NYT blurbs the Muster

War and Pieces by Artists

"What are we fighting for?"

That's the question Allison Smith and about 75 other artists are asking anyone who makes a pilgrimage to Governors Island - the site of a former military post in New York Harbor half a mile from the mouth of the East River - on May 14.

The Public Art Fund, the nonprofit organization that presents art around the city, has helped organize a one-day, multiartist performance piece titled "The Muster," after a military term referring to a gathering of troops for inspection, exercise and display, Tom Eccles, director of the Public Art Fund, said.

About six weeks ago, Ms. Smith sent "a call to arms" to about 1,500 artists, asking if they wanted to participate in a contemporary version of a Civil War re-enactment. About 75 responded.

There will be more than 50 campsites with artists' installations and performances. There will even be mock battles. William Bryan Purcell created an all-pink Civil War infantry uniform that includes pink musket and flag as part of his "Pink Brigade." Some artists will address issues relating to the military, both historical and present-day, with uniforms and photo-murals, some of the Iraq war.

"Each artist and the public have been asked to respond to the theme 'What are we fighting for?' " Mr. Eccles said.

The highlight of the day will be "The Declaration of Causes," in which members of the public will be invited to state their ideas on a stage under a large festival tent. The public can also take part in activities like the "right to paint," creating artworks on the inside of a tent. Fifteen knitters with machines will make a giant banner.

The artists plan to arrive on Governors Island the night before and spend the night installing their artworks. On May 14 visitors may take a free ferry to the island from Slip 7 of the Battery Maritime Building, on the F. D. R. Drive at Broad Street, for the event from noon to 5 p.m.

-- Carol Vogel