Jessica Gorman

Should You Try to Visit Yayoi Kusama’s Latest Infinity Mirror Room With Kids?

Submitted by Jessica Gorman on Tue, 12/10/2019 - 9:52am

Stepping into one of Yayoi Kusama’s infinity mirror rooms is both thrilling and intimidating in the same breath. Best known for her infinity rooms—Kusama has produced more than 20 of them since 1965—the Japanese contemporary artist is currently having a bit of a New York moment. She debuted a new float in the NYC Thanksgiving Parade last month and will mount a large-scale exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden in May 2020. Her “Every Day I Pray For Love” exhibition, which is on display at David Zwirner Gallery in Chelsea until this weekend, is FREE and open to the public on a first come, first entry basis.

After waiting close to two hours with my three children (aged 5, 9 and 13) on a winding line of excitement to see “Dancing Lights That Flew Up To the Universe,” I was ready for something transformative. Does the experience live up to the hype? The answer, like a lot of things art-related, may depend on the eye of the beholder.

Staten Island's 10 Best Playgrounds

Submitted by Jessica Gorman on Wed, 11/27/2019 - 9:31am

Staten Island takes its designation as NYC's “Greenest Borough” seriously. Dotted with over 170 parks across 12,300 acres of protected parkland, the borough boasts plenty of options for outdoor adventure, from wooded trails and kayak launches to designated areas for bird watching and horseback riding. If you really dig deep you’ll even find a field reserved for model aircraft flight, and an old-fashioned carousel.

But if you’re looking for a great destination playground to keep your children busy, there’s certainly an abundance of those too—and many of Staten Island's best playgrounds are newly renovated and chock full of innovative and interactive play units. Here’s a look at Staten Island’s top 10 playgrounds—and the details that make each one so unique.

Yayoi Kusama Returns to NYC with Mirrored Infinity Room in Chelsea

Submitted by Jessica Gorman on Mon, 11/11/2019 - 4:26pm

New York City might officially have a case of Yayoi Kusama fever. The 90-year-old Japanese contemporary artist, best known for her immersive infinity mirror rooms, debuts a new float in the NYC Thanksgiving Parade later this month, and will mount a large-scale exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden in May 2020. Meanwhile, just last week Kusama unveiled one of her celebrated new works at David Zwirner's Chelsea gallery, in an exhibition that is FREE and open to the public on a first come, first entry basis.

The installation, titled "Dancing Lights That Flew Up To The Universe," made our list of the most-anticipated family activities in NYC this fall. Part of the artist's "Every Day I Pray For Love" exhibition, Kusama's new infinity room is on display until December 14, and if you're looking for a unique art experience to share with your kids, this just might be it. For a look inside the space and tips on what to expect—and how to visit with kids—read on.

Jessica Gorman

Jessica Gorman

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