One Fine Show: “Yoko Ono, Music of the Mind” at MCA Chicago
The exhibition makes the case that the artist’s influence would have been unavoidable regardless of fame or circumstance.
The New Luxury: Why Story, Experience and Authenticity Matter More Than Exclusivity
Nili Lotan, the New York-based designer and founder of her eponymous brand, has spent more than two decades building a label grounded in authenticity, intuition and cultural storytelling. In this Expert Insights Q&A, Lotan explores why experience, narrative and personal resonance—not scarcity or price—define modern luxury, and how music, art and design inform both her creative process and brand strategy.
Elia Arce’s ‘No Time to Mourn (An Excerpt)’ Is a Monument to Grief
The piece’s enculturation rests on a certainty in its own semiotics—a stalwart belief that no matter the audience, grieving should be collective, not singular.
Art
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Samuel Sarmiento’s Ceramics Channel Universal Memory in His U.S. Debut
In “Relical Horn” at Andrew Edlin Gallery, the artist transforms ceramics into cross-cultural archetypes.
How Uman Channeled a Turbulent Year Into Calm Abstraction
In conversation with Observer, the artist reflects on her first solo museum exhibition in the United States, which she says was shaped by trust, time and creative freedom.
Artsy Reads Guaranteed to Jump-Start Your Creativity
Sometimes all you need to do to summon the muse is open a good book.
What Zero 10 Can Tell Us About the Art World’s Next Chapter
The digital section artists arrived at Art Basel with their legitimacy already established through peer-to-peer platforms, tools and communities native to the scene.
François-Xavier Lalanne’s ‘Hippopotame Bar’ Sets a New Auction Record for the Artist
The result is a new high watermark for design.
Lifestyle
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The Grown Man’s Guide to Holiday Party Style
Six smart upgrades that take you past ugly sweaters and beat-up sneakers, with dialed-in tailoring, better fabrics, and outfits built to survive overcrowded rooms, bad lighting and way too many photos.
Where to Find the Most Glamorous New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Los Angeles
Whether you want to sport your favorite gown at a midnight masquerade or start the year with intention setting at a coastal-inspired countdown, these are the most glamorous New Year’s Eve celebrations in Los Angeles.
L.A.’s Best December Restaurant Openings
Whether you’re looking to enjoy an ice-cold martini near Highland Park or indulge in classic French fare on West 3rd, these are the best December restaurant openings in L.A.
The Gracious Guest’s Guide: 39 Gifts to Please Even the Most Particular Host
Discover the perfect gift to honor the host who entertains with panache and purpose.
Inside the New Après-Ski Era of Design-Forward Alpine Escapes
Across the Alps, Rockies, high Arctic and more, a new wave of mountain retreats treats après-ski as a full reset, pairing sharp architecture with hydrotherapy, serious kitchens and winter spaces engineered for deep recovery after the day in the cold.
Culture
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The Met’s Crowd-Pleasing ‘Andrea Chénier’ Is Marred By Miscast Doomed Lovers
The opera house’s current revival, its first in nearly a dozen years, features an attractive, HD-ready cast that only sporadically rises to the occasion.
Review: ‘Marjorie Prime’ Tracks the Ghost in the Machine of Artificial Intelligence
As humans are periodically replaced by eager and curious Primes, the audience tumbles headlong into the uncanny valley.
Isaac Mizrahi On the Enduring Charm of “Peter & the Wolf”
“We love reactions from children. I mean, children just say things. In the times when you can actually hear a pin drop, some kid will scream out, ‘No, don’t do it!’ It’s the greatest thing in the world,” he told Observer.
Amid Governmental Interference, Opera at the Kennedy Center is Flourishing—for the Moment
In times of crisis, the art form remains a powerful medium for connection.
Will the Latest Basquiat Biopic Hew to History? Al Diaz Has His Doubts
Forty-seven years later, Samo has a life of its own—just not the one Diaz imagined when he and a 17-year-old Jean-Michel Basquiat picked up spray paint and decided to sell the world religion.
Business
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The Future of Crypto Trading Is Hybrid: CeFi and DeFi Unite
Ignacio Aguirre Franco, CMO at Bitget, the world’s largest universal exchange (UEX), examines why the next generation of crypto trading depends on hybrid CeFi-DeFi models. Aguirre Franco explains how interoperability, unified workflows and shared liquidity are enabling safer, more efficient and seamless trading, unlocking the full potential of both traditional and crypto-native assets.
The Next Big Transformation Strategy: Rediscovering Your Existing Assets
Anne Katrine Carlsson Sejr, co-author of Maneuvering Monday and leader of teams specializing in organizational development and transformation, explains why the future of effective change depends not on chasing novelty, but on leveraging the assets a company already owns. Sejr argues that people, processes and relationships are the hidden engines of transformation, and that organizations must illuminate and amplify what already works to achieve sustainable impact.
Why California’s Future as a Creative Capital Depends on Commercial Production
Darren Foldes, Emmy-winning producer and partner at the commercial production company Sibling Rivalry, examines why California’s decision to expand tax credits for film and television while excluding commercial production represents a critical gap in the state’s creative strategy. Foldes argues that commercial advertising is a fast-moving economic engine that employs thousands of Californians, and that without targeted incentives, the state risks losing a foundational part of its creative ecosystem to competing markets.
Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald Steps Down as Founder Decries Brand’s ‘Loss of Cool’
McDonald’s exit comes as Lululemon battles slowing U.S. sales, rising tariffs and mounting founder criticism.
Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In Finds Women Are Leaning Out in the Workplace
LeanIn.org and McKinsey report a widening ambition gap as women face shrinking DEI programs, fewer remote options and persistent workplace bias.
Art Market
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Sotheby’s Closes Its Inaugural Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week With $133 Million in Sales
The strategic debut was tailored to a region where luxury demand is accelerating at exceptional speed.
What Hauser & Wirth’s Palermo Move Reveals About Cultural Branding in Art and Luxury
Brand equity is increasingly dependent on cultural production and narrative-led experiences, with storytelling rooted in shared culture, creativity and the meaning audiences help create.
In New York, Sotheby’s Repositions Itself as a Cultural Destination
“Icons: Back to Madison” is bringing together some of the most widely celebrated works the auction house has sold over the years in a one-of-a-kind exhibition of masterpieces acquired by private collectors and museums.
At Art Basel Miami Beach, Market Confidence Meets Curatorial Risk
If there’s a common thread running through this year’s presentations, it’s the introspective tone of works that grapple with the push and pull between the physical and the virtual.
NADA Miami and Untitled Art Test the Temperature of the Mid-Tier and Emerging Markets
The long-running ping-pong between the two fairs continues this year with vibrant energy and steady sales that are strong enough to suggest the young market is rebounding.
Art Reviews
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From Rejection to Revolution: Santa Barbara Museum of Art Charts the Rise of the Impressionists
The stylistic and intellectual offshoots that the short-lived movement spawned marked a sea change, paving the way for 20th-century art.
“Dirty Looks” at the Barbican Art Gallery Is Intentionally Messy
The show examines the signification of dirty as a shorthand for transgressing polished aesthetics, for dismantling impeccable craftsmanship and for grim global consumption habits.
Otani Workshop’s Invitation to Revisit the Unfiltered Imagination of Early Life
“Art that reflects this world is complex,” the artist tells Observer. “But there are moments that feel as simple as the play I experienced in childhood, and I hope to share that sense of simplicity through my work.”
Es Devlin’s ‘Library of Us’ Was the Rare Miami Art Week Spectacle That Invited Quiet Contemplation
The installation, the artist told Observer, is about “seeing through the eyes of others,” with 2,500 authors each offering a distinct vantage point and a unique line of inquiry into our world, society and reality itself.
How Jorge Pardo Turns Light, Color and Form into a Phenomenology of Seeing
Known for his immersive environments and otherworldly lamps, the artist invites viewers to experience new modes of perception and cognition.
Luxury Travel
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2025 Nightlife & Dining Power Index
Humanity is still the most vital ingredient in hospitality, and that isn’t changing anytime soon.
Spend the Holidays in Style at SoCal’s Most Glamorous Hotels
From beachside fireside igloos to Nutcracker-inspired afternoon teas, these SoCal hotels have everything you need for a holiday getaway with style.
The Festive Food and Drink Holiday Happenings in L.A. for 2025
In addition to decking the halls, many L.A. establishments host seasonal specials and experiences that you can only enjoy during the most wonderful time of the year.
Manhattan’s Jewel Box Celebrates 95 Sparkling Years
The Pierre, a Taj Hotel, toasts its legacy at the glittering ‘Red Diamond’ gala.
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.
Nightlife & Dining
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The 12 Most Noteworthy London Restaurant Openings of 2025
These are the 12 new London restaurants that were truly worth the hype this year, from Shoreditch hits to Soho standouts.
The Corner Store Is Taking Its Caviar-Topped Lobster Rolls and Martini Service to Las Vegas
One of New York’s buzziest restaurants is heading west—with its martini cart in tow.
Santa Barbara’s Best Restaurant Openings of 2025
Whether you’re looking to enjoy a burger and martini combo with a harbor view or coastal California cuisine in Montecito, these are Santa Barbara’s best restaurant openings of 2025.
Inside a Modern Thai Dining Brand: Culture, Creativity and the Business of Nightlife
Chef Max Wittawat, the executive chef behind New York City’s Bangkok Supper Club, has spent years refining a style of Thai cooking that is both deeply rooted in regional flavor and boldly contemporary. In this Expert Insights Q&A, Wittawat explores how he brings the kinetic energy of Bangkok’s late-night dining scene into one of New York’s most distinctive restaurant experiences, balancing cultural authenticity with constant experimentation, operational discipline and a collaborative creative process.
The Only St. Barths Restaurants That Matter This Season
The island’s essential mix of chic beach clubs, insider haunts and splashy hotspots where the food is as memorable as the crowd.
Style
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The Best Indoor House Shoes for Men This Winter
These are the best slippers for men who live in their house shoes all day.
33 High-Impact Tech Gifts for People Who Swear They Don’t Need Anything
These rigorously tested picks cover health tracking, noise canceling, home cinema, gaming and everyday productivity, curated for the hard-to-shop-for friend who already owns the obvious stuff.
Wellness Gifts to Deliver Calm During Holiday Chaos
From sauna blankets and sunrise alarms to singing bowls and weighted throws, these wellness gifts deliver serenity amid the holiday chaos.
The Essentials With Christina Hendricks: Edinburgh Escapes, Rose Face Mist and Dressing the Part
The Buccaneers star shares her vintage habits, beauty rituals, favorite Edinburgh escapes and the one accessory she refuses to retire.
The Cozy Red Wines to Gift for the Holidays
A globe-trotting mix of cabernets, pinot noirs and off-beat varietals proves that the season’s coziest red-wine gifts don’t have to be predictable.
Theater
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The Broadway Musical Isn’t Dying—It’s Just Changing Keys
Heather A. Hitchens, president and CEO of the American Theatre Wing, examines why the recurring narrative that “the Broadway musical is in trouble” misses the larger transformation underway. Drawing on three decades in performing arts administration—including stewardship of the Tony Awards and major grantmaking, educational and artist-development programs—Hitchens argues that Broadway isn’t facing an artistic decline but a structural evolution, even as its financial model strains to keep pace.
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.
Opera
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Opera Traditionalists Will Adore the Met’s Opulent 1980s ‘Arabella’
Sopranos Rachel Willis-Sørensen and Louise Alder find their “Right Ones” in Strauss’s winning comedy.
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.
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.
Dance
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Hans van Manen Remembers Photographer Erwin Olaf
“The last time I saw him, he had so many ideas—some serious and some scandalous—and he shared them from his hospital bed. It was deeply moving,” he told Observer.
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.
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.
Tech
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Hinge Founder Justin McLeod Exits to Launch a New A.I. Online Dating Startup
As Hinge grows and doubles down on A.I. features, its founder exits to launch a new dating startup backed by Hinge’s parent company, Match Group.
Google’s Gemini Rapidly Closes In on ChatGPT as Antitrust Scrutiny Mounts
Gemini’s surge underscores a shifting power balance in generative A.I. as regulators move to scrutinize Google’s tactics.
Walmart Moves to Nasdaq—Outgoing CEO Doug McMillon on What Lies Ahead
Walmart’s leadership shift sets the stage for an A.I.-powered overhaul of its customer experience.
Jensen Huang Wins Big: Nvidia Regains Access to China’s A.I. Market
Nvidia can now sell H200 chips to China under Trump’s new policy, a shift that follows months of lobbying by CEO Jensen Huang.
Craigslist Founder Craig Newmark Signs the Giving Pledge: Interview
Craig Newmark, longtime philanthropist and Craigslist creator, signs the Giving Pledge and details his expanded efforts to fight scams and aid key causes.
Finance
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David Ellison’s Case for Paramount to Own Warner Bros. Discovery
The media heir says a Paramount takeover offers a more competitive future for streaming, theatrical releases and the broader entertainment industry.
Why Pricing Needs a Behavioral Reset in an Era of Rising Costs
Ann Padley and Jenny Millar, co-authors of The Pricing Sprint and leaders of the consultancy Untapped Pricing, explore why many companies are losing value because customers aren’t perceiving their prices as intended. Drawing from their deep expertise in behavioral pricing strategy, Padley and Millar unpack how anchoring, choice architecture and decision simplicity can meaningfully shift purchasing behavior without altering a single price point. In a market defined by rising costs and limited pricing power, the next wave of commercial growth will come from understanding how customers actually make decisions and designing pricing strategies that reflect those real-world behaviors.
Dollar General and Dollar Tree Surge as Wealthy Consumers Seek Bargains
Dollar General and Dollar Tree are thriving as shoppers across income levels seek deeper discounts.
MrBeast’s Media Empire Expands Far Beyond YouTube
Beast Industries unveils plans for Beast Mobile and a financial platform as MrBeast grows his business far beyond content and consumer products.
Investors Brush Off Michael Burry’s View That Tesla Is ‘Ridiculously Overvalued’
Investors spar over whether Musk’s $1 trillion compensation plan will erode Tesla’s value or fuel its next phase of growth.
Media
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11 Executives Steering Warner Bros. Discovery’s Crown Jewel Media Assets
From Warner Bros. Pictures to DC Studios, these executives shape WBD’s future.
Hinge Debuts A.I. Conversation Starter to Rescue Users From the ‘Dating Apocalypse’
Instead of opening with a generic “Hey,” Hinge now has an A.I. feature designed to help users start more interesting conversations based on a match’s profile.
Earned Media Is Becoming the New Currency of A.I.-Driven Discovery
Alana Gold, group vice president at The Bliss Group, examines how generative A.I.—from Google’s A.I. Overviews to ChatGPT—is redefining brand discovery and elevating earned media as the cornerstone of visibility. Gold argues that the future of PR lies in GEO: a question-and-answer approach that prioritizes consistent, credible narratives across trusted publications.
Warner Bros. Discovery Agrees to Merge With Netflix Amid Mounting Antitrust Pressure
The sweeping deal would fuse two entertainment giants, expanding Netflix’s library as critics warn of shrinking competition.
A24 Turns Timothée Chalamet’s Star Power Into Its Most Viral Marketing Machine Yet
A24 is turning Timothée Chalamet’s star power into a full-blown marketing machine as ‘Marty Supreme’ goes viral with stunts, merch and fan frenzy.
Power Lists
See All2025 Nightlife & Dining Power Index
Humanity is still the most vital ingredient in hospitality, and that isn’t changing anytime soon.
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.
Latest
All Latest
Restore Section 610: The Key to Preserving Affordable Housing in NYC
HPD’s misguided pause on Section 610 affordable housing applications threatens low-income New Yorkers and the city’s existing affordable housing stock. The city must reverse course and expand this crucial program.
Jet Set: The Hawaii Packing Edit
From a printed pareo and metallic sandals to a raffia clutch and minimalist one-piece, these are the Hawaii resort essentials we’re loving and coveting right now.
The “Grosse Pièce” Sets a New Auction Record for Audemars Piguet at Sotheby’s
The value of this peerless pocket watch lies not only in its rarity but in the remarkable convergence of innovations it embodies.
Meta Acquires Limitless, an A.I. Pendant Company Backed by Sam Altman
Meta’s purchase of Limitless highlights Big Tech’s growing push into A.I. hardware as Amazon, Alphabet and others race to build smart wearables.
Curtains and Cauldrons: The Delicate Politics of Exhibiting Leonora Carrington
It’s thrilling to see women Surrealists finally recognized, but the art world’s enthusiasm sometimes feels performative.
Robert Therrien’s Ordinary Uncanny at the Broad in L.A.
The artist’s lifelong fascination with everyday objects shaped a sculptural practice that turned the familiar into something quietly monumental.
Google’s New A.I. Chip Is Shaking Nvidia’s Dominance: What to Know
Google’s Ironwood TPU rollout marks a pivotal moment in Big Tech’s effort to reduce reliance on Nvidia GPUs.
When Positivity Turns Toxic: How Cultures That Silence Dissent Lose Their Edge
Steven D’Souza, educator, executive coach and author of Shadows at Work, examines how enforced positivity has become a hidden liability inside modern organizations. By exploring the consequences of silencing discomfort—from distorted decision-making to eroded psychological safety—he shows why leaders must create environments where candor, complexity and constructive friction can thrive.
The Early Experiments of Manoucher Yektai
The artist’s vaguely surrealist dreamscapes and gestural portraiture often converged stylistically with the work of the New York School of Abstract Expressionism.
The Aerosol Awakening: Shepard Fairey On Street Art’s Infiltration of Miami Art Week
“There’s a really generous spirit to people in street art, public art, graffiti, where people are doing things that they want everyone to be able to experience, and there’s no barrier to entry,” the artist tells Observer.
The Post-Safari Pairing: An Insider’s Guide to South Africa’s Winelands
Where to wine, dine and explore the sublime in South Africa’s Winelands.
Five Pieces That Quietly Stole the Show at Art Basel Miami Beach 2025
The strongest presentations feel almost allergic to hype, with tightly edited selections that reward close looking.
Curator Irene Gelfman On Pinta Miami’s Evolution into a Hub for Ibero-American Art
This fair is a refreshing alternative, or perhaps an antidote, to the chaotic South Beach scene.
One Fine Show: “Camille Pissarro’s Impressionism” at the Denver Art Museum
The exhibition makes the case that this relatively mellow artist should stand shoulder to shoulder with his crazier peers.
Gates Foundation Warns Child Deaths Rising as Global Aid Cuts Mount
Child mortality is expected to rise for the first time in decades as wealthy nations cut global health funding, the Gates Foundation warns in a new report.
The Most Exciting Luxury Ship Launches of 2026
Next year’s luxury cruises set a new standard for maritime sophistication and comfort, from smaller ships to larger suites and top-tier dining.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei Sounds Alarm on A.I. Firms’ ‘YOLO’ Spending
The Anthropic CEO warns that miscalculating compute needs—not competition—poses the biggest threat to A.I. firms today.
“Nigerian Modernism” Reframes the Story of Modern African Art
Curator Osei Bonsu describes the exhibition as “cultural restoration in real time.”