A New Word to Keep Us Going: "Joydenfreude"
Breakfast @ Tiffany's Monthly Newsletter: April 2026 / Published for 30 years.
In a time where we could really use some joy, the closing night dance party for Ken’s and my Ancient Wisdom exhibit and benefit for di Rosa SF last weekend was filled with so much joy! Working on this exhibition has been so much hard work and such much joy that I had to make up a new word for it: “joydenfreude”!
Where “schadenfreude” is the joy in another’s misfortune, “joydenfreude” is the joy of other people’s joy! (The literal translation should be “freudenfreude” but “joydenfreude” makes me laugh every time I say it.)
There was so much of it as we closed the exhibition: dancing together to the incredible Hot Einsteins, watching people swing on the Swing State participatory pendulums, and seeing everyone go all out for the “Bloom” theme in flowers.
The di Rosa leadership team was there to feel the love. Selma Holo, the original curator of Ancient Wisdom when it was part of Getty PST ART at the Skirball in LA, flew up and spent time with Twyla Ruby, who so beautifully expanded the exhibition here. It was a true love fest.
It was also my birthday, and my wish for people to come out, support di Rosa, and celebrate the arts came true. Pure joydenfreude.
A big thank you to our exhibition sponsors, Dr. Nancy O’Reilly of Women Connect4Good and Dr. Piraye Yurttas Beim of Eve’s Ark!
Especially in the current global tumult, joydenfreude feels essential.
Create it. Notice it. Say it. Use it. Spread it.
And while I love making things, and making things happen, I also dedicate one day each week to making nothing happen. Turning off the online world and tuning back into nature, into what’s right in front of me (and inside my own mind), is what sustains me. Work hard. Joy hard. Rest hard.
This rhythm — giving fully to the work and then truly resting for 24 hours — has been so profound for me that I wrote a whole book about it. I take rest seriously.
So after this incredible outpouring (and receiving) of energy around this exhibition, I’m looking forward to slowing down, spending time with Ken, Blooma, Odessa, and our animals, in the woods, and also showing up for others, experiencing the joydenfreude of their hard work. Below is a full list.
For this month’s Breakfast @ Tiffany’s Newsletter, lots of amazing art, books to read, new music to listen to, and art: Nicolas Africano at Nancy Hoffman Gallery in NY, San Francisco Art Fair, Livelong Women’s Health Summit, Hidden Currencies, SF MOMA Art Bash, Debbie Millman in The Menopause Monologues, Randy Colosky at re.riddle, Save the Redwoods Gala, Jewish Arts & Bookfest, Báyò Akómoláfé at the Long Now, Anish Kapoor at the Venice Biennale, The 30th Annual Webby Awards, Francine Mbvoumbo’s Mothers to Daughters Wisdom Ball, Technologies of Relation at MASS MoCA, Rubell Museum, Alex Edelman, Woven for Purpose by Lily Kanter, Maya’s Journey by Marcella White Campbell, City on the Edge by Jonathan Weber, Refresh Magazine, On Being with Krista Tippett, Love, Loss & Hallucinations with Scott Schumaker, Florence and the Machine, Go.Love.Serve, Almanac Beer Company, Peter and Paul Hotel in NOLA, Danielle Friedman, and poetry from Victoria Erickson.
After deinstalling Ancient Wisdom for a Future Ecology: Trees, Time & Technology, (it’s always bittersweet to deinstall an exhibit) and turning the volume way down the rest of April, I’ll be stepping into other people’s events in May.
On May 2, I’ve been invited to bring my work and speak at the Save the Redwoods Gala in Golden Gate Park, where Swing State will be installed in the middle of the National AIDS Memorial Grove. The event is sold out, but I know many of you will be there—I’m so looking forward to being among the trees, the art, and all of you.
Then Dendrofemonology: A Feminist History Tree Ring sculpture is traveling to an exciting new location and event in New York also in May, which I’ll be able to announce shortly.
ART & EVENTS
Nicolas Africano: Themes and Variations at Nancy Hoffman Gallery, March 26 - May 9 NY
I always love the intricate glass sculptures and work of Nicolas Africano. Excited that my gallery in NYC, Nancy Hoffman Gallery, is doing his first solo exhibition in 20 years.
Lots of fantastic galleries showing at SF Art Fair and I love that Djerassi Artist Residency will have a booth of all the books written during their residencies, which includes my late father Dr. Leonard Shlain’s books. He loved thinking and writing at Djerassi amongst all the nature. Check out the whole slate here.
Livelong Women’s Health Summit, April 17-18 in SF
I’m looking forward to attending this two-day event starting Friday, on women’s health featuring a keynote by Jane Fonda that explores the science aging well, the truth behind trendy treatments, and the stories of women navigating it all. One of my best friends Rachel Lehmann-Haupt has been leading many of the aspects of this conference and will be doing several main stage interviews. Cannot wait to attend and learn. Register here and use code TIFFANY50 for $50 off.
Hidden Currencies: Water Justice in the Age of AI at Pier 17, April 18 - May 10
Hidden Currencies: Water Justice in the Age of AI, an interdisciplinary exhibition and programming series curated by the wonderful Amy Kisch, kicks off SF Climate Week on April 18 at Pier 17 with a participatory community Bucket Brigade (more events run through May 10). Looking forward to seeing the art, especially by my close friend Ana Teresa Fernández, whom I love to talk all things art with. Ana Teresa recently did an potent outdoor art installation 𝙎 𝙊 𝙎 - Chicago for the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago on April 11. Watch the video link of it here for the full experience.
SF MOMA Art Bash April 29
Looking forward to attending SF MOMA’s Art Bash on April 29th. Tix here.
Every ticket purchase helps fund the museum’s much-loved education and family programs and community engagement events benefiting over 150,000 people every year.
The Menopause Monologues featuring Debbie Millman in NYC, April 30-May 3
So excited that Debbie Millman will be appearing in The Menopause Monologues. I wish I was going to be in NYC then to be in the theater to experience this. NYC folks, get tickets here.
Randy Colosky’s Upcoming Show at re.riddle Opening May 2, SF
Randy Colosky’s arresting new paintings present layered landscapes that combine historical visual traditions with contemporary content. Opens at re.riddle May 2. Candace Huey’s program at re.riddle is so good.
BAMPFA Annual Art and Film Benefit May 2nd, Berkeley
I spent many days as a student at UC Berkeley, at the Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. This year’s BAMPFA Art & Film honorees are chef Alice Waters and artist Stephanie Syjuco. All proceeds from table and ticket sales benefit BAMPFA’s mission to use the power of art and film to spark curiosity, inspire creativity, provoke meaningful conversation, and create community. Tix here.
Jewish Arts & Bookfest at the Magnes Museum, May 3, Berkeley
This is such an amazing group of authors! Oh my goodness. Kick off Jewish American Heritage Month May 3 at the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life in Berkeley with the Jewish Arts & Bookfest and a lineup of over 30 storytellers and artists in panel discussions, book talks, performances and workshops, all celebrating the diversity of Jewish culture.
Báyò Akómoláfé: The Untimely at the Cowell Theater in SF, May 5 at 7 pm
I’m looking forward to absorbing this talk from philosopher, writer and activist Báyò Akómoláfé co-presented by the Long Now Foundation and Ayin Press, publisher of Akómoláfé’s next book, Selah: A Báyò Akómoláfé Reader. Akomolafe will be hosted by Eden Pearlstein, cofounder of Ayin Press. Attend in-person or via livestream. Get tickets here.
Anish Kapoor at Venice Biennale, May 6-August 9
I loved seeing Anish Kapoor’s show at the Jewish Museum in New York and learning that Kapoor is both Indian and Jewish. His work at the Venice Biennale is stunning.
The 30th Annual Webby Awards, May 11 in NYC
It is crazy to think that I founded The Webby Awards 30 years ago! Maya Draisin and I ran it for nearly a decade, then sold it so I could return to filmmaking. It is thrilling to see our baby turning 30 and continuing to honor people for their hard work. Vote now. Winners will be properly feted on May 11 in New York.
Mothers to Daughters Ball of Wisdom Fundraiser, May 14 in NYC
Mothers to Daughters is a wonderful organization founded by Francine Mbvoumbo that promotes cross-generational networks of women. This fundraising event will be fantastic. Looking forward to attending with Odessa in NYC this May ~ Join us! Tix here.
Technologies of Relation at MASS MoCA through July 25, 2027
This fascinating group show examines how we relate to technology and how technology is changing how we relate to each other.
Rubell Museum in Miami & DC
On spring break last week visiting colleges with our daughters, Ken and I visited the Rubell Museum again in Miami. Love their collection. This artwork Boat by Zhu Jinshi takes my breath away.
Alex Edelman on Tour, May 5-Aug 16
Ken and I laughed for 2 hours straight during Alex Edelman’s show in SF. Pure comedy gold. If he’s coming near you, you have to see it.
READ
Woven for Purpose by Lily Kanter
Lily Kanter is the brilliant entrepreneur and one half of the iconic brand Serena & Lily and so many other successful business ventures. She is such a mensch, an incredible leader and one of my very close friends in the shtetl of Mill Valley. So excited for her inspiring new book, Woven for Purpose, where Lily weaves memoir and entrepreneurial expertise. One of my favorite aspects of this book is how she writes about her family and being a mother.
Maya’s Journey by Marcella White Campbell
Marcella White Campbell’s book tells the story of young Maya’s brave ancestors who show her what it means to be Black, Jewish, and American. Learn more here.
Preorder City on the Edge by Jonathan Weber
I have known the bright mind of Jonathan Weber for over 30 years from the early days of the new medium of the web that we were all so hopeful for. Jonathan interviewed me for this new book, City on the Edge, chronicling the early days of the internet when I was founding the Webby Awards and he was reporting on it all as editor-in-chief. I can’t wait to see him put his arms around that whole roller coaster ride with his new book. He’ll be doing events on June 10 at Books Inc. in Palo Alto, June 11 at the Ferry Building’s Shack15 and on June 16 at the Commonwealth Club. Preorder the book now. Here’s his Substack where you can track more events too.
Refresh Magazine
Refresh magazine captures everything that’s exciting about the art world. I ordered my hard copy and it was safely delivered to me in America and I devoured it.
LISTEN
New Episodes of On Being with Krista Tippett
Always love the elegant mind of Krista Tippett guiding provocative conversations on a range of topics. New episodes include conversations with Jo Harjo and Tracy K. Smith (“This world is full of everything good, everything beautiful”); Gül Dölen (“Psychedelic Science and Radical Healing”); and Shai Held (“On Love and Judaism”). Listen here.
Love, Loss & Hallucinations with Scott Schumaker
Scott Schumaker, author and co-founder of Antenna Records, and I met at the freshman dorms at UCBerkeley. Ken and I love hanging out with him and his wife, author Tiffanie DeBartolo. We laughed so much during this conversation and also went deep in relationships, death and a lot more. Listen here. And be sure to subscribe to his wonderful newsletter here.
EXPERIENCE
Florence and the Machine Teams Up with Planned Parenthood Affiliates to Reach Fans at U.S. Tour
So fantastic that Planned Parenthood is partnering with Florence and the Machine to protect reproductive rights.
Go.Love.Serve
Go.Love.Serve is a new platform by Sally Newson where people share their talents, wisdom, and generosity, creating meaningful connections and powerful ripple effects of service throughout their communities. Post a need or offer service at loveserve.org.
Almanac Beer Company
This pub is capturing carbon and putting it in beer. Win/win. Read the NY Times article about their work here and learn more about the pub here. Ken’s and my good friend David Shearer has been involved since the start of this crazy idea that worked!
Peter and Paul Hotel in New Orleans
I got to spend my birthday last week in New Orleans with Ken, Odessa and Blooma on college tours. Blooma found this hotel in New Orleans, Peter and Paul Hotel, which is a converted convent. Amazing design and Southern hospitality. Highly recommend.
“The Constant Work to Keep a Family Connected Has a Name” by Danielle Friedman
This article by Danielle Friedman about the invisible work, mostly done by women, to sustain a sense of family, has so many insights. Read here.
In closing, I wanted to share a poem, “The Next Era Is Clay” by Victoria Erickson, which Scott Schumaker recently featured in his weekly newsletter. After growing up among the redwoods, then moving into filmmaking, diving deep into tech with The Webby Awards, and now working with trees and my hands, the poem resonated deeply.
The Next Era Is Clay
by Victoria Erickson
we thought the future would be
chrome and speed,
but it turns out the next era is
clay.
linen.
ink.
instruments.
soil.
it’s the curve of real handwriting.
the creak of a leather book.
the sound of someone working.
humanity is circling back
to itself.
and it feels like medicine.
Looking forward to the recharge medicine of animal love, nature, family, friends, solo time in my studio and lots of rest . . .
Congrats on your shows! Was so fun to celebrate the closing at di Rosa SF and experience the depth of the art and the stories behind what you and Ken presented. Thank you also for sharing these incredible artful discoveries for us to take part in all this amazing culture!!