Tar Beach
I have lived on the same block in Little Italy since 1974. My own photographs of this community were made on the street or from my windows. I never imagined what had been happening on the rooftops surrounding me.
In 2009, when the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral—in the heart of Little Italy—marked its 200th anniversary of laying the church’s cornerstone, a few of us met at the Cafétal Social Club down Mott Street to consider a response to welcome visitors to the neighborhood.
Former residents were invited to come with their family albums and contribute pictures to display in the storefront windows around the church.
- S.M., Preface to Tar Beach, published by Damiani, 2020
Flyer for Mott St. Memory Project scanning session at Cafe'tal in Little Italy, 2015
Angel's husband Louis Marinaccio speaking with Susan Meiselas and Virginia Bynum during a Mott St. Memory Project scanning session at Caf?tal in Little Italy, 2015
Angel's husband Louis Marinaccio speaking with Susan Meiselas during a Mott St. Memory Project scanning session at Caf?tal in Little Italy, 2015
Virginia Bynum, Susan Meiselas, Lisa Lodico (one of the Prince Street Girls), and Lisa's daughter Francesca during a Mott St. Memory Project scanning session at Caf?tal in Little Italy, 2015
Map mockup for neighborhood installation of Mott St. Memory project in Little Italy, 2015
Mockup for display of Mott St. Memory project on 256 Mott Street, 2015
Mockup for display of Mott St. Memory project at Cafetal, 2015
Mockup for display of Mott St. Memory project at Maggy Frances, 2015
Mockup for display of Mott St. Memory project at the New York Public Library Mulberry Street Branch, 2015
Flyer for an event at the New York Public Library Mulberry Street Branch, 2015
Out from the mix of images appeared a place my neighbors called ‘tar beach.’ The candid yet formal quality of those few images led me on a search to discover what more could be found. Since then, Virginia Dell’Orio and Angel Marinaccio have joined me to bring together pictures, along with the stories they have shared over multiple generations.
In Tar Beach the photographer is invisible and families and friends face the camera with trust, expressing the pleasure of presenting themselves to be seen. Each encounter was a moment captured to celebrate. These photographs are now fragile objects. Their torn edges reveal the hands that have held and kept them to pass on, not knowing this book would become their destiny.
-S.M., Preface to Tar Beach, published by Damiani, 2020
Angel, age 2. 96 Elizabeth Street. c. 1952. Photo courtesy Angel Marinaccio.
Lucy Doll Cutrona, First Communion. 130 Mulberry Street. Spring 1946. Photo courtesy Lucy Dell'Olio (n?e Cutrona)
(left to right) The Frezza Family: Phyllis, Concetta, Grace, Caroline, Antoinette, with Grandma Alfonsina in the center. 250 Mulberry Street. Summer 1944. Photo courtesy Virginia Bynum.
Frank's older brother Charlie Spero. Oak Street. c. 1944. Photo courtesy Felicia Dell'Olio (n?e Carrano).
Nancy Carrano (n?e Musillo) on her wedding day. 197 Hester Street. c. 1938. Photo courtesy Sarah Ann Cody (n?e Carrano).
Arthur DiBiasi and Baby Francesca inside their pigeon coop. 218 Grand Street. July 1977. Photo courtesy Arthur DiBiasi.
Arthur DiBiasi's pigeon. 218 Grand Street. Sept 23, 1976. Photo courtesy Arthur DiBiasi.
'Tootsie' Viviano cooling off under her homemade shower. 96 Elizabeth Street. 1964. Photo courtesy Angel Marinaccio.
Angel dancing to the music on the radio, age 18. 96 Elizabeth Street. 1968. Photo courtesy Angel Marinaccio.
Mildred Musillo, 197 Hester Street. Summer 1940. Photo courtesy Felicia Dell'Olio (n?e Carrano)
'JoJo' on the railing of our roof. 96 Elizabeth Street. 1963. (Photo courtesy Angel Marinaccio)
Angel, Ann Marie, and Grandpa Jerry at Ann Marie's first birthday party. 96 Elizabeth Street. 1968. Photo courtesy Angel Marinaccio.
Aunt Katie Maltesi and Grandma Mary Guarantano at first birthday party for Ann Marie Marinaccio. 96 Elizabeth Street. 1968. Photo courtesy Angel Marinaccio.
A view of the church from the roof. 247 Mulberry Street. 1975. Photo courtesy Virginia Bynum.
In March of 2020, the COVID-19 global pandemic hit, and New York implemented a shelter-in-place order. Book production continued with precautions in place and largely on Zoom.
Virginia hands off images for scanning for the Tar Beach book, 2020
Looks of excitement from designer Yo Cuomo, Susan Meiselas, and Bobbie Richardson during a meeting about Tar Beach on Zoom.
(top to bottom) Susan Meiselas, Bobbie Richardson, and designer Yo Cuomo make edits to 'Tar Beach' book design during a Zoom meeting on May 7, 2020.
(left to right) Jessica Bal, Bobbie Richardson, Susan Meiselas, and designer Yo Cuomo look over a version of the 'Tar Beach' book design during a Zoom meeting on May 23, 2020.
Spread from Tar Beach book, published by Damiani, 2020
Spread from Tar Beach book, published by Damiani, 2020
Spread from Tar Beach book, published by Damiani, 2020
Spread from Tar Beach book, published by Damiani, 2020
Spread from Tar Beach book, published by Damiani, 2020
Spread from Tar Beach book, published by Damiani, 2020
Spread from Tar Beach book, published by Damiani, 2020
