Holiday Lights

The holiday season is upon us, and with it the annual light displays that have become a favorite tradition are enveloping us. This week we explored light displays across New York and London, enjoying the twinkling lights at some of our favorite destinations. In New York we enjoyed gorgeous displays of hot air balloons and stars at Hudson Yards and Columbus Circle. In London,  we were greeted by the ever gorgeous angel hovering above Regent Street and a light display at The Shard. We hope everyone is able to take a moment and enjoy the magical displays that welcome us all to celebrate the season. Take the advice of the London Underground and care for yourself this holiday season!

2024 Summer Olympics

Much like the rest of the world this week, we are all enjoying the Olympics. In New York, we watched the fan favorite women’s gymnastics all-around final right in our neighborhood, at Hudson Yards, cheering on American gymnasts Simone Biles and Suni Lee. The big screen under The Vessel offered a dramatic viewing experience while the gymnasts faced off. 

Across the pond in London, we tuned in from Grosvenor Square, the former home of the US Embassy in London, to watch the Women’s Swimming preliminary heat, while enjoying drinks and snacks from the surrounding food trucks. Fans of the Olympics in London and New York can enjoy these pop-up Olympic screenings through the closing of the games on August 11th.

“Thank You Darling” by Lily Van Der Stokker

With its commitment to bringing contemporary art to all via public spaces, strolling through the High Line is a wonderful way to not only get our steps in but also to catch an array of ever-changing art installations. One of the newest additions along the High Line is a colorful, whimsical mural strategically painted on a building facing the High Line on 22nd Street stating “Thank You Darling” in bubble letters by Lily Van Der Stokker.

Ms. Van Der Stokker, who hails from the Netherlands, is known for using a confectioner’s pastel color scheme in her artwork to depict elements traditionally thought of as feminine such as clouds, flowers, and swirls as the backdrop to convey short messages like "Thank You Darling." Van Der Stokker’s work, which has been referred to as “feminist conceptual pop art,” is meant to be cheery but also aims to spark conversations regarding feminism and womanhood. "Thank You Darling" brings a moment of gratitude and joy to all who pass by it, serving as a delightful reminder to pause and take a moment of appreciation amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy city!

The City

We came upon this mural in Hudson Yards. Created by the Bronx-based artist, Marsh Made Art, the goal of the art according to Marsh, “is to make people happy. I want to capture the feeling you get when you look at something and smile (inside and out). What better way to do that than through LOVE?”. Wishing everyone a happy Friday!

Chinese Ribbon Dance for Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year at Hudson Yards from DLG on Vimeo.

Lunar New Year celebrations are in full swing in New York City! At Hudson Yards in Manhattan, public performances are taking place each weekend to bring people together for the holiday. These performances, put on by the New York Chinese Cultural Center, include traditional lion dances and ribbon twirling performances. Ribbon, silk, or scarf dancing can be traced back to the Han Dynasty in China, over 2000 years ago. The art form requires incredible strength and grace to perform the captivating, fluid motions of the dance.

Office Holiday Party

This week, we had our annual office holiday party! We celebrated by taking a cruise around the southern tip of Manhattan, where we got to see landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge up close. The Statue of Liberty, of course, has been welcoming immigrants to New York City since 1886, holding up her torch to light the way to America’s shores. The Brooklyn Bridge has been a notable feature of the city for even longer, as it was designed by a Prussian immigrant in the 1860s and was completed by his daughter-in-law in 1883. After taking in the views of the skyline and the city’s rich history, we headed over to the Spanish Diner at Hudson Yards for delicious food and drinks and lots of lively conversation. We had a wonderful time celebrating the holidays in our beautiful city!

The Holidays at Hudson Yards

On a chilly day this week we checked out the incredible holiday light display at Hudson Yards. More than two million white lights are featured throughout the shops, the Vessel (which has extended holiday hours), the Edge observation deck, and the outdoor areas. With Hanukkah starting this week, Hudson Yards is also celebrating with traditional sweets and treats and arts and craft activities. If you go, be sure to social distance and wear a mask!

The Vessel at Hudson Yards

Last night we were able to get a preview of the Vessel, the centerpiece of the newly-opened Hudson Yards. The largest private real estate development in American history, Hudson Yards consists of a vast network of residences, office space, shops, restaurants, and Instagram-worthy immersive art exhibits. The Vessel is a piece of interactive artwork designed by Thomas Heatherwick and Heatherwick Studio to be a focal point where visitors can “enjoy new perspectives of the city and one another from different heights, angles and vantage points.” Its spiral staircase is comprised of 154 intricately interconnecting flights of stairs—almost 2,500 individual steps and 80 landings—which all translate to a nearly one mile vertical climb. Heatherwick says: “We tried to see how we could make something that feels particular and doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.” It is certainly unique, and after that climb, you will definitely need a snack! Hudson Yards officially opens today and visitors will need tickets to climb the Vessel.