012 Pierre Joris & I had the idea of making a short film about Gerrit Lansing & his work. We went up to Gloucester that November 2012 to visit Gerrit who welcomed the idea. We started documenting. Then in June 2013 we came back with much better equipment & with our son Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, who was then a film student at Bard College. We put together an early draft of the film, but realized there wasn’t enough material to make a feature documentary. We would need to come back to shoot more.

Gerrit saw a rough cut and he thought it wasn’t crazy enough! So there was more filming & thinking to do. But we were never able to get around to it as life scattered the three of us in many directions …Then Gerrit’s passed in 2018 & the project went dormant until we decided to come & spend some time in Gloucester this May (2024). We had not returned to Gloucester since Gerrit’s memorial. 

Because this place and its people always gave so much to us, we didn’t want to come back empty-handed. It was time to share what we had.  Though we realize the footage we have is not adequate to make a proper documentary, we think these recordings will be valuable to Gerrit’s friends, to scholars, & to poetry aficionados.

The footage above, Crystals of Times, is all from 2012 & 2013 & contains mostly readings by Gerrit of his poetry.
 It was shot at a number of his favorite places in & around Gloucester and includes footage of a reading he gave while visiting Thorpe Feidt in his studio, with some fascinating banter between Thorpe & Gerrit.

While in Gloucester we decided to screen the footage I had reworked from the 2012/2013 visits, while also sharing  a few videos of memorabilia from 2001, a slide-show of photos of Gerrit’s house from 2012 & 13, and Pierre would read the opening of his essay on Gerrit. You will find all this material on this page.

We deeply thank Jim Dunn for organizing the first screening of Crystals of Time at Paul Cary Goldberg’s studio; we are very grateful to Jim & Paul for setting up this event so efficiently & generously. We thank all who came, both old friends & new aficionados whose reception was so heartwarming & confirmed that this material was worth sharing & circulating. We also thank John & Cecilia for welcoming us at their/Gerrit’s house, Caleb Murphy for opening the archives of Hammond Castle & David Rich for writing a beautiful obit on the Gloucester Times that we used as biographical info in the film.

Below are additional materials we showed at the screening, plus Pierre’s complete essay on Gerrit (he read only a short section that evening). This page will evolve as we process more material from our archives.

Gerrit Lansing’s spirit runs deep in all those he has touched in person or through his poetry. We will always sense his aura upon us. 

Footage shot when Pierre Joris & Nicole Peyrafitte came to visit Gerrit in the summer of 2001: Nicole had recently gotten a video camera, was still learning, so it is not very good quality but we think it has some sentimental value, as least for us! & also good info.
The 4 sections are:
1: Gloucester Beach
2: Plumb Island
3: Visit to Olson’s grave
4: Dogtown Commons with Joe Torra & Patrick Doud & a quick shot of the dinner with the same + Amanda & James Cook

Slide show of Gerrit’s house 2012

Screening at Paul Cary Goldberg’s studio.
Photographs Jim Dunn
Gloucester, MA, 05/22/2024

Poetry Project : Domopoetics Karstic Actions/Works

Poetry Project : Domopoetics Karstic Actions/Works

February 28, 2024 event at the Poetry Project, NYC .

On 02/28/2024 Pierre & I had a wonderful time presenting Domopoetics: Karstic Action/Works at The Poetry Project. We weaved & braided our individual & shared travails. Domopoetics is the name we give to 34 years of daily practices in transforming & intertwining our lives & works, be it through writing, painting, video, physical conditioning, cooking & all other shared household activities. Karstic refers to the geological phenomena of dissolution & transformation at work in the formation of superficial or underground limestone topographies. Here it is taken literally & figuratively as nature & cave explorations are an important part of our process.

Featuring a guest introduction by Urayoán Noel —who was a tough act to follow. This is the best intro we could have had! Thank you dear Ura!

Thank you  Keir GoGwilt for your inspiring & soulful improvised music.

Thank you all for coming, we were overwhelmed by the crowed room filled with a great mix of old & younger friends. 
 
If you missed it below is the Livestream of the event:

Thank you: Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, SiuLi & Chris GoGwilt for the photos.

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