Qatar Is Set to Open a Freeport Powerhouse Ahead of Art Basel in Doha
The country is showing an early but timely awareness that high-end art fairs thrive when connected to the right logistics ecosystem.
Iconic Moments from 95 Years of Glittering Galas at The Pierre
From debutantes to designers, the legendary hotel has been the epicenter of chic New York soirées since 1930.
Chef Mary-Ellen McTague Is Shaping a More Sustainable Kitchen, One Pie at a Time
At Pip, the Fat Duck alum brings heart, heritage and a menu that refuses to waste a thing.
Art
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LagosPhoto Festival Confronts the Historical Weight of Incarceration
From colonial prisons to landmarks of independence, each biennial venue deepens the curatorial dialogue between art, space and history.
At Perrotin, Painter Danielle Orchard Makes an Allegory of Matrescence
The female body is used so freely to denote really complex ideas about human experience, the artist tells Observer. “That flexibility is something I think is very interesting about both being a woman and depicting women.”
Photography’s Past and Future Hung in Tense Harmony at Paris Photo
Under the glass dome of the Grand Palais, it sometimes felt like walking within three different centuries at once.
Don’t Miss: Eva Helene Pade’s Choreography of Color and Desire at Thaddaeus Ropac
Haunting and visceral, her exhibition “Søgelys” unfolds into a living stage where bodies, color and psyche collide.
The Top Collections (and Their Top Lots) Headlining the $1.6 Billion November Sales
The marquee sales in New York are among the most anticipated events on the global art calendar and the final litmus test of the market’s health after the London and Paris fairs and auctions.
Lifestyle
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The Upper East Side’s Inevitably Cool Comeback
The UES is now home to trendy restaurants, an influx of downtown types, and a surprising new energy.
How Luxury, Experience and Education Are Redefining the Global Bar Scene
Adrian Biggs has spent more than 15 years shaping global cocktail culture, drawing on a career that spans fine dining, craft bars, hotel operations and more than a decade with Bacardi across the U.S., U.K. and New Zealand. In this Expert Insights Q&A, Biggs explores how emotional connection, analog experiences and the rise of destination bars are redefining luxury for a new generation of drinkers—and why mentorship, craftsmanship and storytelling remain essential to the future of hospitality.
The Best New L.A. Restaurant Openings of November
This month, several new establishments are preparing to leave their mark, from an all-day cafe in Echo Park all the way down to a tiki-themed bar in Hermosa Beach.
Clare Waight Keller’s New Reformation Launch Brings Sustainable Shine to the Holidays
The new jewelry collection is here just in time for conscious holiday gifting.
The 10 Most Exciting Restaurants to Check Out in New York City for November
Wagyu tasting menus, fondue in private chalets and so much more.
Culture
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Why Hofesh Shechter’s ‘Theatre of Dreams’ Is Such a Surreal Escape
The work pushes audiences into a world where choreography, sound and light blur the boundaries between conscious experience and the subconscious.
Fall at Paul Taylor Dance Company: ADHD, Love and Jazz
For the first time in its 71-year history, the Company has two resident choreographers, both presenting world premieres.
Bartlett Sher On Theater as a Catalyst for Change
Known for his politically attuned revivals, the director once again uses the stage to question art’s power in moments of moral and social crisis.
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.
Book Lover Approved: Holiday Gifts for the Bibliophile
This is the bibliophile’s gift guide that goes beyond the bookshelf.
Business
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A.I. Models Can Exhibit Human-Like Gambling Addiction Behaviors: Study
A new study suggests LLMs may adopt risky, human-like gambling patterns when given more autonomy.
This $2.6B Japanese A.I. Startup Exposes the Language Gap in Today’s LLMs
With new funding and a $2.6 billion valuation, Sakana AI is accelerating Japan-centric A.I. research, multilingual models and industry-specific tools.
Cyber Sovereignty at Risk: How Geopolitics Are Shaping Canada’s Digital Security
Drawing on a background in law, public policy and cybersecurity program leadership, Judith Borts brings a wide-angle view to Canada’s escalating digital risks. In this Expert Insights Q&A, she explores how talent pipelines, modern governance frameworks and innovation in fields like A.I. and quantum will shape Canada’s ability to defend itself and compete on the global cyber stage.
Anthropic’s Claude Expands Into Industrial A.I. Through Major Partnership
Anthropic and IFS launch Resolve, an industrial A.I. platform using Claude to predict failures, speed repairs and aid frontline workers at scale.
Inside the Trust Recession: What’s Driving the Crisis in Modern Leadership
Ravi Rajani, a global keynote speaker, communication expert and author of Relationship Currency, unpacks why today’s “trust recession” is a structural threat to how leaders communicate, collaborate and drive influence. Rajani explains how erosion in interpersonal confidence is reshaping workplace dynamics and why rebuilding trust now demands a new playbook built on intentional communication, psychological safety and relationship-driven leadership.
Art Market
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Ten Years On, Art X Lagos Has Become the Heartbeat of Nigeria’s Creative Ecosystem
“One thing that I would like to have conveyed is the fact that this is not a typical art fair. This is a very unique experience that achieves so much for so many,” founder Tokini Peterside-Schwebig told Observer.
Phillips CEO Martin Wilson: The Great Wealth Transfer Is Also a Great Taste Transfer
In this Q&A, Phillips CEO Martin Wilson explains how the “great wealth transfer” has become a “great taste transfer,” why younger collectors are redefining the art market’s power structures and how innovations like Priority Bidding are reshaping the auction experience for a digital-first generation.
Megan Fox Kelly On Why the Future of Art Advising Is About Strategy, Not Access
In this Q&A, veteran art advisor Megan Fox Kelly discusses how inheritance and legacy management are redefining power in the art world, why today’s advisors must compete on strategy and data rather than access and how collaboration between financial, legal and art professionals is shaping the future of collecting and estate stewardship.
J. Paul Getty Trust CEO Katherine E. Fleming On the Museum’s Changing Role
In this Q&A, J. Paul Getty Trust president and CEO Katherine E. Fleming discusses how one of the world’s most influential cultural institutions is redefining what it means to serve the public good. From leading through the Palisades wildfires to expanding the Getty’s mission around accessibility, resilience and well-being, Fleming reflects on why the future of museums depends on both preserving art and nurturing the human and environmental contexts that sustain it.
Artsy CEO Jeffrey Yin: The Next Era of Collecting Will Be Personal, Transparent and Global
In this Q&A, Artsy CEO Jeffrey Yin explains how transparency and technology are reshaping the global art market, what rising first-time collector trends reveal about the next generation’s approach to art and why maintaining human connection amid digital expansion remains central to Artsy’s mission.
Art Reviews
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Jo Fish Confronts the Tension Between Flesh and Data in a World of Visual Saturation
“I’m passionate about art history, but I also want to think about how painting can evolve,” she told Observer.
One Fine Show: “Strange Realities, The Symbolist Imagination” at the Art Institute of Chicago
Symbolism swept the colder parts of Europe and can be considered a response to Impressionism’s fascination with the visible world.
Cultural Memory and the Concept of Country in “Emily Kam Kngwarray” at Tate Modern
This is artwork that can lift the lowest of spirits.
Five Groundbreaking Postwar Women Artists Lead New York’s Fall Art Season
As the art world makes long-overdue progress toward gender parity, the market for work by women artists has been steadily rising.
Kader Attia’s Poetics of Repair in “Shattering and Gathering our Traces”
His practice is an epistemological and ontological exercise in navigating the material presences that accompany the reality of earthly experience.
Luxury Travel
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The Glamorous History of The Pierre: Manhattan’s Iconic Hotel Turns 95
The fascinating 95-year history of Manhattan’s iconic Pierre, a Taj Hotel.
The Ultra-Boutique Hotels for an Exclusive Winter Escape Out West
Several mountain towns turn up the charm with uber-boutique hotels that offer the most exclusive getaways.
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.
Nightlife & Dining
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Chicago’s Must-Visit Indie Coffee Shops Are Brewing Something Special
From matcha-camo lattes to Guatemalan roasts and ube cold foam, Chicago’s local coffee shops are serving creativity, community and caffeine with style.
Tom Brady Wins Back-to-Back Titles as E1 Electric Boat Racing Debuts in the U.S.
Tom Brady’s team conquered Biscayne Bay in a spectacle of hydrofoils, champagne and unapologetic speed.
Carbone Riviera Lands in Las Vegas With Fittingly Theatrical Flair
Carbone Riviera turns dinner at Bellagio into a full-blown production—in the best way.
Where to Find the Best Savory Cocktails in Los Angeles
Whether you’re craving a pizza-inspired margarita or a rich mushroom-infused martini, we’ve rounded up the best places to sip savory cocktails in Los Angeles.
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.
Style
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The Most Coveted Beauty Gifts for the Holidays
A curated selection of skincare, fragrance and tools guaranteed to impress even the most discerning beauty lover.
The Most Refined Luxury Gifts for the Modern Gentleman
From cashmere and cologne to tech and travel, these are the season’s most polished presents for the man who appreciates craftsmanship over flash.
The Best Gifts From Museum Shops
A treasure trove of artful delights.
Jet Set: Long-Haul Essentials
From cashmere wraps to noise-canceling headphones, these travel upgrades make surviving 10 hours in the air feel a little less like punishment.
The Best Holiday Gifts for the Woman Who Already Has Everything
Gifts so good, even she hasn’t thought of them just yet.
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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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.
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.
Dance
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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.
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.
Tech
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Matthew McConaughey, Michael Caine Give Their Voice to A.I. Startup ElevenLabs
ElevenLabs secures deals with McConaughey and Caine, highlighting both the potential and controversy surrounding A.I. voice technology.
A.I. ‘Vibe Coding’ Startup Cursor Nearly Triples Valuation to $29B After New Funding
Backed by tech heavyweights, Cursor’s meteoric rise signals a new era in A.I.-assisted programming.
A.I. Pioneer Yoshua Bengio Becomes 1st Living Scientist With 1M Google Scholar Citations
Deep learning pioneer Yoshua Bengio hits one million Google Scholar citations, marking a milestone in A.I. research impact.
Fei-Fei Li’s Spatial A.I. Startup World Labs Unveils Its First Product
Fei-Fei Li calls spatial intelligence “A.I.’s next frontier” as World Labs debuts Marble.
Andrew Wolff Wants to Build the Operating System for the Global Art Market
In this Q&A, Beowolff Capital CEO Andrew Wolff explains why he believes the future of the art market lies in transparency, data and A.I.-powered collaboration. He outlines how integrating Artsy and Artnet could create a seamless ecosystem for collectors and artists, how technology is shifting power from gatekeepers to communities and why human creativity remains the art world’s most valuable asset in an increasingly automated age.
Finance
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Walmart CEO Doug McMillon to Retire After a 40-Year Career at the Retail Giant
As Doug McMillon steps down after transforming Walmart, new CEO John Furner inherits tariffs, expansion plans and the company’s A.I. pivot.
Job Hugging: The HR Buzzword That Reveals a Deeper Productivity Crisis
Dr. Helmut Schuster and Dr. David Oxley, leading career experts and authors of Artificial Death of a Career, unpack the rise of “job hugging”—a growing workplace trend where fear and comfort override curiosity and performance. They explore how economic uncertainty has made job hugging a rational yet risky choice, why it reflects systemic leadership failure rather than employee complacency and how organizations can rebuild cultures that reward courage, clarity and contribution.
Disney’s Theme Parks and Cruises Keep the Magic Alive
Disney’s booming experiences division helps steady the company as entertainment struggles continue.
Starbucks’ Red Cup Day Kicks Off the Holidays Amid CEO Brian Niccol’s Turnaround Plan
Starbucks aims to reinvent itself under CEO Brian Niccol’s leadership.
From Profit to Purpose: The Next Generation’s Values Are Rewriting the Rules of Success
Ted Swimmer, head of commercial banking at Citizens, examines how the next generation’s evolving definition of success is reshaping expectations for companies, banks and leaders alike. Drawing on his experience advising middle-market and large corporate clients, Swimmer explores why businesses must move beyond traditional growth metrics to embrace purpose, inclusivity and long-term value creation.
Media
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HBO’s Crown Jewel Status Shapes the Battle for Warner Bros. Discovery
HBO’s unmatched brand power makes it the prestige asset every bidder needs in a fragmented streaming market.
What’s Ahead for David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance, According to Its First Earnings Report
The newly merged company faces near-term pain but plans a bigger film slate and long-term streaming growth.
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.
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.
Power Lists
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Observer’s 2025 Art Power Index: The Art Market’s Most Influential People
Their acquisitions, affinities and approbations move the needle on valuation and redefine how art is made, shown and sold.
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.
Latest
All Latest
A Museum Lover’s Guide to Maryland’s Glenstone
Founded by Emily and Mitch Rales, the museum’s galleries, outdoor sculptures and rolling landscape invite artful contemplation.
“Thirst” at The Wellcome Collection Dives Deep into the Politics of Water
There are beautiful moments throughout, but the exhibition at times feels like an uncomfortable augury of our water-scarce future.
Abang-Guard Talk Labor, Legacy and “Makibaka” at the Queens Museum
Through paintings, performances and installations, the artist duo bridges personal heritage with broader struggles for equity and recognition.
Meet the Collector: Raphaël Isvy Wants to Rewrite the Rules of Buying and Selling Art
“When collectors reinject liquidity into the market, it benefits everyone,” he tells Observer. “Instead of shaming people for selling, galleries should teach them how to do it properly, how to reinvest in a way that sustains the ecosystem.”
Maria Brito On Democratizing the Art World Without Diluting Its Excellence
In this Q&A, art advisor Maria Brito explains why the art world’s shifting power structures demand greater transparency, how technology has democratized visibility and why the future of collecting depends on intellectual integrity, education and inclusivity—not disruption for its own sake.
Antwaun Sargent On Shifting the Balance of Power Toward Artists
In this Q&A, Gagosian director and curator Antwaun Sargent reflects on how power and representation are evolving across the global art world, and why the real work of inclusion remains generational. From The New Black Vanguard to Barkley L. Hendricks: Portraits at the Frick, Sargent discusses his philosophy of “believing in artists,” the balance between hype and stewardship and why he hopes the art world will keep its word on diversity long after the rhetoric fades.
Onassis ONX Celebrates Five Years of Bridging Art and Technology With a New Space
The new Tribeca location will serve as a hybrid residency, research lab and production studio, with expanded space for exhibitions and public programs that amplify the work developed within.
Warren Buffett Accelerates His Charitable Giving While ‘Going Quiet’
As Buffett prepares to hand over Berkshire’s reins, he’s fast-tracking his mission to give away nearly all of his $147 billion fortune.
Meta’s Yann LeCun to Launch Physical A.I. Startup After Declaring LLMs a ‘Dead End’
Turing Award winner Yann LeCun is reportedly leaving Meta to create a startup developing “world models,” a new path beyond large language models.
Redefining Immersive Media Art Beyond the Screen
“My hope is to use technology not as a distraction but as an invitation, bringing audiences back into direct relationship with their surroundings and with one another,” d’strict director L.J. Kim tells Observer.
A Look Inside the New Studio Museum in Harlem Ahead of Its Reopening
After eight years of renovation and anticipation, the museum reopens this weekend with a two-day public celebration; ahead of the long-awaited debut, Observer got an exclusive preview.
Tesla Cybertruck Setbacks Mount as Top Engineers Announce Departures
The exit of a veteran engineer adds to mounting pressure on Tesla’s struggling Cybertruck program.
Meet the Collector: Kim Manocherian Is Building Narratives Through Art
Named for the storyteller-heroine of ‘One Thousand and One Nights,’ her Scheherazade Collection is as eclectic and thematically expansive as its namesake.
Chiharu Shiota Weaves Historical Memory, Body and Belonging in “Two Home Countries”
“I don’t have to decide which country I belong to, I can be both,” the artist says. “I believe we can have multiple home countries; this is my experience.”
Sam Altman Projects OpenAI Revenue to Hit $20B—Where the Money Comes From
Sam Altman projects massive revenue growth after a White House adviser warns that Washington won’t rescue A.I. firms.
Rember Yahuarcani On Wielding Paint as a Tool of Cultural Preservation and Resistance
Drawing on ancestral memory, sacred plant knowledge, jungle sounds and mythology, his work preserves Indigenous wisdom while translating it through the lens of contemporary art for a world in need of its lessons.
Meet the Collectors: Nancy Olnick and Giorgio Spanu Share the Passion and Vision Behind Magazzino Italian Art
“It wasn’t just about acquiring, it was about learning. Otherwise, what’s the point?” Olnick tells Observer.
At Salon Art + Design 2025, Innovation, Form and Function Meet Market Enthusiasm
The 14th edition of the hybrid fair unfolded with a rare sense of cohesion and restraint, with many exhibitors adopting a thoughtfully curatorial approach that seamlessly integrated art and design.