Los Angeles-based artist Henry Taylor has brought summertime to the High Line with the floaters. This large-scale mural is an adaptation of a self-portrait of Taylor and a friend “blissed out” during a relaxing swim in Palm Springs, exhibiting simple and leisurely happiness. The mural has been painted on the side of a building on West 22nd Street near the High Line so visitors in both the park and the street below can view this artwork. Everyone is excited for this addition to the High Line, including Cecilia Alemani, the director and chief curator of High Line art, who says that “Taylor brings us into his own personal circle in Los Angeles of neighbors, friends, and idols. His use of color and method of arranging shapes elevate the everyday into another majestic realm. With the floaters, Taylor brings a slice of laidback West Coast living to the bustling streets of New York City.”
The New York Times: “A Game of Cat and Mouse With High Stakes: Deportation”
The federal government’s current heightened focus on arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants has turned courthouses in New York State and across the country into places where criminal law practitioners “face off” against immigration law enforcers. Although Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials are prohibited from making arrests inside courtrooms, they are permitted to do so in hallways and directly outside courthouses. The prevalence of ICE agents, often in plain clothes, making arrests has reportedly made many immigrants afraid to appear in court as defendants or witnesses.
Read moreTo Be Given a Chance
OY/YO
Brooklyn-based artist Deborah Kass celebrates the diversity of New York City with her colossal sculpture OY/YO. The bright yellow, aluminum letters sit at over eight feet tall and after an earlier stay near Brooklyn Bridge are now at the North 5th Street Pier along the Brooklyn, Williamsburg waterfront. (The letters are even visible from the Empire State Building, which in turn can also be seen through the O!). The “YO” refers to both the Spanish, “I am,” and urban slang, while “OY” is a common Yiddish word to express woe or exasperation. Kass views these terms as equally important, symbolizing the “melting pot” of New York City. The artist tells Artnet: “The thing about this piece is it’s about so many communities coming together, and that’s what I hope people take from it.”
New York Times: “Fewer Immigrants Mean More Jobs? Not So, Economists Say”
The Trump administration last week announced support for a proposed bill aiming to reduce legal immigration in order to “preserve” jobs for Americans and increase wages. In response, leading economists say that such a reduction of legal immigration will not create more American jobs and may even have a negative impact on the economy. Economist Giovanni Peri from the University of California, Davis, for example, believes that the average American worker is likely to lose rather than gain anything from such a reduction in immigration. The administration says it still wants foreign high-skilled workers to come to the US, and the cuts target low-skilled immigrants.
Read moreAngle of Perception
Boat Dance 2017
It’s one of our favorite events of the year: the firm’s annual “Boat Dance.” Everyone took a break last night from working hard preparing visa petitions to enjoy some good food (shrimp cocktails!), conversation, and drinks! Despite menacing skies and thunderstorm forecasts, our boat, The Manhattan, took us all on a lovely ride on the Hudson and East Rivers where we were able to view Ellis Island, Governor’s Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Although it was a bit windy, the weather turned out great in the end, and we all were able to watch a beautiful sunset at the Statue of Liberty. Alla, Gabby, Ashley, and Lourdes (shown above) had some great laughs and even learned a valuable lesson—don’t wear skirts on a windy boat!
New York Times: “Survivors of Smuggling Trip Could Gain Entry to U.S. by Becoming Witnesses”
Twenty-nine immigrants who were rescued from an overheated tractor-trailer last week in what officials believe was a tragically botched human trafficking or smuggling operation may be given an opportunity to stay in the US under a T or U visa. The immigrants suffered without water in over 100 degree temperatures, and eight immigrants tragically died inside the trailer, with two dying later. Some surviving immigrants fled, and the remaining immigrants were taken to local hospitals to be treated for critical conditions including heat stroke and exhaustion. James M. Bradley, the driver of the truck, is currently in jail facing smuggling charges while local and federal authorities investigate with hopes of reaching higher levels of smuggling rings that would lead to more arrests.
Read moreWhatever They Want
The Edge of Milos Island
Liz is in Greece for a well-deserved vacation. Here she is on Milos Island, a small, volcanic island located off the coast of the Greek mainland in the Aegean Sea. It is known as the “Island of Colors” for its colorful rock formations. It is also known as the “Island of Lovers” because it is where the world-renowned Venus de Milo statue depicting Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, was discovered. Visitors, like Liz, can explore its many diverse beaches, snorkel, sail, kayak, or windsurf before catching a breathtaking sunset near the Greco-Roman marble theater, one of the only ancient Greek theaters with an elevated view. Or, like Liz, you can just hang out on big rocks overlooking the sea! Ever since Liz was young, she has had a joke with her father about standing on the edge of a cliff and appearing rather precarious, but in reality being completely safe. This is her Greek version. Be careful, Liz!
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