Today I went to a very unusual exhibition — one that can easily be described as “widely known in narrow circles.” Unusual because it’s about an architectural firm, yet features almost no architecture. It’s about Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) — the legendary architecture practice behind skyscrapers, airports, and half of corporate America in the…
I was recently on a submarine… (who would have thought I’d ever write those words) …at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. In addition to the submarine itself, there’s a small exhibition about the broader context: the Cold War and nuclear weapons. On the wall hung this drawing — so strikingly realistic it looked…
In almost two months (April 26), it will mark 40 years since the Chernobyl disaster. That’s why I remembered how, during a tour of the main building of the United Nations, I saw a massive tapestry dedicated to the worst nuclear catastrophe in human history. The tapestry, titled “Chernobyl” and measuring approximately 10 × 4…
The Copper📍 626 1st Ave is a pair of residential skyscrapers in Manhattan, New York, located near the United Nations Headquarters. The architecture of the complex is elegant yet dynamic. Floor-to-ceiling glass and copper shimmering in the sunlight give the building its name, The Copper. The exterior features a patina — the greenish layer that…
Walking along the Hudson, it’s impossible not to notice this unusual building. VIA 57 West is one of the most extravagant structures in New York City. It’s easy to spot in photos — it looks like a skyscraper bent into the shape of a pyramid. VIA 57 West was designed by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels…
I can’t contain my love for the new little electric vehicles that have been appearing around New York City over the past couple of years. They remind of tuk-tuks. Only instead of carrying cheerful tourists, they help deliver millions of packages every single day. What’s especially interesting is that many of them are hybrids: they…
The Storm King Art Center in New York is more than 500 acres (just over 2 km²) of hills, meadows, and groves transformed into an open-air museum of contemporary art. Founded in the 1960s, it is now considered one of the largest and most influential sculpture parks in the United States. Here you can see…
As of today, New York City is crisp and clear, with temperatures hovering around –1 °C (31 °F) — a reminder that winter is starting to settle in. Below is a guided tour of some of the city’s most distinctive neighborhoods, arranged roughly by borough and vibe — from the shores of Brooklyn and New…
The Center for Jewish History in New York is one of the leading research and cultural institutions dedicated to Jewish history, culture, and the diaspora. It brings together several major Jewish historical, archival, academic, and museum organizations under one roof, creating an extensive archive, library, and museum collection. History The Center opened in October 2000…
New York City isn’t elastic. The truly stylish and conceptual museums can no longer fit within the borders of Manhattan — and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Today’s discovery beyond the island is Magazzino Italian Art. This is one of the most striking and photogenic museums in Upstate New York: a contemporary, minimalist, almost…
