“Field of Light” by Bruce Munro
As the sun sets on our bustling city, British artist Bruce Munro’s “Field of Light” comes to life in the form of 17,000 fiber-optic spheres which create a glowing other-worldly landscape.
Munro’s installation was inspired by a 1992 trip to Uluru through the Red Desert in central Australia, where he was struck by the brightness, energy, and heat of the desert landscape. He sought to capture that feeling in his artwork, noting he “wanted to create an illuminated field of stems that, like the dormant seed in a dry desert, would burst into bloom at dusk with gentle rhythms of light under a blazing blanket of stars.” After ten years in development, the “Field of Light” exhibition was born.
The exhibition is immersive, and has guided millions through the changing fiberoptic lights as they take a winding path through the ethereal landscape across the globe. The field at Freedom Plaza will light up Manhattan through August 31st.
USCIS Completes Selections from Electronic Registration for FY2025 H-1B Cap
On April 1, 2024, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced they had received enough initial electronic registrations for unique individuals for the fiscal year 2025 (“FY25”) H-1B cap, as well as the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap) and have randomly selected enough properly submitted registrations. The Service has completed the notifications to all employers who submitted online registrations. Those with selected registrations may begin filing H-1B cap subject petitions for FY2025 as of the first of April and have been given until June 30 to file their petition with the service either on paper at the correct filing location or online at my.uscis.gov within the filing period that is indicated on the selection notice.
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“The Schagen Letter”
Four centuries ago, Manhattan was sold by its indigenous Lenape inhabitants to Dutch colonialists for a mere twenty-four dollars, as documented in the renowned Schagen Letter on display at the New York Historical Society. While today it's challenging to find a meal in Manhattan for under twenty-four dollars, this transaction laid the groundwork for the modern city of New York.
Yet, for the Lenape people, this was not a genuine sale but rather an imposition of colonial dominance, stripping them of their ancestral rights. Adjacent to the Schagen Letter, visitors can find a contemporary letter from Lenape leaders (slide four), discrediting the Schagen sale. They assert that this transaction does not define them and that their intrinsic bond with “Manahahtáanung” remains unbreakable.
Take a moment to honor the ancestors and history of New York by viewing the Schagen letter at the New York Historical Society until the exhibit closes on July 14th!
DHS to Introduce AI Pilot Programs
On March 18, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) announced three planned pilot programs to be introduced this year which will utilize artificial intelligence (“AI”) for the advancement of homeland security. DHS’ first “Artificial Intelligence Roadmap” outlines how the government will use AI to deliver “meaningful benefits to the American public and advance homeland security, while ensuring that individuals’ privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties are protected.”
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RBG Collars: Photographs by Elinor Carucci
In honor of Women’s History Month, we seize this perfect opportunity to celebrate the enduring legacy of one of the legal field's most influential and remarkable figures, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. As the first Jewish woman and the second woman to grace the Supreme Court bench, she has undeniably earned her moniker, "the notorious R.B.G."
The Jewish museum and photographer Elinor Carucci pay tribute to Justice Ginsburg through a captivating display of her iconic collars worn throughout her tenure on the Supreme Court. Justice Ginsburg adorned these collars not merely to introduce a much-needed "feminine touch" to the Court, but also to convey messages through her attire. While some choices may have been random, many were deliberate, symbolizing various facets of her identity, values, and positions on significant issues. For instance, her "majority collar" (bottom left on slide one) often accompanied her delivery of majority opinions, yet it also graced the occasion of the first gay wedding she officiated prior to the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges legalizing same-sex marriage.
Justice Ginsburg's legacy transcends the legal field; she stands as a beacon of inspiration for women everywhere. Don't miss the opportunity to experience this remarkable tribute at the Jewish Museum before it concludes on May 27th, 2024!
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Spring has (Cherry) Blossomed!
Every year, mother nature welcomes spring with the most beautiful cherry blossom trees. These trees are known for their gorgeous flowering and are often celebrated through the ancient tradition of “hanami” in Japan where many take time to sit and observe the beautiful flowers on the cherry blossom tree.
Luckily for us, we were able to indulge in hanami and get a sneak peek of the newly blossomed trees in Central Park, with the help of Central Park’s cherry blossom tracker. You can also experience the beauty of cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and use the Brooklyn Botanical Garden’s cherry blossom tracker to see when and where the blooming trees are. It's still early in the season, so you still have time to enjoy your own hanami and catch this wonderful spring welcome!