Doubt, Faith and the Creative Odyssey Behind Sarah Kirkland Snider’s “Hildegard”
Produced in collaboration with Beth Morrison and directed by Elkhanah Pulitzer, the work bridges sacred tradition and modern experimentation.
The Best Personalized Gifts for the Holidays
Conventional wisdom tells us it’s the thought that counts, but some thoughts count more than others.
Art Basel Launches Zero 10, a New Platform for Digital Art in the Era of Next Gen Collecting
Placing new media art at the center of the fair underscores how digital culture is rewriting the rules of collecting and the marketplace around it.
Art
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Cooperation Between Galleries and Across Industries Is Art Collaboration Kyoto’s Blueprint for the Future of the Art Fair
“It’s time for the art world to intercept funding from corporations, who can be today’s patrons,” explains ACK director Yukako Yamashita.
Nika Neelova On “UMBRA” and the Death of Linear Time
Her exhibition at NIKA Project Space in Paris turns impermanence into an act of creation and disappearance into a quiet form of resistance.
At the Chicago Architecture Biennial, Radical Times Demand Radical Change
Most of the projects here argue that housing, design and—by extension—public investment must actively honor and sustain people’s histories, identities and lived needs.
Memory, Matter and Minimalism: Inside Dia Art Foundation’s 2025 Fall Night
With heartfelt tributes to Melvin Edwards and Meg Webster, the evening celebrated two visionary practices that embody Dia’s artist-first ethos.
Zofia Rydet’s Attempt to Photograph Every Home in Poland Is at The Photographers’ Gallery
‘Sociological Record’ captures the intimate realities of Polish domestic life during a period of rapid social and political change.
Lifestyle
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Seed Library, New York’s First Mr. Lyan Bar, Takes Root in NoMad
At long last, Ryan Chetiyawardana brings his inventive cocktail ethos to New York City.
Book Lover Approved: Holiday Gifts for the Bibliophile
This is the bibliophile’s gift guide that goes beyond the bookshelf.
The Best Sushi Restaurants in Dallas
Whether you’re craving intricate rolls with dynamic flavor combos or fresh sashimi shipped straight from Japan, these are the best sushi spots in Dallas.
An Insider’s Guide to West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach has become Florida’s most electric playground, where startup cash, yacht crews and ex-New Yorkers fuel a scene that’s anything but sleepy.
The Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes for a Toast to Gratitude
From maple margaritas to pumpkin-spice creations, these cocktails blend fall flavor, festive flair and a touch of Thanksgiving cheer.
Culture
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When Algorithms Curate Culture, What Do We Lose?
Michele Y. Smith, CEO of Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), examines how A.I.-driven curation is reshaping what we watch, listen to and value, and what’s being lost in the process. Smith argues that while algorithms can organize content, they can’t preserve the accidents, contradictions and context that make pop culture meaningful.
Jennifer Wright on Mamie Fish, TikTok Tradwives and the Return of Gilded Excess
Wright draws a tidy line from Newport’s grand soirees to the high gloss of today’s influencer culture, where attention still functions as currency.
Shen Wei On “STILL / MOVING” and Finding Harmony Across Disciplines
A new dual-venue exhibition traces nearly three decades of artistic evolution, from early experiments in gesture to meditative explorations of form and balance.
Must-Read Follow-Ups to Your Favorite True-Crime Documentaries
These eight books are thrilling, heartbreaking and empowering all at once, offering an honest look into some of the most infamous cases.
With Precision and Playfulness, ‘La Fille du Regiment’ Considers Love, Loyalty and the Absurdities of War
Laurent Pelly’s spirited revival at the Met turns military mayhem into irresistible comedy.
Business
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Toyota’s Hybrid-First EV Strategy Pays Off Even as Tariffs Bite Into Profit
The automaker’s cautious approach to electrification is cushioning profits as tariffs and EV demand pose new challenges.
Tim Berners-Lee Warns A.I. Could Kill the Web Economy as No One Visits Sites Anymore
As A.I. chatbots replace human readers, Tim Berners-Lee warns the World Wide Web’s ad-driven business model could collapse without reform.
The Only Certainty Is Uncertainty: Why a Culture of Innovation Will Be Critical in 2026
Barbara Salopek, CEO of Vinco Innovation AS, adjunct lecturer at BI Norwegian Business School and author of Future-Fit Innovation, examines how economic slowdown, regulatory tightening and rapid A.I. adoption are converging to make innovation culture the defining factor of 2026. Drawing on her experience advising organizations across Europe, Salopek argues that resilience now depends on the cultural ability to question, adapt and learn faster than the uncertainty ahead.
The Cost of Automating Authenticity: A.I.’s Limits in Social Media
Jon-Stephen Stansel, an award-winning social media strategist and author of The 10 Principles of Effective Social Media Marketing, examines the growing tension between automation and authenticity in social media marketing. Stansel argues that while A.I. can accelerate content production, it can’t replicate human creativity, taste or connection. He makes the case for a hybrid future, where A.I. serves as a co-pilot, not a replacement, for skilled social media professionals.
Duolingo Brings Back ‘Unhinged’ Marketing After Growth Slows
Duolingo saw user growth slow after pausing its viral “unhinged” owl posts.
Art Market
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Collector Yu Kimoto Explains How Japan’s Next Gen Collectors Are Rethinking the Art World
His CLTV Collection captures how younger collectors move fluidly across categories, dissolving boundaries between art, design, fashion and lifestyle.
Artissima’s 32nd Edition Grounded Global Contemporary Art in Regional Identity
Although a distinctly Italian sensibility runs through the fair’s context, fair director Luigi Fassi pointed out that the majority of participating galleries were not Italian.
Maurizio Cattelan’s Gold Toilet Returns to Market at Sotheby’s This November
The current starting bid as of October 31, 2025, is approximately $10 million, based on the sculpture’s 101.2-kilogram weight.
The Decline of the Art Fair Tote Bag
What was once a democratic souvenir of cultural engagement is turning into a limited-edition emblem of privilege.
How Artissima’s Curatorial and Institutional DNA Sets It Apart from the Mega-Fairs
Director Luigi Fassi explains how the fair has grown into a cornerstone of Italy’s contemporary art ecosystem by being publicly anchored, curator-driven and deliberately porous.
Art Reviews
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One Fine Show: “Five Friends” at Museum Ludwig in Köln
This new exhibition is somehow the first to examine John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg and Cy Twombly in the context of each other.
An Invitation to Pause: Inside Iceland’s Sequences Festival of Real-Time Art
Last month, an art festival in Reykjavík provided the art world with a much-needed opportunity to slow down and rediscover purpose, commitment and meaning amid the constant churn of motion.
Lu Yang’s Convergence of Technology and Spirituality at Amant
“As an individual facing today’s wars and geopolitical complexity—witnessing so much suffering—I often feel powerless and sad; but I refuse to remain there. I turn that feeling into a direction for making—opening a small, experiential pocket of clarity amid the noise,” the artist told Observer.
Don’t Miss: Alejandro García Contreras in Dialogue with Bolesław Biegas and Gustave Moreau in Paris
“The World as a Labyrinth” presents the artist’s ceramic cosmologies, enigmatic bronze narrative and visionary cosmic paintings.
At MOCA Geffen and The Brick, “Monuments” Probes the Line Between History and Propaganda
The exhibition confronts the mythology of the Confederacy by placing toppled monuments in dialogue with contemporary works about race, history and memory.
Luxury Travel
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America’s Most Haunted: 13 Spots Where the Dead Supposedly Refuse to Check Out
No souvenir-shop spookery. Just 13 serious sites with troubled histories, credible accounts and field-tested logistics for travelers who like to tackle spooky season head-on.
The Best Hotels in Savannah, Where History Meets Hospitality
From heritage inns to cocktail-forward boutiques, Savannah’s best hotels capture the city’s timeless allure while reimagining modern Southern hospitality.
The Most Romantic Beachfront Hotels in Mexico
From couples massages under the stars to private cliffside dinners at sunset.
The Best Resorts for a Wellness Weekend in Mexico
Whether you’re wanting to sweat it out in a traditional temazcal or experience a cenote-side meditation and cacao ceremony, we’ve got you covered on where to enjoy a wellness weekend away in Mexico.
Where to Experience the Best of Spooky Season in California
Even if creepy delights and bone-chilling frights aren’t your jam, you can still celebrate the season with fall-themed pop-ups, hayrides and corn mazes.
Nightlife & Dining
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Restaurant Story’s Tom Sellers Knows the Journey Tastes Better Than the Destination
After earning two Michelin stars and building one of London’s most admired restaurant groups, the chef still doesn’t think he’s at the top just yet.
At Seoul’s Hansik Conference, Top Chefs Delve into the Past, Present and Future of Korean Food
From kimchi fermentation to Hanwoo beef and Michelin-level innovation, the Hansik Conference showed how Korea’s culinary heritage is shaping global gastronomy.
The Best West Village Coffee Shops Right Now
These cafés deliver serious coffee, good food and prime people-watching on some of New York City’s most photogenic corners.
The Best Restaurants in Culver City
From authentic Peruvian ceviche to one of L.A.’s best hand roll bars, these are the best places to explore Culver City’s culinary side.
The New York Power Lunch Playbook: 15 Tables Where Deals Still Get Done
From Midtown’s martini pours to FiDi’s fashion-forward hideaways, Manhattan’s deal-making dining rooms have evolved, but the three-martini lunch never really left.
Style
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The Essentials With Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone: Hyperbaric Chambers, Lucky Diamond Watches and Mom Shoes
The world’s fastest woman shares the rituals, recovery tools and travel talismans that power her record-breaking speed—and why she won’t race without her diamond TAG Heuer.
Things We Loved This Month: Adventures in French Polynesia
The very best things that made a month of travel and work that much easier.
The Enduring Appeal of the Riding Boot, From Stable to Sidewalk
No longer just for horse girls, the riding boot has evolved into a timeless fashion staple that never loses its stride.
Jet Set: Travel Must-Haves From the Sephora Savings Event
From a lush lip salve and silky eye mask to a pint-sized SPF and refreshing face spritz, here’s what we’re loving and coveting from the Sephora Savings Event.
The Essentials With Amy Astley: Chanel Slingbacks, Balanchine Ballets and Her Favorite Interiors
Architectural Digest’s global editorial director discusses her new book, travel staples and off-menu order from her favorite neighborhood restaurant.
Theater
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Elizabeth Marvel On Navigating a Dystopian Future in Tim Blake Nelson’s ‘And Then We Were No More’
Marvel stars as a lawyer navigating a justice system stripped of mercy, nuance and human judgment.
Jeremy McCarter’s Audiodrama Puts Us Inside Hamlet’s Head
The experiment works best when we hear the titular character not foregrounded but embedded in the specificities of his place and time.
Review: ‘Masquerade’ Tries to Revive ‘Phantom of the Opera’ But Embalms It Instead
Diane Paulus is an old pro at taking theatrical IP and infusing wild, contemporary life into it. If only she’d done so here.
Review: Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter’s ‘Waiting for Godot’ Is Excellent
Fans of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure registered delight throughout the Hudson Theatre. Bogus? Not a jot.
Gabriella Reyes and Duke Kim Bridge Disciplines in a Bold New ‘West Side Story’ in L.A.
The musical’s social commentary lands with renewed force amid contemporary headlines.
Opera
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Erin Morley and Lawrence Brownlee Bring ‘Golden Age’ Flair to the Met’s ‘La Fille du Régiment’ Revival
The pair’s long parallel histories highlight how shared artistic journeys can evolve into major collaborations onstage and in the recording studio.
Review: Opera Philadelphia’s Snappy Rare Rossini Without Stars and the Met’s Dour New ‘La Sonnambula’
While both companies tapped directors who chose unconventional approaches to this repertoire, they followed very different paths when casting their singers.
Is ‘The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay’ the Opera We Need or Just the One We Deserve?
Operas are shot through with tropes and highly stylized actions; comic books offer better source material than one might expect.
Anthony Roth Costanzo Brings Charles Ludlam’s 1983 Drag Fantasia to Little Island
Costanzo brings pathos and polish to ‘Galas,’ even as the production struggles to match the absurdity of its subject.
Fall Culture Preview: Comic Books, Sex Workers and Life in a Thai Restaurant
Maybe by demystifying “highbrow” forms, we can protect them from being co-opted by ideologues.
Dance
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At 85 Years Old, American Ballet Theatre Has Never Looked Better
ABT’s latest season brings 15 ballets to the stage, including a world premiere, several company premieres and a well-curated sampling of its expansive repertory from the past 85 years.
Misty Copeland Takes a Bow at the American Ballet Theatre Gala
Any gala hosted by American Ballet Theatre is bound to be wonderful, but the company’s 85th anniversary fete was an especially splendid—and meaningful—affair.
Tiler Peck On Bringing ‘Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends’ Back to City Center
Her curatorial approach transforms the stage into a meeting place for different genres and creative sensibilities to participate in rhythmic dialogue.
Barnett Cohen’s ‘anyyywayyy whatever’ Is a Bold Mosaic of Movement and Text
His show is a wakeup call to our apathetic culture as well as a profound reminder that we are not alone.
From ‘ink’ to ‘I AM,’ Choreographer Camille A. Brown Expands Her Vision
The piece reflects Brown’s personal journey as an artist, drawing inspiration from Lovecraft Country’s Hippolyta Freeman and the power of reclamation.
Tech
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Yale Study Quantifies How Much Elon Musk’s Politics Have Cost Tesla
A Yale study quantifies the impact of Elon Musk’s political actions on Tesla’s EV business for the first time.
Rivian Spins Off a Robotics Startup to Foray Into Physical A.I.
Rivian’s Mind Robotics will apply A.I. to industrial automation and reshape how physical businesses operate.
How Twelve Labs Teaches A.I. to ‘See’ and Transform Video Understanding: Interview
Backed by Nvidia and Intel, Twelve Labs builds A.I. that can search, summarize and analyze video content across sectors.
November Space Missions: 1st Nvidia Chip in Orbit, Mars Journey, NASA Amid Shutdown
Despite a government shutdown, NASA and private players worldwide are pushing ahead with a record month of space launches.
Colossal Biosciences Acquires Pet Cloning Company to Advance De-Extinction Efforts
Colossal’s purchase of ViaGen, known for cloning pets of celebrities, bolsters the biotech firm’s tools for de-extinction and conservation.
Finance
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Walmart CEO Doug McMillon Applies Pandemic Lessons to Navigate Tariff Turmoil
As tariffs and costs fluctuate, Walmart fine-tunes production and pricing to keep shelves stocked and shoppers satisfied.
When Food Aid Gets Cut, America Pays the Price
Cindy Jordan, CEO and co-founder of Pyx Health, examines how the federal government shutdown’s halt on SNAP benefits endangers the nation’s most vulnerable populations and weakens the broader economy. Jordan explores how the intersection of food insecurity and public health reveals the true cost of government inaction, and why collective responsibility is critical to sustaining America’s well-being.
Decentralizing the Dollar: A Financial System Beyond Washington
Anurag Arjun, co-founder of Avail and one of the original architects behind Polygon, examines how decentralization could redefine the dollar’s future. As modular blockchain infrastructure advances, Arjun explores the provocative question: what happens when the dollar no longer depends on Washington? He argues that the next phase of the global financial system may not be led by governments, but by code, consensus and community.
America’s Only Rare Earth Miner Hits Bubble Territory After Trade War Surge
MP Materials dominates rare earth mining in the U.S., yet experts question if its soaring valuation can last amid shifting geopolitics.
The Coming Dementia Crisis—and the Cost of Doing Nothing
Dr. Joel Salinas, founder and chief medical officer of Isaac Health, examines the growing dementia crisis as a looming economic and policy challenge for the United States. Dr. Salinas argues that the country’s fragmented approach to brain health—focused on treatment rather than prevention—will have staggering financial consequences as the population ages. He calls for coordinated national policies that treat brain health as essential infrastructure, investing in prevention, workforce development and caregiver support to avoid a future where dementia becomes one of America’s costliest and most destabilizing public health crises.
Media
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How a Potential Paramount-WBD Merger Could Redefine the Streaming Wars
As Paramount and WBD explore a merger, analysts weigh what it could mean for HBO Max, Paramount+ and the future of streaming.
Daniel Ek Hands Off Spotify as A.I. and Video Define Its Next Chapter
The streaming giant’s new co-CEOs will steer its growth through fresh content, partnerships and deeper A.I. integration.
How Padel Became the Reigning Leisure Sport in Luxury Hospitality
The social, low-pressure sport is serving a new standard for luxury hospitality, one court at a time.
Netflix CTO Elizabeth Stone Pushes Interactive Future With ‘Star Search’ Return
Netflix’s latest reinvention blends live TV, gaming and short-form video to make entertainment more immersive and participatory.
Late-night TV’s Decline and the Vanishing Cultural Middle
As viewership plummets and ad revenue halves, late-night TV faces extinction while YouTube and podcasts capture the audience it lost.
Power Lists
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100 Leaders Shaping the Future of Artificial Intelligence
They write the script that the rest of us follow.
The Top PR Firms in 2025
This year’s PR Power List celebrates the agencies bold enough to lead the charge and smart enough to reflect the world they’re shaping.
The Top Specialty PR Firms in 2025
In an era where perception is currency, specialty PR firms are the brokers of influence
Latest
All Latest
How Artist Alake Shilling Gives Kitsch a Conscience
Through her ceramic sculpture, the artist strikes world-weary sentiment into the eyes of nostalgically precious woodland creatures.
How to Protect Your Art Collection from Theft, According to the Experts
With only five to ten percent of stolen artworks ever recovered, prevention is far more effective than pursuit.
Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe on the Carmaker’s High-Stakes Return to Formula 1
After exiting in 2021, Honda’s return to Formula 1 in 2026 underscores how the automaker is merging hybrid tech, performance and brand strategy.
What the Art World Can Learn from the Intersectionality and Multiculturalism of Art Toronto
This fair is not perfect, but it’s working to mitigate the effects of the settler-colonial capitalist paradigm.
As A.I. Chatbots Trigger Mental Health Crises, Tech Giants Scramble for Safeguards
Companies behind popular chatbots are taking urgent steps to prevent A.I.-related mental health harms.
Nextdoor CEO Nirav Tolia’s Plan to Reboot the Neighborhood App: Interview
After years of decline, Nextdoor is being redesigned to reconnect neighbors through A.I., news and a renewed sense of community.
Reddit’s Human-Centered A.I. Strategy Is Fueling Its Success
The community platform is growing fast by pairing A.I. innovation with a human-first ethos.
Porsche’s 99% Profit Tumble Signals Trouble for Luxury Brands Worldwide
Once a post-pandemic success story, Porsche now faces slowing EV sales, weak China demand and rising tariffs shaking the luxury sector.
One Fine Show: “Robert Rauschenberg, Fabric Works of the 1970s” at the Menil Collection
The exhibition mines an underexplored and experimental aspect of the artist’s practice, one particularly suited for our fashion-oriented times.
The Hidden Cost of Gold: Miners, Mercury and a Path to Sustainability
Olga González, a gemologist and communications strategist, examines the urgent global challenge of mercury pollution in artisanal gold mining. González highlights how mercury-free extraction methods, combined with responsible sourcing and Fairmined certification, are transforming the industry. From the Amazon rainforest to Ghana, miners, designers, and consumers are increasingly collaborating to protect ecosystems, human health and the integrity of gold.
CEO Shishir Mehrotra on Grammarly’s New Chapter as Superhuman: Interview
Grammarly’s new identity as Superhuman marks a bold shift toward integrated A.I. tools like Superhuman Go, Coda and Superhuman Mail.
Devin B. Johnson Paints the Space Between Memory and Motion
His works “evoke that phenomenon of recollection—how remembering actually works,” the artist tells Observer. “When you remember something, especially something emotionally loaded, it’s always fragmented. It’s never a perfect replay of how it happened.”
Tracing the Origins of Emma Kohlmann’s Arcane Figures
Kohlmann’s recent work draws from Monica Sjöö’s feminist cosmology, reimagining ancient ideas of creation, time and the body through her own contemporary lens.
An Insider’s Guide to Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is becoming one of the world’s most talked-about travel destinations—and for good reason.
Tinder Embraces A.I. to Make Dating More Human, Not More Artificial
Tinder is using A.I. not to replace human connection but to make real-world dating safer and faster.
This Longevity Startup Is Bringing Anti-Aging Gene Therapy to Human Trials
The Boston biotech founded by Harvard professor David Sinclair is testing whether cellular reprogramming can turn back the clock on aging.
Observer’s Guide to This Year’s Must-Visit November Art Fairs
Our roundup of this month’s art fairs will help you put together the perfect itinerary.
Does A.I. Really Fight Back? What Anthropic’s AGI Tests Reveal About Control and Risk
Mehdi Paryavi, chairman and CEO of the International Data Center Authority, examines Anthropic’s recent AGI tests that appear to show models “fighting back” when restricted or monitored. Paryavi argues that the real threat is not rebellion but fragility: our limited ability to interpret, contain and govern machine intelligence as it evolves. These findings underscore the urgent need for technical and policy frameworks that can manage intelligence operating at, and beyond, human scale.