Michael Bennett, the former N.F.L. player, started designing furniture as a way to reconsider architecture and the spaces that Black people occupy. Inspired by his upbringing in Louisiana and Texas, as well as by trips to Senegal, where his ancestors are from, Bennett began to think about the objects that “bring Black people together in public spaces” as a way to deepen his longtime activism work focused on racial justice. After retiring from football in 2020, he founded the design practice Studio Kër. Bennett’s exploration of the Black home led him to create an 11-piece collection of sculptural furniture that he’s debuting this month in “We Gotta Get Back to the Crib,” his inaugural exhibition for the Los Angeles art gallery Marta, presented at Theaster Gates’s Rebuild Foundation in Chicago. (In the spring, the show will travel to Houston.) The collection reimagines objects of communal gatherings; pieces include the Gumbo lounge chair, a lush take on the stackable monobloc chair, and the Pew couch, a nod to the church bench, made of leather and ekki wood. “For me, the show is about celebrating Black ingenuity and connecting back to that African diasporic design language,” says Bennett.
How to spend a long weekend in vibrant Valencia
23.12.2023 - 08:13 / nationalgeographic.com
With some 300 sunny days annually, Spain’s third-largest city Valencia is a popular spot for visitors, yet it remains pleasantly uncrowded, making it perfect for a weekend city break. Almost equidistant from its bigger sisters Madrid and Barcelona, this charming city on Spain’s southeastern coast is striking — expect Blue Flag beaches, distinctive neighbourhoods, fragrant orange groves and heaps of heritage.
Recognised for its breadth of natural spaces, from Albufera Natural Park to the Jardí del Túria (Turia Gardens) that snake along its former riverbed, Valencia is proud to promote its commitment to improving the environment. As the city celebrates being the European Green Capital in 2024, add a long weekend in Valencia to your New Year travel to-do list.
Valencia boasts three UNESCO listings for Intangible Cultural Heritage, including La fiesta de las Fallas — a legendary festival that electrifies the city’s streets each March with parties, pyrotechnics and oversized sculptures called ninots. Created from materials like plaster and papier mâché, ninots are true works of art. If you can’t make it to Valencia during Fallas, make sure to visit one (or both) of the museums dedicated to the event — Museo Fallero and Museo del Gremio de Artistas Falleros.
Also claiming a place on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list is the weekly Tribunal de Las Aguas, in which eight robe-clad farmers convene outside the Door of the Apostles in the Plaza de la Virgen to discuss how water should be distributed in La Huerta (a farming area around Valencia noted for its centuries-old Arabic irrigation system). While you’re at the cathedral, take a peek at the agate chalice inside — claimed to be the Holy Grail — and climb 207 steps up to the Miguelete tower to experience Spain’s manual bell ringing, yet another UNESCO treasure.
With gardens aplenty — from Parque Central to flower-filled Monforte and Turia, Valencia’s beloved green lung — plus 120,000sq metres of pedestrianised areas like Plaza de la Reina, this abundantly green city is ripe for wandering. Those who prefer cycling will appreciate around 120 miles of bike routes including the new Anillo Verde Metropolitano (Metropolitan Green Ring), a 35-mile circular corridor that connects the surrounding farmland with the coast, taking in characterful towns and oases like Albufera.
Visiting one of Valencia’s Blue Flag beaches is an ideal way to take advantage of the ample sunshine, too. Cabanyal and Malvarrosa are both within walking distance of the centre.
Art and design are among Valencia’s top draws — with over 60 cultural spaces, alongside architectural icons like the art nouveau Estación del Norte (North Station), it make sense that the city was named World
Valencia's secret history: executions and bullfights in Plaza del Mercado
It was a hot summer's day in Valencia when Margarida Borrás was hanged.
You can spend two months living on Oceania's premium cruise ship for $15,700 per person as it sails to 2 continents
Travelers who've dreamt of living on a cruise ship could soon try out the lifestyle with a two-month sailing aboard Oceania Cruises' upscale 1,250-guest Riviera.
UK Airports May No Longer Require Travelers to Show Their Passports
The next time you fly to the United Kingdom, you might be able to leave your passport safely tucked away in your bag. The nation’s airports will reportedly begin testing new facial recognition technology at “eGates” for arriving passengers, which would replace border control's standard physical passport check.
Solo travel doesn’t have to be lonely: Here’s how I make friends on the road
I was walking along the Guadalquivir River in Seville, where I had just begun my latest solo travel adventure.
How To Move To Norway In 2024
Norway, along with the rest of the Nordic region, is frequently hailed as one of the happiest places to live in the world, boasting one of the highest standards of living. If you’ve ever visited the fjords and fallen in love with the natural beauty, you’ve likely wondered what it would be like to live in Norway.
How to spend a day tram-hopping to Edinburgh's lively port district of Leith
On 7 June 2023, trams ran down Leith Walk for the first time in 67 years, opening up parts of Edinburgh little trammelled by visitors. The new 2.91-mile, eight-stop route sweeps north from Edinburgh’s heart to meet the Firth of Forth at the docks district of Leith, then turns west to reach its end at Newhaven’s historic harbour. The arrival of the trams has injected life along the way: Leith Walk’s pavements have been widened, and new cafes, bars and restaurants are drawing in locals and travellers alike.
SWISS to serve new European destinations in Summer 2024
Further frequencies will be added between Zurich and various existing European destinations including Alicante, Madrid, Naples, Venice and Vilnius.
The Smart Destination Platform, European funds and AI, at the heart of the 12th edition of FITUR Know-How & Export
More than 40 exhibiting companies with technological solutions for the transformation of tourist destinations.
China Is Making It Easier for Americans to Visit — Here’s How
China will make it easier for American tourists to visit, simplifying the visa process for 2024.
Here’s What It’s Like To Spend The Holidays On An MSC Cruise Ship
After spending Christmas on MSC Euribia, I’m convinced there’s no better place to celebrate the holiday season than on a cruise ship. In fact, I’m thinking MSC may secretly stand for Merry Sailing Christmas because it even managed to snag Santa, who was handing out gifts and looking like he’d had a grand old time at the buffet.
10 Of The Best Places In Europe To Spend New Year’s Eve
According to professional travel organisation, European Best Destinations, the Portuguese island of Madeira is the best place to see the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display. The travel experts polled a panel of 11,963 travellers from 112 countries, mainly from the United Kingdom (22,42%) and the United States (18,91%) and found the top destination to count down the 2024 New Year is Madeira, followed by Marbella (Spain) with London ranking number three. Here are the top ten.