I Deleted NYTimes & All Social Media from My Phone on My Vacation + Paris & Berlin Insights
Summer Breakfast @ Tiffany's Newsletter 2025
I have many thoughts on being in Paris & Berlin at this particular moment. It was so illuminating being outside of America looking in. More on that below.
I just arrived from Berlin to St. Louis for the 21c Museum opening of the new year-long exhibition The Future is Female with my sculpture Dendrofemonology: A Feminist History Tree Ring. Seeing this exhibition of works by 50 feminist artists including Jenny Holzer, Carrie Mae Weems, Zoë Buckman, Mickalene Thomas, Andrea Bowers, and more was so exhilarating. The Chief Curator & Museum Director, Alice Gray Stites curated such a potent show. Cannot wait to share installation shots soon. For those nearby, the opening celebration is this Tuesday night, July 15. Alice is having me give a presentation on my work at the opening and there will be a special dinner created by four female chefs inspired by the exhibition. Looking forward to it all!
Something for You to Try on Your Vacation This Summer
On day one of our family vacation in Paris, I handed my phone to Ken’s and my eldest daughter Odessa, who is living there this summer, and asked her delete the following apps from my phone: NYTimes, Instagram, basically all social. It felt so !@#$% liberating!! and downright ceremonial to have her do it. Most of you know I’ve turned off all screens one day week for 15 years, but I needed a much bigger break from the relentlessness of it all to properly refuel.
What I realized is that when you are traveling in a city there are two categories of apps:
1. Apps that Support Your Experience: Google Maps, Digital Wallet, Bike Apps, Uber, Metro Apps, texts for coordinating your plans (and your mother).
2. Take-You-Out-of-Your-Experience Apps: Any news app, email app, social media, texts from people you’re not traveling with. (Pro tip: Go to the “Focus” setting on iPhone and set it so you only receive texts from your travel companions. You can put out text auto-responses out to everyone else.)
I highly recommend trying it and putting your phone in “vacation mode.” Your mind and soul will thank you.
Thoughts & Recommendations for Paris, Berlin & America
Being outside of America…I felt like I could exhale and gain some perspective on everything. And Paris. Oh Paris. Ken, Odessa, Blooma and I lived in Paris in 2012 when Ken was on sabbatical. It’s still our favorite city. J’adore Paris.
It had been way too long since I’ve been back. It is truly the most beautiful city in the world. I realized how many times when I am in other cities, I will say that it is “kind of like Paris,” but it’s not Paris! I bought a biography of Gertrude Stein by Francesca Wade at Shakespeare & Co which was great to read while there. I learned about Napoleon III’s efforts to remake the medieval, overcrowded and unsanitary city into a modern city with wide boulevards, parks, and improved infrastructure. His one charge to architect Baron Haussmann in 1853 was “to bring air and light to the centre of Paris, to unify the different neighbourhoods with boulevards, and to make Paris more beautiful.” And he did.
Being in Paris around July 4th
It was definitely interesting being in France around July 4th since Louis XVI helped fund the American Revolution to weaken England, and it bankrupted France and led to the French Revolution. Hoping this horrible spending bill that just passed in America will perhaps also lead to a voting revolution in the midterms?
PARIS RECOMMENDATIONS
Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, Pontus Hulten
This exhibition was literally one of the most inspiring I have ever seen! Ken and I have always loved Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle and their collaborations. But this exhibition was not only about their collaboration but also their collaboration and support from Pontus Hulten, the museum director/curator supporter who helped make so many of their visions happen! Ken and I thought of our multi-decade relationship with curator Selma Holo and how crucial that curator/artist relationship is, though it’s rarely part of the exhibition itself. This show is brilliant and the new restaurant Réséda Café that just opened in the Grand Palais is superbe.
Alfred Dreyfus. Truth and Justice at Musee d’art et d’histoire de Judaisme through Aug 31
I was so moved by this powerful show. Using artifacts and documents from the time drops you right into the context of this important episode in French Jewish history.
Agnès Varda’s Paris: from here to there at Musee Carnavalet through Aug 24
Goddess artist/filmmaker Agnes Varda is an icon and this exhibition is amazing.
This quirky museum is like a Wes Anderson movie set. It explores the relationship between humans and animals, and it’s unlike any museum you’ve ever seen. It’s sublime.
Wes Anderson, the Exhibition at Cinematheque through July 27
And here at this exhibition, are Wes Anderson actual sets. Highly recommend this show that includes drawings, sets and thinking behind his films. This is a fantastic show.
Le Clown Bar in Paris
Le Clown Bar has been feeding Paris since 1907. We had one of the best meals of our lives there. (Thank you Shira Gill for this recommendation!) Highly recommend this restaurant and bar.
Céleste Boursier-Mougenot: clinamen at the Bourse de Commerce through Sept 21
This aquatic and audio installation is so simple and mesmerizing
BERLIN
The last part of my Europe trip was to Berlin solo for research. As a Jew whose grandfather’s whole family was murdered in the Holocaust, I worried about what it would bring up for me to come here, but I was finally ready. I felt called to go to learn how a place that held so much hate, for the Jews, the LGBTQ community, and the disabled, has transformed into one of the most creative cities in the world with a vibrant Jewish culture.
This is a city of simultaneous timelines, living both the past and present at once. It holds both horrors and a way to get through them and come together in a new evolved way. I wanted to see that. Especially in light of everything happening today in America and the world.
Both the Jewish Museum Berlin designed by Daniel Libeskind and the Holocaust Memorial designed by Peter Eisenman took my breath away, then challenged and provoked with architectural shapes that haunted me.
I was also blown away by the art I experienced there.
First ,Klára Hosnedlová’s Embrace, a monumental installation at Hamburger Brahnnhof, a magnificent converted train station that holds contemporary art. I was so moved by the scale of the work, the audio which sounded like ancestors singing.
Then I read the plaque on the wall about the building. This was the train station where the Nazis deported Jews to concentration camps to their deaths. Tears started streaming down my face. I was shaking. I felt them all there. And yet, here I am seeing how it was transformed into something else. That experience encapsulated my week in Berlin. It was so complex, intense and moving and challenged me every step of the way.
I am still processing it all. It was chilling to see some parallels with what’s happening in America. I had read the Atlantic article back in January How Hitler Dismantled a Democracy in 53 Days. The Typography of Terror Museum shows day by day, decree by decree, how they dismantled the government, free speech, universities, snuffed out all Jewish people, while the Gestapo grabbed people from the streets.
What lessons from the past can we learn here right now and not repeat?
Another incredible art exhibition I saw was a Yoko Ono retrospective at Gropius Bau. From such a young age, Yoko Ono’s work was consistently unusual, simple, and poignant. I have seen her Wishing Trees individually but something about seeing this big banner PEACE is POWER and all these wishing trees brought me to tears again.
Here was my wish:
On a surprising side note: When I heard people speaking German, I was so worried I would only think of the Nazis. But instead I thought of three people: First, my father who told me many stories growing up, ideas or jokes about Albert Einstein, doing a great funny German accent. I was also thinking of Gene Wilder in Young Frankenstein
(“It’s Frankenshteen!”) and my dear friend Amichai in his drag persona of Hadassah Gross. So basically every German accent reference made me smile to myself.
Ophelia Vintage
I discovered a great vintage store run by artist Laurie Raskin’s niece Leah Gobin. I found the best vintage finds including this 1970’s Valentino jacket and some fabulous shoes. Highly recommend and Leah is fabulous! Here is her IG
I did also discover this hat shop Fiona Bennett in Berlin that was just divine.
I am still thinking of these two hats….
I will definitely return to Berlin at some point with whatever project grows from that research. As I left Berlin I kept thinking of one of my favorite songs that reminds me of my mom, dad, and all my grandparents, “Danke schön.” “Thank you for all the joy and pain.” Danke schon Berlin.
Happenings in America
Now back to the country that I love and absolutely believe in. I know that if we all fight for what we want it to be, it can be transformed from the !@#$$ show we are currently experiencing.
Art is always the antenna for society. Below is art in the form or exhibitions, films, books and a new floating sauna in Sausalito.
ART
Descarga Cubana at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art Napa, July 12 – September 28, 2025
This exhibit at di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art Napa of artworks by fifteen of Cuba’s most important contemporary artists features painting and sculpture as well as photo portraits of the artists by Rick Swig, like the one above. Super excited to see this show when I am back in the Bay Area!
Nicole Phungrasamee Fein’s Upcoming Shows
Nicole Phungrasamee Fein makes such elegant art. See her work in the group show Drawn to Drawing at Hosfelt Gallery in SF 16, and her solo show Water Ways at Nancy Hoffman Gallery in NYC, Sept 4 - Oct 18.
FILMS
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, Jul 17-Aug 3
The SF Jewish Film Festival is always such a great event! This year I’m especially excited to see Coexistence, My Ass! by Amber Fares, Sophie Rose’s The Feeling Remains, Abby Ginzberg’s Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold and Brandon Kramer’s Holding Liat. Looking forward to being with the Bay Area mishpacha for this!
The Anne Frank Gift Shop Streaming on ChaiFlicks
Mickey Rapkin’s dark comedy short asks if there’s a wrong way to talk about the Holocaust. Learn more and watch on ChaiFlicks.
Still Working 9 to 5
This documentary about the film 9 to 5 is so fantastic. I have been waiting for it to be available online to share with you all! This film asks why things have and haven’t changed for working women since the film premiered in the 80s. It’s super interesting to relook at from a 2025 lens. Now streaming on Apple+, Amazon Prime, Tubi, Roku and Out TV.
BOOKS
Ruth Asawa and the Artist-Mother at Midcentury by Jordan Troeller
My favorite image at the SFMOMA retrospective of Ruth Asawa work is this one that is on the cover of this new book. Ruth as a mom creating and mothering all at once. Yes, that’s what it looks like. Excited to read this new book about her life and work.
I Was Told There'd Be a Village by Melissa Wirt
Melissa Wirt’s book about building a “village” to keep mothers from feeling isolated is necessary and important. The editor Karyn Marcus of my book 24/6 was also the editor here, and I love the subjects she takes on.
Preorder Toratah: The Regendered Bible (Genesis 1-6 with Commentary) by Yael Kanarek and Tamar Biala
Toratah (meaning “her Torah” in Hebrew) reimagines the Hebrew Bible by reversing the gender of all its figures to create something totally new and old at once. One of the authors Yael Kanarek is also an incredible artist and dear friend and I love that she has taken this on.
EXPERIENCE
NEW Floating Saunas Just Opened in Sausalito!
Can’t wait to visit these gorgeous floating saunas when I get home. These are right near my studio. Such a great idea. Steam and float.
MAC Modern Appealing Clothing in SF at 45!
MAC is a fantastic store, now celebrating its 45th year. This gem of a store was founded in 1980 by Ben and Chris Ospital, along with their mother, Jeri, in San Francisco. Ken and I love all of them and it’s like visiting a gallery of clothes when you go. They are in the heart of Hayes and definitely check them out on their 45th anniversary year! Ken and I always go there when we need something unique.
Gary Gulman on Tour
Gary Gulman is one of my family’s favorite comedians. He’s touring this summer and has a new one-man show this fall. See if he’ll be near you here.
Nancy Hoffman Gallery at Aspen Art Fair, Jul 29-Aug 2nd
My gallery Nancy Hoffman Gallery, New York, will have a booth at Aspen Art Fair at the Hotel Jerome. Read the great article in the New York Times about Nancy’s daughter, Rebecca Hoffman, is who is one of the founders of the new fair.
She’ll have my sculpture below, Becoming (edition 2/5). I have just made a photograph print of the work too that is being framed now. Can’t wait to see when I get home. This will be an edition 1/12. This sculpture and photograph is about how we are constantly evolving into new versions of ourselves.
I haven’t been away this long since I was in my twenties.
It was expanding and inspiring in ways that only traveling to different cultures can be…and definitely evolved who I am.
To living in the past and present to figuring out the future.
Love,
Tiffany
PS: And those of you in St. Louis or nearby, meet me in St. Louis (I’ve always wanted to say that;) for the art opening at 21c Museum on Tuesday night and dinner!
Heck...Happy Bastille Day! What a perfect day to be in Paris!
Splendid recommendations!