Fall has Fallen

Autumn has arrived in New York City, bringing crisp air, colorful leaves, and a little Halloween magic to the streets. After a long, warm summer, the city is embracing the changing of trees and temperatures with a few transformations of its own. As Halloween approaches, neighborhood stoops and brownstone facades become seasonal works of art, thanks to residents who adorn their front steps with festive displays of pumpkins, playful skeletons, mischievous ghosts, and all things fall. On a recent stroll through the Upper West Side, we came across a delightful mix of autumnal arrangements and Halloween decorations that made the neighborhood feel like a scene from a seasonal postcard.

Among golden leaves scattered across the sidewalks, these decorated doorways and neighborly displays remind us that some of the city's greatest charms are found not in its famous landmarks, but in the creativity of the people who call it home. In New York, fall isn't just a change in the weather, it's a season to be celebrated…one stoop at a time.

“The Power of Togetherness” by Gillie and Marc in collaboration with Sesame Street

What happens when the world of endangered wildlife meets the wonderfully welcoming neighborhood of Sesame Street? A new public art display in East Midtown Manhattan answers that question through whimsical sculpture. In “The Power of Togetherness,” artists Gillie and Marc, bring their iconic characters, Rabbitwoman and Dogman, face-to-face with some of Sesame Street’s most beloved residents in an exhibition that reminds us that our differences are what make us stronger. Gillie and Marc created Rabbitwoman and Dogman to illustrate the possibilities that come from bringing different perspectives together in pursuit of a common goal. By sharing their celebrated bronze sculptures around the world, the artists have used their work to draw attention to meaningful causes, from protecting endangered wildlife to celebrating the power of human connection.

In this special collaboration, Rabbitwoman and Dogman sit alongside Big Bird, sharing a powerful message of unity and acceptance. Nearby, Elmo and Cookie Monster enjoy a moment with Elephant and Rhino, while Bert and Ernie share an afternoon ice cream with Gorilla. Blending the warmth and nostalgia of Sesame Street with Gillie and Marc’s signature anthropomorphic animal sculptures, “The Power of Togetherness” is more than a playful meeting of familiar characters. The exhibition builds on the artists’ previous conservation awareness efforts in the city, while reminding us of the value of community, the beauty in our differences, and the simple joy of spending time together with neighbors and friends. Catch up with the loveable characters through March 2027.

“Camille Henrot: Dogs”

Among the regular menagerie of pets trotting through Central Park on any given afternoon, you may now catch sight of a few curious newcomers flanking the southeast entrance. Leashed around a central post, a dozen sculptures of dogs prowl, stretch, and patiently pose, gazing at onlookers. The work is the first public exhibition in New York by prize-winning artist Camille Henrot, located off Fifth Avenue at Doris C. Freedman Plaza. In wood, steel, and stone, Henrot’s pack of carefully fashioned dogs emulate a jumble of iconic art and cultural references. An open book rests on top of a stout stone bulldog. A long-haired Yorkie, bronze-cast, glances around mournfully for her absent owner. A wolfy mid-sized dog stretches his paws, mid-yawn. They fit right into New York’s eclectic assortment of beloved pets, from chihuahuas in tiny boots, to a cat surveying the sidewalk from a stroller, to the many labs and retrievers tied patiently to bicycle racks. Simply titled “Dogs,” the piece celebrates the great variety of creature companions in parks and apartments around the city, as well as humanity’s long affair with these domesticated pets. Henrot’s choice to depict dogs without their implied walkers or owners allows viewers simply to consider the dogs on their own, with their myriad of personality quirks, silhouettes, dispositions, and whims. For dog lovers and park roamers alike, the sculptures are a delightful addition to a city stroll.

“Lady in Blue” by Tschabalala Self

We are still across the pond in London’s Trafalgar Square to meet “Lady in Blue”, a striking bronze sculpture by Harlem born artist Tschabalala Self, unveiled on the Fourth Plinth this September. Rather than honoring a historical figure or larger-than-life hero, “Lady in Blue” celebrates someone much more familiar: the everyday, modern woman making her way through the city. With her confident stride and unmistakable sense of purpose, she represents, as the artist describes her, “an everyday person much like the many who occupy the square daily,” who can now glimpse the statue on their daily commutes. Her vibrant blue dress immediately catches the passing eye, a reflection of the frenetic and vibrant energy of the city, while her accessories reference lapis lazuli, the rare and prized stone that has been used as a pigment in art for centuries.

There’s something particularly fitting about placing this woman in Trafalgar Square. She isn't there to be worshipped or remembered as a figure from the past. She is looking straight ahead; ambitious, self-assured, and ready for whatever comes next! In other words, “Lady in Blue” isn't just another statue frozen in history. She's all of us, and she has somewhere to be.