The Gagosian Store, New York
In a time when the art world is less and less about exclusivity and increasingly concerned with mass-market appeal, Andy Warhol’s infamous maxim, ‘good business is the best art’, has never seemed more apt – and New York’s Gagosian Gallery is one institution that has recently bowed to the cause.
See more of the Gagosian's latest New York offering
So, from one Andy to another, Andy Avini, - long term man behind the scenes at the Gagosian and established artist in his own right – has recently helped to pull together the Gagosian’s Madison Avenue’s latest addition, the Gagosian Gallery Store.
Opened at the beginning of this month, the 2.500 square foot space plays host to a staggering array of purchasable one-off items and limited-edition pieces from the Gagosian’s intimidating troupe of big-name artists – and, as such, has helped inject a much-needed dose of joie de vivre to the gallery’s staid Uptown Manhattan locale.
Avini, in collaboration with the design teams at Daniel Rowen Architects and MN Design (along with the myriad creative names to which the Gagosian plays host), has replicated the Gagosian’s white cube aesthetic for the store.
Originally proposed by Avini as a logical showcase for the Gagosian’s expansive range of art publications, Larry Gagosian himself ran with the concept, which has resulted in the gallery-cum-art-supermarket that now resides in its shiny new Madison Avenue home.
Designed as an equal forum on which both the Gagosian’s artists and the gallery visitors can meet, the store will feature regular rolling projects and exhibitions alongside the books and prints. Kicking off this month, the residencies will begin with the launch of Richard Prince’s ‘perfect’ artist’s book, Bettie Kline, and a section of the store dedicated entirely to London-based purveyor of limited-edition art-world work, Other Criteria.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Whilst Avini would never lay favour upon any single piece in-store, he sites Jeff Koons’s iconic puppy planters, Anselm Reyle’s ‘fantastic value’ hand-painted book and Ed Ruscha’s beautiful artist’s book box as a few of the store's most important items – Damien Hirst’s paint splattered ‘hallucinatory head’ and Marc Newson’s understated Damask Knife also stand out.
Perhaps more importantly however – particularly in an era of such increasing artistic democracy – Avini sites accessibility as the key motivation behind the project, claiming that the Gagosian ‘must be aware of its street level presence. Art should be for everyone'.
ADDRESS
Gagosian Gallery Store
Madison Avenue
New York
-
Molly Goddard on creating a community of contemporary brides
As new Molly Goddard bridal wear is released, the designer talks about creating romantic but real wedding dresses, while three recent brides tell the stories behind their own Goddard gowns
By Jack Moss Published
-
Palazzo Roma embodies the heritage of Roman noblesse
Palazzo Roma, part of the Shedir Collection, boasts eclectic and eccentric interiors by Giampiero Panepinto
By Luke Abrahams Published
-
Boise Passive House’s bold gestures support an environmentally friendly design
Boise Passive House by Haas Architecture combines sleek, contemporary design and environmental efficiency
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
‘LA Gun Club’: artist Jane Hilton on who’s shooting who
‘LA Gun Club’, an exhibition by Jane Hilton at New York’s Palo Gallery, explores American gun culture through a study of targets and shooters
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Detroit Institute of Arts celebrates Black cinema
‘Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971’ at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) brings lost or forgotten films, filmmakers and performers to a contemporary audience
By Anne Soward Published
-
BLUM marks 30 years of Japanese contemporary art in America
BLUM will take ‘Thirty Years: Written with a Splash of Blood’ to its New York space in September 2024, continuing its celebration of Japanese contemporary art in America
By Timothy Anscombe-Bell Published
-
Todd Gray’s sculptural photography collages defy dimension, linearity and narrative
In Todd Gray’s New York exhibition, he revisits his 40-year archive, fragmented into elaborated frames that open doors for new readings
By Osman Can Yerebakan Published
-
Frieze LA 2024 guide: the art, gossip and buzz
Our Frieze LA 2024 guide includes everything you need to know and see in and around the fair
By Renée Reizman Published
-
New York artist Christopher Astley showcases an alternative natural world
At Martos Gallery in New York, Christopher Astley’s paintings evoke an alternative natural world and the chaos of warfare (until 16 March 2024)
By Tianna Williams Published
-
The Whitney plots Harold Cohen’s artistic AI adventures
‘Harold Cohen: AARON’, at the Whitney Museum of American Art celebrates the artist’s software – the earliest AI program for artmaking – as an artwork in its own right
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Ludovic Nkoth’s vibrant paintings reflect on migration
Cameroon-born, New York-based Ludovic Nkoth uses acrylic paint to strike a balance between abstraction and figuration
By Ugonna-Ora Owoh Published