Culture Watch: Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation Announces Short List for the 2020 Hugo Boss Prize

Six artists have been short-listed for the Hugo Boss Prize 2020, the biennial award for significant achievement in contemporary art. The short list is selected by a panel of international curators and critics in recognition of artists whose work is transforming the field. Since its inception in 1996, the prize has consistently functioned as a platform for the most relevant and influential art of the present, and has become a cornerstone of the Guggenheim’s contemporary programming.

“On the occasion of the thirteenth Hugo Boss Prize, I’m delighted to announce the finalists for the 2020 cycle,” said Nancy Spector, Artistic Director and Jennifer and David Stockman Chief Curator, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, and jury chair. “After a rigorous examination of today’s artistic landscape, the jury identified a group of artists whose practices are beacons of cultural impact. While diverse in their approaches and themes, they each exemplify the spirit of experimentation and innovation that the prize has always championed.”

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York logo

The Hugo Boss Prize recognizes the achievements of both emerging and established artists, and sets no restrictions in terms of age, gender, nationality, or medium. The winner, who will receive a $100,000 honorarium, will be announced in the fall of 2020 and will present a solo exhibition at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in spring 2021.

Since its inception in 1996, the Hugo Boss Prize has been awarded to twelve influential contemporary artists: American artist Matthew Barney (1996); Scottish artist Douglas Gordon (1998); Slovenian artist Marjetica Potrč (2000); French artist Pierre Huyghe (2002); Thai artist Rirkrit Tiravanija (2004); English artist Tacita Dean (2006); Palestinian artist Emily Jacir (2008); German artist Hans-Peter Feldmann (2010); Danish artist Danh Vo (2012); American artist Paul Chan (2014); American artist Anicka Yi (2016); and American artist Simone Leigh (2018). The related exhibitions have constituted some of the most compelling presentations in the museum’s history.

Previous finalists include Laurie Anderson, Janine Antoni, Cai Guo-Qiang, Stan Douglas, and Yasumasa Morimura in 1996; Huang Yong Ping, William Kentridge, Lee Bul, Pipilotti Rist, and Lorna Simpson in 1998; Vito Acconci, Maurizio Cattelan, Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset, Tom Friedman, Barry Le Va, and Tunga in 2000; Francis Alÿs, Olafur Eliasson, Hachiya Kazuhiko, Koo Jeong-A, and Anri Sala in 2002; Franz Ackermann, Rivane Neuenschwander, Jeroen de Rijke and Willem de Rooij, Simon Starling, and Yang Fudong in 2004; Allora & Calzadilla, John Bock, Damián Ortega, Aïda Ruilova, and Tino Sehgal in 2006; Christoph Büchel, Patty Chang, Sam Durant, Joachim Koester, and Roman Signer in 2008; Cao Fei, Roman Ondák,Walid Raad, Natascha Sadr Haghighian, and Apichatpong Weerasethakul in 2010; Trisha Donnelly, Rashid Johnson, Qiu Zhijie, Monika Sosnowska, and Tris Vonna-Michell in 2012; Sheela Gowda, Camille Henrot, Hassan Khan, and Charline von Heyl in 2014; Tania Bruguera, Mark Leckey, Ralph Lemon, Laura Owens, and Wael Shawky in 2016; and Bouchra Khalili, Teresa Margolles, Emeka Ogboh, Frances Stark, and Wu Tsang in 2018.

The following artists are finalists for the Hugo Boss Prize 2020:

• Nairy Baghramian (b. 1971, Isfahan, Iran)
• Kevin Beasley (b. 1985, Lynchburg, Va.)
• Deana Lawson (b. 1979, Rochester, N.Y.)
• Elias Sime (b. 1968, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
• Cecilia Vicuña (b. 1948, Santiago, Chile)
• Adrián Villar Rojas (b. 1980, Rosario, Argentina)

“The Hugo Boss Prize is our most prestigious engagement in the field of arts,” said Mark Langer, CEO and Chairman of HUGO BOSS AG. “We are excited about this diverse and distinguished short list for 2020 and looking forward to the announcement of the winner next fall.”

HUGO BOSS PRIZE 2020 SHORT LIST

Nairy Baghramian (b. 1971, Isfahan, Iran) lives and works in Berlin. In an oeuvre that probes the boundaries between the decorative, the utilitarian, and the art object, Baghramian has illuminated new possibilities for sculpture. The artist’s disarming biomorphic forms, made with a range of materials including steel, silicon, resin, and leather, elicit various unexpected art-historical and sociopolitical references, reimagining the workings of the body, gender, and public and private space.

Nairy Baghramian, Stay Downers: Nerd, Fidgety Philip, Dripper, Truant, Backrower and Grubby Urchin, 2017. Various media, dimensions variable
Installation view: Déformation Professionnelle, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, 2017–18. Courtesy the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery. Photo: Timo Ohler

Baghramian’s work has been presented in solo exhibitions such as Privileged Points, Mudam Luxembourg—Musée d’Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean (2019), Breathing Spell (Un respire), Palacio de Cristal del Retiro, Madrid (2018); Déformation Professionnelle, Museum der Moderne Salzburg, and Walker Art Center, Minneapolis (2017); S.M.A.K. Museum of Contemporary Art, Ghent (2016); Nairy Baghramian: Scruff of the Neck (Supplements), Zurich Art Prize, Museum Haus Konstruktiv, Zurich (2016); Hand Me Down, Museo Tamayo, Mexico City (2015); Fluffing the Pillows, MIT List Visual Arts Center, Cambridge, Mass. (2013), and Kunsthalle Mannheim, Germany (2012); and Class Reunion, Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver (2012).

Kevin Beasley (b. 1985, Lynchburg, Va.) lives and works in New York. Working at the intersection of sculpture, installation, and performance, Beasley constructs revelatory formal and sonic experiences. In works that embed found objects in substances such as resin, foam, and tar, or incorporate unconventionally manipulated audio equipment, he amplifies the cultural resonances of his materials to excavate personal and shared histories of class, race, and institutional power.

Kevin Beasley, Your face is / is not enough, 2016. Performance view: Liverpool Biennial, July 14, 2018. © Kevin Beasley. Photo: Pete Carr, courtesy Casey Kaplan, New York

Beasley has presented and performed in solo exhibitions such as ASSEMBLY, The Kitchen, New York (2019); a view of a landscape, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York (2018); Kevin Beasley, The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston (2018); Movement V: Ballroom, CounterCurrent Festival, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts, Houston (2017); Hammer Projects: Kevin Beasley, Hammer Museum at Art + Practice, Los Angeles (2017); Rubbings, Kim? Contemporary Art Center, Riga, Latvia (2017); and inHarlem: Kevin Beasley, The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York (2016).

Deana Lawson (b. 1979, Rochester, N.Y.) lives and works in New York. Her large-format photographs channel vernacular, art-historical, and documentary traditions within the medium, in compositions that valorize black diasporic culture. Picturing individuals she encounters over the course of her everyday life within carefully staged domestic settings, Lawson choreographs every nuance of scenery, lighting, and pose to create tableaux that powerfully evoke the agency of her subjects.

Deana Lawson, Mama Goma, Gemena, DR Congo, 2014. Pigment print
35 x 44.125 inches (88.9 x 112.1 cm). © Deana Lawson, courtesy Sikkema Jenkins & Co., New York, and Rhona Hoffman Gallery, Chicago

Lawson’s work has been presented in solo exhibitions including Deana Lawson, Huis Marseille, Museum voor Fotografie, Amsterdam (2019); Deana Lawson: Planes, The Underground Museum, Los Angeles (2018); Deana Lawson, Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh (2018); Deana Lawson, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (2017); Deana Lawson, The Art Institute of Chicago (2015); and Corporeal, Light Work, Syracuse, N.Y. (2009).

Lincoln Center Announces 2020 Season of American Songbook, January 22 – February 29

Highlights lauded singer-songwriters, groundbreaking storytellers, artists pushing the boundaries of the human voice, and creative talents of the screen and stage, including:

• Singer-songwriter and composer Rufus Wainwright in new show Songs That Built Me; Natalie Merchant crafts intimate, acoustic career retrospective
• Tony Award winning veteran André De Shields and leading man Brandon Victor Dixon in brand new stage shows; Tony Award winner and trailblazer Ali Stroker; and breakout composer-lyricist Joe Iconis premieres new musical numbers
• Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe performs as drag alter ego, tenor Blythely Oratonio; Experimental choral group Roomful of Teeth
• Classically trained lyricist, composer, pioneering television writer, and trans activist, Our Lady J debuts new music
• Legendary Cowboy Junkies play their unique brand of folk-rock off new album All That Reckoning
• Grammy-winning, multi-talented Puerto Rican–born songwriter iLe
• Rare East Coast appearance by Hawaiian singer-songwriter Kalani Pe’a
• Dynamic, bluesy-folk artist Martin Sexton

Lincoln Center’s acclaimed American Songbook series returns for its 21st year, celebrating the expansive scope and intricacy of the popular music canon from January 22 – February 29, 2020. This year’s concert series includes lauded singer-songwriters, groundbreaking composers, storytellers speaking truth to power, experimental vocalists, and multitalented performers whose artistic breadth reflects the far-reaching perspectives and experiences of the essential American Songbook.

Since its launch in 1998, American Songbook has been dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary achievements of the popular American songwriter from the turn of the 20th century to the present day. Spanning all styles and genres from Tin Pan Alley and Broadway to the eclecticism of today’s songwriters working in pop, cabaret, rock, folk, and country, American Songbook traces the history and charts the course of the American song from its past and current forms to its future direction.

“Our American Songbook series brings together a superb group of award-winning musicians, composers, and interpreters of song whose artistry speaks to the broad, ever-expanding facets of American song,” said Jane Moss, Ehrenkranz Artistic Director of Lincoln Center. “Each concert offers an intimate experience with some of the most celebrated and up-and-coming performers in genres from Broadway to Bolero to experimental choral work. We invite audiences to join us for artists they may have loved for decades, and to discover new voices that speak to a range of contemporary experience.”

Opening the season, vocalist, songwriter, and composer Rufus Wainwright performs a new show, Songs That Built Me – a concert experience created especially for his American Songbook debut. Delving into his celebrated catalogue, Wainwright performs the songs that have shaped his identity as an artist and previews selections from his forthcoming Spring 2020 album. Natalie Merchant, former lead singer of the folk-rock outfit 10,000 Maniacs, digs through her immense 7-album discography of solo work for a show that highlights the poetic songwriting, socially conscious songs, and outspoken political activism that has influenced a generation of up-and-coming performers. This intimate performance is entirely acoustic and accompanied by her longtime guitarist Erik Della Penna.

Broadway stars ascend onto the Appel Room stage, starting with 2019 Tony Award winner André De Shields (Hadestown) with a new original show, Old Dawg; New Tricks; On Valentine’s day, Brandon Victor Dixon (The Color Purple, Hamilton, Showtime’s Power), performs his very first solo concert with his brand of essential, powerful stagecraft; Unstoppable performer Ali Stroker (Oklahoma!, Spring Awakening) performs with the unbridled spirit and powerhouse pop soprano that made her the first actress to be nominated and win a Tony award (2019) while using a wheelchair for mobility; And the prodigiously talented writer and performer Joe Iconis, whose musical Be More Chill took Broadway by storm, brings his trademark mash-up of show-tune cabaret and rock ‘n’ roll for a set of classic tunes and brand new numbers.

The limits of the human voice are tested through the experimental, cutting-edge, and Grammy Award-winning a cappella group Roomful of Teeth. One of the most critically acclaimed mezzo-sopranos of her time, Stephanie Blythe asks what it means to transition to a new role, art form, and voice with her show “Blythely Ever After” a display of her outrageous drag alter ego, tenor Blythely Oratonio. Her bearded persona brings audiences on a unique musical journey through opera classics and rock and pop arias. Hawaiian folk-music has its American Songbook debut with the classically trained tenor Kalani Pe’a in a rare East Coast appearance. Pe’a’s versatile voice tours a range of traditional chants, Hawaiian classics, R&B tracks, and original compositions.

After a pioneering career of music composition in the classical and pop world (Sia, American Ballet Theatre) and becoming the first out trans woman to be hired in a TV writers’ room (Pose, Transparent), Emmy-nominated Our Lady J returns to NYC to debut a new catalogue of electro-pop and gospel infused music that she wrote with her collaborator Justin Tranter, one of the most successful songwriters in pop music today. Performing on the heels of her sophomore album Almadura, the rapidly rising singer-songwriter iLe makes her Lincoln Center debut. Her music simultaneously an ode to Puerto Rico and call for political action, iLe brings a tapestry of songs to the stage that include timeless boleros, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and protest anthems.

Martin Sexton‘s unpredictable voice and soulful melodies, which seamlessly mix folk, rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock, brought him from his beginnings as a street performer in Boston to prestigious stages all over the world with his musical heroes – Art Garfunkel, Jackson Browne, John Hiatt and more. The famed singer-songwriter’s honest lyrics and vocal prowess find the perfect home in The Appel Room’s intimate setting. The alternative country legends Cowboy Junkies earned a ravenous following for the quiet honesty and vulnerability of their second album The Trinity Sessions. Thirty years later, the band plays an intimate folk-rock set with their new album, All That Reckoning, a deeply personal record that speaks to contemporary society, good and bad.

“We are proud to sponsor the 2020 American Songbook series and help bring this incredible array of talent and musical genres to Lincoln Center’s stage,” said Orlando Ashford, president, Holland America Line. “Supporting these performances is a perfect fit for us as we are similarly committed to bringing our cruise guests the most diverse collection of live music experiences at sea, including the exclusive Lincoln Center Stage chamber music performances. We hope that American Songbook inspires everyone who attends, as music – like travel – opens one’s mind in such a meaningful way.“

The 21st American Songbook series is one of many programs offered by Lincoln Center that annually activates the campus’s indoor and outdoor spaces across a wide range of the performing arts. Additional presentations include the White Light Festival, Great Performers, Mostly Mozart Festival, Midsummer Night Swing, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, ongoing free performances at the David Rubenstein Atrium, and Live From Lincoln Center broadcasts that reach beyond the iconic campus. Lincoln Center also presents a myriad of education programs and presentations for families throughout the year.

This year’s American Songbook concerts are based in two venues at Lincoln Center. The Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center, with its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Columbus Circle, hosts cabaret-style performances that include table seating, close proximity to the performers, and an incomparable view of the Manhattan skyline. In addition, the series returns to the warm wood-veneered stage of Alice Tully Hall.

American Songbook 2020 Schedule

Rufus Wainwright: Songs That Built Me, Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at 7:30 pm, Alice Tully Hall, Starr Theater, Adrienne Arsht Stage

With his emotionally candid melodies and “genuine originality” (New York Times), Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great vocalists, composers, and songwriters of his generation. As a pop vocalist and songwriter, he has collaborated with musical giants, including Elton John, David Byrne, and Joni Mitchell. His musical output has been wondrously varied and prolific, including a historic re-creation of Judy Garland’s 1961 comeback concert that was performed to sold-out, adoring crowds in New York, Paris, Toronto, Los Angeles and London. His last album was a setting of nine Shakespeare sonnets. For this highly anticipated show in Alice Tully Hall, Wainwright delves into his catalogue, including songs that have shaped him as an artist and may preview tracks from his forthcoming pop album, to be released in Spring of 2020. Through a set list created specially for his American Songbook debut, Rufus will build a singular viewpoint of American song through his unique, unmistakable lens.

Service is King This Holiday Season at Target

Target Ushers in the Holiday Season with Enhanced Guest Service, America’s Fastest-Growing Loyalty Program and Expanded Same-Day Fulfillment Options

A Curated Assortment Of Target Exclusives And National Brand Partnerships Round Out Retailer’s Holiday Plans

• Target adds nearly $50 million in payroll compared to last holiday to ensure more team members are available to assist guests during peak hours, and doubles the number of team members dedicated to fulfillment, including same-day services
• In just two weeks, 25 million guests and counting have enrolled in the retailer’s new loyalty program, Target Circle, and that number is growing daily
• Target Circle members will receive exclusive offers throughout the season, including early access to select Black Friday doorbusters and special deals – with no membership fee required
• With the most comprehensive suite of same-day delivery and pickup options, Target helps guests get all their gifts and holiday essentials and more in as soon as one hour
• Free shipping with orders arriving as early as the next day available Nov. 1 for all guests on hundreds of thousands of items with no minimum purchase required
• Curated assortment of only-at-Target brands, new collaboration with Disney, more than 10,000 new toys, and thousands of gifts – most under $15 – make gifting easier than ever

Target Corporation has announced its plans to offer guests an unrivaled experience this holiday season. The retailer is adding nearly $50 million in payroll compared to last holiday to ensure more team members are available to assist guests during peak hours, and doubling the number of team members dedicated to fulfillment, including same-day services, so guests can get their orders in as soon as an hour. Target also shared that 25 million guests and counting have enrolled in Target Circle, now the country’s fastest-growing loyalty program. As Target Circle members, guests will have new and exclusive ways to save throughout the season. And with the most comprehensive suite of same-day delivery and pickup options, Target will make it faster and more convenient for millions of guests to get their gifts, holiday essentials and more.

Target CEO Brian Cornell with Team Members

“Last year was our most successful holiday in more than a decade, and that momentum has continued with industry-leading results throughout 2019. Our strategy is paying off, and heading into the holidays, our investments and unmatched focus on service will make it easier for guests to shop on their terms, save and experience the joy of the season,” said Target CEO Brian Cornell. “This season, we’re making our biggest investment in holiday payroll to ensure our team members will be ready to assist our guests when they are shopping most. Coupled with the tremendous response we’re seeing to Target Circle, our suite of same-day delivery services and compelling assortment, I’m confident Target will be America’s favorite place to shop this holiday and beyond.”

Enhanced Service for the Holiday Season

As consumer preferences and shopping habits have evolved, Target has invested in training, payroll and specialty roles for store team members at its more than 1,800 locations nationwide. The effort has been designed to modernize and elevate Target’s approach to guest service by creating specialized roles for its more than 300,000 team members, who now dedicate their time and expertise to a specific department, like beauty or electronics, or service, like fulfillment. This season, the retailer is adding nearly $50 million in payroll compared to last holiday to make more skilled team members available to assist guests during peak holiday hours, like nights and weekends, and doubling the number of team members dedicated to fulfillment, including same-day services, so guests can get their orders in as soon as an hour. Additionally, the retailer has invested more than half a million more hours in training compared to last year to ensure its team is prepared to deliver exceptional guest service during the holiday season.

Target Circle

Target Circle logo

Since rolling out nationwide on Oct. 6, 2019, 25 million guests and counting have enrolled in Target Circle, and that number continues to grow daily as more guests take advantage of the program’s many benefits. During an 18-month test period, guests enrolled in Target Circle saved more, shopped more frequently and spent 2-5% more. When it comes to the holiday season, Target Circle members will be incentivized by a number of exclusive perks, including:

• Early access to select Black Friday doorbusters
• Kids Daily Deals from Nov. 1-27
• Special deals throughout the season on holiday must-haves, including apparel, TVs and more

Other benefits of Target Circle include earning 1% on every trip to redeem at Target later and the opportunity to create a positive impact in local communities by voting to direct Target’s giving. Since Target began testing the program in select markets, Target Circle members have helped direct more than $650,000 in local giving within their communities. The program is free and easy to use, with no membership fee required.

Same-Day Services

Same Day Deliver With Shipt Logo

Now more than ever, guests are looking for convenient ways to shop, and Target offers the most comprehensive suite of options to get everything they need – without the wait or membership fee. For the first holiday season, Target has scaled up its popular same-day services, including Drive Up, Order Pickup and delivery with Shipt, across the country.

• Drive Up Expansion – New this year, Target is the first retailer to offer Drive Up, its highest-rated service, in all 50 states. This free service enables guests to order in the Target app and have their items brought to their car, with most orders ready within an hour and brought out in less than two minutes upon arrival.
• Delivery with Shipt – Also new this season, same-day delivery with Shipt, which allows guests to get items delivered in as soon as an hour, is available directly from Target.com and soon via the Target app. Additionally, guests now have the option to pay per order, use their RedCard to get 5% off their purchases, and receive Target Circle perks. Shipt is available from 1,500 stores in 48 states.
• Order Pickup – Available at all Target stores, free Order Pickup allows guests to shop online or in the Target app and pick up their purchases in store, with most orders ready to pick up in just an hour.
• Free Shipping – In addition to offering retail’s most comprehensive suite of same-day services, Target is making free shipping available to all guests for the holidays, with orders arriving as early as the next day. Beginning Nov. 1, all Target guests can access free shipping on hundreds of thousands of items, with no minimum purchase or membership required. The retailer will offer free shipping through Dec. 21

Coach To Debut As First Luxury Fashion Brand In Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®

Editorial Credit: Coach / Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Coach and Macy’s today announce that the global fashion brand will debut as the first-ever luxury fashion house to participate in the historic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. The event will bring together two iconic American brands with a shared New York legacy via a new float set to debut in the annual holiday spectacle.

Coach Logo (PRNewsfoto/Coach)

With more than 50 million viewers across the country and more than 3.5 million spectators lining up along the streets of New York City each year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a national icon that has grown into a world-famous holiday event. Since 1924, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has marked the official start of the holiday season. Growing in size and scale, the Parade proudly marches down a more than 2-mile route in New York City with more than 8,000 participants in tow including Macy’s colleagues, their families, celebrities, athletes, clowns and dance groups, all spreading holiday cheer. Featuring fabulous floats and America’s best marching bands, the signature of the Parade continues to be the world-famous helium balloons.

Coach To Debut As First Luxury Fashion Brand In Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Led by Coach’s mascot, the beloved dinosaur Rexy, the house’s glittering float will feature a carnival-style reimagining of New York City. Titled “Rexy in the City,” the float will boldly kick-off the holiday season with the house’s unique spirit of optimism, playfulness and inclusivity.

“Designed and constructed by the artists of Macy’s Parade Studio, Coach’s ‘Rexy in the City’ float is a dazzling marvel of engineering, artistry, and animation that will bring a new level of whimsy to our Parade line-up this year,” said Susan Tercero, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “On Thanksgiving Day, Rexy, the fearless fashion dino will capture the imagination and hearts of millions as she makes her glittering way down the streets of Manhattan.“

In addition to Coach‘s float debut in the 93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the partnership will also include an exclusive Rexy-themed collection featuring leathergoods, footwear, t-shirts and accessories, launching November 15 at select Macy’s stores nationwide and macys.com.

Unleashed by Coach creative director Stuart Vevers in 2015, Rexy has appeared in Coach collections ever since, as well as on the runway. Seen on Coach ready-to-wear worn by global face of Coach menswear Michael B. Jordan, Kate Moss, Selena Gomez, Zoe Kravitz and more, she is the symbol of the house’s playful spirit and courageous attitude. Her glittering float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be her biggest, boldest appearance to date.

Coach is a global design house of modern luxury leather goods, apparel, footwear, fragrance, eyewear and a full range of lifestyle accessories. Founded in 1941, Coach has a longstanding reputation built on quality craftsmanship and is defined by its confident New York style. The brand approaches design with a modern vision, reimagining luxury for today with an authenticity and innovation that is uniquely Coach. Coach products are available in approximately 55 countries through its network of directly operated stores, travel retail shops and sales to wholesale customers and independent third party distributors, as well as through coach.com. (Coach is a Tapestry, Inc. brand. Tapestry is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker TPR.)

“As an iconic American brand, we are proud for Coach to be the first luxury fashion house to have a float in the 93-year history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” said Joshua Schulman, chief executive officer and brand president of Coach. “We can think of no better way to kick-off the holiday season than to participate in this great American tradition. This project not only underscores our important partnership with Macy’s, but also speaks to the future of the traditional wholesale business model, evolving from distribution into meaningful brand storytelling.“

“We are excited to see our valued and long-standing partnership with Coach extend to the world-famous line-up of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year,” said Jeff Gennette, chairman and chief executive officer of Macy’s, Inc. “As we kick-off the holiday season, the new float and Rexy-themed collection will be a great showcase for the Coach brand and promises to bring a dynamic new element to the Parade and must-have exclusive product to our stores.”

The 93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs nationwide on NBC-TV, on Thursday, November 28, 2019 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, in all time zones. For more information on the Macy’s Parade please visit www.macys.com/parade.

Fall 2019 Culture Watch: National Museum of African American History and Culture Announces 2019 Fall Programming

Programming Launches With Talk on Museum’s Latest Book, “We Return Fighting: World War I and the Shaping of Modern Black Identity”

Programming Lineup Features Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, Susan Rice, Beverly Guy-Sheftall and Treva Lindsay

To commemorate the upcoming Veterans Day and the centennial of World War I, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture has announced a public program on the museum’s latest book, We Return Fighting: World War I and the Shaping of Modern Black Identity, Thursday, Nov. 7. Guest curator Krewasky Salter will join Howard University Professor Greg Carr for a one-on-one discussion on the WWI experience told through the lens of African American soldiers, military families, women, anti-war advocates and public intellectuals who played a vital role in WWI and how they hoped to live out post-Civil War expectations of full citizenship upon returning home. The discussion is free and open to the public. More information about the book and the upcoming WWI exhibition is available on the museum’s website.

The book event is the highlight of an lively November programming schedule that also features a program on African American feminism with Beverly Guy-Sheftall and Treva Lindsay, an intimate conversation with former National Security Adviser to President Obama and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice and an interactive program on how economic and social inequities negatively affect the health of communities of color in the latest installment of the program series, A Seat at the Table.

All programs held in the museum’s Oprah Winfrey Theater will stream live on the museum’s Ustream channel at ustream.tv.

November Programming

Lectures & Discussion: Is Womanist To Feminist As Purple Is To Lavender?: African American Women Writers and Scholars Discuss Feminism

Saturday, Nov. 2; 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Oprah Winfrey Theater)

Inspired by Alice Walker’s expression on feminism, Is Womanist To Feminist As Purple Is To Lavender? African American Women Writers and Scholars Discuss Feminism refers to a quotation taken from her seminal anthology of essays, In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens: Womanist Prose. In the piece, Walker gave name to the idea of the importance of theorizing feminism from an African American perspective. Through performance and discussion, the program will explore feminism and womanism in contemporary African American women’s intellectual and literary thought featuring Beverly Guy-Sheftall, a pioneering veteran of the field of African American feminism, and Treva Lindsey, a leading representative of the contemporary generation of feminist scholars. Before and after the discussion, two dynamic poetry performers, Holly Bass and Venus Thrash, will explore feminism creatively. The program will end with an audience Q&A and book signing. Admission is free; however, registration is required at https://nmaahc.si.edu/event/upcoming.

A Seat at the Table: Racial Disparities and Health

Sunday, Nov. 3; 6:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Heritage Hall)

The museum will host a thought-provoking conversation on racial disparities in health outcomes in this latest installment of the A Seat at the Table program series. Cindy George of Texas Medical Center’s TMC Pulse magazine will moderate a discussion between National Medical Association Director Martin Hamlette and University of Maryland Professor Craig Fryer about how economic and social inequities negatively impact the health outcomes of communities of color. After the presentation, audience participants will have the opportunity to share their stories and ideas on ways of improving their health and the health of their communities. A Seat at the Table is an interactive program for participants to consider challenging questions about race, identity and economic justice over a family-style meal. To purchase tickets and to learn about the latest installment of A Seat at the Table, visit https://nmaahc.si.edu/event/upcoming.

Lectures & Discussion: We Return Fighting: World War I and the Shaping of Modern Black Identity

Thursday, Nov. 7; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Oprah Winfrey Theater)

Photo Courtesy of the National Museum of African American History and Culture)

Ahead of Veterans Day, the museum will host a public program on the its latest book: We Return Fighting: World War I and the Shaping of Modern Black Identity. Through essays and photos, the book tells the stories of how black soldiers fought a war abroad and came home to combat racial injustices in the United States. Copies of the book will be available in Heritage Hall. For ticket information and more details on the book event, visit https://nmaahc.si.edu/event/upcoming.

Cinema at NMAAHC: WAVES

Sunday, Nov. 10; 2 p.m. (Oprah Winfrey Theater)

The museum will host a special screening of the movie Waves. The film, starring Sterling K. Brown and Lucas Hedge, is set against the vibrant landscape of South Florida. Waves traces the epic emotional journey of a suburban African American family—led by a well-intentioned but domineering father—as they navigate love, forgiveness and coming together in the aftermath of a loss. For ticket information and more details on the book event, visit https://nmaahc.si.edu/event/upcoming.

Cultural Expressions: Mindful Eating for the Holiday

Wednesday, Nov. 13; 7 p.m. (Oprah Winfrey Theater)

To kick-off the holiday season, the museum will host a panel discussion on how we all can eat healthier during the holidays. With Thanksgiving around the corner, many Americans gather with friends and family to feast on good food. Foods enjoyed by African Americans traditionally represent an important cultural touchstone during the holidays. However, many dishes, while delicious, are not always the healthiest choices. In this program, nutritionists and food historians will discuss the history behind favorite holiday foods and how to adapt recipes using more healthful ingredients. For ticket information and more details on the book event, visit https://nmaahc.si.edu/event/upcoming.

Birthright Citizens: A History of Race & Rights in Antebellum America

Saturday, Nov. 16; noon (Robert F. Smith Family History Center, Level 2)

Special guest Martha S. Jones will discuss how African Americans fought for their legal rights through the courts, conventions and the legislative process from her award-winning book Birthright Citizens: A History of Race & Rights in Antebellum America. With a focus on 19th-century Baltimore, Birthright Citizens uses archival records and new scholarly research to uncover how free blacks influenced the terms of citizenship for all Americans. Jones is the Society of Black Alumni Presidential Professor and a professor of history at Johns Hopkins University. To register for the event, email familyhistorycenter@si.edu.

December Programming

Tough Love: Conversation Between Susan Rice and Lonnie G. Bunch III

Tuesday, Dec. 3; 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Oprah Winfrey Theater)

Susan Rice, former national security adviser and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, will discuss her recently published memoir, Tough Love. Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III will be in conversation with Rice for an hour, focusing on the challenges that Rice faced while leading the National Security Agency during the Obama administration, along with pivotal moments in her storied career. Books will be available for sale and signing courtesy of Smithsonian Enterprises. For ticket information and more details on the book event, visit https://nmaahc.si.edu/event/upcoming.

2019 Holiday Gift Guide: Discover Your Merry With What’s New This Holiday at Macy’s

Explore The Wonder Of The Season With New Brands, Experiences And Services To Make Shopping Easy In-Store And Online at macys.com

As The Holiday Gift Destination, Macy’s Offers A Festive Assortment Of The Perfect Gifts For The Whole Family

Macy’s Puts Holiday In The Palm Of Each Shopper’s Hand With Store Maps And Style Inspiration Directly From Its Award-Winning App

This year, Macy’s makes navigating holiday shopping even easier with a seasonally curated assortment of the best gifts in-store and online, brands that will deck the halls and keep guests happy, plus services to make picking out the perfect gift more convenient than ever. From finding a new fragrance or creating a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry to using technology to refresh any space for entertaining, what’s new at Macy’s this holiday has everyone covered.

In-Store Exclusives

Take on the role of Santa and head into your local Macy’s for unique and custom experiences to make shopping for gifts fun and convenient.

Find the best gift in fashion, beauty, home and toys this holiday season at Macy’s. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Fragrance Bar

The holidays are the perfect time to gift a new scent, and Macy’s new Fragrance Bar allows customers to find their favorite. The Fragrance Bar’s interactive screens activate when shoppers engage with them by picking up a fragrance bottle, scent stick, or simply touching it. From there, customers can learn all about the selected fragrance, including scent notes, information about the perfumer and customer reviews, and each product has a QR code enabled for product purchase, allowing them to scan and pay through Macy’s mobile app, and pick up in-store. Visit Macy’s fragrance hub online to take a quiz to uncover your perfect scent match, learn about the newest scents of the season, and more.

Macy’s Fragrance Bar: Find the best gift in fashion, beauty, home and toys this holiday season at Macy’s. (Photo: Business Wire)

Create Your Own Jewelry

For the most luxe, one-of-a-kind gift this holiday season, visit stores to experience Macy’s newly launched “Create Your Own” jewelry program. Shoppers work with a Macy’s colleague to choose gemstones, diamonds, metals, shapes, settings and more via in-store tablets. Options for men and women include incredible engagement rings, wedding bands, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and charms. Once the design is complete, the final, personalized piece will be delivered to the customer’s home or local store in seven days, making thoughtful gifting simple this holiday season.

Holiday Lane for Trim and Toys

Discover the wonder of the holidays by visiting Macy’s Holiday Lane Toy and Trim Pop-Ups, to shop a festive assortment of Christmas décor and toy gifts. These independent store fronts in select locations will make spirits bright by showcasing some of the season’s most popular toys, glistening ornaments and classic decorations, plus beautiful wreath adornments and lush garlands to make this year’s holiday a memorable one.

Additionally, customers can shop both trim and toys in more than 500 Macy’s stores across the country, featuring exclusive items from F.A.O. Schwarz, plus a well-rounded assortment from popular brands including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher Price®, Board Games, L.O.L. Dolls, PAW Patrol® and Lego®.

Virtual Reality in Furniture

Give yourself the ultimate seasonal splurge and purchase a new piece of furniture just in time for holiday entertaining. With Macy’s “See Your Space IRL” technology, shoppers can virtually see each piece in their home through the in-store VR experience. Now available in 140 stores nationwide, virtual reality technology allows customers to ensure that their purchase will elevate their next holiday gathering, whether they’re looking to buy a comfy couch for the whole family or an apartment-sized dining table. There are thousands of products to choose from, including new additions, such as rugs, upholstery and lighting. Starting mid-November, shoppers’ favorite Customize It feature will now be available in a VR experience. Choose from an assortment of different fabrics and colors to design a truly unique piece of furniture. Customers can also use their mobile device to visualize select furniture pieces in their space via augmented reality technology through Macy’s app and make a purchase from the convenience of their phone.

The Park at Herald Square

At Macy’s iconic 34th Street Flagship, customers can shop the re-imagined men’s store featuring new and exciting products, fashion-forward brands and a curated space highlighting trends called The Park, which completely refreshes every eight to 12 weeks. The newly unveiled 14,500 square foot main floor experience is a lifestyle hotspot for the fashion-conscious, urban customer to be inspired and discover new brands and fashion in a trendy, au courant setting.

Find the best gift in fashion, beauty, home and toys this holiday season at Macy’s. (Photo: Business Wire)

Gifts, Gifts, Gifts!

Whether you’re shopping for mom, dad or the one and only best friend, Macy’s selection of gift ideas takes the guesswork out of finding the perfect gift.

Find the best gift in fashion, beauty, home and toys this holiday season at Macy’s. (Photo: Business Wire)

New for the Home

Keep comfort and coziness top of mind this season with Hotel Collection’s new line, Hotel Collection Classic. Created exclusively for Macy’s, the new line was designed for the traditional customer looking for elevated luxury expressed in an authentic classic aesthetic. From rich jacquards and stunning velvets to beautiful embellishments, Classic offers timeless elegance for the home. The line has a range of pieces that will impress your holiday houseguests, including duvets, comforters, shams, coverlets, sheets, bed skirts and decorative pillows.

The Museum Of Modern Art Announces Publication On The History Of MoMA PS1

This long-awaited book captures the spirit of a legendary institution through the words of those who made it New York’s most vital venue for contemporary art.

This fall, The Museum of Modern Art will release the first publication on the history of MoMA PS1, which traces the institution’s evolution from the 1970s to today through interviews, ephemera, never-before-seen images, and an extensive exhibition history. Since 1976, MoMA PS1 in Long Island City, Queens, has been a crucible for radical experimentation, engaging artists from a range of disciplines. Structured around interviews with Alanna Heiss, PS1’s founder and director of more than three decades, MoMA PS1: A History (published October 22, 2019) offers a vivid chronicle of the extraordinary history of New York’s premier venue for contemporary art. The publication also features contributions by artists and curators who have been closely associated with PS1—including James Turrell, R. H. Quaytman, Kevin Beasley, Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, and Martha Wilson—supplemented by excerpts from previously unpublished interviews from the 1970s and statements from numerous figures who helped shape the institution.

Batya Zamir, Airlines, Batya Zamir: Dance Performance, May 20–21, 1977. Courtesy Batya Zamir. Photo: Richard Van Buren.

P.S.1 1977 A Painting Show Lee Krasner: Lee Krasner, poster for A Painting Show, May 1–29, 1977. © 2019 The Pollock-Krasner Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

This publication was edited by Klaus Biesenbach, director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, and former director of MoMA PS1 and Chief Curator at Large, The Museum of Modern Art, New York; and Bettina Funke, art historian, editor, former head of publications for Documenta 13, and co-founder of The Leopard Press.

An American Bistro and Bar Opens at Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC

This November, Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC brings the best of classic American cuisine paired with an international flair to D.C.’s Southwest Waterfront with AMITY & COMMERCE an American Bistro and Bar.

AMITY & COMMERCE An American Bistro and Bar Opens at Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC

AMITY & COMMERCE is an inviting space that sets a vibrant tone with a variety of seating options ideal for conversing with friends and colleagues. An open kitchen adds to the festive atmosphere. Diners may choose to enjoy a seat at the 20’ wood-topped COMMERCE bar, one of the multiple communal tables, a standalone table in the AMITY dining room, or, weather permitting, on the adjacent patio.

AMITY & COMMERCE Chef de Cuisine Justin Houghtaling has created a menu that offers a contemporary twist on classic bistro fare. From Braised Veal Cheeks, Tamarind Glazed Angus Short Rib, to a white stew of Braised Veal en Croute, each dish features appealing ingredients with savory results. Curated signature dishes rotate daily to complement delicious modern mainstays on a menu that feels both bold and familiar.

Executive Pastry Chef Claus Olsen brings his international expertise and creativity to the gourmet breakfast pastry selection and a dessert menu that boasts Panna Cotta Raspberry Verrine, Rustic Apricot Custard Tart, and Strawberry Yogurt Cheesecake.

“Washington, D.C.’s culinary scene has greatly transformed since we opened over 15 years ago”, said Adriaan Radder, General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC. “We wanted to provide our guests, neighbors, and D.C. residents with an accessible modern American Bistro experience and the genuine hospitality that Mandarin Oriental is renowned for.”

The Bistro’s name, AMITY & COMMERCE, was inspired by a bit of American history. Given the hotel’s proximity to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the name pays homage to one of Jefferson’s most significant acts: the 1778 Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the United States and France which formalized a friendly alliance between the two nations. The phrase AMITY & COMMERCE captures the spirit of the treaty with the bistro serving as a location to gather for friendly interactions for business and cultural exchange.

Located just a stone’s throw from the District’s emerging Southwest Waterfront and the iconic Jefferson Memorial, AMITY & COMMERCE an American Bistro and Bar offers classic dishes with international flair and signature dishes rotating daily. Whether it’s beginning the day at the signature breakfast buffet or settling in with friends and colleagues for lunch or dinner, AMITY & COMMERCE provides an ideal meeting point.

AMITY & COMMERCE is open daily for breakfast 6:30 – 10:30 am (Mon – Fri) & 7 – 10:30am (Sat & Sun), lunch 11:30am – 2:30pm, and dinner 5:30 – 10:30pm. Commerce Bar is open 5:30 – 10:30p.m. For reservations, please call +1 (202) 787 6148. For more information, please visit www.mandarinoriental.com/amityandcommerce.

Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC exterior at night

Prominently placed along the Capital’s revitalised Southwest Waterfront, Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. offers five-star luxury, refreshed guestrooms, and extensive facilities in a serene picturesque setting. Just a short walk from the Nation’s most cherished monuments, the hotel is also close to a number of exciting restaurants and attractions in the new District Wharf neighbourhood. The elegant retreat exudes a refined sense of style with beautifully designed rooms, spacious suites including the luxurious three-bedroom Presidential Suite, The Forbes Four-Star Spa, legendary service and exceptional restaurants.

Moma PS1 To Present First New York Exhibition Of Niki De Saint Phalle In Spring 2020

MoMA PS1 will present the first New York museum exhibition of the work of visionary feminist and activist artist Niki de Saint Phalle (American and French, 1930‒2002). On view from April 5 to September 7, 2020, the exhibition will feature over 100 works created from the 1970s until the artist’s death, including sculptures, prints, drawings, jewelry, and archival material. Highlighting Saint Phalle’s interdisciplinary approach and engagement with key social and political issues, the exhibition will focus on works that she created to transform environments, individuals, and society.

Niki de Saint Phalle at Tarot Garden, Garavicchio, Italy, 1980s. Photographer unknown.

Niki de Saint Phalle was born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France and raised in New York City. In 1948, at age 18, she married the writer Harry Matthews. They moved to Paris in 1952, and shortly thereafter Saint Phalle was hospitalized for a nervous breakdown and began painting as a therapeutic activity. In the late 1950s, Saint Phalle met artist Jean Tinguely, an important collaborator whom she married in 1971. She was the only female member of the Nouveau Réalisme group with Tinguely, Arman, Christo, and Yves Klein, among others. In 1961, the first solo exhibition of Saint Phalle’s work was held at Galerie J, Paris. That same year, her work was included in the exhibition The Art of Assemblage at The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Saint Phalle was the subject of a retrospective at the Ulm Museum, Germany, and Centre Pompidou, Paris in 1980, and at the Kunsthalle Bonn in 1992. In 1994, she moved to California, where she lived until her death in 2002.

Niki de Saint Phalle. What is now known was once only imagined. 1979. Offset print. © 2019 NIKI CHARITABLE ART FOUNDATION. Photo: NCAF Archives

Early in her career, Saint Phalle pushed against accepted artistic practices, creating work that used assemblage and performative modes of production. Collaboration was always central to her work, including several co-authored sculptures made with the artist Jean Tinguely. Beginning in the late 1960s, Saint Phalle starting making large-scale sculptures, which led to an expansion of her practice into architectural projects, sculpture gardens, books, prints, films, theater sets, clothing, jewelry, and, famously, her own perfume.

Niki de Saint Phalle. Book cover for AIDS, you can’t catch it holding hands. 1986. © 2019 NIKI CHARITABLE ART FOUNDATION. Photo: NCAF Archives

From this period forward, Saint Phalle also created a series of innovative works that reflect an ethos of collaboration and engagement with the politics of social space. Addressing subjects that ranged from women’s rights to climate change and HIV/AIDS awareness, Saint Phalle was often at the vanguard in addressing the social and political issues of her time. Her illustrated book, AIDS: You Can’t Catch It Holding Hands (1986), written in collaboration with Dr. Silvio Barandun, worked to destigmatize the disease and was translated into six languages.

Niki de Saint Phalle. Photo de la Hon repeinte. 1979. © 2019 NIKI CHARITABLE ART FOUNDATION. Photo: Katrin Baumann

Central to the exhibition is an examination of Saint Phalle’s large-scale outdoor sculptures and architectural projects, including three houses built for Rainer von Diez between 1969 and 1971; Queen Califia’s Magical Circle, a sculpture park in Escondido, CA; the monumental sculpture Le Cyclop in Milly-la-Forêt, France; Golem, a playground in Jerusalem; Noah’s Ark sculpture park in Jerusalem; and Le Dragon de Knokke, a children’s playhouse in Belgium.

The Toy Insider Experts Reveal Top Holiday Toy Trends of 2019

Kids Will Be Asking for YouTube-Inspired Toy Lines, Compounds and Squishies, Glitz and Glam, Retro Toys and More This Holiday!

The Toy Insider, one of the toy industry’s most influential organizations and a trusted go-to resource for parents and gift-givers, today revealed the top eight trending toy themes of 2019, giving consumers an inside look at the hottest categories and hand-picked favorites that are sure to be bestsellers this holiday season.

The Toy Insider logo.

“Thanks to the immense popularity of unboxing videos on YouTube, we’re seeing that the collectible craze is bigger than ever! So big, in fact, that we launched our first-ever 12 Under $12 list of the year’s tiny trending toys with an affordable price tag!” said Laurie Schacht, Chief Toy Officer, the Toy Insider. “We’re also seeing a resurgence in unplugged play, encouraging kids to nurture their creativity with screen-free toys and games or to get up and moving with cool rides that go way beyond bikes. Plus, toys packed with oozy, squishy, and smooshy fun show no signs of slowing down either.”

The Toy Insider unveiled its 14th annual holiday gift guide last month, highlighting the most-coveted toys that kids will have on their holiday wish lists this year. Featuring nearly 350 toys from more than 120 toy companies across its print and online versions, the Toy Insider‘s guide makes it easy for gift-givers to search for the perfect, age-appropriate gift for any child.

Schacht and her editorial team of toy experts have more than 75 years of combined experience covering the toy industry. The team is well-versed in the hottest toys and trends through attendance at major toy industry trade shows and events, as well as frequent briefings with toy companies, retailers and analysts throughout the year. The independent organization reviews toys all year long to compile its annual holiday gift guide, along with its Hot 20, STEM 10 and brand-new 12 Under $12 lists. The Toy Insider highlights the year’s top toy trends based on retail sales and extensive research, helping consumers and gift-givers find the perfect holiday gifts for kids.

The Toy Insider’s 2019 Top Toy Trends:

As Seen on YouTube: Kids’ favorite YouTube stars are making their way to the toy box with their very own toy lines. Kids can get an IRL experience unboxing tons of fun surprises based on their favorite channels.
The Toy Insider’s Favorites: Tic Tac Toy XOXO Friends (Blip Toys), FGTeeV Giant TV (Bonkers Toys), Ryan’s World Super Surprise Safe (Just Play), Ryan’s World 3.5-inch Ryan’s Racers (Jada Toys), Lamo Ninja Minifigures (Wicked Cool Toys), Pinkfong Baby Shark Song Puppets (WowWee)

Ready to Ride: Scooters, balance bikes, go-karts, and more! Kids are riding in style this year in imaginative new ways. These toys encourage kids to get up and active and ready for adventure!
The Toy Insider’s Favorites: Rideamals Josie (Pacific Cycle), RealTree UTV (Dynacraft), Neon Ghost (Yvolution), Rockin Rider Legacy Grow-with-me Pony (Tek Nek Toys), Wave Catcher (Rollplay), Wild Ones (Razor), Fisher Price Bounce & Spin Puppy (Mattel), Playdate Sven (Jakks Pacific)

Nordstrom Expands In New York City With Opening Of Flagship Store

Photo Credits: All Images photographed by Connie Zhou, Mo Daoud, and David Zheng (and provided by Nordstrom Inc. PR)

Nordstrom Incorporated logo. (PRNewsFoto)

Nordstrom NYC Level 1 – Handbags (Connie Zhou)

On October 24^th, Nordstrom, Inc. opened the doors to its first-ever flagship store for women and children in New York City. Located at 225 West 57th Street, across from the Nordstrom Men’s Store which launched in April 2018, the new store occupies the base of Central Park Tower, the tallest residential building in the world. Customers can shop 320,000 square-feet of retail space across seven-levels in the heart of the city. Nordstrom NYC represents the biggest and best statement (as well as the biggest gamble) of what the brand has to offer.

Nordstrom NYC Level 3 – Designer Women’s Apparel (Connie Zhou)

Nordstrom NYC – Comme des Garçons Shop (Connie Zhou)

As diverse as New York City itself, merchandise includes a curated offering across all categories. Customers can shop a comprehensive selection of apparel brands across a broad range of accessible and aspirational price points, including Dries Van Noten, Givenchy, Saint Laurent, Vince, Ted Baker London, Madewell, Reformation and Topshop, complemented by an extensive selection of accessory brands like Longchamp, Chloe, Valentino, Fendi, Loewe, MCM, Coach and more.

Nordstrom NYC Level 4 – Denim (Connie Zhou)

Nordstrom NYC Level 4 – Women’s Apparel (Connie Zhou)

Nordstrom NYC Level 4 – Women’s Apparel (Connie Zhou)

Nordstrom NYC Lower Level 2 – Kids Wear (Connie Zhou)

Honoring its heritage in shoes dating back to 1901, Nordstrom NYC offers customers three shoe departments, including one entire floor dedicated to women’s shoes. The vast shoe selection will include Gucci, Prada, Christian Louboutin, Golden Goose, Tory Burch, Birkenstock, UGG, Steve Madden, Nike and more.

Nordstrom NYC Lower Level – Women’s Shoes & Shoe Bar (Connie Zhou)

Nordstrom NYC Lower Level – Women’s Shoes (Connie Zhou)

Nordstrom NYC Lower Level 2 – Kids Shoes Conveyor Belt (Connie Zhou)

MERCHANDISE CONCEPTS

Nordstrom NYC Level 2 Christian Louboutin Pop-Up Shop featuring an exclusive 30-piece capsule of footwear, handbags and gift items for men & women (Connie Zhou)

A testament to the ever-evolving nature of the New York City store, the first level will be home to a rotating series of installations, kicking off with a Christian Louboutin pop-up featuring an exclusive 30-piece capsule of footwear, handbags and gift items for men & women, inspired by the Palais de la Porte Dorée Museum near Louboutin’s childhood home in Paris.

Nordstrom NYC Level 3 – Fitting Room

Nordstrom NYC Level 3 – Stylist’s Lounge (Connie Zhou)

True to its roots in shoes, Nordstrom is launching Perfect Pairs, an exclusive collaboration with 14 customer favorite brands, and a diverse group of NYC muses, bringing together the likes of Steve Madden with model Winnie Harlow; Cole Haan with poet and activist Cleo Wade; Nike with Tennis champion Maria Sharapova; Birkenstock with celebrity stylist Leslie Fremar; UGG with costume designer Patricia Field, and more.

Nordstrom NYC Level 5 – Atrium (Connie Zhou)

Olivia Kim, Nordstrom Vice President of Creative Projects, also brings the unique Nordstrom offering to life, curating concepts within the flagship to create a sense of newness and discovery for customers.

Nordstrom NYC Level 3 – Burberry Shop Concept Shop will showcase products from the Autumn/Winter 2019 collection (Connie Zhou)

Beginning with British fashion house Burberry, the exclusive Nordstrom concept shop will showcase products from the Autumn/Winter 2019 collection, housed within a giant, immersive installation spanning five rooms, accented with wood paneled walls and raised theatre style seating, windows for visitors to illustrate or tag with graffiti, and a café featuring Nick Knight‘s Portrait of a Rose print throughout with a menu of British classics available to order.

Nordstrom NYC – Nordstrom x Nike – Level 1 (Mo Daoud)

Nordstrom NYC – Burberry Concept Space – Level 2 (David Zheng)

Kicking off fall with Nordstrom x Nike (NxN), Nordstrom has developed the ultimate women’s sneaker boutique with a distinctive view on style and sport. NxN is the place to find coveted Nike product with a curated selection of merchandise from the most compelling brands in fashion. To celebrate the opening, the shop will exclusively launch a Jordan Air Latitude 720 sneaker with Swarovski and the Nike by Olivia Kim capsule collection of sneakers and apparel, inspired by Kim’s NYC-experience during the 90s, launching in-store on October 31.

Nordstrom NYC Level 3 – SPACE featuring brands such as Cecille Bahnsen, Bode, Eckhaus Latta, Jacquemus, Martine Rose, Molly Goddard, and Simone Rocha, as well as exclusives from Tom Wood and Sandy Liang. (Connie Zhou)

The opening of the New York City flagship brings the exciting in-store curation of SPACE, a boutique featuring advanced and emerging designer collections selected by Olivia Kim from brands such as Cecille Bahnsen, Bode, Eckhaus Latta, Jacquemus, Martine Rose, Molly Goddard, and Simone Rocha, as well as exclusives from Tom Wood and Sandy Liang. Unique to the flagship, SPACE includes the first branded in-store shop from Acne Studios, and a one-of-a-kind Comme des Garçons shop designed with artist and furniture designer Marc Hundley.

2019 Holiday Travel: Christmas Shopping, Dining and Accommodation Offers at Mandarin Oriental, Paris

To celebrate Christmas and New Year, Mandarin Oriental, Paris is offering a special accommodation package with the Galeries Lafayette Champs-Élysées. Available from 22 November 2019 to 8 January 2020, the Festive Shopping Season in Paris package includes a private session with a personal stylist, champagne and other treats for guests. The palace will be the place to be this party season, with festive menus and winter pop-up bar in its garden.

Mandarin Oriental, Paris Exterior Courtyard

Guests booking the Festive Shopping Season in Paris offer will receive spa credit, champagne, tasty Christmas treats and VIP shopping benefits at the Galeries Lafayette Champs-Élysées. The famous retailer recently opened a concept store on the ‘world’s most beautiful avenue’ offering the latest fashion, lifestyle and beauty collections created by an exciting selection of top designers, ranging from emerging talents to iconic luxury brands.

Mandarin Oriental, Paris Hotel Entrance

Priced from EUR 1,125 per night, the Festive Shopping Season in Paris package includes:

Mandarin Oriental, Paris Royale Suite

• 
  Luxurious accommodation in a guestroom or suite
• Daily breakfast for two people
• A Spa credit of EUR 150 per stay
• A bottle of champagne, seasonal treats and a scented candle from Galeries Lafayette Champs-Élysées offered in guests’ room upon arrival
• Private session with a dedicated fashion stylist at the new Galeries Lafayette department store on the iconic Champs-Élysées. Also includes one-way transfer to the store, private shopping session in its ‘Speakeasy’ VIP lounge with champagne and French chocolates, and either a beauty treatment or wine tasting at the store, and hands-free shopping

Mandarin Oriental, Paris Cabochons Suite Terrace

Walker Art Center Presents: The Expressionist Figure: The Miriam And Erwin Kelen Collection Of Drawings

Zak Smith
Self-Portrait with a Bunch of Pictures Pinned to the Wall
2003
acrylic, metallic ink on plastic-coated paper
39 13/16 x 27 7/16 in.
Private collection
©Zak Smith

Celebrating the remarkable collection of drawings recently donated to the Walker Arts Center by longtime patrons Miriam and Erwin Kelen, The Expressionist Figure: The Miriam And Erwin Kelen Collection Of Drawings, explores the expressive potential of the human body. Richly varied in theme and style, the works on paper span more than a century of artistic experimentation. Featuring portraiture, social satire, erotica, and fantasy in mediums ranging from crayon, ink, and graphite to watercolor, pastel, and collage, the Kelens’ works are joined by a select group of related drawings and sculpture from the Walker’s current holdings. As a whole, The Expressionist Figure: The Miriam And Erwin Kelen Collection Of Drawings is not only a display of virtuoso artworks but also a testament to the pleasure of building a collection and the rewards of sharing it.

Joan Miró
Femme devant la lune (Woman in Front of the Moon)
1935
gouache, watercolor, India ink on paper
14 5/8 x 11 7/8 in.
Private collection
©Successió Miró/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris 2019

Among the artists in the exhibition are Max Beckmann, Louise Bourgeois, Chuck Close, Willem de Kooning, Edgar Degas, Jim Denomie, Otto Dix, Marlene Dumas, Arshile Gorky, George Grosz, David Hockney, Jasper Johns, William Kentridge, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Paul Klee, Gustav Klimt, René Magritte, Henri Matisse, Kerry James Marshall, Joan Miró, Claes Oldenburg, Pablo Picasso, Rowan Pope, Egon Schiele, Kara Walker and Andy Warhol.

Christian Rohlfs
Kniender Akt (Kneeling Nude)
ca. 1916–18
watercolor, gouache on paper
19 3/8 x 16 in.
Private collection

The Expressionist Figure: The Miriam and Erwin Kelen Collection of Drawings, Curated by Joan Rothfuss, guest curator, Visual Arts, is on view November 17, 2019 through April 19, 2020.

On View Now: “Private Lives Public Spaces” at The Museum of Modern Art

“Professional pictures must appeal to mass interest and mass interest does not always embrace the things that ought to be known. On the other hand, the amateur has no necessity for appealing to mass interest. He is free to reproduce and record any action his fancy or fancy of a friend may dictate.”

— Hiram Percy Maxim, editor Amateur Cinema League, December 1926i

Home movies. Pierce family. USA. 1958-63. Digital preservation of 16mm film. Courtesy the Museum of Modern Art

Home movies are a form of personal filmmaking made to entertain intimate audiences of family and friends at private screenings. Since the introduction of small-gauge, portable cameras in 1922 heralded the unofficial birth of amateur moviemaking, the many thousands of reels of non-theatrical film shot by individuals around the world amounts to perhaps the largest body of work on film produced in the twentieth century. Commonly orphaned by those who made them, sold for stock footage and used as documentation, less attention has been given to what home movies represent as an alternative to theatrical film and what they share with the work of avant-garde filmmakers.

Home movies. Jarret family. USA. 1958-67. Digital preservation of Standard 8mm film. Courtesy the Museum of Modern Art.

The Yoshiko and Akio Morita Galleries host Private Lives Public Spaces (October 21, 2019 – July 01, 2020), the Museum’s first large-scale exhibition of home movies and amateur films drawn exclusively from its collection. This gallery presentation of largely unseen, privately produced works will explore the connection between artist’s cinema, amateur movies, and family filmmaking since the 1923 introduction of small-gauge film stock heralded the unofficial birth of affordable home moviemaking. The Museum’s archival holdings of the genre represent a remarkable range of creativity by artists, celebrities, world travelers, and the public at large. This presentation of moving image work offers a renewed perspective on the creative strategies that amateur filmmaking shares with experimental and avant-garde cinema of the 20th century. In conjunction with the gallery installation, MoMA’s Department of Education will stage a Home Movie Day comprising three Library of Congress National Film Registry programs.

“Like the amateur still photographer, the amateur film-maker can devote himself to capturing the poetry and beauty of places and events and, since he is using a movie camera, he can explore the vast world of the beauty of movement.” — Maya Deren, “Amateur Versus Professional” Film Culture 1965iii

Home movies. Jarret family. USA. 1958-67. Digital preservation of Standard 8mm film. Courtesy the Museum of Modern Art.

Organized by Ron Magliozzi, Curator, Brittany Shaw, Curatorial Assistant, Katie Trainor, Collections Manager, Peter Williamson, Preservation Officer, and Ashley Swinnerton, Collection Specialist, Department of Film

Featuring works dating from 1907 to 1996, Private Lives Public Spaces is the Museum’s first major exhibition of home movies and amateur films drawn exclusively from its collection. Democratic, personal, and unregulated, this “people’s cinema” is viewed as a precursor to social media, and MoMA’s installation is predicated on the expanded opportunities for display provided by digital media and the fresh appreciation that viewers bring to self-expression in present-day moving image culture.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® Adds New Artistic Balloon From Famed Contemporary Artist Yayoi Kusama

Yayoi Kusama Joins the 93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® With the Debut of the “Love Flies Up to the Sky” Balloon

Yayoi Kusama joins the Parade’s illustrious Blue Sky Gallery – a series of balloons which highlight inflatable artworks by some of the world’s most renowned contemporary artists; the new high-flying art coincides with an exhibition of Kusama’s new work at the celebrated David Zwirner Gallery in New York City

This Thanksgiving, the world’s most renowned female contemporary artist will take her iconic art to new heights as Yayoi Kusama joins the legendary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. On Thursday, November 28, 2019, Kusama’s Love Flies Up to the Sky balloon will debut in the annual holiday spectacle in front of more than 3.5 million spectators and more than 50 million viewers nationwide, as the latest entry in the Parade’s Blue Sky Gallery series, which invites celebrated contemporary artists to contribute artworks to the high-flying lineup.

Photo Credits: Yayoi Kusama, the world-renowned artist, joins the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade’s Blue Sky Gallery series of balloons designed by contemporary artists with the introduction of her creation “Love Flies Up to the Sky” this November. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Love Flies Up to the Sky balloon was developed by the artist from face motifs that appear in her My Eternal Soul series of paintings–a body of work that she began in 2009. Vibrant and animated, the paintings embody Kusama’s innovative exploration of form and revolve around a tension between abstraction and figuration. The artist’s signature dots — which recur throughout her practice — also feature prominently in the Macy’s Parade balloon design.

“In 2005, we began featuring inflatable artworks by the world’s most renowned contemporary artists in the Macy’s Parade lineup with the hope of bringing fine art to the masses and making it more accessible,” said Susan Tercero, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “This year the world’s most popular living female artist, the iconic Yayoi Kusama, joins the Parade’s acclaimed Blue Sky Gallery series of balloons, making these creations a collection of high-flying art worthy of museums around the world. We can’t wait for millions to enjoy the hypnotic, colorful and whimsical beauty of Love Flies Up to the Sky this Thanksgiving.”

Yayoi Kusama, the latest invited artist to light up the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Photo Credit: Yayoi Kusama

Contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama was born in Matsumoto, Japan in 1929 and has been creating art for more than eight decades. During her lengthy career her work has transcended two of the most important art movements of the second half of the twentieth century: pop and minimalism. Today, she is the world’s best-selling female artist and holds the record for the highest price paid at auction for a work by a living female artist. According to a recent review of museum attendance by The Art Newspaper, she is also the world’s most popular artist. From 2012-2018, Yayoi Kusama had over 55 solo shows and exhibitions at more than 45 art institutions worldwide, covering more than 23 countries and breaking longtime attendance records. Over 6 million visitors have attended these exhibitions, many often waiting more than two hours to enter the exhibition and experience Kusama’s transformative work. The North American Tour of Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors, which traveled from 2017-2019 to six institutions, had over 599,800 visitors.

MoMA 2020: Upcoming MoMA Exhibition Will Explore Political And Social Engagement And Radical Experimentation In Early 20th-Century Avant-Garde Art Movement

The Museum of Modern Art announced Engineer, Agitator, Constructor: The Artist Reinvented, a major exhibition that will present the political engagement, fearless and groundbreaking visual experimentation, and utopian aspirations of artists in the early 20th century. On view in The Robert B. Menschel Galleries from May 10 through September 12, 2020, Engineer, Agitator, Constructor will showcase the activities of historical avant-gardes, including galvanizing works of Dada, Bauhaus, De Stijl, Futurism, and Russian Constructivism, and highlights such figures as Aleksandr Rodchenko, Lyubov Popova, John Heartfield, and Hannah Höch.

Drawn from the Museum’s outstanding holdings from this period, the exhibition will mark a recent acquisition of more than 300 works from the Merrill C. Berman Collection, one of the most significant collections of early 20th-century works on paper in private hands. Engineer, Agitator, Constructor: The Artist Reinvented is organized by Jodi Hauptman, Senior Curator, Department of Drawings and Prints, MoMA, and Adrian Sudhalter, Consulting Curator, with Jane Cavalier, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Drawings and Prints, MoMA.

Hannah Höch, German (1889–1978). Collage (Dada). c. 1922. Original collage: cut-and-pasted papers, printed papers, ink (postmark), and postage stamp on board, 9 3/4 × 13″ (24.8 × 33 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. The Merrill C. Berman Collection

The historic acquisition in 2018 from the legendary Merrill C. Berman Collection transformed MoMA’s holdings of early 20th-century avant-garde art from Soviet Russia; Weimar Germany; the newly constituted Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia; the Netherlands; and Italy, securing the Museum’s position as the unmatched repository of art of this period. Containing both individual masterworks and rare contextual material, the Berman Collection at MoMA offers standout strength and unparalleled depth in its area. With its capacity to fill gaps and diversify modernism’s narratives, this acquisition is particularly urgent at this moment of the Museum’s expansion, offering exciting opportunities to share new and compelling stories, including those that are explicitly political, of the early 20th century.

John (born Helmut Herzfelde) Heartfield (German, 1891–1968). The Hand Has Five Fingers (5 Finger hat die Hand). 1928. Lithograph, 38 1/2 × 29 1/4″ (97.8 × 74.3 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. The Merrill C. Berman Collection