Culture
The Autofictions of Kendrick Lamar
In a recent concert at the Barclays Center, the artist’s delivery was a testament to the enduring power of an unvarnished rap performance.
The Latest
Why Justin Bieber Got Banned from Performing in China
In a country that is trying to reconcile its system of stringent political control with the porousness of modern culture, even a feckless pop star can be a threat.
Touring Jim Henson’s Restless Creative Spirit, at the Museum of the Moving Image
A permanent exhibition, newly opened in Queens, provides a dizzying portrait of the imagination behind the Muppets.
Princes William and Harry’s Guarded Confessions in “Diana, Our Mother”
In a new documentary focussing on the Princess’s influence on her sons, light chat over family photos seems contrived to mask a depth of feeling.
The Interpretive Extremes of Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations
In 1819, a Viennese music publisher wrote a waltz and asked dozens of composers to write a single variation. Beethoven wrote thirty-three.
See our new Goings On About Town, The New Yorker’s online guide to the city’s best in culture, from ballet to bagels. »
Goings On About Town
An Opera of Russia’s Brutal History
Dvořák’s “Dimitrij,” at Bard SummerScape, is a tale of idealism, intrigue, and failed love, set in the Time of Troubles.
Panorama’s Contemporary Scope
Frank Ocean, Solange, Tame Impala, and more share top billing at the three-day blockbuster on Randall’s Island.
The Critics
A New Kind of Adultery Novel
Sally Rooney’s début, “Conversations with Friends,” is a bracing study of ideas. But it’s even smarter about people.
Discovering the Brilliance of Hélio Oiticica
The Brazilian artist was sorely under-known in the U.S. while he was alive. A posthumous retrospective reveals the immersive pleasures of his work.
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Photo Booth
A Lost Cat’s Reincarnation
When Masahisa Fukase’s kitten disappeared, and a stranger returned the wrong animal, he took the stray in anyway and made it the subject of a photo series.
Podcasts
Video
The M.T.A. Workout
Welcome to the new M.T.A.: Metropolitan Transit Athletics! Grab a towel, swipe your MetroCard, and get ready to sweat. Daily membership costs only $2.75.