Director Mike Leigh On The Improvisational Path to ‘Hard Truths’
The writer-director calls his movies “tightly scripted,” but the harrowingly funny ‘Hard Truths’ wasn’t scripted in any conventional sense. “Everything was created on set.”
Art World Comings and Goings: The Andy Warhol Museum’s New Director and More
The only constant in the art world is change.
By the Numbers: Exactly How Popular Is Netflix’s Squid Game 2?
Despite lackluster reviews, Squid Game 2’s popularity is undeniable.
Arts
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Sotheby’s Next Chapter: New Markets, $6b in Sales and a Stronger Balance Sheet
CEO Charles Stewart opened the January 23 press conference by stating that the auction house had one of its best years despite an undeniably challenging market.
Artist Melike Kara Confronts the Multiplicity in Motherhood in Her Debut Show at Bortolami
The artist’s dynamic abstractions address shifting identities, belonging and heritage.
An Empire of Splendor: What to Expect at ‘The Great Mughals’ in London
This major exhibition at the V&A assembles a dizzying array of objects and artwork commissioned by the era’s most famous emperors to tell the story of their dynasty.
Why the Art of Michelangelo Pistoletto Is as Contemporary as Ever
His latest exhibition, “To Step Beyond” at Lévy Gorvy Dayan, is a testament to his enduring relevance.
Brooklyn Museum Is Breaking the Mold: An Interview With Director of Curatorial Affairs Catherine Futter
We caught up with Futter to discuss how the hype around the Brooklyn Museum’s bicentennial might shape its future.
Lifestyle
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The New Old-School Ski Packing List: American-Made Gear for Western Powder
From Colorado-crafted skis to Oregon-built boots, here’s your guide to conquering mountain towns with gear that’s actually made where you’re riding.
Valentine’s Day Cocktails to Toast the Most Romantic Time of Year
Celebrate Valentine’s Day by whipping up one of these delectable drinks.
Kid Is a Love Letter to the Perfect New York Slice
Playful, elevated and casual at its core, Kid is a cinematic vignette capturing the feeling of the perfect New York slice.
Ski Switzerland Like a Pro: An Insider’s Guide to 8 Iconic Resort Towns
From Zermatt to St. Moritz, Swiss ski towns are just getting better.
Chef Simon Rogan on Sustainability, Success and How Radishes Changed His Career
The 12-acre Our Farm has pushed Rogan to develop his signature cuisine, an approach to British cooking that emphasizes simplicity and flavor.
Business
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A.I. Pioneer Yoshua Bengio Warns About A.I. Models’ ‘Self-Preserving’ Ability
At this year’s Davos, Bengio raised the alarm over “very strong agency and self-preserving behavior” in A.I. systems.
Netflix Pivots to Theatre With Greta Gerwig’s New Movie: Opportunities and Challenges
Greta Gerwig’s “Narnia” reboot will play exclusively on 1,000 IMAX screens across 90 countries before debuting on Netflix next year.
Netflix Tops 300M Subscribers in 2024, Raises Plan Prices Again
Netflix will stop disclosing subscriber numbers in future quarterly reports.
How Trump’s Day 1 Policies Will Affect Trade, Climate, EVs and TikTok
President Trump declared an energy emergency, the first in the U.S. history.
TikTok’s Future Is Now Tied to Trump’s Tariff Threats on China
What does Trump’s TikTok lifeline mean for China tariffs?
Entertainment
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Oscar Nominations: Surprises and Snubs for the 97th Academy Awards
This morning’s nominations saw some real shake ups, with new favorites emerging and plenty of interesting picks.
12 New Non-Fiction Books You Need to Read in 2025
It’s up to you whether to pre-order now, but get your bookmarks ready.
‘Prime Target’ Review: Apple’s Math Conspiracy Doesn’t Add Up
Though intermittently entertaining, this thriller is largely unremarkable.
Power Lists
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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.
The Most Influential People in Art
Observer’s Business of Art Power List spotlights the bold innovators steering today’s art world through shifting markets, new collector dynamics and cultural reinvention. From market disruptors to institution builders, these visionaries are redefining influence, expanding access and setting the course for art’s global future.
Masters of the Machine: The A.I. Leaders With Power, Influence, Capital and Vision
The future of artificial intelligence isn’t just being built in research labs—it’s being shaped by a small circle of power players who control the capital, strategy and vision of the industry’s biggest breakthroughs. From tech executives to investors and policy architects, these leaders are determining what A.I. becomes, what it prioritizes and how it impacts society. Meet the movers who are deciding the direction of the world’s most transformative technology.
Marketplace
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10 Best CBD Oils of 2024: A Guide for the Discerning Consumer
Tired of CBD oils that overpromise and underdeliver? We’ve done the legwork to find the best of 2024—pure, potent, and worth every drop. Discover the oils that live up to the hype and make a real difference.
10 Best CBD Companies to Buy From in 2024: Honest Reviews & Guide
Despite strong competition from nine impressive challengers, Colorado Botanicals tops our list of the best CBD companies to buy from in 2024.
5 Strongest CBD Gummies: Best CBD Gummies of 2024
We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 strongest CBD gummies for pain, sleep, anxiety and stress to save you time and money.
10 Best CBD Gummies for Anxiety and Stress
Although Colorado Botanicals and its line of CBD gummies ranked first, and we found them to be the best CBD gummies for anxiety, they’re not the only CBD brand with a lot to brag about. The nine other competitors on our list have many qualities that help them stand out in a highly saturated market.
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 2024 to soothe anxiety, pain and arthritis.
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How Feria Material Became a Hotspot for Emerging Art: An Interview With Founder Brett W. Schultz
“The key questions are: How can an art fair create context instead of collapsing it? How can it support real, thriving ecosystems rather than perpetuating imaginary ones?”
U.K. Establishes a ‘Soft Power Council’ to Boost the Economy and Elevate National Identity
The advisory body will be stacked with major players from Britain’s cultural scene.
Afghanistan’s Art Scene Weighs in On Taliban Move to Ban Images of Living Things
Despite the Taliban’s attempts to erase the nation’s cultural identity, Afghan artists are hopeful that art can outlive even the most oppressive regimes.
Prototype, the New York Festival of Avant-Garde Opera, Turns 12
There was a dizzyingly diverse spectrum of performances this year, with wildly divergent highs and lows.
Milan Is Italy’s International Financial Capital, But Is It the Next Art Hotspot?
A rapid influx of capital hasn’t changed the fact that the city’s art scene is much less dynamic now than it was several years ago.
What Happens to the Art When Museums Close?
If you shed tears when a museum closes, expect to do a lot of crying.
Jet Set: White T-Shirts for Your Travel Wardrobe
From a boxy white number and sleek long-sleeve stretchy option to a boatneck staple and slim-fitting top, these are the best white t-shirts for travel that we’re loving and coveting right now.
One Thing The Grammys Get Right: Music Docs
One thing people can agree on: the Grammy have a history of getting wrong. But one thing people may not know: that doesn’t apply to the Best Music Film category.
How Art Can Humanize the Hospital Experience: An Interview With RxART Director Katie Hollander
It’s estimated that the organization, via partnerships with hospitals and artists, has touched the lives of 1,000,000 patients and their families.
Winter Wellness 2025: Where to Reset
Forget basic spa packages. These properties are redefining luxury wellness with science-backed, results-driven programs.
L.A. Museums Launch a $12M Emergency Fund as Felix and Frieze Go Ahead as Planned
“The decision to move forward is based on dozens of conversations with artists, galleries, collectors, curators and institutions,” the fair wrote on Instagram.
Wall Street CEOs Are Eagerly Awaiting Trump’s Pro-Business Policies
Expectations for a pro-business climate under the incoming Trump administration has lifted the spirits of major bank executives.
Avant-Garde Filmmaker David Lynch Leaves Behind a Dual Legacy
Lynch was a painter and sometimes sculptor represented, beginning in 2022, by Pace.
Stack Exchange Founder Pledges to Give Away Half His Wealth in 5 Years
Stack Exchange’s Jeff Atwood is donating half of his wealth to bolster access to the “American dream.”
Streaming Is Making Live Sports More Expensive and Becoming a Fan Harder
Streaming platforms’ competition for splashy sports rights has transformed not only viewing habits but the sports ecosystem itself.
The Most Romantic Hotels in London
London is filled with romantic hideaways for every type of traveler.
Don’t Miss: Julia Felsenthal’s “Low Visibility” at JDJ
The artist’s series strips down the seascape, reminding us that the horizon is a timeless trope connecting paintings through the centuries.
For Collector Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Art Offers New Ways to See the World
“I always say that contemporary art has completely changed my life—it has been an investment in my inner universe.”