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!

“Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys “ at the Brooklyn Museum

As Black History Month draws to a close, we shine a light on one of New York's remarkable exhibits celebrating Black culture and its profound connection with art. This exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum is the product of the vision of two influential figures in the music industry: Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean) who have been passionately collecting works for over two decades, and who are now eager to share their extraordinary collection with the world. This collection, which features 98 artworks by Black American, African, and African diasporic artists including Gordon Parks, Kehinde Wiley, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Hassan Hajjaj to name a few, explores many themes including Black identity and creativity. This celebration of Black artists and culture, according to Ms. Keys  “want(s) you to see that you are also a giant, that you are special, incredible, unique, one of a kind.” Make sure you experience the exhibit before it closes on July 7th!

"Everyday Heroes" by Katya Leonovich

Katya Leonovich's "Everyday Heroes" exhibition is a poignant tribute to the often-overlooked individuals who keep New York's vibrant rhythm alive. With her artistic roots in Moscow, Russia, Katya's journey took her to the bustling streets of Rome, where she thrived in the world of fashion design, collaborating with icons like Madonna. In 2008, she brought her immigrant perspective to New York, where her art now celebrates the essential roles played by the city's everyday heroes, such as cleaners, construction workers, barbers, taxi drivers, electricians, policemen, firemen, and waiters.

This exhibition not only pays homage to these unsung individuals but also resonates with aspects of the immigrant experience, reflecting the diverse narratives that enrich New York. In "Everyday Heroes," Katya Leonovich's portraits offer a poignant glimpse into the lives of those who often remain unseen in the urban hustle, capturing the extraordinary in the ordinary. Her work mirrors the resilience and creativity of New York, presenting a heartfelt narrative of the city's heroes who go unnoticed. Don't miss the chance to experience this compelling gallery, as it closes its doors on November 13th!

Museum of Illusions

The Museum of Illusions in New York is an interactive museum featuring optical illusions, holograms, puzzles, and educational games. Located at 14th Street and 8th Avenue in Manhattan, the museum promises to teach attendees about “vision, perception, the human brain and science so it will be easier to perceive why your eyes see things which your brain cannot understand.” Highlights of the museum include the Head on a Platter, which (spoiler!) cleverly uses mirrors to create the effect of a decapitated head; the Chair Illusion, which shrinks whoever sits on it using angles of perception; and the Rotated Room, which makes it look like gravity has no effect. It’s all worth seeing before it disappears! (Yes, that was a magic joke).

Hello and Goodbye

In lieu of our regular Thursday post, we thought our readers might enjoy this "affectionate" parody video of Adele’s “Hello" from the British Consulate General in New York City. (We wish more embassies and consulates would release parody videos.) They came quite close to the original, though no one emotes like Adele. It's going to be okay, Adele! Really, everything's going to be fine.

The Twinkling Lights of America

"I’m on deck the dawn we sail into New York. I’m sure I’m in a film, that it will end and lights will come up in the Lyric Cinema. The priest wants to point out things but he doesn't have to. I can pick out the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, the Brooklyn Bridge. There are thousands of cars speeding along the roads and the sun turns everything gold. Rich Americans in top hats white ties and tails must be going home to bed with the gorgeous women with white teeth. The rest are going to work in warm comfortable offices and no one has a care in the world. . .I stand on the deck with the Wireless Officer looking at the lights of America twinkling. He says, 'My God, that was a lovely night, Frank. Isn't this a great country altogether?' 'Tis.'"

- Frank McCourt, Angela's Ashes

Decorating Inspiration from the British Consulate

 While at a lovely reception at the British Consulate in New York to celebrate the new year and exhibition of contemporary artwork from the British Council Art Collection, I found an excellent seating idea for my apartment!