The Artful Life: 7 Things Galerie Editors Love This Week

1. Philia Traces Generations of Brazilian Design at an Oscar Niemeyer Landmark

Suspended like a spaceship above Guanabara Bay, Oscar Niemeyer’s otherworldly Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Niterói actively participates in “Then and Now – Brazilian Legacy,” an exceptional new show curated by Philia founder Ygaël Attali tracing the evolution of Brazil’s design vernacular. More than 60 works by midcentury masters such as Joaquim Tenreiro, Lina Bo Bardi, and José Zanine Caldas are placed in conversation with today’s talents. The resulting exchange reveals how Brazil’s craft-forward design legacy, rooted in Indigenous materials and social purpose, continues to inform the present. Tenreiro’s refined woodworking, Bo Bardi’s socially engaged ethos, and Zanine’s environmental activism resonate in works like Hugo França’s monumental reworked trunks, Mondrian-inspired stone and steel hybrids by Gabriela Campos, and luminous hardwood pieces by Rafael Triboli. The show, which is on view August 29–31, is both the largest of its kind in the country to date—and the first to unite such a broad intergenerational spectrum inside an icon of Brazilian architecture. —Ryan Waddoups

2. Louis Vuitton Introduces the House’s First Beauty Line, La Beauté Louis Vuitton

For over 170 years, Louis Vuitton has been synonymous with the art of travel and creative excellence. Now, the house is embarking on an exciting new journey into the world of beauty with the launch of La Beauté Louis Vuitton. Led by the legendary makeup artist Dame Pat McGrath, DBE, who joins the brand as creative director of cosmetics, it marks the brand’s first foray into color cosmetics. A dive into the house’s archives reveals a long-standing relationship with beauty, from innovative vanity cases once designed to transport delicate perfumes and toiletries to luxurious powder compacts and brushes from the 1920s. Notable bespoke creations from the past include a custom makeup kit made for opera soprano Marthe Chenal in 1925, and a toiletry case crafted for the Polish composer Jan Paderewski in the same year. Even the very first Louis Vuitton handbags for women were designed to accommodate daily essentials, including cosmetics. The new collection, which officially launches on August 29, features 55 shades of lip color, 10 lip balms, and 8 eyeshadow palettes, all dreamed up by McGrath, each product encased in elegant Louis Vuitton monogram packaging. There is also a range of beauty accessories, including a Vanity Trunk, paying homage to the brand’s origins. —Lucy Rees

3. Explora Journeys Announces Partnership with Top Ranking Tennis Player Jannik Sinner

While much of the excitement around Jannik Sinner’s arrival in New York is focused on Flushing Meadows in Queens, Explora Journeys took the opportunity to toast the Italian tennis pro in a splashy event in Midtown, naming him a Brand Ambassador for the luxury cruise company. “Jannik embodies the values at the heart of Explora Journeys—authenticity, excellence, and a commitment to wellbeing,” says Anna Nash, the brand’s global president. “His passion, talent, and team spirit—on and off the court—align perfectly with our ethos, inspiring guests to embrace a mindful, balanced way of living and to discover the transformative power of travel.” The first Italian player to earn number one in men’s singles, Sinner kicks off his U.S. Open competition on Tuesday against Vit Kopriva of the Czech Republic. As part of the partnership with Explora, he will help create a series of exclusive onboard activations and wellness rituals. “For me, wellness is not just about training—it’s about recovery and balance,” says Sinner. “I believe in the power of nature and mindful routines, and I see those values reflected in every experience with Explora Journeys.”—Jill Sieracki

4. Todd Merrill Studio Returns to Bergdorf Goodman with Sweeping Installation

Back for a third consecutive collaboration with Bergdorf Goodman, Todd Merrill Studio has expanded its footprint to take over the 7th-floor hallway of the iconic retailer with a curated selection of art and collectible design. The extensive display of contemporary art and collectible design is partially set against a dramatic backdrop of Chinoiserie panels from de Gournay, which also partnered with the gallery on the collaboration. The de Gournay panels, St. Laurent and Badminton, inspired a series of hand-built vessels by ceramicist Christopher Russell, which are featured in the exhibit, as are shimmering resin paintings by Aurel K. Basedow.

Elsewhere, walls are painted in Farrow & Ball hues to complement additional works by Barron Claiborne, lighting works by Dutch artist Maarten Vrolijk, Totem chandeliers by Jamie Harris, various tables by Djivan Schapira, and more. “This ambitious exhibition furthers Todd Merrill Studio’s mission: to champion a global roster of artists who redefine the boundaries between art, design, and craft. United by material innovation, studio-driven processes, and exceptional craftsmanship, each work reflects a commitment to integrity, experimentation, and bold vision,” the gallery stated.—Alexandria Sillo

5. In the Penn District, the Dynamo Room Revives New York’s Steakhouse Traditions

With all the rapid-fire development underway at the Penn District in New York, a steakhouse that harkens back to the city’s historic 19th-century grills seemed inevitable. Located in the newly redeveloped Penn 2 tower, The Dynamo Room—named after the apparatus that powered Thomas Edison’s electrical generator room—evokes a more glamorous era thanks to dramatic vaulted ceilings modeled after the original Penn Station and satellite-shaped fixtures fashioned by glass artist Esteban Salazar that nod to early transit-era innovation. Designed by emerging firm Evidence of Things, the transportive environs gracefully meld the city’s epicurean history with subterranean grit. Orbital steel railings line the dining platforms, richly upholstered loveseats soften the geometry, and woven stone tiling lends texture. A sea of kinetic lenses by French artist Vincent Leroy floats above the bar; a rotating art program curated by East Village gallery Karma opened with spray-gun paintings by Color Field pioneer Peter Bradley.

The menu, led by chefs Jaime Young and Derek Boccagno, looks to Charles Ranhofer’s beloved downtown steakhouse Delmonico’s and classic oyster houses for cues, offering raw bar towers, dry-aged steaks, and reimagined grillhouse staples. Brian Evans helms the cocktail program, pairing inventive concoctions with a wine list tailored to the menu’s flair for the classics. “A Grill and Oyster Bar embodies the city’s rich dining history and timeless appeal,” says Sunday Hospitality co-founder Adam Landsman. “As New Yorkers, this was our chance to give back to the city we love—starting with the first impression visitors get when they arrive.” —R.W.

6. Ritz-Carlton Debuts First Safari Lodge in Kenya

Considered the pinnacle of luxury, Ritz-Carlton lures discerning travelers with poshly manicured hotels and yachts in cosmopolitan locations around the globe. Now, the high-end brand is revealing more of its wild side with an artfully appointed safari lodge in Kenya. Nestled into one of the continent’s most eagerly sought after wilderness preserves, The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp includes 20 tented villas—including the astounding four-bedroom Presidential Suite—that offer sweeping views of the savannah, where lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinoceros, elephants, and more than 500 bird species roam freely. Shaped by LW Design, the accommodations feature artisan pieces in earthy materials and neutral palettes as well as private plunge pools, perfect for post safari-drive relaxation. The multitude of dining options capture the many flavors of African cuisine in spectacular surroundings; guests can enjoy dinner under the stars at the Upeo Sky Deck, sample rare wine vintages and a six-course tasting menu in the Cellar, or revel in the region’s vivacious spirit at the traditional Boma. While guided game drives are a highlight of the safari experience, hot air balloon rides over the plains, photography lessons in the on-site studio, and rejuvenating wellness treatments in the Whispering Tree Spa demonstrate Ritz-Carlton’s aptitude for luxury, even in the most remote destinations.—J.S.

7. A Not-to-be-Missed Exhibition by Ugo Rondinone Goes on View at the Madoo Conservancy in Sagaponick

Tucked away in Sagaponock in the Hamptons, Madoo is an ever-changing garden filled with historic structures established by the artist, gardener, and writer Robert Dash in 1967. This summer, there is an additional reason to visit: a new exhibition by the acclaimed contemporary artist Ugo Rondinone titled “Sculpting Wind.” On view in the Dash’s former summer studio through September 13, the show comprises sixteen dramatic black-painted sailboats displayed atop polished concrete plinths in the space’s summer studio. Crafted over the last four years, the small vessels, which resemble hobby models, vary in size and appear to be straining against strong headwinds. Each artwork is named after some of the world’s most famous winds like the mistral, pueche, santa ana, and tramontane. After visiting the show, make sure to wander through the delightful gardens, which are inspired by Asian, English Regency, and other horticultural styles, and enjoy the vibrant wildflowers in bloom before the season ends.–L.R.