In between some exciting tennis matches and the summer heat kicking in, we took a little detour to London’s beautiful Berkeley Square —and we’re so glad we did. Nestled among the greenery is “The Sun King Dreams of Peace” a breathtaking sculpture by the incredibly talented free carver, Emily Young which captures the essence of celestial deities. Crafted from Giallo di Siena stone, this piece practically glows in the sunlight, reminding us to slow down and reconnect, both with nature and with one another. Ms. Young’s work always carries a deeper message, and this sculpture is no exception. While the exact reference of the golden head is open to interpretation, the sculpture serves as a beacon of hope, evoking light, beauty, and a sense of peace amid the hustle of the city. Whether you're a seasoned art lover or just someone looking for a quiet moment in the park, this piece is worth a visit. We left feeling refreshed and inspired—and we hope you do too!
“Infinite Accumulation” by Yayoi Kusama
We can never get enough of Yayoi Kusama’s polka dot centric work, and after years of visiting her exhibitions across the world in Melbourne, London, Rockaway, and Chelsea, we were delighted to catch another sighting of Kusama’s work in London. “Infinite Accumulation” sits next to the Liverpool Street Station, captivating travelers with its interconnected silver dots. The glimmering steel sculpture is over ten meters high, with surfaces so shiny viewers can catch themselves in the reflection. Kusama’s inspiration for the piece came from the city of London itself, as she explained “London is a massive metropolis with people of all cultures moving constantly. The spheres symbolize unique personalities while the supporting curvilinear lines allow us to imagine an underpinning social structure.” Art lovers simply must hop off the tube to see Kusama’s first permanent London installation in person!
Penguin Parade Sculpture Trail
A colony of penguins have shed their tuxedos and descended upon London, calling the Fleet Street Quarter home through January 5th. The “Penguin Parade Sculpture Trail” is made up of twelve individual penguins decked out in their holiday finest. Each penguin is designed by a different artist in collaboration with Wild in Art and the conservation charity WWF, and the sculptures share interesting facts about our fine feathered friends and the Fleet Street Quarter. Author and stand-up comedian Olaf Falafel provides an audio tour through the parade and visitors can use a map to locate the entire waddling crew. On our recent quest through the neighborhood, we were greeted by penguins Percy, Buddy, Snowy, Santa Paws, Kevin the Kinguin, The Forest at Christmas, and Pullover Penguin.
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!
A New Friend
Our last Friday Photo series showcased flowers; our new installation puts pigeons at the forefront. We begin with our chubby feathered friend, a grounded fowl who lives in London. This happy pigeon can be found wandering around on foot by Buckingham Palace, as flying is not aerodynamically possible for the little guy. He makes the best of it and enjoys all the snacks the residents share. Stay tuned next week as our pigeons get bigger…
Favorite Meals of Summer
It has been a long, hot, and fun-filled summer for us at DLG, and we are sad to see it end. As we enjoy some final moments of summer this weekend, we are reflecting on our favorite indulgences of the last few months – delicious food!
We ate a Greek brunch in Brooklyn and tallines in Ra Riera. We also had grilled oysters in New Orleans, Korean fried barbecue in Manhattan, and capped it off with strawberries in London. We are stuffed!!!
Happy Labor Day and Happy Eating!
“Flow” by d’strict
In London’s West End, visitors can explore the various art installations at the media company Outernet, featuring installations and designs from various artists. This week we came across “FLOW,” an art performance traversing time that guides viewers through the history of Western art in a dance format. Designed by d’strict, this visual experience offers busy Londoners and tourists alike chance to pause and experience a ‘giant’ who moves through various art movements.
As the artist explains: “‘FLOW’ tells a story about the relationship between ‘the world and oneself.’ As the ‘flow' progresses, the world where our ‘giant’ once stood gradually fades away, replaced by their inner worlds. Our ‘giant’ continues to advance endlessly, questioning the relationship between the world and oneself. We hope this performance serves as a starting point that raises fundamental questions about human pursuits and increases interest in art history rather than merely presenting a self-contained narrative.”
Visitors can find the installation at The Now Building, located on Charing Cross Road.
Tulip Mania
Impressed by the NY flowers last week, London decided to up the ante - plus the sun came! We captured even more flowers in bloom on a glorious afternoon in St. John’s Wood.
Embankment Gardens are in Bloom
It’s Tulip season here in London and the Embankment Gardens are in full bloom! For a few more weeks, until tulip season ends in Mid-May, a stunning rainbow of tulips will be in bloom at the Victoria Embankment Gardens.
The Gardens, which were opened in 1875, have given Londoners and visitors alike a beautiful spot to relax along the Thames, and provide the perfect setting the tulips in their full splendor in glorious shades of orange, pink, and purple. Spring has sprung and what better way to welcome her than a stroll amongst the tulips!
London Views
Hello again, London! ✈️☁️🎊