Brooke Wise
HURS CURATOR
BROOKE WISE
The curator and founder of Aloha From Hell film festival shares her favorite brands, products and places
Since starting her career in art 7 years ago, curator Brooke Wise has cemented herself as one of the key tastemakers pushing the industry forward. Wise has worked with numerous international galleries and world renowned artists. She also regularly collaborates with marketplace Artsy, specializing in Impact Auctions. A large part of Wise’s work is activism based, raising funds for – and working directly with – Planned Parenthood, Tom of Finland Foundation, Meals on Wheels, Black Visions Collective to name a few. Wise also founded a charitable annual comedy film festival called ‘Aloha From Hell’, which benefits Planned Parenthood.
IN NEW YORK, THE ROOM THAT REMAINED
Created by Walter De Maria in 1977, The New York Earth Room is the artist’s third Earth Room. Initially, the interior sculpture was installed for a 3-month exhibition, but it remained and has been on show since 1977. De Maria’s first two works no longer exist. The New York Earth Room spans over 3,600 square feet of floor space and consists of 250 cubic yards of earth, measuring 22 inches deep. The room can be viewed between Wednesday–Sunday 12–3 pm and 3:30–6 pm, and admission is free.
“Walter De Maria's Earth Room is one of my favorite places in New York. Located in an unassuming loft on Wooster street, this installation is free and has been there, minding its own business since 1977. It's one of the few art installations or experiences in New York that you can do on a whim and EXPERIENCE intimately without crowds of tourists or trekking uptown to a grandiose and intimidating building. It's simply a loft filled with aromatic earth. It's perfect. “
“I love a hybrid of art and function or art and design. At the moment I’m really loving the work of FURNITURE designer Eny Lee Parker. She's based in New York and her sculptural lighting is something I think about too often. I particularly love her sconces and peb candle holders. I love work that plays on the masculine vs the feminine. And where the texture and color are at contrast with its material. Her work is very fun.”
THIS FURNITURE DESIGNER CELEBRATES TAKING IT SLOW
New York-based designer Eny Lee Parker celebrates traditional craft through contemporary design. The objects, furniture and lighting Parker creates have a sense of nostalgia and seamlessly connect art with design. In 2017 she founded her eponymous studio in Brooklyn, where she works on collaborations, commercial projects and exhibitions. In a world that chases trends, Parker embraces slowness. Creating with intention and respect for natural resources. Additionally, the designer launched Apartment7, a space for like-minded creatives to connect, and to showcase her lighting and furniture alongside the work of some of her favorite artists and designers.
A MOODY NEIGHBORHOOD BAR IN BROOKLYN
The dark, cozy bar at Hotel Delmano in Williamsburg Brooklyn is the kind of neighborhood spot you hope to find. The space is carefully crafted, but in the most authentic way. Hotel Delmano focuses on working with small artisanal producers and offers a 100-bottle wine list. The menu includes classics like oysters, steak tartare and a selection of artisanal cheeses alongside old school cocktails that change seasonally.
“This feels silly to recommend because sure, it's just a bar, but there's something very SPECIAL about finding your favorite bar in your neighborhood. This used to be a tattoo parlor, and now it's a gorgeous bar that feels like a mixture of European museum, dive bar and haunted spooky goth saloon. Also their ricotta, wow, spooky good.”
“This is quite possibly my FAVORITE store, ever. I spent years stalking their website before I stumbled on the actual store in Brooklyn and spent hours there. It's mostly ceramics, glassware and sculptural home goods, but there's also a large Robin F. Williams painting in there which was what originally caught my attention.”
A CURATED COLLECTION OF HOMEWARE AND JEWELRY
Fine jewelry brand Mociun is known for one-of-a-kind and custom-made pieces. All jewelry is handmade in New York by a selected group of trusted jewelers. Founder Caitlin Mociun opened her pop-up shop in May of 2011, where she sells the complete line of jewelry as well as a thoughtful edit of homeware objects. Their unique assortment of objects for the home includes everything from glassware to textiles, made by new and emerging designers who have a playful take on furnishings.
EXPANDING THE BOUNDARIES OF LIVE PERFORMANCE
Performance Space has been on the forefront of moving culture forward. It’s a place of community and creativity with a rich history. Founded in 1980, Performance Space – formerly Space 122 – became a haven for many queer and radical voices. Many artists were faced with gentrification, the government’s neglect of the AIDS pandemic and the defunding of the arts – Performance Space New York became their home. Showcasing performance art, dance, theater, music, visual art, poetry and prose, ritual, night life, food, film, and technology, it's one of the birthplaces of contemporary performance as it is known today.