English performance artists plan an event in a "Romantic Detachment" exhibition taking place during October on Roosevelt Island and in nearby Queens. It's set for 7:00 p.m. Thursday (October 21) at Blackwell House. Three Island youngsters are in the cast.

In a "press release" headed "Island of the Insane Exposes Unknown Animal!" the artists claim a "crew of three has discovered the secret of Roosevelt Island, a Utopian city built on a living, breathing mass of land."

"Foggy images appear regularly in aerial photographs of the region, but substantiated evidence has yet to be found." It identifies the "researchers" as Carrie Dashow, Jesse Bercowetz, and Matt Bua, says they met on the Island, and that they've worked "from a makeshift raft, dredging the river bed for clues." Their press release goes on:

"After months of patient watching and persistent digging they find themselves knee-deep in the age-old mystery of the Island. Although skepticism builds a tumbling case against their findings, nothing will stop these enthusiastic adventurers as they dare to prove that the creature does exist - even if their latest proof leads them head-first into the unknown without a paddle."

There's more: "Bercowetz and Bua, surveyors of the underworld, have excavated bits and pieces of living matter, unidentifiable sludge, as well as things residents of the Island have discovered missing."

The press release identifies Historical Society President Judith Berdy as a "special historical consultant" for the event. The Islanders listed as participants include Tyler Cannon, and James Barniker, and Stefan Iliescu.

Friday (October 22) is a rain date for the event.