Assassin's Creed Shadows is off to a strong start on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, as the game reached 1 million players within hours of launch, Ubisoft says. Concurrent players on PC via Steam for its launch day also look good compared to the previous release, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, but there is a caveat here.It's not even 4PM here in Canada and Assassin's Creed Shadows has already passed 1 million players!Thank YOU from the bottom of our hearts for joining this adventure in Feudal Japan. We are beyond excited to start this journey with you! pic.twitter.com/1cqwABrQfN Assassin's Creed (@assassinscreed) March 20, 2025 The important thing to note is that on PC, Assassin's Creed Shadows had a day-one launch on Steam and the Epic Games Store. Valhalla adopted a different approach when it first launched on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and even Google Stadia in November 2020. While it was available on PC as well, it was an Epic Games Store exclusive until November 2022. When it reached Steam, it peaked at 15,431 concurrent players in December 2022.On its first day, Shadows eclipsed that with a peak of 41,412 players and that number has already grown to 42,415. In comparison, Assassin's Creed Mirage has a peak player count of 7,837, and at the time of writing, Shadows hasn't beaten Origins (41,541 concurrent players) or Odyssey (61,984 concurrent players) numbers yet. Concurrent players typically increase on the first weekend after launch as well, so these numbers could still potentially increase further.Continue Reading at GameSpot

Publisher Konami and developer Far Out Games have revealed that their delivery simulator game, Deliver At All Costs, will be free on the Epic Games Store at launch.When Deliver At All Costs launches on May 22, players will have one week to redeem the game for free. After that time period, it will cost $30, just like on other platforms, including PS5, Steam, and Xbox Series X|S. Players who wishlist the game on the Epic Games Store will receive a notification for when it becomes available for download. Continue Reading at GameSpot

Bosch: Legacy's third and final season is one week away from airing its first four episodes, and the fans are excited to see what Harry Bosch's final case entails. Game Rant interviewed Bosch: Legacy star, Madison Lintz about Maddie Bosch's upcoming storylines, which include an investigation into a string of robberies. Lintz also had a message for the dedicated fans who have signed the petition to Save Bosch: Legacy, and shared her excitement for the Ballard spin-off.

In Rise of the Ronin players can collect items for trophies and rewards. Cats are a rather furry collectible spread throughout Japan's three regions.

Hello, Rovers! Im excited to share new information on upcoming Wuthering Waves content on behalf of the entire dev team. Cross-platform open-world ARPG Wuthering Waves has been live on PS5, with support for data-sharing across PS5, PC, and mobile devices, offering a seamless gaming experience on different platforms. With the new version 2.2 Tangled Truth in Inverted Tower set to launch on March 26, the game will introduce new characters, maps, gameplays, and more contentplus, players will receive a free 5-Star weapon as a reward for completing the Main Quest.New main quest: Venture into Avinoleum to unveil the truth behind Cartethyia and SentinelIn reflection on the story of version 2.0, the mysterious girl Cartethyia and the missing Imperator harbor deep secrets that remain to be uncovered. The upcoming version 2.2 will feature the new Main Quests: The Maiden, The Defier, and The Death Crier. This adventure kicks off at Beohr Waters, located behind Porto-Veno Castle, and leads Rover to an inverted region in mid-air known as Avinoleuman exploration that uncovers the past. The history of Rinascita and the truth about Sentinel will gradually come to light within this inverted seminary. During the quest, rovers can obtain the 5-Star Sword Bloodpacts Pledge for free.New Resonator-Cantarella & Rover: AeroThe new 5-Star Resonator Cantarella, known as the 36th Lead of the Fisalia family, will debut in version 2.2. As a Havoc Resonator armed with a Rectifier, she embodies the deep-sea and poisonous themes that define her family. In combat, Cantarella wields her umbrella, launching attacks with the aid of highly toxic jellyfish. Her unique attack method allows her to gather a special energy Trance. Once she harnesses this energy, executing heavy attacks on the ground can trigger the Mirage state, creating a surreal effect reminiscent of an underwater realm. When Cantarella consumes her Forte Gauge for attacks against foes, she can heal all team members. When certain conditions are met, her Resonance Skill can hinder enemy movement. Upon activating Resonance Liberation, she can carry out coordinated attacks for an extended duration, while her Outro Skill amplifies damage for both Havoc and Resonance Skills for the incoming Resonators.In version 2.2, following Spectro and Havoc, Rover will unlock a new attribute: Aero. Rover: Aero can conjure a one-handed sword, swiftly maneuver through the air, and strike their foes. Upon meeting specific conditions, Rovers aerial attacks can also heal the entire team. Aero Rover can unleash Resonance Skill while airborne, and transform all Negative Status effects on enemies into Aero Erosion Effect. Activating the Outro Skill further increases the maximum stacks of Aero Erosion Effect. When Rover builds up enough energy during battle, they can summon a massive sword to crash down from the sky onto their target. After releasing Resonance Liberation, Rover will inflict Aero Damage on enemies while simultaneously healing all teammates.New Companion Story: Cantarella A Fleeting Nights DreamCantarellas Companion Story, A Fleeting Nights Dream, will also become available in version 2.2. In this tale, a mysterious letter from the Ghost Girl guides Rover to a celebrationNight of Remembrance, taking place in Egla Town. Here, a girl in a red hat will unveil the hidden past tucked away in Porto-Veno Castle. Join Cantarella as we journey to the Sea of Ghosts, lifting the veil on the untold story waiting to be discovered.New map, new gameplayAs the story unfolds, Rover will journey to a new regionAvinoleum. Once celebrated as the most magnificent seminary in Ragunna, it now towers towards the heavens alongside Sentinel, nearly out of reach. This area still bears the scars of the past, with countless Tacet Discords lingering from the Dark Tide outbreak. To protect against these Tacet Discords and prevent the Dark Tide from descending from above, the gravity in this region has been entirely reversed, with the dome now facing down toward the ground.Rover will face new gameplay challenges, including Gravity Adjustment, while delving deep into the Avinoleum. This area is home to numerous Gravity Calibrators, and as long as they are activated, players can alter the direction of gravity.In the year 2024, Wuthering Waves reached the milestone of 30 million downloads worldwide in the first month of its official release, garnering numerous accolades, including PS Blogs Players Choice. This is just the beginning.Following the games launch on the PS5, were striving through unremitting efforts to bring thrilling content to players worldwide. Version 2.2 will live on March 26Rovers, embark on the adventure into the inverted tower with Cartethyia and Cantarella to uncover the hidden truth and Rinascitas untold past.

Need a laugh? Youve come to the right place.Netflixs vast library can be hard to sift through, even if you know what mood youre in. There are romantic comedies, satires, action comedies, dramedies, musical comedies, and plenty more available on the platform. Weve put together a list of some of our very favorites that you can watch at home right now.If youre looking for comedies beyond just Netflix, check out our list of some of our favorite comedy movies currently streaming across platforms. And for more of the best on this particular streaming service, check out our frequently updated list of the best movies on Netflix, or the best horror and action movies it has to offer.HustleAdam Sandlers latest basketball project is one of our favorite movies of 2022 its a terrific showcase of his skills as a dramatic actor, his love for the game of basketball, and the merits of casting real athletes as performers in sports movies.Sandler is Stanley Sugerman, a down-on-his luck scout who is finally on the verge of getting a big promotion to assistant coach, allowing him to spend more time with his family. But when the one person who knows how good Stanley is at his job dies, Sugerman must prove himself all over again and find a diamond in the rough Bo Cruz (real-life NBA player Juancho Hernangmez), who the scout discovers playing pickup basketball.From my write-up of Hustle as one of the best movies of the year:Hustlesperformances truly shine. Sandlers centered, grounded portrayal of a man who loves what he does but would rather have the job he was promised is another terrific, layered role for one of our great modern actors. The cast is also filled with NBA players who deliver memorable performances, led by Hernangmez as the temperamental and talented Cruz and Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards as his trash-talking rival Kermit Wilts, a terrific addition to a long line of sports movie heels.Edwards is worth highlighting here, since this is a list of comedies. His performance as Wilts is one of the funniest of the year, repeatedly taunting Cruz with hilarious jabs and making full use of the NBA stars magnetic charisma. Pete VolkThe Unauthorized Bash Brothers ExperienceA somewhat forgotten Lonely Island project from 2019, this straight-to-Netflix Lemonade parody was a delightful surprise when it first arrived, and holds up as a silly and entertaining musical romp. Following Oakland As teammates Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire as they mash a metric ton of home runs in the 1980s, the movie features an ensemble cast that includes Maya Rudolph, Jenny Slate, and Sterling K. Brown in addition to Akiva Schaffer and Andy Samberg as the Bash Brothers themselves. PVThe Ballad of Buster ScruggsThis 2018 Coen bros. anthology is consistently funny, frequently moving, and prominently features Tim Blake Nelson. Whats not to love? PVFrom our 2018 review:The Ballad of Buster Scruggsplays like the ultimate acceptance of this repetitive process, providing some of the most side-splitting laughs of the year at the cost of human lives (albeit fictional ones), even as were made to question this long-standing narrative paradigm. Moments of entertainment between the dread nuggets of gold, much as Tom Waits prospector finds, while putting humanitys worst foot forward makeThe Ballad of Buster Scruggsone of their funniest yet hauntingly pessimistic films in years, asking whether questions about how or why we exist can have answers at all.The Meyerowitz StoriesNoah Baumbach is well known for his particular form of dramedy, with Frances Ha as a standout example. Frances Ha is no longer streaming on Netflix, but the heartfelt and underseen Meyerowitz Stories is.A family drama about a group of siblings who return from their very different lives to visit their older father, Meyerowitz features terrific, layered performances by the three dysfunctional siblings (Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, and Elizabeth Marvel), as well as a powerhouse rendition of an aging patriarch by Dustin Hoffman. Adam Driver, Sigourney Weaver, Judd Hirsch, Emma Thompson, and Candice Bergen all also feature in the sprawling ensemble cast. It is also, crucially, quite funny! Intra-generational and inter-family conflicts are often quite humorous, and the specificity of the characters and the ways members of the same family can be vastly different makes for a great modern comedy of errors. PVThe Nice GuysRyan Gosling and Russell Crowe star in The Nice Guys, Shane Blacks second-best neo-noir buddy cop comedy, as Holland March and Jackson Healy, an unlikely pair of down-and-out private eyes in 1970s Los Angeles who could generously be described as two of the most likable terrible people you will ever meet. When the investigation of a missing girl and the death of a porn star bring the two together, Holland and Jackson are forced to team up to get to the bottom of an insidious conspiracy. (A note: The Nice Guys is leaving Netflix March 31, so watch it while you can). Toussaint EganFrom Matt Essarys write-up of 10 great detective movies to watch at home:This wonderfully twisty mystery from writer/director Shane Black finds Ryan Gosling as a shady private investigator in late 1970s Los Angeles who gets inadvertently sucked into a case involving arson, the death of an adult film actress, and a possible government conspiracy involving a politician played by Kim Basinger. Goslings only help in this situation, where he is clearly outmatched and in over his head, is a local bruiser-for-hire played by Russell Crowe (in what is his most fun on-screen performance in years). Together, the pair hilariously bumble and argue their way through unraveling how and why everything ties together while barely avoiding angry hitmen and the local authorities. If you only know Shane Black from his work onIron Man 3,then you owe it to yourself to check outThe Nice Guysand see why he is such a cult favorite among people who adore noir films.Om Shanti OmThis modern Bollywood classic comes from Farah Khan, a decorated choreographer in addition to her work as a director. Starring Hindi superstar Shah Rukh Khan, its an absolute delight of a musical comedy, with plenty of romance and thrills along the way. PVFrom Sydney Wegners list of the best Hindi-language movies on Netflix:Om Shanti Omis an epic of romance and reincarnation following a young man whose life is changed after he encounters his favorite actress. [It has] plenty of comedy, romance, action, and joy.EurovisionDavid Dobkins Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is just as ridiculous and entertaining as its title. Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams star as Lars and Sigrit, two musicians who are given the opportunity to represent their country at the Eurovision Song Contest. As we said in our review, Director David Dobkin doesnt land every single beat, but he taps into that well of carefree exultation so potently that the movies stumbles hardly register. Its a joyous, goofy, irreverent film thats not without its foibles, but nonetheless wins you over with through its sheer absurdity and silliness. TEBarbieGreta Gerwigs fantasy comedy based on the Mattel line of fashion dolls was the highest-grossing film of 2023, a bright and sprightly pink film that explored what it means to be a woman and the many insidious forms toxic masculinity can take. Barbenheimer the simultaneous theatrical debut of Gerwigs film alongside Christopher Nolans epic biographical drama of J. Robert Oppenheimer was a bona fide cultural phenomenon the likes of which neither jaded marketing consultants nor armchair pundits couldve expected, let alone conceived of.None of that distracts from the plain truth, which is that Barbie is an absolute delight to watch. Margot Robbies bubbly effervescence is the purest embodiment of the character one could ask for, and Ryan Goslings portrayal of Barbies would-be beau Ken (Just Ken) is one of the actors finest comedic turns. But if youre reading this right now, you probably already know this from having watched it. Barbie is one of the best movies on any streaming service it happens to be on, full stop, so its no surprise that it should find its way onto this list. TEDolemite Is My NameEddie Murphy is brilliant as Rudy Ray Moore, a comedian, actor, and larger-than-life personality best known for playing the character Dolemite. A movie very much about who gets to make movies (and which get made Murphys Moore remarks in disgust that a movie has no titties, no funny, and no kung fu), Dolemite works best as a display of Murphys outrageous talent (and of DaVine Joy Randolphs, as well), and its shame his performance went mostly unnoticed in awards circles. PVLogan LuckyBefore Daniel Craig was employing his faux Southern drawl to solve murders as Benoit Blanc, he was using an even sillier accent as the explosives expert Joe Bang in Logan Lucky. One of the funniest movies of the last several years, Logan Lucky follows two brothers who decide to pull off a heist at Charlotte Motor Speedway with the help of Joe and a few more members of their crew. The extremely funny performances by Craig, Channing Tatum, and Adam Driver are immediate highlights of the movie, but the standout belongs to a very drawn-out Game of Thrones joke that just gets funnier every single year. Austen GoslinThe Lost CityBig-budget studio comedies are rare these days, but its even more rare that theyre actually funny; thankfully, The Lost City is both of those things. The movie follows Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock), an adventure novelist who gets kidnapped and sent to the jungle alongside Dash McMahon (Channing Tatum), the handsome cover model on all her books. The pair are sent there by a strange billionaire (Daniel Radcliffe) who is convinced that Loretta has the key to finding a magical city full of treasure. Bullock and Tatum are fantastic in this and winningly funny, which helps make this a perfect family watch for the Thanksgiving season. AGMurder MysteryOne of Adam Sandlers least Sandler-y comedies, this is a fun mystery movie send-up pairing him with Jennifer Aniston and directed by television veteran Kyle Newacheck (Workaholics, What We Do in the Shadows). Sandler is a cop, while Aniston is his mystery novel-obsessed wife. While on an anniversary trip, the two get caught up in a real murder mystery, and must work together to figure out what actually happened. Its a funny, breezy 97 minutes that also cleverly inverts some expectations about the genre and the roles husbands and wives typically play in them. PV

We waited three years for Severances second season, and somehow its already over. Hopefully the season 3 hiatus wont be nearly as long, but I, for one, am already mourning my weekly dose of the Apple TV Plus series.I loved knowing that every week, Id never be able to predict what was coming, and that Id be faced with provocative questions about the nature of identity, how to survive within arbitrary systems of control, the ways those in power test the limits of technology and what people can endure, and, of course, what the hell happens in the goat room. No other show does it quite like them!So, if youre like me and already thinking about ways to fill time until Severance returns, sure, there are plenty of things you can watch, but there are also plenty of things to read, too. With cryptic, corkscrewy mysteries, poignant and comical workplace satires, and a byzantine horror masterpiece, these six books will help capture some of that Severance magic.Supplemental readingA Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick if youre looking for a proto-cyberpunk novel about fractured identity, paranoia, and the inability to trust your own reality.Tell Me an Ending by Jo Harkin if youre looking for a story about the power of memory and the harm in erasing (and regaining) the most painful moments of your past.Hum by Helen Phillips if youre looking for an anticapitalist story about one persons fight for her family and humanitys relationship with technology in a declining world.Piranesi by Susanna Clarke if youre looking for a serpentine mystery about memory, self-reliance, and belonging.Dark Matter by Blake Crouch if youre looking for a beach-read thriller in which split identities clash across parallel universes.The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa if youre looking for a hypnotic fable about the horrors of forgetting and dangers of a totalitarian surveillance state.The Castle by Franz Kafka if youre looking for a story about the meaninglessness of bureaucracy and human longing within alienating systems.

So, you just deployed a change to your website. Congrats! Everything went according to plan, but now that you look at your work in production, you start questioning your change. Perhaps that change was as simple as a new heading and doesnt seem to fit the space. Maybe you added an image, but it just doesnt feel right in that specific context.What do you do? Do you start deploying more changes? Its not like you need to crack open Illustrator or Figma to mock up a small change like that, but previewing your changes before deploying them would still be helpful.Enter document.designMode. Its not new. In fact, I just recently came across it for the first time and had one of those Wait, this exists? moments because its a tool weve had forever, even in Internet Explorer 6. But for some reason, Im only now hearing about it, and it turns out that many of my colleagues are also hearing about it for the first time.What exactly is document.designMode? Perhaps a little video demonstration can help demonstrate how it allows you to make direct edits to a page.At its simplest, document.designMode makes webpages editable, similar to a text editor. Id say its like having an edit mode for the web one can click anywhere on a webpage to modify existing text, move stuff around, and even delete elements. Its like having Apples Distraction Control feature at your beck and call.I think this is a useful tool for developers, designers, clients, and regular users alike.You might be wondering if this is just like contentEditable because, at a glance, they both look similar. But no, the two serve different purposes. contentEditable is more focused on making a specific element editable, while document.designMode makes the whole page editable.How To Enable document.designMode In DevToolsEnabling document.designMode can be done in the browsers developer tools:Right-click anywhere on a webpage and click Inspect.Click the Console tab.Type document.designMode = "on" and press Enter.To turn it off, refresh the page. Thats it.Another method is to create a bookmark that activates the mode when clicked:Create a new bookmark in your browser.You can name it whatever, e.g., EDIT_MODE.Input this code in the URL field:javascript:(function(){document.designMode = document.designMode === 'on' ? 'off' : 'on';})();And now you have a switch that toggles document.designMode on and off.Use CasesThere are many interesting, creative, and useful ways to use this tool.Basic Content EditingI dare say this is the core purpose of document.designMode, which is essentially editing any text element of a webpage for whatever reason. It could be the headings, paragraphs, or even bullet points. Whatever the case, your browser effectively becomes a What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) editor, where you can make and preview changes on the spot.Landing Page A/B TestingLets say we have a product website with an existing copy, but then you check out your competitors, and their copy looks more appealing. Naturally, youd want to test it out. Instead of editing on the back end or taking notes for later, you can use document.designMode to immediately see how that copy variation would fit into the landing page layout and then easily compare and contrast the two versions.This could also be useful for copywriters or solo developers.SEO Title And Meta DescriptionEveryone wants their website to rank at the top of search results because that means more traffic. However, as broad as SEO is as a practice, the <title> tag and <meta> description is a websites first impression in search results, both for visitors and search engines, as they can make or break the click-through rate.The question that arises is, how do you know if certain text gets cut off in search results? I think document.designMode can fix that before pushing it live.With this tool, I think itd be a lot easier to see how different title lengths look when truncated, whether the keywords are instantly visible, and how compelling itd be compared to other competitors on the same search result.Developer WorkflowsTo be completely honest, developers probably wont want to use document.designMode for actual development work. However, it can still be handy for breaking stuff on a website, moving elements around, repositioning images, deleting UI elements, and undoing what was deleted, all in real time.This could help if youre skeptical about the position of an element or feel a button might do better at the top than at the bottom; document.designMode sure could help. It sure beats rearranging elements in the codebase just to determine if an element positioned differently would look good. But again, most of the time, were developing in a local environment where these things can be done just as effectively, so your mileage may vary as far as how useful you find document.designMode in your development work.Client And Team CollaborationIt is a no-brainer that some clients almost always have last-minute change requests stuff like Can we remove this button? or Lets edit the pricing features in the free tier.To the client, these are just little tweaks, but to you, it could be a hassle to start up your development environment to make those changes. I believe document.designMode can assist in such cases by making those changes in seconds without touching production and sharing screenshots with the client.It could also become useful in team meetings when discussing UI changes. Seeing changes in real-time through screen sharing can help facilitate discussion and lead to quicker conclusions.Live DOM TutorialsFor beginners learning web development, I feel like document.designMode can help provide a first look at how it feels to manipulate a webpage and immediately see the results sort of like a pre-web development stage, even before touching a code editor.As learners experiment with moving things around, an instructor can explain how each change works and affects the flow of the page.Social Media Content PreviewWe can use the same idea to preview social media posts before publishing them! For instance, document.designMode can gauge the effectiveness of different call-to-action phrases or visualize how ad copy would look when users stumble upon it when scrolling through the platform. This would be effective on any social media platform.MemesI didnt think itd be fair not to add this. It might seem out of place, but lets be frank: creating memes is probably one of the first things that comes to mind when anyone discovers document.designMode.You can create parody versions of social posts, tweak article headlines, change product prices, and manipulate YouTube views or Reddit comments, just to name a few of the ways you could meme things. Just remember: this shouldnt be used to spread false information or cause actual harm. Please keep it respectful and ethical!Conclusiondocument.designMode = "on" is one of those delightful browser tricks that can be immediately useful when you discover it for the first time. Its a raw and primitive tool, but you cant deny its utility and purpose.So, give it a try, show it to your colleagues, or even edit this article. You never know when it might be exactly what you need.Further ReadingNew Front-End Features For Designers In 2025, Cosima MielkeUseful DevTools Tips and Tricks, Patrick BrossetUseful CSS Tips And Techniques, Cosima Mielke

Even as winters grip lingers and many of us await springs warmth, vibrant signs of life are emerging at the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM). Over in Windover Hall, DRIFTs latest installation, Meadow, transforms the atrium of the iconic Santiago Calatrava-designed Quadracci Pavilion into a kinetic garden that defies the season. The studio, founded by Dutch artists Lonneke Gordon and Ralph Nauta, is renowned for its innovative fusion of art and technology. Meadow is a continuation of their exploration, drawing inspiration from both North American wildflowers and the museums organic architecture. This ever-changing, immersive dance of light and motion celebrates the intersection of art and nature amid the winter chill.Meadow is the second iteration of the MAMs seasonal Winter Series, which started in 2024 in an effort to bring a spot of joy during the shortest days of the year. In creating Meadow, DRIFT drew on years of research to develop a choreography of kinetic blooms crafted from aluminum, stainless steel, robotic components, and vibrant fabric shades. Each flower is meticulously programmed to open and close in a rhythmic dance that mimics the delicate workings of nature. Unlike other similar installations by DRIFT, Meadow is site-specific in its number of flowers, choreography, and colors, which are inspired by North American wildflowers.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Milwaukee Art Museum (@milwaukeeart)The installations experience will also evolve each day with the changing canvas outside. As the lakefront landscape transforms with the seasons, each visit offers a new dialogue between nature and art. The Burke Brise Soleil Windhover Halls moveable sunscreen also flaps its wings every day at noon, altering the natural light and casting dynamic shadows across Meadow. This interplay of shifting vistas and light patterns deepens the immersive quality of the installation, ensuring that no two visits are ever the same.Now through April 13, 2025, Meadow invites visitors to rediscover the beauty of transformation. The installation will leave all who enter Windhover Hall mesmerized when they experience the magic that blooms when design, nature, and technology converge.Meadow is on view at the Milwaukee Art Museum until April 13, 2025 and open to all with free admission. To learn more, visit mam.org.Photography by Front Room Studios, courtesy of the Milwaukee Art Museum.

When architect and painter Leo Marmol was a student, he was an awkward and shy boy. His sixth-grade teacher, Mr. Laurie, had him give presentations to the class until he was more comfortable. His instructor not only helped young Leo gain self-confidence, he also sparked his love for learning beyond the standard curriculum.The Salk Institute, by Louis Kahn, made a lasting impression on Marmol. As he learned about the architect in college, he was drawn to more than his structures. Kahn in particular resonated deeply with me not just for his buildings but for his philosophical musings on architecture, Marmol says. Kahns idea of moving from silence to light spoke to me in a profound way.Leo Marmol \\\ Photo: Jesse GreenIn 1989, Marmol and Ron Radziner founded their eponymous practice, Marmol Radziner. The firm is noted for its holistic approach to every element of design-build, from construction to furniture. But even with a full roster of projects on tap, Marmol still finds time to indulge in other pursuits. He enjoys saltwater fly fishing, which allows him to connect with nature. He visits museums when he travels, where hell often find a spark of unexpected inspiration.Marmol not only admires fine artists, he is one himself. He started painting as a way to help manage the pressures he faced while in architecture school. Painting allowed Marmol to unwind and express himself, free of restrictions. Yet he never imagined that a creative outlet would someday become a key facet of his life.Marmol often experiments with oil paint and cold wax, and he has exhibited his work in galleries throughout California and other locales. Painting began as something playful and personal, he notes. It was only after I had my first solo show that I began to see painting as more than a hobby. That experience was transformative, and the opportunity to showcase my work to a broader audience made me realize that this was no longer just a private endeavor.Today, Leo Marmol joins us for Friday Five!1. The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert CamusOne of my favorite works is Albert Camus The Myth of Sisyphus. In this essay, Camus reimagines the Greek myth of Sisyphus, who is condemned to eternally push a boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down each time. Camus suggests that despite the endless repetition and futility of Sisyphus task, we must imagine Sisyphus happy finding meaning and joy in the struggle itself. I first encountered this text in an existential philosophy course at Cal Poly. The idea of embracing the process, knowing the outcome will never fully satisfy, resonates with the creative journey as an artist and architect. Each time I approach a new painting, I feel like Sisyphus pushing that boulder up the hill, knowing it will fall, yet finding fulfillment in the act of creation itself. For me, the boulder acts as a metaphor for the love of a new creative endeavor, the belief we have while creating that this will somehow be worthwhile, only for the work to never reach the top. We have no choice but to delight in the process not the outcome.Photo: Courtesy of Leo Marmol2. Robert Motherwell paintingSeeing Robert Motherwells work in person during a recent visit to the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth was a deeply moving experience. Motherwell has long been a hero to me. Standing before pieces like Elegy to the Spanish Republic, I was struck by the power of his bold composition, where thick black ovals and vertical bands are both confrontational and gentle. Theres a visceral quality to Motherwells work, a rawness that transcends the canvas and speaks to the struggles and themes of his time.There was a major retrospective on view, Robert Motherwell: Pure Painting, which beautifully captured the evolution of his art. From the earlier abstracted figurative works to his later, more explosive explorations, each piece offered insights into his journey. I found myself reflecting on the balance of control and spontaneity and, moreover, the physical power of painting brilliantly illustrated by Motherwells practice, which articulates the philosophical weight of a simple stroke or form.Photo: Courtesy of Leo Marmol3. Salt Water Fly Fishing in CatalinaSaltwater fly fishing is another one of my favorite escapes. I love the rhythm of casting into the clear waters, feeling the pull of the current, and the anticipation of that first strike. Theres something meditative about itbeing surrounded by the beauty of the ocean, all while focusing on the cast. The challenge of fly fishing in saltwater, with its unpredictable conditions, keeps it exciting. My teenage son and I spent a couple of weeks last summer fly-fishing in Montana. It was a perfect way to end the summer season before he returned to school and me to work. Its a chance to disconnect, get lost in nature, and experience the power of the water.Photo: Jaime Kowal, courtesy of Sparrows Lodge4. Sparrows LodgeThe Sparrows Lodge is a mid-century gem I hold especially dear to my heart. Located in Palm Springs, the Sparrows Lodge has enjoyed many incarnations, epitomizing the adaptive reuse of the most lasting Modernist structures. Originally built as Castles Red Barn in 1952 by MGM actor Don Castle, it was one of the original glamorous getaways for the Hollywood Elite. Restored in 2013, the lodge retains its original charm while embracing a rustic simplicity exposed beams, pebble-inlaid floors, and reclaimed horse troughs as bathtubs creating a serene yet tactile experience.What draws me to the desert, and to Sparrows Lodge in particular, is the tension between the harshness of the desert environment and the myth of Modern luxury that has been cultivated in Palm Springs. In the desert, the extremes of heat and light choreograph moments of intense vitality that feel both chaotic and calming. The desert is beautiful and strange, deadly yet teeming with life. Sparrows Lodge makes space to ponder this duality a place where simplicity invites reflection, offering the rare luxury of slowing down and reconnecting with the rhythms of nature within an oasis of classic 1950s modern design.Photo: Courtesy of Kimbell Art Museum5. Kimbell Art MuseumStanding inside the Kimbell Art Museum during a recent visit was a profound experience. Designed by Louis Kahn, the architects use of natural light, filtered through skylights and reflectors, transformed the space into something sacred. The interplay of concrete, travertine, and oak created a Modern yet timeless atmosphere, with the Roman-inspired vaults evoking a sense of quiet grandeur. It was incredible to see how the architecture itself became part of the art, shaping my experience with its simplicity and elegance. The way light constantly shifts throughout the day felt like stepping into one of Kahns reflections on space and silence.Works by Leo Marmol and Marmol Radziner:The Desert House by Marmol Radziner \\\ Photo: Benny Chan, courtesy of Marmol RadzinerScottsdale House by Marmol Radziner \\\ Photo: Bill Timmerman, courtesy of Marmol RadzinerScottsdale House by Marmol Radziner \\\ Photo: Bill Timmerman, courtesy of Marmol RadzinerPoint Dume House by Marmol Radziner \\\ Photo: Manolo Langis, courtesy of Marmol RadzinerPoint Dume House by Marmol Radziner \\\ Photo: Manolo Langis, courtesy of Marmol RadzinerGarcia House by Marmol Radziner \\\ Photo: Richard Powers, courtesy of Marmol RadzinerGarcia House by Marmol Radziner \\\ Photo: Benny Chan, courtesy of Marmol RadzinerLeonardo E. Marmol, Winds Caress, 2022, Oil and cold wax on board, 30 x 40Leonardo E. Marmol, Eulogy for Yesterdays Dawn, 2022, Oil and cold wax on board, 30 x 40Leonardo E. Marmol, Pastoral Views in the Borrego I, 2022, Oil and cold wax on board, 40 x 30Leonardo E. Marmol, Pastoral Views in the Borrego II, 2022, Oil and cold wax on board, 40 x 30Leonardo E. Marmol, Poets Call It Sleep I, 2022. Oil and cold wax on board, 40 x 30Leonardo E. Marmol, Poets Call It Sleep II, 2022. Oil and cold wax on board, 40 x 30