The Boat for Singing Together is docked at Marina 59, 5914 Beach Channel Drive, Far Rockaway, Queens. Please come visit. The boat was initially displayed in the 2011 Seaworthy show.
Being afloat disarms the visitor, creating a space for new experiences, especially in close proximity to the water’s surface. The substance of water, unlike land, is unowned and unregulated, while singing in groups creates a unique communal intimacy. The boat couples these experiences and hopes to evoke a sense of freedom in community. On late summer nights, we gather on the dock facing the bay and with our song draw the boat in. All are welcomed in small groups onto the boat to learn simple, resonant group song together over the water. I built the boat for singing together with friends. The vessel is built from old docks scavenged from Jamaica Bay, scrap wood from New York City, and trees from Mount Desert Island, Maine. Completely enclosed by a canopy of saplings and fabric, an opening in the craft’s center over the water creates an intimate space for sharing song over water. The bow is crowned with a figurehead made by Haley Hughes.
Impossibly enormous thanks to Aly Perry, Caledonia Curry, Chess Venis, Connie Hockaday, David Bowers, Don Friedman, Emily Eagen, Emily + Tyler Drown, Garrett Olinger, Georgia Muenster, Greg Mihalko, Ian Curry, Ian Oberholtzer, Jaclyn Alexander, Jaime Iglehart, Jana Weaver, Jessica Spiegel, Kunji Rey, Laura Macmillian, Laurel Bell, Mariko Tanaka, Mike O’Toole, Orien McNeill, Porter Fox, Sara Reeske, Silvia Alba, Sonia Alexander, Stephan von Muehlen, Tracy Gilman, Gowanus Studio Space, Flux Factory, EFA Studios and Marina 59.