ABOUT YELLENA JAMES:

Yellena James grew up and attended art school in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She moved to the U.S. at age 18, earning her BA in painting and graphic design. Working primarily in pens, inks, markers, and acrylics, James’ combines complex abstract forms into dazzling images, her colorful arrangements of organic shapes and tangled lines both floral and alien, organic and sci-fi. James has participated in shows nationally and internationally, including solo and illustration work for companies such as Apple, Adobe, Relativity Media, La Mer, Anthropologie, Swatch, and Moleskine, among others.

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The installation is on view behind the turnstiles in the lobby at 200 Liberty Street within Brookfield Place.

About the artist:

Michelle Hoogveld is a Canadian contemporary artist whose vibrant style is inspired by color theory, connection, and matters of the heart. Her works embody bold patterns and textile-like blockings of color, weaving together an intricate portrayal of who we areas people, the places we encounter, and the one thing that connects us all—love. Creating a visual language that draws upon human emotion and the resonance of color, Hoogveld merges intuition with intention, thoughtfully intertwining gestural marks and washes with hard-edge painting. Drawing inspiration from geometric abstraction, colorfield painting, and abstract expressionism, Michelle employs color theory alongside spontaneous combinations of color, resulting in compositions that dance between movement and form. Hoogveld has a multidisciplinary academic background in Visual Communication and Design from Lynn University and a BEd in Art Education from the University of British Columbia. Her abstract works are internationally recognized, beautifying and uplifting spaces in both the private and public realm. Showcased in Canada, the United States, the Netherlands, France, Peru, Mexico, Germany, Portugal, England, and Spain, Hoogveld aims to push the boundaries where color and emotion coalesce, celebrating the richly saturated, ever-changing expressions of the heart.

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Common Picnic: Halo-Halo Edition is an interactive outdoor installation by artist Risa Puno, designed for communal meals, lounging, and play. An evolution of Puno’s original Common Picnic (2015), the piece on the waterfront at Brookfield Place features a series of interconnected picnic tables that reflect the experience of living in a crowded city where one often shares personal space with friends and strangers alike.

This new colorful version is inspired by ‘halo-halo’—a layered Filipino dessert made up of vibrant ingredients like tropical fruit, sweet beans, and ube ice cream, each with its own cultural origins—whose name literally means “mix-mix.” Just as ‘halo-halo’ combines many flavors into one dish, Common Picnic: Halo-Halo Edition celebrates the joyful blending of people and experiences. By inviting visitors to interact in shared public space, it embodies the Philippine concept of ‘kapwa,’ a deeply shared sense of self that unites and connects us to one another.

Join us on June 4 and 25, when lunchtime DJ sets (12:30 – 1:30pm) celebrate Filipino culture in connection with Risa Puno’s art installation, during our Pride Concerts music event. More information here.

Risa Puno is the recipient of the 2025 Brookfield Place New York Annual Arts Commission.

Image at top: Risa Puno, Common Picnic, 2015, photo by @talismannyc

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Risa Puno is a NYC-based sculpture and installation artist who uses interactivity and play to help people connect more openly and easily. She has exhibited with national and international organizations, including: The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield, CT; NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, New York; Rose Kennedy Greenway; Boston, MA; The New Children’s Museum, San Diego, CA; and Science Gallery, Dublin, Ireland. In 2019, she was selected by Creative Time for their inaugural Open Call award and was named FIGMENT’s first ever Interactive Artist of the Year. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, The New Yorker, ProPublica, and The Boston Globe. She currently serves on the NYC DOT Art Advisory Committee and on the board of the Black Immersive Creators Grant. Puno grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and she studied art and medicine at Brown University in Providence, RI, and earned her MFA from New York University.

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Portside is the ultimate summer “getaway,” located right in Lower Manhattan, and inspired by coastal charm and nautical traditions. Portside offers a stunning spot to enjoy food and drink on the waterfront and hosts a variety of events and activations during the summer, giving you more opportunities to celebrate the season and delight in time outdoors. Join us at Portside for happy hour, epic sunsets, family fun, date night, and good vibes all summer long.

TARTINERY SHACK

Enjoy food and drinks from Tartinery on the waterfront at Portside! Link to outdoor menu coming soon.

EVENTS:

Click on the events below for more details and registration when required.

• PRIDE CONCERTS: June 4 & 25 – Celebrate love and self-expression with live music!
• SOUND WAVES: July 9, 16, 23 & 30 – Unwind with music at this waterfront DJ series.
• BFPL VINEYARD: July 15 – Savor every sip at this curated wine-tasting.
• BEYOND THE PAGES: A LITERARY SERIES: May – October – Explore stories, meet authors, receive books, and make connections!
• COMMON PICNIC: HALO-HALO EDITION: May 1 – September 1 – Experience this interactive outdoor installation of interconnected picnic tables by Risa Puno that fosters unity.

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FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

• MAY 6 | BookTok Panel Discussion: Ultimate Summer Reads
  • A moderated conversation on the season’s best beach reads and timeless summer favorites.
• JUNE 3, AUG 5, OCT 7, & NOV 28 | 10AM | Book Drops | RSVP
  • Select a free book of your choice and discover new reads! Books are available first come, first to receive, while supplies last.
• JUNE 17, AUG 19, & OCT 21 | 6-7PM | Book Club | RSVP
  • Gatherings that bring book lovers together for engaging discussions led by a moderator and centered around a selected theme.
• SEPT 9 | 6-7:30PM | Meet the Author
  • Stay tuned for more information on this event spotlighting a renowned author and their latest release, and featuring a moderated fireside chat, audience Q&A, and book signing.

More information to be shared as each event approaches. See below for details on the next upcoming event!

UPCOMING EVENT DETAILS:

Book Drop
June 3 | 10AM
Location: Portside (Waterfront Terrace at BFPL)
RSVP HERE

Featuring HarperVia, Amistad, and Pride-themed Literature

Start your summer reading off right with three buzzy picks from HarperVia and Amistad: Make Me Famous, Salty, and Meet Me at the Crossroads. We’re giving away 150 complimentary books to curious readers, literature lovers, and anyone on the hunt for their next summer page-turner. In celebration of Pride, we’ll also be adding 50 additional vibrant titles that honor love, identity, and powerful storytelling on our rainbow bookshelf. This special launch of the Beyond the Pages Book Drop will be our biggest book giveaway of the series—don’t miss your chance to be part of the story when you select a free book to take home!

PLEASE NOTE: Books are available first come, first to receive, while supplies last. One book per person. Holding a place in line for others will not be allowed. RSVP on Eventbrite to show you are interested and receive reminders! Registering does not guarantee you a book, however. 

Book Club: Love & Literature: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Stories
Selected Book: The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan
June 17 | 6-7PM
Location: Portside (Waterfront Terrace at BFPL)
RSVP HERE

As part of the Beyond the Pages Literary Series, join our BFPL Book Club — gatherings that bring book lovers together for engaging discussions led by a moderator and centered around a selected theme.

A limited number of copies of the Book Club selection will be available at the preceding BFPL Book Drops on-site at the start of each month, but anyone who has read the book is able to participate! Read at your own pace, then join us for a lively, moderator-led discussion with fellow readers. Whether you’re a dedicated bibliophile or just looking to connect with others, the BFPL Book Club is a great way to share your love of reading.

• About the Book: The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan
  In Kate Fagan’s debut novel, The Three Lives of Cate Kay, readers follow Anne Callahan, who reinvents herself first as Cass Ford and ultimately as the enigmatic bestselling author Cate Kay. After a tragic event disrupts her youthful aspirations, Anne assumes new identities, leading to literary fame under a pseudonym. Now, she decides to unveil her true story, confronting past secrets and exploring themes of identity, ambition, and self-discovery.

Future Book Club Selections: Start reading now!

• August 19 | All-Star Reads: The Warrior: Rafael Nadal and His Kingdom of Clay by Christopher Clarey
• October 21 | Shrills and Thrills: The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

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Discover AEROGLYPH, a new exhibition of photography by artist Reuben Wu in the Winter Garden Gallery. Presented in partnership with the New York-based non-profit organization Photoville and its annual citywide festival.

AEROGLYPH presents an exploration of artist Reuben Wu‘s pioneering light-based landscape works from his series, Lux Noctis, Aeroglyphs, and Siren.

Spanning nine years, these images document Wu’s groundbreaking use of drone-mounted lighting to create interventions in remote landscapes. Beginning with Lux Noctis, where drones illuminate geological formations, the exhibition traces Wu’s development through to the geometric patterns of Aeroglyphs, and the more organic forms of Siren.

In Siren, Wu’s newest series, the artist shifts toward harmony with natural forces. Originating during an aurora over Lake Michigan, these forms yield to their environment, as waves modulate laser light into translucent presences both artificial and elemental.

What unites all of these works is Wu’s approach to photography – using technology not to dominate landscapes, but to reveal them anew. Each image operates between documentation and creation, where light becomes both subject and medium. AEROGLYPH invites viewers to reconsider their relationship with technology and landscape. Wu’s work suggests a collaborative possibility where technological intervention creates wonder while maintaining reverence for the natural world.

This exhibition features artwork presented by Brookfield Properties Arts & Events on view in the Winter Garden Gallery from May 13 through August 25, 2025.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Reuben Wu is a visual artist living in the United States, whose work reimagines the relationship between landscape, light, and technology. Best known for his innovative use of drone-mounted and other lighting methods, Wu creates photographic images that function as both documentation and intervention—transforming remote natural environments into staged, otherworldly scenes.

Originally trained in industrial design and music, Wu brings a multidisciplinary sensibility to his visual work. He is a National Geographic photographer, who has exhibited internationally, and has work in both private and institutional collections.

ABOUT PHOTOVILLE

Photoville is a New York-based non-profit organization that works to promote a wider understanding and increased access to the art of photography for all. Founded in 2011 in Brooklyn, NY, Photoville was built on the principles of addressing cultural equity and inclusion, which we are always striving for, by ensuring that the artists we exhibit are diverse in gender, class, and race.

In pursuit of its mission, Photoville produces an annual, citywide open air photography festival in New York City, a wide range of free educational community initiatives, and a nationwide program of public art exhibitions.

Through creative partnerships with festivals, city agencies, and other nonprofit organizations, Photoville offers visual storytellers, educators, and students financial support, mentorship, and promotional & production resources, on a range of exhibition opportunities. Learn more at Photoville.com.

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Unwind and immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms of summer during this curated DJ series featuring global grooves and waterfront views. Each week, talented DJs spin a variety of music for you to enjoy.

Grab a drink or bite to eat, catch the beat, feel the energy, and soak in the sunset!

This event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required to attend this event.

TIMES:

• Lunchtime session: 12:00 – 1:30 PM
• Evening session: 5:30 – 8:30 PM

FEATURED DJs:

• July 9: DJ modrums
• July 16: DJ Raat Ki Rani
• July 23: DJ Bembona
• July 30: DJ Tres Dos

BIOS:

modrums (Morgan Greenstreet) is a producer, DJ, musician and journalist. Morgan currently produces and performs original music with Lollise (Botswana/NYC) Loboko (DRC/NYC) and Delasi (Ghana) and consistently DJs around New York City solo and as part of the Zona Libre party. In 2024 modrums started a bi-monthly East Village Radio show Is This Afrobeats? dedicated to hyper-local popular music scenes of the African continent and the African diaspora. He recently released La Rumba Konpa (Dub Vocal) on Turntables on the Hudson.

Roshni Samlal, also known as DJ Raat Ki Rani, is a New York-based tabla player, DJ, producer, curator and poet of Trinidadian descent. As a classically trained tabla artist, Roshni performs traditional tabla solos, South Asian classical accompaniment, jazz and chamber composition. She also uses electronic music production and poetry as contexts to reframe the tabla solo within an experimental narrative lens. She is the lead curator and producer of the Ragini Festival which focuses on spotlighting the work of artists engaged in traditional folk and innovative arts within the further reaches of the South Asian diaspora, focusing on Indo-Caribbean heritage. Her DJ sets are rooted in her diasporic heritage as a Trinidadian immigrant during the 90’s, Global club, Bollywood, Chutney, Soca, Electronics, Dancehall and Dub. Her work has been supported and showcased at GlobalFest, Lincoln Center, Celebrate Brooklyn, Rubin Museum, Accordions of the World Festival, Joe’s Pub, Pioneer Works and the Brooklyn Museum, among others.

With her afro-diasporic & community-oriented approach, Brooklyn born & raised, Puerto Rican-Panamanian DJ/Artist, BEMBONA, has established herself (for over a decade) as a singular voice in the landscape of NYC nightlife and beyond. She has had the honor to perform opening sets for La India, Mr. Eazi, Ivy Queen, Bomba Estereo, Tainy, DJ Blass & more. She has also graced the stages of Afropunk, Summerstage, Celebrate Brooklyn, Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Museum, FANIA and has spoken for Talks at Google, AJ+ and more.  Further highlights have been nationwide campaigns for both NIKE and Buchanan’s Whisky. Recognized as a mainstay in this cultural panorama, Bembona’s musical practice is rooted in spirituality & healing with an emphasis on her mission to continue celebrating, empowering & unifying the Black Diaspora.

DJ Tres Dos was born in Puerto Rico and has spent his life back and forth between Puerto Rico and New York. He started DJing in the late 90s at Louisiana Bar & Grill in Manhattan with a live Cuban band and since then has continued to enhance NYC culture and nightlife with international music. He has produced events with bands such as Bio Ritmo, Innov Gnawa, Amayo’s Fu-Arkist-Ra, Los Cumpleaños and Yotoco. He has DJed in Mexico City, Sao Paulo, San Juan, as well as in NYC at venues such as: Lincoln Center, Knockdown Center, and Pioneer Works, among many other venues. He has a bi-weekly show on East Village Radio and has co-produced episodes for the Afropop Worldwide radio program with his Zona Libre partner, Morgan Greenstreet aka modrums. His passion is making connections between different genres and styles and taking listeners on a journey of discovery.

ABOUT PORTSIDE:

Portside is the ultimate summer “getaway” right in Lower Manhattan inspired by coastal charm and nautical traditions. Throughout the summer, BFPL will host a series of events to celebrate the season. Join us for happy hour, epic sunsets, family fun, date night, and good vibes all summer long.

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