Venice Biennale 2019: Darkness + Light

From doppelgängers to robots and holograms, some of the shadowy works on show

This year’s theme for the 58th International Art Exhibition at this year’s Venice Biennale, “May you live in interesting times,” is oftentimes purported to be translated from a traditional Chinese curse—wherein a phrase that sounds like a blessing is actually said ironically. It makes sense that many artists involved in the show (curated by Ralph Rugoff) offered dark, bleak and downright strange works. Many pieces (films …

Venice Art Biennale 2019: Bold + Bright

Exploring identity, intimacy and more, through some of our favorite colorful pieces

For the 58th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, curator Ralph Rugoff selected only living artists—an uncommon move at events of this scale. His motivation for this decision is two-fold: it ensures lively and active discussion about contemporary art, and acts as a kind of antidote to the “alternative facts” that define the post-truth age. As such, this year’s theme, “May you live …

Road Trip: Phoenix to Sedona and Beyond in Arizona

From contemporary cuisine to natural wonders and even a ghost town

Driving around Arizona, the sixth largest state in the US, it’s easy to feel like you’ve been transported into the middle of nowhere, or even onto another planet—in one moment you’re surrounded by rocky red buttes, the next saguaro-speckled desertscapes and then, verdant valleys. While one could spend weeks upon weeks exploring the majestic region, we spent a weekend there and paved out a road …