New York Botanical Garden Reschedules Yayoi Kusama's Exhibition

Avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama speaks to the media at her studio in Tokyo. Reuters
Avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama speaks to the media at her studio in Tokyo. Reuters
TT

New York Botanical Garden Reschedules Yayoi Kusama's Exhibition

Avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama speaks to the media at her studio in Tokyo. Reuters
Avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama speaks to the media at her studio in Tokyo. Reuters

Art lovers have been offered a second chance to enjoy an exceptional exhibition devoted to the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) this year after it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the organizers, the exhibition which was first scheduled in 2020 will take place this year between April 10 and October 31.

The exhibition, which will be held in the heart of greenery in Bronx, will focus on Kusama's fondness of nature by displaying many of her works including drawings and sculptures.

The famous Japanese artist, 91, known for her colorful polka-dotted works, held many exhibitions around the world, and has become one of the most renowned painters in her generation. She even opened her own museum in Tokyo. In addition to housing large collections of living plants, the New York Botanical Garden host regular exhibitions for famous painters.

In 2018, visitors flocked into the garden to enjoy the impressive works of painter Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986).

In 2019, the garden hosted an exhibition by the Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx (1909-1994).



The Barnacle, Spaniards’ Favorite Christmas Dish, Imperiled by Climate Change

Adriana, 31, buys boxes with barnacles in front of Israel Martinez, an auctioneer, that were caught off the Atlantic coasts of Galicia during an auction ahead of Christmas celebrations in the port of Coruna, Spain December 21, 2024. (Reuters)
Adriana, 31, buys boxes with barnacles in front of Israel Martinez, an auctioneer, that were caught off the Atlantic coasts of Galicia during an auction ahead of Christmas celebrations in the port of Coruna, Spain December 21, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

The Barnacle, Spaniards’ Favorite Christmas Dish, Imperiled by Climate Change

Adriana, 31, buys boxes with barnacles in front of Israel Martinez, an auctioneer, that were caught off the Atlantic coasts of Galicia during an auction ahead of Christmas celebrations in the port of Coruna, Spain December 21, 2024. (Reuters)
Adriana, 31, buys boxes with barnacles in front of Israel Martinez, an auctioneer, that were caught off the Atlantic coasts of Galicia during an auction ahead of Christmas celebrations in the port of Coruna, Spain December 21, 2024. (Reuters)

On the craggy rocks on northwestern Spain's treacherous Costa da Morte (Death Coast), wetsuit-clad fishermen dodge crashing waves as they pick barnacles, a prized Christmas delicacy facing decline due to climate change and other factors.

Fetching up to 200 euros ($208) per kilogram (2.2 pounds) during the holiday season, the gooseneck barnacle from the Galicia region has long been treasured by Spaniards for both its flavor and difficulty to harvest.

However, the rise in sea temperatures driven by climate change has severely affected barnacle habitats, as they thrive in icy waters. A recent study by the University of Vigo also linked changing wave patterns to lower quality in the shellfish.

Israel Martinez, an auctioneer in the A Coruna fish market, said that there used to be double or triple the number of barnacles just 10 years ago.

Despite state regulations - such as limiting daily harvests to 7 kg per fisherman - illegal fishing has surged due to the barnacles' high value.

Licensed percebeiros, or barnacle pickers, have called for increased policing of the coast to deter poachers.

Their job is classified as a risky profession due to the adverse work conditions.

"The percebeiro trade on the Costa da Morte is dying. This is due to climate change, absurd laws, illegal fishing and a lack of workers," 36-year-old Roberto Vidal, who started out as a percebeiro at 16, told Reuters.

He said there used to be between 100 and 200 percebeiros in his town of Corme. Now, there are around 30.

Fellow percebeiro Serafin Rodriguez said that future generations would be unable to follow in his footsteps due to declining barnacle populations.