Lightmachines, Digital Realities and the Art of Technological Nostalgia at Tate Modern
“Electric Dreams,” a show of work by early innovators of optical, kinetic, programmed and digital art, is prescient at its best and retrofuturistic at its worst.
18 Pairs of Men’s Underwear Actually Worth Your Money
The ultimate guide to upgrading your underwear game, whether you’re hitting the gym or the office.
Michael Mayer’s Faux-Archaeologists Can’t Rescue His Entombed ‘Aida’ at the Met
Mayer’s weak attempt to address opera’s recent struggles with its history of fetishization of “exotic” cultures adds nothing to the production.
Arts
See AllOn the Rise of ZONAMACO: An Interview With Fair Founder Zélika García
Asked about the possibility of expanding the fair to other cities in South America, she said she’s committed to staying rooted in Mexico City and serving the Mexican art community.
Rare Medical Books From the Collection of Eugene S. Flamm Are Coming to Christie’s
“If all books are institutionalized, we will annihilate the spirit and importance of the collector.”
As Wildfires Continue to Rage in L.A., Museums, Galleries and Collectors Consider What It Will Take to Rebuild
The Getty Villa withstood the onslaught of flames thanks in part to proactive brush management; other institutions weren’t so lucky.
One Fine Show: Jeffrey Gibson’s ‘POWER FULL BECAUSE WE’RE DIFFERENT’ at MASS MoCA
The artist’s new show does the hard work of trying to make the intimate large-scale and the big questions personal.
Does the Art World Really Need Another Market Education Program?
Industry veteran Marc Spiegler just announced The Academy, which he launched in collaboration with Art Market Minds.
Lifestyle
See AllThe Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for the Most Special Man
From a sleek espresso machine and leather-trimmed gloves to the coziest cashmere zip-up and high-tech headphones, these are the best Valentine’s Day gift ideas for the most special guy.
The Must-Try New Dallas-Fort Worth Restaurants for Winter
Whether you’re a longtime resident ready to switch up your steakhouse routine or an out-of-towner seeking something familiar from the East Coast, these are the best new DFW restaurants to try this winter.
The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for the Most Stylish Woman
From a diamond-accented gold watch and plush leather tote bag to a wonderfully indulgent perfume and all things cashmere, these are the sweet Valentine’s Day gifts that she’s sure to love.
The 19 Most Anticipated Luxury Hotels Opening in 2025
Why the next generation of ultra-luxury properties is prioritizing authenticity over opulence.
London’s Most Exciting Luxury Hotel Openings of 2025
From small boutiques to impressive luxury hotels, here are the most exciting new hotels set to open in London in 2025.
Business
See AllCould Elon Musk Upend NASA’s Return to the Moon? Astronaut Weighs In
Elon Musk has called NASA’s plan to return to the Moon “a distraction.”
Waymo Co-CEO Is Optimistic About Self-Driving Regulation Under Trump and Musk
Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana called Trump’s focus on self-driving vehicles “very forward-leaning.”
OpenAI o3 vs. Google Gemini 2.0: Which Model Is Closer to Artificial General Intelligence?
Both models demonstrate significant A.G.I. capabilities, though their approaches differ.
An American Sovereign Wealth Fund Could Be the Missing Piece in Supporting Working Families
As sovereign wealth funds bloom from Singapore to Saudi Arabia, America watches from the sidelines. But the concept of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund could reshape our economy—fueling jobs, housing and domestic innovation.
X CEO Linda Yaccarino Defends Elon Musk, Predicting ‘Overwhelming Success of DOGE’
The X CEO predicts DOGE will be “one of the single biggest unifiers that will bring this country together.”
Entertainment
See AllWhat’s Coming to BAM in 2025: An Interview With Amy Cassello and Gina Duncan
Observer caught up with the art space’s artistic director and president to learn more about what the institution has in store for the coming year.
‘American Primeval’ Review: Brutal, Bleak Western Series Is Exhausting to Watch
It’s important to desanitize the Hollywood fantasy of the Wild West and confront our own history. But this Netflix series is grim to the point of cruelty.
Capturing Balanchine’s Ghost: An Interview With Dancer and Choreographer Emily Coates
“It’s appropriate to call it a dance-theater piece, but it’s a goal of mine to create my own definition of choreography as a form that can hold verbal language as well as movement.”
Power Lists
See AllThe Most Important People in Nightlife & Dining
These are the architects of modern indulgence, wielding influence with every lease signed and every menu unveiled. Theirs is the kind of power that turns concepts into cultural institutions.
The Most Influential People in Art
Observer’s Business of Art Power List spotlights the bold innovators steering today’s art world through shifting markets, new collector dynamics and cultural reinvention. From market disruptors to institution builders, these visionaries are redefining influence, expanding access and setting the course for art’s global future.
Masters of the Machine: The A.I. Leaders With Power, Influence, Capital and Vision
The future of artificial intelligence isn’t just being built in research labs—it’s being shaped by a small circle of power players who control the capital, strategy and vision of the industry’s biggest breakthroughs. From tech executives to investors and policy architects, these leaders are determining what A.I. becomes, what it prioritizes and how it impacts society. Meet the movers who are deciding the direction of the world’s most transformative technology.
Marketplace
See All10 Best CBD Oils of 2024: A Guide for the Discerning Consumer
Tired of CBD oils that overpromise and underdeliver? We’ve done the legwork to find the best of 2024—pure, potent, and worth every drop. Discover the oils that live up to the hype and make a real difference.
10 Best CBD Companies to Buy From in 2024: Honest Reviews & Guide
Despite strong competition from nine impressive challengers, Colorado Botanicals tops our list of the best CBD companies to buy from in 2024.
5 Strongest CBD Gummies: Best CBD Gummies of 2024
We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 strongest CBD gummies for pain, sleep, anxiety and stress to save you time and money.
10 Best CBD Gummies for Anxiety and Stress
Although Colorado Botanicals and its line of CBD gummies ranked first, and we found them to be the best CBD gummies for anxiety, they’re not the only CBD brand with a lot to brag about. The nine other competitors on our list have many qualities that help them stand out in a highly saturated market.
10 Best CBD Oil for Dogs: Best for Anxiety, Pain & Arthritis
A guide to our carefully selected picks for the top CBD oils for dogs in 2024 to soothe anxiety, pain and arthritis.
Latest
All LatestObserver’s Guide to the Must-Visit Biennials and Triennials of 2025
These are the biennials and triennials sure to make waves in the months to come.
When Human Creativity Meets Technical Autonomy: An Interview With Artist Anna Ridler
Observer caught up with the artist to learn more about her explorations into how input data impacts aesthetic outcomes.
How Two Passionate Dealers Revived the Market for a Roster of Lesser-Known American Artists
In a market largely uninterested in art historical rigor, dealers Christine Berry and Martha Campbell have secured success by diving deeper into artists’ stories.
Rediscovering Southern Art From the First Half of the 20th Century at North Carolina’s Mint Museum
“Southern/Modern” is an ode to those American artists who worked in the states below the Mason-Dixon line.
‘Severance’ Season 2 Review: More Questions, Fewer Answers
Apple’s mind-bending drama returns with a heaping helping of new mysteries, but this puzzle may frustrate you no matter how much you want to solve it.
How the Longing for Home and Nature Informed Cathleen Clarke’s Newest Works
Observer spoke with the much-lauded painter ahead of her debut solo exhibition at Night Gallery in Los Angeles.
A Soon-to-Close Show in Florence Celebrates Helen Frankenthaler’s Audacious Experimentation
Palazzo Strozzi offers a uniquely in-depth overview of the artist’s career, showcasing her influences and bold approach.
10 Excellent Middle-Grade Books That Adults Will Love, Too
Sure, they’re geared toward younger readers but they’re still compelling pageturners for adults.
Younger, Bolder and Determined to Grow: The Rise of the Indonesian Contemporary Art Market
Some attribute the success of the Indonesian art ecosystem to ‘gotong royong,’ the nation’s trademark spirit of mutual assistance.
Nvidia Is Officially on the A.I. Agents Train With New Family of LLM Models
“The IT department of every company is going to be the HR department of A.I. agents in the future,” Jensen Huang said.
Why Wall Street Banks Are Suddenly Quitting A Global Climate Group
From Goldman Sachs to Morgan Stanley, the largest banks in the U.S. announced departures from an international climate group in recent weeks.
There’s a Library of Dreams at the Grolier Club
Seeing the titles in the club’s Rare Book Room is much like visiting the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Los Angeles, where ontological mind games are cloaked in a veneer of authenticity.
The Best L.A. Restaurants and Bars to Visit During Dry January
Los Angeles, which is one of the most creative and pioneering cities for craft cocktails, has lived up to its reputation for health and wellness by embracing dry January with open arms.
Netflix And Max Are Betting Big on Wrestling — Here’s Why
Underneath this half-fake bloodsport where the blood is real and the sport is not you’ll find non-stop economic intrigue, reality-show gossip, and a constantly shifting narrative. All of which can keep viewers streaming hours of live programming each week.
For Nicholas Galanin, Art Is a Tool of Indigenous Resilience and Resistance
During Art Basel Miami Beach, the artist’s highly provocative site-specific public work, ‘Seletega (run, see if people are coming/corre a ver si viene gente),’ generated a lot of buzz.
Jet Set: 5 Cozy Wellness Upgrades for the New Year
From a vanilla serum deodorant and bamboo eye mask to buttery soft workout set and berry lip balm, here are the cozy wellness travel essentials we’re loving and coveting right now.
Mickalene Thomas On the Evolution of Her Practice and the Love in Her Work
“A significant part of my practice is about merging art history with pop culture, as both are powerful ways for me to tell stories.”
Wynwood’s Culinary Arms Race: Miami’s Dining Scene Gets a Power Surge
Casa Madera, Ghee and the city’s boldest flavors converge as Wynwood goes full throttle on dining.