Durational Art After Dark: Joseph C. Thompson’s Next Cultural Experiment
“We believe that if the art invites you to settle in and stay awhile, it should be in a really comfortable, sociable space, more like a living room than a typical white or black box.”
Discover New York City’s Most Exciting July Restaurant Openings
Coal-fired pizza, Korean seafood and unapologetic maximalism—because your reservation list deserves an upgrade.
The 10 Funniest Books to Read When You Need a Lift
Need a pick-me-up? These books are guaranteed to make you smile.
Art
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Ali Cherri Honors Life, Loss and Defiance in ‘How I Am Monument’
Wide-ranging works illustrate the artist’s range and capture the exhibition’s parable: what is destined to live will die, as what dies may rise again.
Aspen Art Week 2025 Brings Dual Fairs, Deeper Local Ties and Broader Prestige
“We really try to embrace the town,” Hoffman tells Observer. “We believe an art fair should be part of the community—not just for the weekend, but for the entire year.”
How New Perspectives Art Partners Plans to Reshape the High-End Art Market
“The way things were done in the past has largely outlived its usefulness,” Philip Hoffman of The Fine Art Group tells Observer.
Why the Sharpe-Walentas Studio Program Is More Relevant Than Ever
The residency has evolved over nearly three decades to meet the shifting needs of contemporary artists while staying grounded in its founding values.
Growing Up With Cocteau: Chloë Cassens and the Collection That Shaped Her Life
Observer spoke to Cassens about her art collector grandfather, cultural revisionism and why sitting with discomfort is so important.
Lifestyle
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L.A.’s Power Lunch Revival: The Smart and Sophisticated Spots for Midday Meals
Forget sad desk salads—this is where business, luxury and lunch come together in Los Angeles.
Forget What You’ve Heard About Mykonos—Here’s Where the Smart Money Goes on the Island
Here’s how to do the Cycladic icon like an insider, mixing scene and substance, splurge and simplicity, old soul and new style.
Jet Set: Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Travel Wish List
From a sleek Away carry-on suitcase and viral duffle bag to the most luxurious mini skincare set and a dependable—but not heinous—backpack, these are the best travel pieces from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale that we’re loving and coveting right now.
Dolores Blends Bed-Stuy Charm With Mexico City Cantina Culture
With its vibrant menu and nostalgic cantina design, Dolores offers Bed-Stuy a taste of Mexico City—without the reservation hassle.
Amsterdam’s New Culinary Era: The 15 Best Places to Eat and Drink
A culinary guide to Amsterdam, a city redefining its cuisine.
Culture
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Silver Lion Winner Karimah Ashadu On Art, Resilience and Making Her U.S. Debut
“Whether I’m thinking of translating sculpture in film or about film as embodying sculptural or painterly qualities, they’re all in dialogue with each other,” the artist told Observer.
Meet Huda Alkhamis-Kanoo, One of the Patrons Shaping the Future of Art in the UAE
“We have the energy and appetite for innovation that come with youth, but we are also grounded in deep tradition,” the ADMAF founder tells Observer.
Review: The Deliciously Dark ‘Heathers’ Is Back Off-Broadway
Beyond its sociological themes, the show is a ton of stylish, well-crafted fun with top-notch acting and top-to-bottom earworms.
‘Sovereign’ Is a Fire Alarm for America’s Most Dangerous Family Values
A bloody, brainy debut about two fathers on opposite sides of the law, ‘Sovereign’ pits paranoia against authority in modern-day America.
Strugglecore, Inc.: The Optimization Trap
In an era where even trauma gets turned into a personal brand, ‘The Courage to Be Disliked’ offers a seductive promise: your problems aren’t real, just poorly framed.
Business
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Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati’s A.I. Startup Hits $12B Valuation in Just 5 Months
Thinking Machines Lab is the latest high-profile A.I. venture launched by an OpenAI alum.
How Tariffs Are Reshaping the Jewelry Industry, and What It Means for You
Olga González, gemologist and communications strategist, examines how rising tariffs and shifting global trade policies are reshaping the jewelry industry—from pricing and production to sourcing and supply chains. In a moment of profound transition, González argues, transparency, adaptability and values-based leadership will define the next chapter of the jewelry industry.
What Happens When A.I. Agents Take the Corner Office?
Ahmad Shadid, founder of O.XYZ, explores how the rise of agentic A.I. is transforming executive leadership faster than many companies are prepared for. Drawing from his deep experience at the intersection of A.I. and Web3, Shadid argues that the future of business leadership won’t hinge on human decision-making speed, but on how effectively organizations deploy and govern intelligent systems with bounded autonomy.
With a $122M Debut, James Gunn’s Superman Begins DC’s High-Stakes Franchise Reset
More than a box office bet, the film is Warner Bros.’ high-stakes gamble on long-term franchise repair.
Tesla Enters India at Last, Navigating High Tariffs and Trade Tensions
Tesla’s long-awaited India debut comes as the government considers lowering EV import duties in a U.S. trade deal.
Art Market
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Auction Insights: What’s Behind the Rise in Single-Owner Collection Sales
Auction houses are increasingly spotlighting individual collectors to attract bidders and elevate prices.
What If the Art World Isn’t Collapsing But Changing Hands as It Should?
We need to start looking at prominent gallery closures as a natural passing of the torch.
Art Basel Qatar Prepares to Upend the Traditional Fair Model With a New Artist-Led Format
The format, already explored in Panorama and set to be adopted by Art Basel in Doha, allows galleries and artists to engage with collectors more deeply.
How Third-Party Guarantees Are Quietly (But Significantly) Rewriting the Rules of the Art Auction
The adrenaline once tied to the unpredictability of a straight consignment has been displaced by the measured calm of a choreographed performance.
Quynh Pham On Two Decades of Galerie Quynh and Vietnam’s Evolving Art Scene
“What drives me is the impact of what I’m building here. The fight is hard—it’s a struggle every day, in so many different ways—but it’s worth having.”
Art Reviews
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Ten Upstate Art Weekend Exhibitions That Justify the Drive
From barn-side group shows to forest installations and long-awaited museum retrospectives, these ten shows make the journey north a must for city-dwellers chasing fresh air and sharper cultural programming.
MoMA’s “Face Value” Invites Us to Turn a Critical Eye Toward Our Image-Obsessed Culture
“Celebrities are products,” curator Ron Magliozzi tells Observer. “They were actually properties of the studio, and they were treated as such.”
In Menorca, Cindy Sherman’s Cinematic Take on Womanhood
“Cindy Sherman. The Women” at Hauser & Wirth traces the artist’s persistent interrogation of gender, artifice and identity.
One Fine Show: ‘Kim Chong Hak, Painter of Seoraksan’ at the High Museum of Art
In his first U.S. museum exhibition, the artist reveals the enduring power of nature to stir, soothe and surprise.
The Empathy and Everyday Magic of Jenna Gribbon’s Milan Debut
“Painting is especially good at framing things that might otherwise be overlooked and revealing their hidden magic,” the artist told Observer.
Luxury Travel
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The Greek Island Hotels That Actually Live Up to the Dream
From Crete to Koufonisi, these design-forward hotels trade clichés for calm, craftsmanship and a slower way to see the Aegean.
Nantucket’s Best Hotels, From Island Icons to Compelling Newcomers
From private porches to spritz service, these hotels define summer on Nantucket, whether you’re staying for a night or the season.
The Okura Tokyo Balances Modern Luxury With Japanese Tradition
The Okura Tokyo embraces quiet elegance and enduring Japanese hospitality.
Sun, Sand and Surf: L.A.’s Most Noteworthy Beachfront Hotels
Whether you’re a first-time visitor hoping to experience a true SoCal summer or a landlocked local in need of a seaside escape, these are the best Los Angeles hotels for hitting the beach.
How to Explore Cape Cod Like a Local
The eight Cape Cod towns that are actually worth visiting—and what to do there.
Nightlife & Dining
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L.A.’s Buzziest July Restaurant Openings
From a gourmet sandwich shop to the expansion of one of the city’s favorite Thai concepts, these are the best new L.A. restaurant openings of July.
La Dolce Vita: Where to Find Aperitivo Hour in L.A.
From bubbly spritzes to marinated olives, these aperitivo hours bring Italian flair to Los Angeles—no passport required.
The Best of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Standout Culinary Scene
Whether you’re passing through on a coastal road trip or planning a quiet weekend escape, discover Carmel-by-the-Sea’s exciting restaurant scene.
At London’s Café Deco, Anna Tobias Makes the Case for Seasonal Simplicity
The chef focuses on high-quality, seasonal ingredients and simple, flavorful dishes at her Bloomsbury restaurant.
13 New York City Oyster Bars Worth Shucking Your Way Through
This is New York’s definitive guide to the raw bar scene—equal parts salt, steel and style. From legacy counters to design-forward newcomers, these spots serve oysters with serious perspective.
Style
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Mixed, Measured, Maximal: Inside Mestiza’s Fashion Philosophy
For founders Alessandra Perez-Rubio and Louisa Rechter, Mestiza a blueprint for balancing dual identities.
Fred Savage Isn’t Here to Kill the Romance of Watches—He’s Here to Certify It
Flipped, faked, over-certified: the luxury watch world has seen it all. Fred Savage, burned once himself, now believes the future isn’t about killing the romance—it’s about grading it, sealing it and making sure the right story lasts.
Indie Cool and Effortless Edge: How Daisy Edgar-Jones Became a Style Star
From bohemian frocks to custom Gucci suiting, Daisy Edgar-Jones has evolved from indie ingénue to red carpet force.
The Best Cream Blushes for a Dewy, Radiant and Sun-Kissed Summer Glow
Skip the sunburn—these cream blushes fake the flush better than the real thing.
The Scented Candles That Capture the Essence of Summer
It’s time to light up a summery votive to usher in the sunniest time of year.
Theater
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Review: Trust the Darkness, But Follow the Light in Spooky ‘Viola’s Room’
Conceived and directed by Punchdrunk’s chief wizard Felix Barrett, Viola’s Room is an audio-guided indoor son et lumière.
Review: A Hot Mess and a Sex Pest Go on a Date in ‘Lowcountry’
If you arrived late and left five minutes early, you might say it crackles along in a noirish vein, but taken as a whole, the drama leaves you hanging.
Mark Linn-Baker On Bringing Molière’s ‘The Imaginary Invalid’ to Life
“It may be 400 years old, but it lasts! It’s funny stuff,” Linn-Baker, who worked with Jesse Berger on the project, told Observer.
Review: Jean Smart Can’t Save the Overwrought and Underwritten ‘Call Me Izzy’
Smart deserves roles that deserve her. Izzy is not one of them.
Review: John Krasinski Grapples With Gender Politics and Modern Masculinity in ‘Angry Alan’
Penelope Skinner’s provocative script explores the emotional weight of identity and the shifting terrain of gendered expectations.
Opera
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In 2025’s Love & Power, the Boston Early Music Festival Unearths Another Baroque Rarity
Each edition of the festival mounts as its centerpiece a fully staged revival of a near-forgotten opera—in 2025, BEMF chose Reinhard Keiser’s ‘Octavia.’
Two Symphony Orchestras Tackle Wagner’s Supreme Masterpiece and Strauss’s First Opera with Mixed Results
The American Symphony Orchestra returned recently to Carnegie Hall with the underrated ‘Guntram,’ championed by conductor Leon Botstein.
In the Met’s Many Revivals, Sometimes Second Casts Finish First
In many cases, the second, third and even fourth casts surpassed the season premieres that tend to attract the most attention.
‘Three! Seven! Ace!’: The Met Goes All in On ‘Queen of Spades’
Elijah Moshinsky’s vivid production is a winner.
Heartbeat Opera’s ‘Faust’ Finds the Humanity (and Humor) in the Hellish
Sara Holdren’s production shifts the focus to the women in Faust’s wake.
Dance
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From CARMEN.maquia to Creative Black Tie, Ballet Hispánico’s Emerald Gala Dazzled
The company’s 55th anniversary bash mixed high culture with high energy—plus a whole lot of glitz.
ABT’s Summer Season Brings ‘The Winter’s Tale’ to the Met
The production is visually stunning, with sets and costumes designed by Bob Crowley, projections by Daniel Brodie and silk effects by puppeteer Basil Twist.
“I Become a Human When I Consume Art”: A Conversation with Choreographer Felipe Escalante
His Tabula Rasa Dance Theater is bringing dances centering the experiences of Mexicans in their homeland and abroad to El Museo del Barrio.
Paul Taylor Dance Company’s ‘Tablet’ Is an Archaic Courtship, Staged Anew
“It feels fresh, feels unique. I love it when the curtain goes up and the audience doesn’t know what they’re about to see,” artistic director Michael Novak told Observer.
At Oslo Opera House, a Celebration of Jiří Kylián’s Creative Vision
The ‘Wings of Time’ festival is the most expansive Kylián retrospective to date.
Tech
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Trump Reverses China Chip Ban After Jensen Huang’s Quiet Diplomacy
The U.S. reverses its export restrictions on China-bound A.I. chips after quiet lobbying by Nvidia’s CEO.
Who Is Ruoming Pang, Apple’s Top A.I. Engineer Poached by Meta for $200M?
At Apple, Pang led the foundation model team, which develops the A.I. systems behind Apple Intelligence.
Google Hires Top Talent From Windsurf in Silicon Valley’s Latest ‘Acqui-Hire’ Deal
Google’s latest A.I. play shows how acqui-hires are reshaping Silicon Valley power.
The A.I. Workforce Displacement Crisis: Why Traditional Retraining Models Are Failing
Emil Barr, co-founder of education technology platform Flashpass, explores why A.I.-driven job loss is accelerating faster than traditional education systems can respond, and what scalable solutions might look like. Barr argues that without major reform, millions of workers could be left behind by a system not built for the speed or scale of the coming disruption.
A.I. Is the New Professional Service, and the Sector’s Clock Is Ticking
Navin Chaddha, managing partner at Mayfield, joins global A.I. strategist Mark Minevich to issue a wake-up call for America’s $2.8 trillion professional services sector. Drawing on decades of experience investing in transformative companies, Chaddha and Minevich argue that A.I. isn’t a distant threat or future opportunity, but rather a present-day imperative. The choice is clear: adapt now, or risk falling behind in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Finance
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Jensen Huang’s Family Foundation Could Be Worth Over $10B as Nvidia Stock Soars
The Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Foundation is among the the world’s fastest-growing family foundations.
Tech CEOs and Finance Moguls at 2025 Sun Valley: So Far in Photos
The annual Allen & Co. Sun Valley Conference is in full swing in Idaho.
Media and Entertainment Moguls Touch Down in Sun Valley for Allen & Co. Conference
Bob Iger and David Zaslav are among the first attendees spotted at this year’s “summer camp for billionaires.”
Regulators Start the Clock, Engineers Build the Rails: Can the Creator Economy Scale?
Murad Salikhov, founder of VC firm Schwarzwald Capital, examines the widening gap between how digital labor is evolving and how legacy financial systems still operate. As infrastructure shifts and regulators step in, Salikhov argues that the real opportunity lies with those building fast, compliant, creator-first systems designed for a borderless, digital workforce.
A Hedge Against Instability: Private Markets Are Replacing Traditional Safe Havens
Julien Wolff, executive director and head of risk management at 6 Monks, explores how private markets are increasingly replacing traditional safe havens like bonds and gold in today’s volatile environment. Wolff explains why geopolitical instability, inflation shocks and European regulatory innovation are accelerating a broader investor shift toward alternative assets.
Media
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Why Some Movies Hit Theaters While Others Go Straight to Home Screens
Box office hits, streaming spikes and data-driven pivots are redefining how films reach audiences.
Gen Alpha is Old Enough to Hit ‘Add to Cart’—Here’s What That Means for Commerce
Jed Baker, founder and CEO of Starglow Media, explores how Generation Alpha is reshaping household purchasing power, and what that means for modern marketers. Baker argues that to tap into today’s “nag factor,” advertisers must meet families where they actually connect: shared media experiences like podcasts. As screens fragment and attention spans shrink, audio emerges as a new media hearth where kids and parents still listen together.
A.I., Copyright and the Case That Could Shape Creative Ownership Standards
Brandon Bauman, a top Hollywood dealmaker and chief strategy officer at Loti AI, examines the landmark lawsuit filed by Disney and NBCUniversal against Midjourney, unpacking why this case isn’t just a flashpoint over A.I. tools, but a critical test of how well existing copyright law can protect creative work in the A.I. age. Drawing from his deep expertise in IP and First Amendment law, Bauman argues that the future of innovation depends on building the technical and collaborative infrastructure needed to enforce creative rights at scale.
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of Elon Musk’s X After Two Turbulent Years
Linda Yaccarino steered X through a turbulent period marked by financial struggles and reputational challenges.
Signal Chief Meredith Whittaker Sounds Alarm On Agentic A.I.’s Privacy Threat
Signal Foundation President Meredith Whittaker warns that agentic A.I. could breach app-level security, threatening privacy for millions of users.
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 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.
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.
Latest
All Latest
TMA’s Adam Levine Is Making the Museum Model Smarter, Faster and Fairer
Under his leadership, the Toledo Museum of Art has become a case study in how cultural institutions can think like businesses without losing their souls.
The Carbon Cost of Culture: How the Art World Is Confronting Its Shipping Emissions
Alexander Bradford, who leads business development and sustainability at global fine art logistics company Gander & White, explores how the art world is beginning to confront the carbon footprint of its shipping practices. Bradford offers an insider’s look at the systemic challenges and promising solutions emerging within fine art logistics, arguing that if the art world wants to remain a cultural leader, it must also lead on sustainability.
A Trove of Early Computer Art Is Hiding in Plain Sight in Sotheby’s History of Science & Technology Sale
Grace Hertlein’s collection is “a kaleidoscopic snapshot of the early decades of an art historical and technological phenomenon.”
Zero Art Fair Isn’t Selling Art—It’s Giving It Away, With Just a Few Caveats
“We see the fair as a bridge between art, artists and working people who deserve to live with art,” the fair’s co-founders told Observer.
Céleste Boursier-Mougenot’s Meditative ‘Clinamen’ Is a 21st-Century Urban Giverny
Tadao Ando’s architecture is a harmonious backdrop for the artist’s serene sensorial soundscape.
Hugging Face’s Climate Lead Warns Against Using A.I. for Math or Therapy
Hugging Face’s Sasha Luccioni argues that truly sustainable A.I. must go beyond efficiency to address power, equity and ecological responsibility.
Yoshua Bengio Wants to Curb the Technology He Helped Usher In
Yoshua Bengio, an acclaimed A.I. researcher, is growing increasingly concerned by agentic A.I.’s unchecked behavior.
‘David Hockney 25’ Is an Ode to His Restless Curiosity and Unmistakable Style
There’s only one thing we can readily predict when it comes to this artist: he’ll remain indefatigably prolific, and there will always be more art.
Geoffrey Hinton Warns Current A.I. May Soon Grow Past Its ‘Cute Tiger Cub’ Phase
Geoffrey Hinton warns that machine self-preservation may soon pose an existential threat without urgent regulation.
OpenAI’s Education Head Says Real Learning Takes Struggle—Not Just ChatGPT Help
OpenAI’s education head says the company is building global guardrails to ensure A.I. strengthens—not replaces—real education.
Skirball Cultural Center Showcases Jack Kirby’s Singular Vision of Heroism and Humanity
“He loved being a comic guy,” curator Ben Saunders told Observer. “Jack was a great artist who happened to draw comics.”
A Curator Comes Home: Helen Nisbet Returns to Scotland to Lead Glasgow’s Biennial
“I don’t think there are too many biennials,” the curator told Observer. “And Glasgow is one of the best cities in the world.”
An Insider’s Guide to West Hollywood
From Sunset Strip legends to Michelin-starred darlings, this is the ultimate WeHo guide.
How the White Rabbits of Chicago’s World’s Columbian Exposition Sculpted a Lasting Legacy
Though the art and architecture of the fair were mostly destroyed, as was intended, its curious cultural legacy was not.
Meta’s Yann LeCun Defends Open-Source A.I. Amid Geopolitical Tension
At the AI for Good Summit, Meta’s Yann LeCun made a passionate case for open A.I. as both a safer and more strategic global approach.
Salesforce Pauses Hiring Engineers and Lawyers Due to A.I., Says CEO Marc Benioff
Marc Benioff says Salesforce’s 9,000 A.I. agents now match humans in output and will transform hiring across industries.
David Ellison’s $8B Paramount Takeover Inches Forward as Drama Surrounds Deal
The future of Paramount now hinges on an FCC decision, Trump politics and Ellison’s vision.
From Dung to Dust, Unconventional Mediums Pose Challenges for Conservators and Collectors
What artists gain in expressive freedom, art institutions and enthusiasts inherit as long-term structural risk.