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Toronto’s Abrielle Channels a Mediterranean Muse
Downtown Toronto has welcomed a novel dining room in the Art Deco Westinghouse building that was recently restored as the Sutton Place Hotel. The ground-floor Abrielle imagines a muse of the same name that embodies the joie de vivre of the region’s women while emulating the warmth of eateries across Rome, Nice, and Barcelona. DesignAgency cleverly divided the interior into cozy nooks, enhancing the ambiance with sculptural seating and plush banquettes that create distinct zones for dining and socializing. Gallery walls, a hand-painted mural by Tammy Flynn Seybold, and dramatic fixtures suspended from shiplap ceilings lend to the visual mélange, as does a supple leather bar and Calcutta Viola reception desk. As for the menu, expect French favorites: chive-dusted omelets and hearty Canadian ribeye are clear highlights.
Photography by Andrea Avezzù, courtesy of the Venice Architecture Biennale…
Carlo Ratti and Venice Architecture Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco have announced “Intelligens Natural Artificial Collective” as next year’s theme, which aims to redefine the concept of intelligence beyond today’s AI-centric focus. The biennale, running from May 10 to November 23, will examine natural, artificial, and collective types of intelligence through the lens of architecture, and challenge its significant role in atmospheric emissions. This exploration intends to promote sustainable adaptation strategies in architecture, encouraging each participating country to contribute local solutions to global environmental challenges.
The Storefront for Art and Architecture has introduced the Kyong Park Prize for Art and Architecture, named after its founder, to support those at the intersection of art, architecture, and politics with an unrestricted $25,000 award. The prize, funded by a $1.5 million grant from the Mellon Foundation, aims to back practices that are often overlooked by traditional awards due to their unconventional engagement with social and political issues. An extensive nomination and selection process involving a diverse advisory committee will culminate in the announcement of the inaugural recipient this fall, celebrated with a lecture and dinner in 2025.
In Times Square, a 65-foot-long hot dog installation created by artists Jen Catron and Paul Outlaw launched with a colorful event featuring rainbow confetti and drag wrestlers, marking the largest project commissioned by Times Square Arts. The installation serves as a commentary on American culture, highlighting the hot dog’s complex history and its associations with mass production and consumerism. Amidst topping debates and a backdrop of WrestleMania-style performances and food-related art, the spectacle aimed to blend fun with a deeper narrative on American identity, drawing a crowd and providing a surreal experience in the heart of New York.
An art authentication expert has identified around 40 counterfeit paintings on eBay, including alleged works by Monet and Renoir, illuminating a significant issue with forgeries on the platform despite its “no counterfeit” policy. A report by The Guardian highlights that groundbreaking AI technology from Swiss company Art Recognition exposed these fakes, with the company’s head, Dr. Carina Popovici, describing the finding as just the “tip of the iceberg.” Despite repeated attempts to address concerns with eBay since December, Popovici expressed frustration over the online marketplace’s lack of response.
Uber and Instacart have formed a partnership allowing Uber Eats restaurant orders to be placed through the Instacart app, aiming to expand customer bases and counter the dominant market leader DoorDash. The strategic alliance offers Instacart a new revenue stream via a fee from each Uber Eats order, while Uber gains access to Instacart’s strong suburban customer base, a segment traditionally led by DoorDash. The collaboration is set to enhance convenience for users, with Instacart integrating a restaurants tab in its app, though both companies will maintain separate delivery operations.
