In celebration of summer, we have been soaking up the sunshine and enjoying some of the city’s newest outdoor artwork. We recently walked over to Murray Hill, where a selection of sculptures by Dorit Levinstein have been installed along Park Avenue. In partnership with the Eden Gallery, the exhibition feature nine sculptures by the acclaimed artist. Dorit Levinstein’s signature twirling figures are equally graceful and fun, eliciting delight from her viewers. With intricate patterns, vibrant colors, and innovative shapes, this installation adds a sense of whimsy to the tree-lined Park Avenue, inviting passersby to stop and enjoy the urban surroundings.
Whimsy in Motion on Park Avenue
Still on the Journey
“Live Free or Die” by Danh Võ
In a busy time for world flags in New York City, we managed to catch a glimpse of one more, the Vietnamese and Danish artist Danh Võ’s take on the American stars and stripes, titled “Live Free or Die.” The piece is on display at the Vilcek Foundation gallery in the Upper East Side, where it sits among a wider collection of Võ’s works. Established in 2000, the Vilcek Foundation celebrates and explores immigrant contributions to the United States, particularly in the arts and sciences. In this piece, commissioned by the foundation, Võ reimagines the American flag as a piling of ash logs in different wood tones, studded with steel cutouts of thirteen stars, representing the original American colonies. Jagged wooden edges heap together, leaving fragmented gaps between the logs, but ultimately the materials amass into a familiar image of American patriotism. The title references a decisive, almost hostile call for independence aligned with revolutionary ideals of American freedom, though best known as the infamous state motto of New Hampshire. The larger exhibit, “Danh Võ: Rebuilding Liberty,” also includes sculptures from Võ’s “We the People,” a collection of seemingly nondescript ridged and textured copper structures which are, in fact, pieces from an unassembled full-scale replica of the Statue of Liberty. The full series lays in metallic tatters at museums and parks around the world. At the Vilcek Foundation gallery, the single left eye and brow of Lady Liberty’s face gaze at the ceiling, in front of Võ’s choppy, earthen depiction of the star-spangled banner. As the 250th anniversary of American independence approaches, these transformative versions of iconic national symbols contextualize the rich, fragmented, and often somber arc of American history, and the prescient place of immigration and art within it.
Photos by Anna Hochman
Supreme Court Preserves Birthright Citizenship, Rejecting Trump Administration’s Attempt to Restrict Citizenship at Birth
On June 30, 2026, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Trump v. Barbara, blocking the federal government from implementing President Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship. The Court affirmed a nationwide preliminary injunction, meaning that the executive order could not take effect anywhere in the country while the case was in process. Five Justices concluded that the executive order violated the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. A sixth Justice, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, agreed that the order could not be enforced because it conflicted with existing federal law. The decision is a significant development in the legal battle over birthright citizenship, one of the country’s longest-standing constitutional protections.
Read moreGo NY Go!
World Cup Fever
As people around the globe get swept up in the joy of the Beautiful Game, we thought we’d join in on the fun. We stopped by the first 2026 World Cup match hosted at the New York New Jersey Stadium (renamed for the occasion) to witness Brazil take on Morocco in a thrilling contest for football glory.
With the teams’ respective supporters showing out in full force with coordinating colors to mirror their nations’ flag, and splendid chants echoing throughout the stadium, this event has been a bright celebration of both national unity and international diversity. Beyond the stadium, decorations on local businesses and residences continue to bring a celebratory atmosphere to the city, and everyone is buzzing in anticipation.
Although the match ended in a draw, we are soaking in the festive energy brought by our friends from all over the world and can’t wait to see the coming matches and meet more international fans!
Immigrants and the World Cup: More Than Just a Game
The FIFA World Cup is, by any measure, the world's biggest sporting event. But if you've been anywhere near a bar, a subway car, or a public square in New York over the past few weeks, you already know it's something else too; it’s a reminder, vivid and joyful, of just how many places this city holds inside it. However, this wave of celebration is not just a New York story. From Boston to Dallas and beyond, the World Cup has turned cities across the country into gathering places where people bring their flags, traditions, languages, and memories with them. Scotland’s “Tartan Army” filled Boston with kilts, bagpipes, and full-throated renditions of "Flower of Scotland" before spreading their good vibes to Miami. Norwegian supporters brought their "Viking Row" to the Times Square subway train, singing as they mimed rowing an imaginary longship through Midtown. Brazilian fans have carried drums, flags, and seas of yellow and green through the streets. After England's opening match in Dallas, thousands of supporters stayed in the stadium long after the final whistle to sing "Wonderwall" together — players included. And woven through it all are the immigrant communities already here. Brazilian cafés filling with yellow jerseys. Mexican restaurants erupting after a goal. Moroccan families spilling into public squares. American-born kids watching alongside parents and grandparents who carried their football loyalties with them from another country, another life, as well as official Fan Zones. It's loud and funny and sometimes deeply moving and what's striking is how naturally it all unfolds. Not as a statement about anything. Just people being exactly who they are.
Read moreThe World Cup and the Power of Global Mobility
Juneteenth at “To Be A Place”
In celebration of Juneteenth, we headed uptown to visit the Studio Museum in Harlem, which exhibits work reflecting the African diaspora. The Museum, founded in 1968, is rich with history and showcases a stunning collection of art, from icons like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Kehinde Wiley to up-and-coming names supported by their Artists-in-Residence program. On display right now as part of the “To Be A Place” exhibit, is “African-American Flag” by David Hammons, an artist known for his use of political symbolism throughout multimedia practice. Another flag made by Hammons, this one untitled, is proudly hoisted in front of the museum. Together, the works stand as symbols of joy, resilience, and history, reflecting the rich cultural legacy of Harlem’s Black community and inspiring audiences far beyond the neighborhood.
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