Art Vending Machines

Ana Inciardi, an artist who hails from Brooklyn, has been installing print vending machines across the country for the last three years. A machine recently opened at Artists & Fleas in Chelsea market, a perfect location for the Italian American artist who celebrates food, community, eating, and accessibility. We knew we had to take a visit! Usually, the Friday photo gives us a chance to appreciate art displays, but this week we got to take the art home with us. All you need is four quarters to get a surprise print. Inciardi said the inspiration for the machines came from a sticker and temporary tattoo vending machine at the supermarket where she grew up. One week when she was short on quarters for the laundromat, she realized she could use the format of those childhood vending machines but put a twist on them, filling the machines with her prints to make art accessible for people across New York. The idea has been a massive success, and now her linocut prints can be found across the country. We were excited to bring home our New York themed images of a hot dog, ice cream, bagel, and Italian spritz, some of the best treats for a New York summer day!

“The Space Between Us” by Risha Gorig

Floating fifteen feet above New York’s Union Square Park are two bright pink chairs, facing each other. “The Space Between Us,” (“TSBU”) is by Brooklyn based artist Risha Gorig, who is known for taking a whimsical approach to bleak themes. Gorig says the floating chairs, which represent public discourse, serve “as a poignant reminder of our essential need for communication.” As one of New York’s oldest town squares, Union Square has historically served as a “space for expression, protest, and exchange,” making it the perfect backdrop for the thought provoking and conversation starting installation.  This eye-catching piece will be on display for visitors until May 1, 2025.

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!