“Speaking Willow” by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer

Being kept out of most attractions in DC due to the ongoing government shutdown, we were welcomed  at Planet Word Museum by Mexican-Canadian electronic artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer’s interactive sculpture “Speaking Willow” which celebrates the world’s vast linguistic diversity. Lozano-Hemmer captures the grace and resiliency of the willow tree, qualities that beautifully mirror the way languages evolve and intertwine through this auditory marvel. As visitors stroll beneath the tree’s sweeping branches, they trigger the 365 small, bell-shaped speakers that hang from above into conversations. Each speaker plays a recording in a different language, together representing the voices of more than 99% of the world’s population. Strolling around “Speaking Willow”  is like listening to beautiful symphony, reminding us that while language roots us in our own communities, it also connects us to countless others through the shared rhythm of human expression.

If you visit, you may also want to stop for a bite at the Museum’s restaurant Immigrant Food, which celebrates all the global flavors that truly make America great!

“Camouflage” by Ai Weiwei

Seeking a new landscape within the bounds of New York City, this week we ventured to Roosevelt Island, a narrow strip of land nestled between Manhattan and Queens. While the island is known for its striking views and the Four Freedoms Park at its southern tip, which honors President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, our visit was inspired by a more recent addition: “Camouflage”, a new work by Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei, and a part of the Art X Freedom public art initiative. Unveiled on September 10, 2025, to mark both the 80th United Nations General Assembly across the East River and the anniversary of the end of World War II, Weiwei’s installation reimagines the space surrounding the existing bronze sculpture of Roosevelt, building a pavilion that incorporates animal motifs. These elements are a nod to both the island’s historical and current wildlife and the toll of human conflict. Adding an interactive layer to the experience, visitors are invited to tie ribbons inscribed with their thoughts on freedom to the pavilion’s netting, transforming the piece over time, one ribbon at a time. “Camouflage” is a moving and immersive tribute to both its setting and enduring themes of humanity and resistance. By blending memory, environment, and participation, it creates a powerful and evolving reflection on what freedom means today.

“Dear New York” by Brandon Stanton

This week, we happened upon “Dear New York,” a striking new exhibition at Grand Central Terminal. Conceived by artist Brandon Stanton, who is best known for his work “Humans of New York,” and produced in collaboration with the MTA, Pentagram, Juilliard, Korins Studio, and NYC Public Schools, the installation transforms one of the city’s most iconic public spaces into a powerful celebration of everyday New Yorkers.

Replacing the advertisements that typically adorn the space, Stanton’s immersive art installation of vivid photographs fills the terminal. Each photograph captures authentic moments and stories from across the five boroughs. In the grand concourse, 50-foot projections cycle through portraits and quotes, set to a moving live piano performance that adds emotional depth to the experience. A particularly meaningful section features portraits of individuals nominated by NYC students, accompanied by heartfelt notes explaining why their nominee inspires them.

“Dear New York” is more than an art installation, it’s a love letter to the city and its dwellers, as well as a reflection of its diversity, resilience, and creativity. It also highlights the transformative potential of public art in urban spaces. If you're in the area within the next two weeks, through October 19th we encourage you to visit and celebrate humanity.

“Don’t ASK” by Allison Katz

As a slight chill descends on New York, we sought comfort from the changing seasons at one of our favorite places for public art, the High Line, to observe Allison Katz’s Don’t ASK. Hovering above the intersection of 18th Street and 10th Avenue, Don’t ASK features two oversized chickens mid-crosswalk, playfully referencing the classic anti-joke: “Why did the chicken cross the road?” But rather than providing an answer, the installation leans into uncertainty, highlighting possibility, anticipation, and the unknown. Katz’s piece reflects her interest in roads and transportation systems, not just as infrastructure, but as symbols of thought in motion. The road becomes a metaphor for ideas, transitions, and open-ended futures. Visually, Don’t ASK mimics the towering advertisements that define New York City’s skyline. However, instead of selling a product, it reclaims the billboard format to provoke reflection rather than consumption. In a city of constant movement and noise, Don’t ASK offers a quiet interruption, a thoughtful invitation to pause, consider, and embrace not knowing.

“What’s so Funny About Peace Love and Understanding” by Adam Cvijanovic

This week, we visited the recently dedicated mural “What’s so Funny About Peace Love and Understanding” at the iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral in the heart of New York City, a work named in reference to the song popularized by Elvis Costello. Created by Brooklyn-based artist Adam Cvijanovic, the mural marks the first major art commission at the cathedral since 1949.

Standing at roughly 21 feet tall and comprised of four segments that frame the cathedral's entrance, the mural is a sweeping visual narrative. It depicts the arrival of immigrants to New York City in the 19th century and today, alongside powerful imagery of first responders and traditional Catholic iconography.

Cvijanovic’s work is an artistic feat that seamlessly blends Catholic tradition with American pluralism. Drawing inspiration from Baroque drama, Byzantine iconography, and modernist abstraction, the mural honors the diversity of New York and the immigrants who have shaped the city’s identity. This vibrant addition to St. Patrick’s Cathedral is both a spiritual and civic celebration, one that will continue to inspire for generations to come.

The Mosaic House

Tucked away on a charming, tree-lined street in the artsy neighborhood of Cobble Hill Brooklyn, one house instantly captures your attention. Among rows of classic brownstones, this home dazzles with a vibrant display of tiles, beads, shells, and gems, turning its façade into a joyful, eye-popping mosaic masterpiece. The Mosaic House is a beloved neighborhood treasure that’s as much a local icon as it is a delightful surprise for visitors. As a result of the diligent work of artist Susan Gardner, who started pasting things on the walls of her house in 2001, every inch of the home’s exterior tells a story, blending colorful elements into a whimsical scavenger hunt that brings smiles to everyone who passes by. Look closely and you’ll spot inspiring messages like “Celebrate Hope” and “Celebrate Life” amongst the images of nature and humanity crafted by Gardner. These words, combined with the house’s joyful design, radiate positivity and creativity. Whether you're in the neighborhood or intentionally seeking it out, the Mosaic House is sure to brighten your day. Let it be a reminder to celebrate the little things, embrace everyday beauty, and always keep an eye out for the hidden gems around you.

Elevar La Cultura NYC” by Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez

Over the summer, we took in Victor “Marka27” Quiñonez’s “Elevar La Cultura NYC” which was housed  at The Shed, an NYC cultural and artistic center in the heart of Hudson Yards, for a limited run through the end of August. Quiñonez, who is professionally known as Marka27, is a Mexican-born, Brooklyn-based artist, who fuses street culture with ancestral tradition in his bold “Neo Indigenous” style. From graffiti roots to large-scale murals, sculptures, and installations, his work pulses with cultural pride, social justice, and community spirit.

“Elevar La Cultura NYC” (or Elevate the Culture NYC)  is no different and reimagines the iconic Mayan pyramids, which he built entirely from portable coolers. These humble containers honor NYC’s immigrant street vendors, the unsung heroes selling water, fruit, and tamales on city streets. The pyramid’s base displays the goods of these vendors along with symbols of the artist’s Mexican heritage. Summoning the sweet nostalgia of summer through sun-soaked memories of picnics and beach trips, Marka27’s installation isn’t just art; it’s a celebration of community, resilience, and playfulness, all wrapped in color, culture, and creativity.

“Mil Veces un Instante” (“A thousand times an Instant”) by Teresa Margolles

As the days get shorter and summer draws to a close, we are back to our regular selection of public art installations. This week we visited the Fourth Plinth, a blank slate for exciting exhibitions located in London’s Trafalgar Square. Currently on display is “Mil Veces un Instante” (“A Thousand Times an Instant”) by acclaimed artist Teresa Margolles.

This powerful installation features plaster casts of the faces of 726 transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals in a rectangular prism atop the plinth. Each cast took over an hour to create, offering Margolles a moment of connection with every participant. The choice of plaster, strong yet fragile, mirrors the resilience and vulnerability of community. Over time, the sculpture will wear as a result of the elements and time, a quiet reminder that visibility and solidarity must be actively nurtured. This piece is a call to reflect on who we stand beside, and how we can hold space for one another, one instant at a time.

Summer Holiday

As August rolls in, we will be taking some time off on our blog and social media for summer holiday. (Well, we may have the occasional photo on Instagram!) However, we will post especially timely or urgent news items on our blog. Whether manufactured or real, like the rainbow we recently caught a glimpse of over the Statue of Liberty, we hope the rest of your summer brings rainbows and sunshine!

Farewell Feast and Celebration

Last week, we had the absolute pleasure of celebrating some of our wonderful colleagues as they embark on their next big adventure—law school! While we’re sad to see them go, we couldn’t let them leave without a proper send-off. To mark the occasion, we gathered for a sunny summer feast at Shuka in NYC, a Mediterranean gem that should be on everyone’s foodie bucket list. The table was a parade of vibrant dishes including creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, and an unforgettable steak skewer that had us all swooning. Laughter, stories, and a few misty eyes filled the evening as we toasted to the memories we've made and the exciting futures ahead. While saying goodbye was bittersweet, we’re beyond thrilled to cheer them on as they take on this next adventure and look forward to celebrating the evolution of the DLG team. Here's to bold beginnings, big dreams, and many more tasty meals to come!