The High Line is one of our favorite spots in the city, and we are enjoying the last sunny days of fall by exploring the current contemporary art exhibitions on view. The installation “Secondary Forest” by Italian artist Giulia Cenci stands at 24th street, welcoming visitors to investigate the intersection of human forms and organic elements. The sculptures depict animals, plants, and human appendages created from melted down scrap metal to create a forest that has regenerated after human-caused disturbances, much like the Highline itself. In fact, the artist described how the unique location of the exhibit, which hovers above NYC’s Meatpacking District, where slaughterhouses once stood and chic restaurants and shops now line the streets, influenced her work. As the artist explains, “[T]he High Line is a beautiful work itself; I immediately loved the way nature has been growing and devouring a manmade infrastructure. I started to fantasize about an area where different people, animals, plants, machines, and invisible entities are meeting and crossing.” Cenci’s thought-provoking work will be displayed through March 2025.
Día de los Muertos in Times Square
In the heart of Times Square, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled three vibrantly colorful skeleton statutes in celebration of the traditional Día de los Muertos, or The Day of the Dead. Celebrated on November 1 and 2 in Mexico, Día de los Muertos celebrates the rich cultural tradition that honors the memory of deceased loved ones and reminds us to appreciate life while we have it.
The installation, which is presented in partnership with the Times Square Alliance, the nonprofit Mi Casa es Puebla, and the Mexican Consulate invites visitors to remember and celebrate the memory of their dearly departed.
Women’s Book Battles
The New York Historical Society is currently showcasing “Circulating Control: Women's Book Battles, 1880-1930,” which explores the influence of New York City’s first librarians – women. In the late 1870s, women in New York started the New York Free Circulating Library, creating the largest network of literature in the city. By managing and keeping this library system, these women naturally began influencing and mediating the kinds of books New Yorkers had had access to.
In the nineteenth century, Christian reformers targeted these efforts, attempting to censor books and publications they saw as immoral. However, the women who ran these libraries resisted control, and still found ways to circulate literature on controversial topics of the time. The exhibit highlights how censorship often sparks greater public support for the ideas censors seek to suppress, a trend we still see to this day.
Visitors can explore preserved texts, photographs, and relics from New York City’s first librarians through November 30, 2025.
“The Great Elephant Migration” by The Coexistence Collective
After a long journey, “The Great Elephant Migration” has finally made its way to New York City. The herd will call the Meatpacking District home for the next few weeks, inviting us all to walk alongside the elephants as they explore the neighborhood. The traveling herd of 100 pachyderm models are each inspired by an individual living elephant in the Nilgiri Hills region of Southern India, and the sculptures are constructed by indigenous artisans and contemporary artists. The majestic elephants are meant to mimick “how it is when you’re in India, with the elephants walking through the streets” according to Dodie Kazanjian, the founder of the Rhode Island nonprofit Art&Newport, who curated the elephants’ US tour.
We last caught up with the elephants in London back in 2021 and are thrilled to visit them again in our backyard! A must see for kids of all ages, the installation will leave us October 20th and travel throughout the US through 2025.
DLG Annual Boat Cruise
As the sun sets on summer, we gathered for a much-anticipated tradition: the DLG annual end of summer sunset cruise. We were rewarded with beautiful weather this year as we sailed around majestic New York City landmarks. Taking in views of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Downtown Manhattan from the Hudson is nothing short of magical. We love taking a moment to pause from our hard work to enjoy food, drink, and each other’s company. Now we look forward to what autumn and winter have in store for us all.
Summer Streets
Photo and Video by Rebecca Collins-Pfeiffer
Though many New Yorkers try to escape the city in the summer, we are enjoying all the city has to offer this season. For most of the year, outdoor activities are not conducive to busy New York streets, but for a few weekends of the summer the Department of Transportation runs “Summer Streets,” shutting down miles of city streets to traffic for residents to enjoy.
Walkers, runners, bikers, and even roller skaters can take advantage of these street shutdowns for a few more weeks and take in the city from a different perspective. The last days to enjoy the closures are August 17th in Manhattan, and August 24th in Brooklyn and the Bronx. Whether you go by foot, bike, or roller skate, you are sure to enjoy the summer treat.
“The Stonewall Inn”
In honor of Pride Month, we took a stroll to the Stonewall Inn Historic Site. The Stonewall Inn (“the Stonewall”) is a historically LGBTQ+ bar located on Christopher Street in the West Village. In the 1960s, it was illegal for bars to serve anyone suspected of being gay, so the Stonewall operated illegally as a gay bar. On June 28th, 1969, the police raided the Stonewall, as they had numerous times in the past. However, this time the patrons resisted, crowding outside to chant and throw objects at the police. This led to days of rioting and inspired decades of social change and activism for LGBTQ+ rights. Now, over fifty years later, pride month is celebrated every year in June in honor of the June 1969 Stonewall uprising.
Named a National Historic Landmark in 2000, the Stonewall welcomes visitors year-round. The Stonewall and neighboring Christopher Street Park are ideal to learn more of the history of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement.
“Bloomtanica” By Jeff Leatham
We are capping off our multi-week dive into mother nature’s spring floral celebrations by exploring the newest blossoming exhibition in New York City, “BLOOMTANICA.” Designed by floral artist Jeff Leatham, the experiential art installation housed at Genesis House in the Meatpacking district and takes visitors on a journey through the flowers.
Drawing upon his decades of experience creating floral art designs, Leatham was inspired by traditional Korean gardens, and used a combination of dried flowers and digital installations to create an immersive experience for guests. The exhibition is only open until June 9th, so be sure to explore this floral oasis while it is still open.
Tulip Spotting in New York City
Last week we shared the beautiful tulip gardens in London, so we thought it apt to showcase New York in bloom this week as we thawed out from winter, and took a Midtown stroll. Park Avenue is lovely with spot beds of red, orange, and pink tulips adorning it. The New York Public Library lions, Patience and Fortitude, are surrounded by a garden of yellow tulips; and around the corner, Bryant Park is abloom with bulbs as well. This week will be the peak bloom for Tulips in New York according to our sources, so we hope you get the opportunity to head outside and enjoy these beauties!
Happy (belated) Valentine’s Day (week)!!
Happy belated Valentine’s Day from all of us at Daryanani Law Group! This year to celebrate Valentine’s, we decided to extend our love to our incredible “sweet” team. We stuffed ourselves with sugar, including donuts from The Donut Pub and Nama chocolates from Royce’ Chocolate. Nothing like a sugar rush to get those cases filed!