Building a Living Archive at the Guggenheim: An Interview with Rashid Johnson
“Art is a way to capture the wholeness of our existence.”
The Met’s ‘Antony and Cleopatra’ Reframes Ancient Tragedy Through the Lens of Propaganda
Spin—and its darker fascist cousin—is everywhere in Elkhannah Pulitzer’s production of John Adams’s opera.
Screening at Cannes: Mascha Schilinski’s ‘Sound of Falling’
As visually innovative as it is thematically stunning—and buzzed about for the Cannes Palme d’Or—’Sound of Falling’ connects a century of women’s stories through a spiritual lens.
Art
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Art Stars Party With the Power Patrons: Inside This Year’s MoMA PS1 Gala
This effervescent art party, staged each year in the museum’s airy courtyard, always defies expectations.
Sotheby’s Closes Marquee Week With $186.1M in Contemporary Sales
Guarantees and irrevocable bids continue to play a decisive role, even in this more dynamic end of the market.
One Fine Show: “Wayne Thiebaud, Art Comes from Art” at the Legion of Honor
The late painter’s figures are stiff, strange and quietly psychedelic.
U-Haul Gallery’s Mobile Model Takes Art to the Streets
The nomadic gallery sidesteps New York’s art world infrastructure with a $29 truck rental and a concept that’s as punk as it is practical.
At Christie’s, Women Commanded the Market While Rewriting Records
Led by auctioneer Yü-Ge Wang, Christie’s 21st Century Evening Sale brought in $96.5 million, with a 92 percent sell-through by lot and 97 percent by value.
Lifestyle
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All the Best Red Carpet Fashion From the 2025 Cannes Film Festival
Don’t miss a single dazzling moment.
Where to Find the Best Negronis in L.A.
Whether you’re a classic Negroni lover or prefer an elevated twist on the cocktail, here’s where to sip in style in Los Angeles.
Mikey Madison’s Red Carpet Style Evolution: A Masterclass in Modern Glamour
From her first red carpet to awards season darling.
The Best Boutique Hotels in Southern California
Whether you’re seeking a coastal escape complete with scenic ocean views or a private oasis in the middle of Palm Springs, Southern California is home to several boutique accommodations that provide guests with an intimate stay that you simply can’t replicate at big name hotels.
Rainforest Views, Shellphones and Coppola Magic: Inside Guatemala’s La Lancha
This remote lakeside retreat turns a stay in northern Guatemala into a transportive jungle escape.
Culture
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Library-Based Kanopy Offers a Solution to Streaming Sticker Shock—And Steps Into Film Production
The library-based streaming service Kanopy offers documentaries, independent movies and TV series. And now with a new documentary about high-school students fighting book banning, it has taken a step into film production.
‘Schoenberg in Hollywood’ Lands in L.A.
Baritone Omar Ebrahim reprises his role in the Los Angeles production, reuniting with Karole Armitage after their original staging in Boston.
The 10th Anniversary of ‘Fury Road’ and the Road We’re On
A decade after its release, the futuristic dystopia of ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ offers parallels to our current moment and points a way forward.
White Ties and Waltzes: What You Missed at This Year’s Viennese Opera Ball
The night began, as always, with the traditional and much-anticipated presentation of white-clad debutantes and their tuxedoed escorts.
‘Giulio Cesare’ Versus ‘Antony and Cleopatra’: Round Two
Giulio Cesare is once again competing with Antony and Cleopatra, the latter this time a new work by John Adams that premiered at the Met on May 12.
Business
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Dropping HBO Was a Mistake, and Warner Bros. Discovery Isn’t Afraid of Admitting It
Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to revive the HBO Max brand marks a strategic recalibration toward premium storytelling and brand clarity.
Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Returns to Business After a 2-Year Pause
Virgin Galactic returns to space tourism with a new spacecraft, higher prices and plans to clear its 700-person backlog in a single year.
Walmart Executives Warn of Imminent Price Increases Despite Lowered Tariffs
“Even at the reduced levels, the higher tariffs will result in higher prices,” according to Doug McMillan, CEO of Walmart.
British Billionaire Jeremy Coller Funds A.I. Race to Understand Dolphin Language
The Coller Dolittle Challenge, an A.I. prize funded by billionaire Jeremy Coller, is giving $100,000 to researchers decoding dolphin sounds in a quest for interspecies communication.
Your Brain Wasn’t Built for This. Algorithms Know It.
Menka Sanghvi, author of ‘Your Best Digital Life’ and expert in mindfulness and digital habits, explores how we’ve outsourced decision-making to machines without noticing. Drawing on neuroscience, algorithmic culture and cognitive science, Sanghvi reveals the hidden costs of convenience—and offers a roadmap to reclaim your mental autonomy.
Art Market
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At Sotheby’s, a $70M Giacometti Fails to Sell While Works By Munch and Cézanne Ignite Buyer Excitement
Despite some high-profile withdrawals and passes, moments of collector enthusiasm offered flashes of confidence.
Despite Quiet Bidding, Christie’s Evening Sales Brought in $489M
The big three auction houses are playing it safer and smarter, leaning on strategy and heavy guarantees to offset risk and keep the spectacle alive.
TEFAF Delivers Museum Quality—and Sales—Despite Market Uncertainty
Museum-quality masterpieces, rediscoveries and record-setting sales defined the fair’s return to the Park Avenue Armory.
Christie’s Isabella Lauria Talks Basquiat, Market Shifts and What Makes a Masterpiece
Ahead of the big spring auctions in New York, Observer spoke with Christie’s head of the marquee 21st Century Evening Sale.
The Art Market Defies Doom and Gloom With Independent, Esther and Future Fair in Full Swing
Despite broader economic uncertainty, opening day sales signaled robust demand for risk-taking work.
Art Reviews
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Nine Must-See Art Exhibitions to Catch in Philadelphia This Spring
The city’s standout shows deliver a sharp mix of historical reflection, sociopolitical commentary and material experimentation.
A Major Survey Spotlights Marisol’s Sculptural Explorations of Self and Society
“My work is sculpture, figurative, life-size and socially conscious,” Marisol once said.
These Are the Spring Season’s Must-See Museum Shows
From exhibitions of works by Jack Whitten, Rashid Johnson and Amy Sherald to the international debut of Luana Vitra, there’s a lot to see in the city.
One Fine Show: ‘Gabriel Orozco, Politécnico Nacional’ at Museo Jumex
This show, his first at a Mexico museum since 2006, is remarkably authoritative, with 300 objects displayed over four floors.
The Five Pieces You Should Absolutely Make Time for at Frieze New York
Frieze returns to The Shed with Jeff Koons, P. Staff, Eunnam Hong and others pushing art, grief and satire into strange new forms.
Luxury Travel
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The Best Luxury Hotels in Cairo, Egypt
From new openings to historic properties, these are the top hotels to book for your next trip to Cairo.
Montcalm Mayfair Blends Garden-Inspired Luxury and Georgian Charm in London
Nature-driven design and thoughtful hospitality shape the newest addition to London’s luxury hotel scene.
Design, Comfort and Context: Mexico City’s Most Noteworthy Luxury Hotels
From converted mansions to design-forward towers, these are the city’s most compelling hotels offering both cultural context and comfort.
The Ultimate Guide to Montreal’s Best Luxury Hotels
Industrial conversions, historic mansions, and architectural hybrids—these 17 exceptional properties showcase Montreal’s unique approach to hospitality.
Inside the New York Hotels Where A-Listers Get Ready for the Met Gala
These hotels combine proximity, privacy and polish for celebrities ahead of the biggest night in fashion.
Nightlife & Dining
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Cultural Cachet and Institutional Clout Converge at Dia’s Spring Benefit
Julianne Moore, François Louis Pinault and Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al-Thani were among the notable faces spotted.
Imperial Vienna and Stormy Skies: Inside New York City Ballet’s 2025 Spring Gala
Spotted amongst the glitterati were Claire Danes, Michael Bloomberg, Debbie Harry and others, there for a dazzling performance of Balanchine’s ‘Vienna Waltzes.’
9 Incredible Dining Experiences to Inspire a Quick City Getaway
From riverside taverns to Michelin-starred escapes, these 9 dining destinations offer a refreshing break from city life, just a short drive away.
PHOTOS: Miami’s Creative Elite Played Peacock at Faena Art’s Annual Gala
Rainbow-themed and purpose-driven, it was Miami at its most magnetic.
The 10 Best New Restaurants to Check Out in New York City This May
A springtime medley of new dining destinations debuts across New York in May, from Adda’s long-awaited reopening to Dominique Ansel’s latest bakery.
Style
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The Ultimate Guide to Travel Backpacks: 18 Top Picks for Every Journey
These packs prove their worth when everything goes according to plan, and during during travel’s inevitable disruptions.
Jet Set: Father’s Day Gifts for the Dad Who Loves to Travel
From Italian leather weekenders to noise-canceling headphones, these are the top travel gifts for dad this Father’s Day.
The Essentials With Shelcy and Christy Joseph: Cardigans, Bookstores and Conscious Style
From cashmere cardigans to face cleansers and Bushwick cafés, the NYCxClothes founders share their everyday must-haves.
The Best Father’s Day Gifts for the Discerning Dad
Here’s what to get the man who enjoys the finer things in life this Father’s Day.
Met Gala, After Dark: Cigars, Hot Dogs and Haute Couture at The Mark and Beyond
It started with roses at The Mark and ended with Bombay Sapphire martinis on cocktail napkins at Zero Bond. In between: Jenna Ortega holding court under crimson candlelight, Sabrina Carpenter puffing a post-gala cigar in head-to-toe Vuitton, and Simone Biles dancing in diamonds over Cane’s fried chicken. This was the first Monday in May as it truly unfolds—after the stairs, before the hangover.
Theater
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As NEA Cuts Hit Hard, Arts Groups Ready Their Fundraising Pitches
Hundreds of arts and culture nonprofits are facing uncertainty due to the National Endowment for the Arts revoking awards that fall outside of its “new priorities.”
Joanna Gleason’s Glowing Return to New York Theater
The Tony award winning actress shines in the family drama ‘We Had a World,’ and has also written and directed a new film, ‘The Grotto.’
‘Just in Time’ Review: Jonathan Groff Ignites Broadway in a Dazzling Tribute to Bobby Darin
Jonathan Groff delivers a whirlwind, show-stopping performance that redefines what a Broadway star can be. Though the musical’s biographical details are thin, Groff’s magnetic presence, athleticism and vocal brilliance light up the reimagined Circle in the Square, transforming a familiar jukebox format into a night of pure theatrical electricity.
Review: ‘Dead Outlaw’ Is An Exquisite Corpse and Killer Close to the Broadway Season
This darkly exhilarating musical has what is easily the best new score on Broadway, written by by David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna, and an irreverent yet wistful book by Itamar Moses.
Review: Not-Such-Happy Campers Vacation with Bereavement in ‘Grief Camp’
A group of teenagers retreat to the woods to process their feelings in playwright Eliya Smith’s thoughtful and elliptical dramedy.
Opera
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Claus Guth’s ‘Salome’ at the Met Says the Quiet Part Loud
The final cistern scene, in which a blood-daubed Elza van den Heever as Salome finally kisses the head, is a masterstroke.
‘Ainadamar’ and the Death of Federico García Lorca Command the Stage at LA Opera
Composer Osvaldo Golijov and soprano Ana María Martínez reflect on how this historical tragedy echoes in today’s political atmosphere.
Soprano Elza van den Heever Is Tackling the Met’s ‘Salome’ Head On—or Off!
In early December, after the final two performances of Richard Strauss’ ‘Die Frau ohne Schatten’ at the Metropolitan Opera, something out of the ordinary happened.
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.
Dance
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Gibney Company Brings Souls, Soles and a Prepared Piano to the Joyce
Three eclectic premieres by renowned choreographers come to New York City this weekend.
Poetry in Motion: Monica Bill Barnes & Company Brings Dance to the NYPL
A new dance-theater performance is showing at the New York Public Library’s most iconic building.
On International Dance Day, the Stars of Today Met the Stars of Tomorrow to Celebrate YAGP
As always, the performers were the evening’s real VIPs.
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.
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.
Tech
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ChatGPT Is Becoming a Stand-In Doctor—Here’s What OpenAI Is Doing About It
As more people turn to ChatGPT for health concerns, OpenAI introduces a new benchmark to evaluate the safety and accuracy of its medical responses.
From Ramen-Making Class to Horseback Riding, Airbnb Pivots to Experiences and Services
Airbnb is rebranding with a sweeping launch of services, experiences and app updates designed to rival hotels and expand its lifestyle offerings.
Sam Altman’s OpenAI Is Mulling a Data Center in the Middle East
As President Trump’s Middle East tour unfolds, OpenAI is advancing talks to build data center infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, signaling a strategic shift in global A.I. development.
A $20K Electric Pickup Truck Made by a Jeff Bezos-backed Startup Is Surprisingly Popular
Slate Auto, backed by Jeff Bezos’ family office, is betting big on minimalism and price to shake up the electric vehicle market.
Elon Musk Announces Starlink’s Expansion to Saudi Arabia During Trump’s Mideast Tour
Elon Musk joined Trump and other tech leaders in Riyadh to promote Starlink and Tesla robotaxis.
Finance
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The Case for Positive-Sum Capitalism
In this compelling essay, Roy Swan—head of Mission Investments at the Ford Foundation—argues for a moral recalibration of capitalism. Drawing on Asimov’s robotics, Rawls’ philosophy and the economic cost of exclusion, Swan lays out a vision for a positive-sum future: one where corporate leaders, investors and policymakers align growth with justice.
Warren Buffett’s Best and Worst Investments Over His 55-Year Career
From buying into Coca-Cola at the right moment to sitting out on tech stocks for decades, Buffett’s investment record reflects a mix of long-term successes and occasional missteps.
BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Warns on Volatility Despite US-China Tariff Truce
BlackRock CEO Larry Fink says markets remain volatile and warns that U.S. deficits and trade uncertainty still threaten global stability.
Travel Executives Notice Foreign Tourists Are Skipping the U.S. This Summer
“We absolutely have seen a decline in popularity of foreign travelers coming to the U.S.,” said Ellie Mertz, chief financial officer of AirBnb.
Ken Griffin Says International Graduates Should Automatically Receive Visas
“I do not understand our unwillingness to embrace a path to citizenship for those who come here for their education.”
Media
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Control, Consent and the Creator Economy
We’ve been taught to fear A.I. as the great corrupter of human creativity. But as Nic Young, co-founder of Oh, points out, the nightmare isn’t on the horizon—it’s here. Through a provocative parable of a Digital Twin gone rogue, Young reveals a deeper truth: many content creators are already trapped in exploitative relationships, not with machines, but with their human managers. A.I., in contrast, could be the tool that finally puts creators back in control.
Trump’s Proposed 100% Tariff on Foreign Movies Pushes Hollywood to the Edge
Tariffs risk further turmoil in an already fragile film industry.
A24’s $3.5B Valuation Pushes the Indie Studio Toward Blockbusters
As A24 scales beyond art house acclaim, its billion-dollar ambitions raise the stakes for Hollywood’s coolest brand.
Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos on How Hyperlocal Shows Become Global Hits
Sarandos says the key to creating global hits is letting local teams focus on making shows for their own markets.
Can Superhero Films Still Fly? Marvel and DC Face a Reckoning
The fate of the superhero genre hangs on the box office performance of Marvel’s Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four and DC’s new Superman.
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
Satellite Collective’s Kevin Draper and Lora Robertson On Making Art in Turbulent Times
The second edition of SATELLITE TRIBECA fuses visual art, sound and social critique in a multi-pronged push for cultural change.
Six Decades On, Joan Jonas Still Leaves Space for Mystery
In the past year, the artist has taken her hometown of New York City by storm.
Observer Expert Insights: Contributor Guidelines
A field guide for contributors writing at the intersection of ambition, influence and insight—where strategy matters more than opinion, and clarity is the sharpest tool in the drawer.
Edward Zeng On Building a Tech-First Art Foundation to Confront What Comes Next
He’s combining art, which is his passion, with technology, which is his business, to create a space where creatives can grapple with challenging questions.
The 15 Most Noteworthy Luxury Med Spas in New York City
Some spa rituals are increasingly becoming part of routine beauty maintenance.
Hidden Liabilities: How Rare Manuscripts Threaten Institutional Reputations
Brett Erickson, a specialist in reputational risk and cultural asset governance, breaks down increasing reputational threats unfolding behind the glass cases of our most trusted institutions. From Naples to Washington to Oslo, Erickson traces how stolen manuscripts, smuggled antiquities and provenance blind spots are reshaping the way museums, libraries and private collections confront integrity—not just as an ideal, but as a liability, a legal threshold and a legacy at stake.
How Painter Feng Xiao-Min Bridges Cultures With His Brush of Light
In a rare U.S. show, Feng Xiao-Min reflects on Taoism, tradition and artistic independence while balancing Chinese ink and European color.
Federal Science Funding Cuts Put A.I.’s Foundation at Risk, Experts Warn
Scientists say an onslaught of research funding cuts could see America lose its A.I. lead—and its talent.
The Science of Happy Workplaces: What Data Tells Us About Stress and Satisfaction
According to Lord Mark Price—founder of WorkL and former UK Minister of State for Trade—the happiest workplaces aren’t accidents; they’re engineered. Drawing on global research and proprietary data, Price’s guide outlines six concrete, measurable steps that boost employee satisfaction, reduce burnout and drive performance.
Koyo Kouoh’s Death Leaves Uncertainty Around the 2026 Venice Biennale
The Biennale organization described the curator’s passing as leaving “an immense void in the world of contemporary art.”
The GenAI Advantage: Who Benefits Most in the Global Workforce?
The global workforce isn’t being replaced by A.I.—it’s being reconfigured by it. In this incisive analysis, Michael Wade and Amit Joshi, co-authors of ‘GAIN: Demystifying GenAI’, join forces with Richard Baldwin, Professor of International Economics at IMD Business School, and Benjamin Bjerkan-Wade, a Research Intern at the World Trade Organization, to examine how GenAI is not simply changing the nature of work, but redistributing its benefits across borders.
Ingrid Lundgren and Marissa Dembkoski’s Slip House Launches With Domestic Art Spaces Inspired By Coenties Slip
The storied space once served as a home and studio for designer Charles Kritsky, a close friend of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Artificial Intelligence as Co-Creator: Rethinking Art and Authorship
Dr. Alfredo Cramerotti and Auronda Scalera, the curatorial minds behind ambitious art and tech exhibitions, are mapping the boundaries of artistic creation in the age of artificial intelligence. From Noor Riyadh to Art Dubai Digital, they are helping to shape a future where digital innovation isn’t just a medium—but a message, a market and a movement.
The 2025 McLaren 750S Spider: A Supercar Not Meant for Mere Mortals
While I had to admire the purity of the ride, it was like admiring a fighter jet, with a retractable roof, in full flight.
From Storage to Spotlight: How D.C.’s National Gallery Is Redefining Access to Art
Rarely seen works will spend more time out of storage thanks to a new lending initiative that’s not pegged to special exhibitions.
I Still Love You, Man: The Best Onscreen Bromances
From action movies to quotable farces, here are the 10 best movies about male friendship, including the quirky new A24 comedy ‘Friendship,’ starring Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd.
Bill Gates Says His Foundation Will Spend Down 99% of His Fortune and Close by 2045
“People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them.”
Frieze and NADA New York’s Early Sales Signal Buyer Confidence
Several collectors told us they were waiting to see what Independent had to offer before locking in buys, but an encouraging dynamism pervaded both fairs.