A derelict portion of Astoria, Queens, may soon look drastically different if Innovation QNS, a $2 billion mixed-use development designed by local firm ODA, gains approval from the Department of City Planning. Entertainment mainstay Kaufman Astoria Studios and developers Silverstein Properties and Bedrock Real Estate Properties are spearheading the project, which may bring up to 2,700 housing units (700 will be affordable), 250,000 square feet of creative office space, a farmer’s market, multiplex theater, senior housing, and a grocery store to the neighborhood and the nearby Kaufman Arts District.

ODA’s design encompasses a series of boxy, stone-clad towers united by outdoor gathering spaces covered by awnings. “Today, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reactivate five largely dormant blocks as a truly sustainable community built in such a way that it will have a positive impact on the lives of people for years to come,” says ODA founder Eran Chen in a statement. “It’s this perspective on the future of urban living—to put people first—that drives us.” Construction is slated to begin in 2023, with the first phase opening in 2025.

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The Dallas Contemporary’s latest digital exhibition, “Everything Hurts” by Jammie Holmes, presents an in-depth look at the artist’s widely seen aerial demonstration for George Floyd. On May 30, airplanes with banners that presented Floyd’s final words soared in the skies of five U.S. cities, resonating with those protesting police brutality against the Black community.

Kicking things off is “Looking Forward: Art + Change in Dallas,” a panel discussion that considers how the creative community can amend its complicity in systemic racism while envisioning a more inclusive future for the arts in Dallas. Taking place on July 8 at 11 AM CST, the talk is moderated by the artist, poet, and cultural organizer Darryl Ratcliff, and features Dallas arts professionals such as Terry Loftis, J.D. More, and Vivian Crockett.

A cacophony of cranes and jackhammers has returned to New York. On June 8, non-essential construction sites across the city reopened after nearly three months of sitting dormant due to coronavirus-induced closures. More than 33,000 sites were allowed to resume construction as part of the Phase I reopening, in addition to 8,243 essential sites that stayed open during the shutdown. Workers will also benefit from increased safety protocols that include requirements for personal protective equipment, social distancing, health screenings, and washing stations.

Established in 1976, Italian textile company Dedar focuses on attaining technical and aesthetic excellence to produce cutting-edge fabrics, wall coverings, and trimmings.

Surface Says: Dedar’s commitment to craftsmanship is apparent in its close collaborations with Italian specialists. The family-run fabric house’s use of bold colors and inventive patterns sets it apart.

Tesla drops provocative “S3XY” short shorts that briefly broke its website.

These biodegradable six-pack rings feed marine life instead of harming it.

A sculpture garden in Canada teems with obscure architectural obelisks.

Glen Taylor’s kintsugi-inspired sculptures meld rough, disparate elements.