The Story of an Extraordinary Woman, Played by an Extraordinary Deneuve
What could have been another dusty spousal biopic becomes a sly takedown of political ego, staged with couture precision. Léa Domenach delivers the outline; Deneuve does the damage. The result is a sly, seductive power study.
Mom-Tested, Observer-Approved: The Only Mother’s Day Gift Guide That Matters
This isn’t a guide for the vaguely thoughtful or the last-minute panicker. It’s for those who understand that luxury isn’t about logos—it’s about precision, longevity and never having to second-guess the details. These are gifts tested by a woman with two young children, a demanding career and a finely tuned allergy to mediocrity. They’re built for real life—fast mornings, tight schedules, disappearing margins of error—but still honor taste, elegance and the quiet power of a mother who knows exactly what she’s doing.
Daniella Luxembourg’s $30 Million Collection Leads Sotheby’s May Auctions
From Fontana’s gold “Fine di Dio” to Burri’s black “Cretto,” Sotheby’s will open its May marquee auctions with works from the dealer’s rarified trove.
Art
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The 36th Bienal de São Paulo Will Confront What It Means to Be Human
“The theme is broad—it’s about questioning the very notion of humanity,” curator Thiago de Paula Souza told Observer.
How Future Fair’s Founders Are Reimagining the Art Fair Model from the Ground Up
Rachel Mijares Fick and Rebeca Laliberte built Future Fair to support emerging galleries via initiatives that promote collaboration and shared growth.
How the Green Family Art Foundation Is Shaping Dallas’ Rise in Contemporary Art
“What is special about the Dallas art scene, versus some other cities, is that this is a very collaborative, very tight community.”
One Fine Show: ‘Nancy Holt, Power Systems’ at the Wexner Center for the Arts
Holt’s work is “site reflexive” rather than “site specific,” and the Wexner has done an admirable job of integrating her vision into their architecture.
How Andrea Fraser Turned Institutional Critique Into a Lifelong Practice
Part of her practice has been to pinpoint things people don’t want to talk about and figure out how to talk about them without alienating anyone.
Lifestyle
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Sustainable Style: 15 Hotels Setting a New Standard for Green Luxury
Forget towel reuse signs. From the Maldives to the Hudson Valley, these properties embed sustainability into their architecture, supply chains and local economies.
The Best New L.A. Restaurants Opening in April
From a sleek chef’s counter in Culver City to a former grocery store, these are April’s most exciting L.A. restaurant openings.
Sip in Style: The Expert-Approved Glasses That Make Every Cocktail Taste Better
Because a perfect Negroni deserves more than a sad little tumbler.
The Indulgent Mother’s Day Gifts for the Beauty Lover
From caviar-infused creams to sculpting tools and luxury lipsticks, these are the Mother’s Day beauty gifts she’ll actually use—and love.
Misty, Mickalene and $1.3 Million: What You Missed at the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s 2025 Vision Gala
With Ava DuVernay on stage and more than a few notable dancers in the crowd, the cultural institution’s spring gala celebrated Darren Walker with purpose and style.
Culture
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Literary Travel: 8 Must-Read Novels That Will Transport You Around the World
In these books, characters’ inner lives are inseparable from their environments, and the changes they undergo are shaped by the places they inhabit.
Review: A Caryl Churchill Tasting Menu of Haute Weird at the Public Theater
Four short works from England’s greatest living playwright blaze forth in outstanding American debuts.
‘A Nice Indian Boy’ Trades Tropes for Truth
In a season littered with sequels and soulless reboots, A Nice Indian Boy is that rare thing: a romantic comedy with actual charm and emotional consequence.
Welcome to the Golden Age of International Reality TV
While scripted television may not be at its prime anymore, reality television is—and international reality TV is having a moment. Here are five global hits to get you started.
Observer’s Guide to 2025’s Best Memoirs and Biographies, From ABBA to Ono
Misunderstood artists. Legendary music icons. A forgotten Golden Age film star. These life stories deserve space in your reading pile.
Business
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Bill Ackman Is Betting on Car Rental Giant Hertz to be a Tariff Winner
Bill Ackman said Hertz’s fleet value is set to increase by over $1 billion thanks to Trump tariffs.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Visits Beijing Amid Tightened Chip Export Control
Jensen Huang is balancing Nvidia’s growing U.S. manufacturing push with efforts to preserve key partnerships in China amid rising trade tensions.
LVMH and Hermes CFOs Say Luxury Titans Are Starting to Feel Tariff Pains
A Birkin bag is about to get even more expensive in the U.S.
Jerome Powell Reveals His Daily Routine as Head of the Federal Reserve
Fed Chair Jerome Powell opens up about his routine, political pressure from Trump and the future of the Fed’s independence.
Trump Kills the Firewall, Musk Lights the Match
National security expert and former NSA officer John R. Schindler dissects a stunning week in American cyber policy: the Trump administration has defunded the crucial CVE Program, threatened mass layoffs at CISA and unleashed a political vendetta against Chris Krebs. As the government’s digital defenses erode from within, Schindler warns, America edges closer to a self-inflicted cyber catastrophe.
Art Market
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San Francisco Art Fair’s Kelly Freeman On Bay Area Creativity and the City’s Resilience
The Bay Area’s premier art fair returns to Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture this week.
As the Contemporary Market Resets, Established Names Dominate the 2025 Hiscox Artist Top 100
Sky-high valuations and speculative wet paintings are fading from the spotlight; what’s left is a market defined by serious collectors instead of flippers.
The Art of Legacy: How Collectors Can Preserve and Protect Their Collections
Without a will or a plan, even a museum-quality collection can become kindling for tax fires and family feuds.
The Fantasy of the Lost Masterpiece and the Hard Realities of Art Authentication
The allure of finding lost art treasures is real, but proving authorship—and determining an artwork’s commercial value—can be complicated.
EXPO CHICAGO’s Frieze-Era Shift: Tony Karman Discusses the Fair’s Expanding Local and Global Influence
EXPO Chicago is back at Navy Pier from April 24–27 for its 12th edition—the second under Frieze—with more than 170 galleries from 36 countries and 93 cities.
Art Reviews
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“Culture Shift” Revisits the Radical Legacy of One British Magazine’s Boundary-Pushing Photography
An exhibition at London’s National Portrait Gallery spotlights The Face magazine’s daring style and era-defining image-making.
Shadow, Light and Lemons: Catch Ella Kruglyanskaya in London
For all its intriguing melodrama, Kruglyanskaya’s work winks at the viewer, showing off its artifice and reminding us that we’re looking at a painting.
At Marian Goodman Gallery, Tavares Strachan Investigates the Stories that Shape Our Existence
“The work is about questioning how we locate ourselves in time, in history and in the cosmos—an invitation to reimagine our place within these larger systems of knowledge and forgetting.”
One Fine Show: ‘Christina Ramberg, A Retrospective’ at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
The artist wrote that her paintings could be “a little bit pornographic, hands feeling, caressing, masturbating the body.”
Don’t Miss Fa Razavi’s Defiant Debut at Palo Gallery
In “Opera Rose,” the artist delivers a compelling meditation on form and modern mythology via an exploration of the classical nude and human archetypes.
Luxury Travel
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24 Hours of Quiet: Bali’s Day of Silence Is the Ultimate Reset
On Nyepi, the entire island shuts down, offering a rare chance to disconnect from the noise and reconnect with yourself.
A Modern Traveler’s Guide to Tokyo, Japan
Where ancient tradition meets futuristic vision—a sophisticated traveler’s blueprint to navigating Tokyo’s most exceptional experiences in 2025.
The Ultimate Guide to Tokyo’s Best Luxury Hotels
Ahead of a record-breaking travel boom, the capital’s best stays fuse futuristic comforts with artisanal touches—proof that Japanese hospitality is constantly being reimagined.
Inside Les Lumières Versailles, the First Hotel With Brad Pitt’s Skincare Line
The hotel was looking for a skincare product line that was French, vegan and organic—all characteristics of Beau Domaine, which uses patented active ingredients alongside natural elements from the Perrin family vineyards.
L.A.’s Most Atmospheric Hotel Bars
From Dahlia at the Downtown Los Angeles Proper to the Maybourne Bar in Beverly Hills, these are the L.A. hotel bars with the best vibes.
Nightlife & Dining
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Sip in Style at Divine Vintage, L.A.’s Coolest Wine Bar
Divine Vintage blends vintage fashion, biodynamic wine and personal hospitality.
The 10 Best New Restaurants to Check Out in New York City This April
From breezy rooftops to intimate tasting counters, these are New York City’s most exciting restaurants opening this April.
Auction Paddles, Ping Pong Paddles and Play: Inside Public Art Fund’s 2025 Party
Yes, that was an ice cream bar curated by a Noma alum.
The Best Cocktail Bars in West Hollywood
While legendary places like Jones, The Viper Room and Tower Bar have been around for decades, newer hotspots like Bar Next Door and The Lucky Tiki have already integrated themselves into the drinking scene, satisfying locals one sip at a time.
Inside The Bronx Museum Gala: Hot Art and a Seriously Cool Crowd
It’s been a busy week for the art world’s see-and-be-seen set!
Style
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The Best Dress Shirts for Men, from Classic Staples to Luxury Standouts
These shirts deliver style credentials your paycheck can’t buy (but they’ll help you earn a bigger one).
Jet Set: Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for the Travel Lover
From a fancy new pair of headphones and a sleek travel bag to a sophisticated passport case and cashmere cardigan, these are the best Mother’s Day gift ideas for travel lovers.
All That Glitters Isn’t Graded: The New Rules of Diamond Value
In the age of private sales and auction-house theatrics, the old metrics of diamond value—cut, clarity, carat and color—are only the opening act. True connoisseurs are chasing rarity, provenance and narrative. Whether it’s a pink diamond plucked from a forgotten royal vault or a chipped antique cut with character, value now lies in the story a stone can tell.
Pedro Pascal’s Fearless Fashion Evolution Is Style Subversion at Its Finest
How Pedro Pascal transformed from basic blazers to boundary-pushing boots, creating the midlife style awakening we never knew we needed.
18 Pairs of Waterproof Men’s Shoes to Stay Dry and Dapper
Rain-tested materials, grip-friendly soles, and sleek design details make these must-have options a one-stop solution for unpredictable forecasts and out-of-office escapades.
Theater
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Review: High Schoolers Tell Truth and Shame the Devil in ‘John Proctor is the Villain’
In the most energizing and emotionally wrecking drama this season a group of high school students is studying “The Crucible” and processing the #MeToo movement.
‘Smash’ Is Escapist Fluff and Exactly What We Need Right Now
Loosely adapted from a short-lived television series, this musical comedy about the making of a musical is full of showstopping songs and powered by a phenomenal cast.
‘Sondheim’s Old Friends’ Is a Love Letter in Two Acts—One Whispered, One Roared
Leaden direction and limp gags almost derail ‘Sondheim’s Old Friends,’ a tribute show that feels as uneven as it is ambitious. But with Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga and a late-breaking jolt of theatrical electricity, the evening eventually delivers—if you stick around long enough.
Clooney Lights Up Broadway, but ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’ Flickers in the Footlights
Two decades after the film first flattered Oscar voters, ‘Good Night, and Good Luck’ returns—this time as a Broadway spectacle, complete with chain-smoking nostalgia, McCarthy-era paranoia and George Clooney in the trench-coated flesh. He’s older, moodier and now within arm’s length—if you can afford it.
Review: Does Kieran Culkin Close the Deal in ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’?
Culkin leads a cast that includes Bob Odenkirk, Michael McKean and Bill Burr in this latest Broadway revival of David Mamet’s classic tale of trash-talking salesmen.
Opera
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The Threepenny Opera: Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Weill
Barrie Kosky brings his sleazy, sparkling production to BAM to sharp effect.
Topflight Teamwork Makes for a Marvelous Met Mozart
Unlike many works by Puccini, Verdi or Wagner, Mozart’s operas demand charismatic singing actors working closely together with a minimum of diva/divo posturing.
Barrie Kosky On Why ‘The Threepenny Opera’ Still Cuts Deep
Nearly a century after its chaotic premiere, ‘The Threepenny Opera’ still exposes the machinery of power, performance and moral collapse.
‘Moby-Dick’ Sails Confidently into the Met, and the Exhilarating Optimism of ‘Fidelio’ Arrives Just in Time
The Metropolitan Opera ended its annual winter hiatus with two productions that chronicle their protagonists’ dangerous, intensely personal quests.
A Powerful Turn of the Screw at Juilliard Is Equal Parts Atmospheric and Urgent
The production makes it clear that this is an opera about the fraught class dynamics of childcare, where the potential for exploitation is ever-present.
Dance
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La MaMa’s Radical Dance Festival Turns Twenty
La MaMa Moves! brings boundary-pushing, forward-thinking global performances to New York City’s East Village.
Deaths, Entrances and Memory at The Joyce
Martha Graham choreographed many masterworks during her long and illustrious career, but “Deaths and Entrances” is special.
Gauthier Dance Brings an Innovative European Energy to New York
The acclaimed contemporary dance company is presenting three New York premieres and one beloved masterpiece.
Choreographer Julia K. Gleich Is Pushing Artistic Boundaries By Encouraging Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The 12th edition of ‘CounterPointe’ will feature new works by established and emerging artists, blending ballet with sculpture, installation art and mixed media works.
Daisy Jacobson and Miriam Gittens On Dancing for Twyla Tharp
“She’s constantly searching and curious for different things in her work and in her dancers.”
Tech
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Tim Cook’s Decades-Long Bet in China Is About More Than Cheap Labor
Tim Cook’s decades-long bet on China as Apple’s manufacturing hub faces tests amid sky-high tariffs.
High Voltage, Higher Stakes: How the Information Economy Is Rewiring Energy Markets
Stephen Crolius, president of Carbon-Neutral Consulting and a longtime strategist in the energy transition space, has spent decades helping organizations navigate the shifting terrain of climate and power. Now, as A.I. reshapes both the demand curve and the tools to manage it, Crolius offers a seasoned view of an electric future that might just outsmart its own worst fears.
A Group of Harvard Researchers Aim to Understand A.I.’s Learning Process
Researchers are using physics and neuroscience to understand A.I.’s internal logic.
Mark Zuckerberg Had a ‘Crazy Idea’ to Save Facebook’s Decline, Antitrust Case Reveals
In a bid to boost the app’s popularity, Zuckerberg in 2022 proposed deleting everyone’s Facebook friends.
Google’s New A.I. Model Aims to Decipher Dolphin Language
Google’s DolphinGemma LLM could help researchers finally communicate with dolphins.
Finance
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“Buy Now, Pay Later” Is Taking Over Coachella (and DoorDash)
“It’s never been easier for consumers to go into debt for discretionary consumer purchases,” a personal finance expert told Observer.
What Should the Federal Reserve Do in the Face of Stagflation?
Stagflation challenges the Fed’s dual mandate of keeping inflation low and maximizing employment.
Blockchain Comes to USAID. Will It Survive Washington?
For years, government flirtation with blockchain has followed the same pattern: lofty white papers, pilot programs and swift disappearances into the policy abyss. Now, the Trump administration says it wants to retool USAID with blockchain-backed procurement under a new banner—the International Humanitarian Assistance agency.
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon Says Tariffs Could Spook International Clients
Solomon said Goldman’s overseas clients “don’t like the level of uncertainty” of the U.S. economy.
Wall Street CEOs Speak Out on Tariffs and Recession Fears on Earnings Calls
Jamie Dimon, Larry Fink and Charles Scharf today used their first-quarter earnings to sound off on the turbulent market impacts of the Trump administration’s tariffs.
Media
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The Role of Human Creators in an A.I. Ecosystem
Linda Bloss-Baum, director of the Business and Entertainment Program at American University, has spent years teaching students how to defend the human imagination from digital encroachment. But as generative A.I. tools move from curiosity to industry disruptor, her curriculum—and the culture at large—are facing an existential rewrite.
Hollywood Keeps Betting on Books, Games and Manga—Why Familiar Stories Always Win
Studios chase familiar stories to mitigate risk, with books, games and true events powering streaming success and audience loyalty.
ChatGPT’s ‘Ghiblification’ Craze: What Does Ghibli’s Creator Think of A.I.?
It’s likely the 84-year-old filmmaker would view the trend with unease.
How Marvel Masters Storytelling Across Movies, TV, Video Games and Books
Marvel led with a character-first ethos that grounded stories with human stakes that all demographics connected with.
Signal Sees a Surge in App Downloads after Signalgate
Global downloads of Signal in the past three months jumped by 300 percent compared to the same time period last year.
Power Lists
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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
The Most Important People in Nightlife & Dining
These are the architects of modern indulgence, wielding influence with every lease signed and every menu unveiled. Theirs is the kind of power that turns concepts into cultural institutions.
Marketplace
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10 Best CBD Gummies for Pain & Inflammation to Buy in 2025
Finding the best CBD gummies for pain and inflammation is made easy with this comprehensive review of leading brands. Colorado Botanicals earned the top spot among nine other brands that caught our attention.
10 Best CBD Companies to Buy From in 2025: Honest Reviews & Guide
Despite strong competition from nine impressive challengers, Colorado Botanicals tops our list of the best CBD companies to buy from in 2025.
5 Strongest CBD Gummies: Best CBD Gummies of 2025
We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 strongest CBD gummies for pain, sleep, anxiety and stress to save you time and money.
7 Best CBN Gummies for Sleep in 2025
Discover the top seven CBN gummies for sleep on the market, based on overall quality, effectiveness, price, formula, recognition and more.
10 Best CBD Oil for Dogs: Best for Anxiety, Pain, & Arthritis
A guide to our carefully selected picks for the top CBD oils for dogs in 2025 to soothe anxiety, pain and arthritis.
Latest
All Latest
MASP’s Expansion Opens the Floor to Curatorial Experimentation
Until recently, the Museu de Arte de São Paulo’s programming has been tightly packed and spatially constrained.
In Detroit, MOCAD Is Putting Community at the Core of Contemporary Art
“What’s exciting is how expansive and layered the ecosystem has become—there are more voices in the mix, more stories being told and a real sense of community across disciplines.”
From the White House to Your House: An Insider’s Guide to Commissioned Portraiture
Artists who accept commissions to paint portraits, no matter how esteemed they are in the realm of portraiture (or in fine art generally), learn to put their egos aside.
How Are the ‘Magnificent 7’ Companies Faring Amid Trump’s Tariffs?
To say it’s been a tumultuous two weeks for the group of tech stocks dubbed the “Magnificent Seven” would be an understatement.
The A.I. Doctrine Dismantling America’s Innovation Workforce
Under the guise of “efficiency,” DOGE is quietly sabotaging the nation’s edge in artificial intelligence.
A Legacy of Resistance: Niomar Moniz Sodré Bittencourt’s Collection Nets €11.3M at Sotheby’s
Amid the economic unease triggered by tariff uncertainties, Paris’ spring sales offered a glimmer of confidence ahead of New York’s marquee May auctions
Corporate A.I. Ethics Is Now a Boardroom Issue: The Business Case for Doing A.I. Right
In 2025, Corporate A.I. Responsibility (CAIR) defines the new ethical frontier, forcing businesses to grapple with questions of fairness, transparency, economic disruption and environmental impact. This framework isn’t just a compliance checklist—it’s a litmus test for leadership in an A.I.-driven world.
Laurent Asscher’s AMA VENEZIA Is Venice’s Newest Contemporary Art Hub
Named for his children and the Italian word for love, the 10,000-square-foot exposed-brick space in Cannaregio will host rotating exhibitions throughout the year.
Starbucks and the Science of CEO Transitions: Lessons from the First 90 Days
Leadership transitions are make-or-break moments. Michael Watkins, author of ‘The First 90 Days’, dissects the anatomy of success—and failure—through the lens of Starbucks’ recent executive shuffle.
The Best Mother-Daughter Trips for Every Travel Style
From chic city breaks to soul-stirring safaris, here’s where to go for an unforgettable mother-daughter getaway.
Unpacking Studio Ghibli’s Unique Style That Became ChatGPT’s Viral Obsession
There’s something special about Studio Ghibli’s hand-drawn style that struck a viral chord with ChatGPT users.
Dallas’ Art Fairs Open With Slow-Burn Sales and Museum Acquisitions That Signal Regional Potential
With packed preview crowds and nearly $100,000 in museum-backed acquisitions, the Dallas Art Fair is making a confident case for the city’s growing relevance.
The Deregulation Doctrine: Trump’s A.I. Playbook Bets on Innovation Over Oversight
In a stark reversal from Biden-era policy, the Trump administration has scrapped regulatory guardrails in favor of unleashing market-driven A.I. development. With venture capitalist David O. Sacks advising from both sides of the velvet rope, and Vice President J.D. Vance refusing to play ball with global A.I. governance, the U.S. is making a high-risk, high-reward bet on innovation, defense and deregulation. The question isn’t whether the approach will accelerate growth—it’s whether anyone will be watching the road.
The 3 Swiss Cities That Will Change How You See Switzerland
From Zurich’s creative renaissance to Basel’s buzzing art scene and Geneva’s lakeside sophistication, Switzerland’s urban triangle offers unexpected delights
Amazon’s Starlink Rival, Project Kuiper, Is Finally Ready for Launch
Amazon’s satellite internet project is finally preparing for liftoff as it challenges SpaceX’s dominance in orbit.
Cybersecurity on Mute: Trump’s Second Term Declares War on America’s Digital Defenses
The Trump administration’s second-term crusade against America’s cybersecurity agencies has left experts and insiders reeling. With firings at NSA and CYBERCOM, deep cuts to CISA and open retribution against former officials, national cyber defense is being kneecapped—just as China and Russia escalate digital intrusions on U.S. infrastructure.
In L.A., Emilia Yin Is Prioritizing Artist Evolution Over Market Moments
“I don’t chase trends—I build legacies. Too many galleries scramble to align with market forces instead of defining them.”
Green Day Was a “Boy Band” And Other Lessons From The Lollapalooza Oral History
Here are the 10 of the most interesting things we learned from the new oral history of the foundational rock festival.