Urbanity: See Your City

SEE YOUR CITY

Spring is here and New York is blooming.

by Dan Metz

DANIEL COONEY FINE ART presents Wyldlands by Doug Meyer, an exhibit that explores a future world of 2036. Meyer imagines that we are two decades into a series of pandemics that keep Americans in quarantine and eight states have seceded to form the West America Federation. By 2036, future Americans begin to come out of quarantine and explore the social world left behind in March 2020. Meyer spent the last year constructing fantastical recreational playgrounds he calls “bunkers” and creates portholes to look inside on the humans expressing themselves physically and socially. He was inspired by his own social isolation, seeing no one except his husband and going nowhere except his home and studio, a short walk from each other in Chelsea. As the lockdown grew longer the narrative expanded and shifted in Meyer’s head. He thought about what society would be like when it reopened, and designed the bunkers so viewers could look in on those interactions. The bunkers got bigger and the story in his head got more refined. “It became this whole kind of voyeuristic thing because if people can get together with someone who’s tested negative, it becomes safe,” says Meyer, “I think the idea of sex, like everything else, is different than what it was a year ago. So that’s where this whole voyeuristic exhibitionist thing came into play in my head.” danielcooneyfineart.com DESTINATION HAUS is a new concept at The Rockaway, a vibrant, community-driven, full-service hotel located in the heart of Rockaway Beach. The 84,000 square foot hotel features 60 guest rooms, a restaurant, a rooftop bar, an outdoor pool area, and a large-scale event space. The Destination Haus Bungalow is curated with beach-chic decor and furnishings by Destination Haus, fusing the beach and urban city life experience that the hotel is known for. The one-bedroom bungalow is a bookable, elevated private dining space perfectly suitable for special celebrations from intimate weddings and birthdays to bridal and baby showers. The bungalow also acts as a design showroom in which guests can shop every item on display and will be open through the end of April. therockawayhotel.com

TROUTBECK is just a short two-hour drive from Manhattan in Amenia, NY, and is a perfect getaway in any season. The 250-acre estate hotel has lots of ways to relax, including a world class spa (shown above) and a full complement of natural programs. Take over an 18th-century cottage, complete with four-bedrooms, a dining room, a living room, and a kitchenette. In the restaurant you can taste the locally sourced culinary stylings of Chef Gabe McMackin. If you’d rather stay active than lounge, Troutbeck offers unique classes, workshops, and experiences, including a falconry program offered on-site. Meet the birds, learn the basics, then put on a glove and work with professionally trained birds. troutbeck.com WHIPPED URBAN DESSERT LAB brings ice cream into

the future with their plant-based, dairy-free, vegan, oat milk soft-serve. Five delicious flavors are on the menu: Strawberry Shortcake, Mint Chocolate Cookie, Cinnamon Apple Crisp, Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie and Classic Chocolate. They also have a premium hard-scooped ice crème collection. Whipped is owned by sisters Courtney Blagrove and Zan BR, and is part of UrbanLuxe, a black- and female-owned lifestyle brand. Blagrove holds a PhD in nutrition and metabolism, so perfecting the texture and flavor of vegan, allergy-friendly ice crème was all done in-house. 95 Orchard Street, urbandessertlab.com

THE LAWN CLUB is an indoor recreation area designed to replicate a classic outdoor experience. Located in the Fulton Market Building, it will be opening this spring. Created by The Howard Hughes Corporation, The Lawn Club will feature individual turf courts available for guests to rent. Half of the 20,000-square foot space will be covered in premium synthetic grass that emulates a perfect outdoor lawn, while the remainder will feature expansive seating for leisure viewing and enjoyment. Each court will come with a rotating selection of lawn games for guests to play, including cornhole, bocce, croquet, mölkky, and more. During the summer months, The Lawn Club will expand outdoors with sidewalk courts. Tailored for guests of all ages, the site offers New Yorkers and visitors a safe way to socialize in a lively, family-friendly atmosphere. thelawnclubnyc.com

THE NEW-YORK HISTORICAL

SOCIETY wants us all to laugh again with their new exhibit, So Ready for Laughter: Bob Hope and World War II. Coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the USO, the show celebrates Hope and his famous USO tours. A companion exhibition recalls the comedian’s wide-ranging influence as a live entertainer, movie and television star, and Oscars host, with materials from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and other sources. The exhibition features approximately 50 artifacts, including rare and unpublished photographs of Hope; a World War II-era aircraft fragment; videos of his traveling wartime troupe; and Hollywood Victory Caravan programs and scrapbooks. nyhistory.org