Soul Of New York
The “Soul of” collection is a new approach to the art of traveling that’s all about vagabonding around town, chance encounters, and unforgettable experiences. Guides for those who want to unlock the hidden doors of a city, feel out its heartbeat, plumb every last nook and cranny to uncover its soul.
Created by Fany Péchiodat in collaboration with the publisher Thomas Jonglez, the collection will continue to expand with new cities: Rome, Berlin, Venice, Kyoto …
“Pizza,” Tarajia texted me, “How do you eat a slice?”
A hotly debated question among New Yorkers.
“Pinch or fold??”
This simple question marked the beginning of a collaboration that soon became much more than just a project. At the time, we were essentially strangers, brought together by a tight deadline after a brief interview. Little did we know, we were on the brink of a global shift—COVID wasn’t even on the horizon; we didn’t yet know it existed.
Looking back, there's a bittersweet innocence in those memories. We were deeply immersed in our work, unaware that the world was on the brink of change. The art I created during that time now feels like a time capsule, preserving the final moments of a life we didn’t realize was about to change forever.
This project is a a tribute to the city’s resilience, and, in many ways, to our own. While I was madly painting, Tarajia Morrell took pen to paper to tell us what we MUST eat, where to go, and what to do, simultaneously photographer Liz Barclay captured the magic of NYC, preserving its essence in real-time. As we worked, we shared stories, debated the finer points of pizza, and unknowingly documented a city on the precipice of an unprecedented challenge.
is a love letter to the city and its vibrant tapestry of unique places.
While I was fervently painting in my upstate studio, Tarajia Morrell, the mastermind behind this project, took pen to paper to guide us on what we MUST eat, where to go, and what to do. At the same time, photographer Liz Barclay captured the magic of NYC, preserving its essence in real-time.
In hindsight, Soul of New York is not just a book—it’s a testament to a moment in time, to the connection we forged, and to the city that continues to inspire, even in the face of adversity.
