Art Gifts
Feat. the return of the Paradiso Print
I’ve been fighting off the shopping bug all week, so my immune system was compromised when an actual illness descended this morning. Thus, I write you sniffly and vulnerable to poor shopping decisions. I’ve regretted purchasing polyester party dresses, too-small-but-so-on-sale shoes, and expensive basics that are actually just boring, but I’ve never regretted buying art.
Below, my version of a "gift guide”— whether for a loved one or for yourself to commemorate the end of the year. Why not!
My meager resistance against the icky consumerism of this season: this guide contains zero affiliate links or paid placements. Just art that I love and want to share with you. Let’s begin:
1983 Jorge Dumas Michele Lithograph
Litho on paper, signed and numbered. I noticed that this seller offers combined shipping: I also liked this drypoint etching ($70) and this one-of-one mixed media piece ($32).
The Paradiso Print
The sold-out and oft-requested Paradiso Print has made her grand return, this time as a digital file. I made this piece with my friend and artist Frannie Gembis, and loved turning my apartment into Santa’s workshop for packaging the first go-around. This time, I’m putting the power into your hands: you can print the image at home, at your local print shop, or with a print-and-frame service (I like Artifact Uprising). More details on the product page :)
Oh, and paid subscribers— I put a 20% off code for the digital file in the chat!
If you print in NYC and need a great framer, may I recommend:
Wendy Small, Giclée Print, The Seine No. 8
Russel Janis just released a run of these prints of The Seine, and I think No. 8 is my favorite because it’s the most abstracted. Paris art can be tricky because it goes very “I find that I miss it” very quickly. In that vein, I’m going to Paris next week and am accepting all recs in the comments!
Wendy Small also did a beautiful series of flower monotypes for Russel Janis:
But if you’d rather spend $20 than $900, you can also buy the small catalogue. I’d rip out a page and frame it on a big mat (messy tear line included).
Rue Yi Schmidt Wallet
Rue Yi’s Schmidt wallets are like if Jenny Holzer got into the accessories business. I like the cheeky, irreverent prose on the austere metal forms. Other phrases include: “a lover bit your earlobe a little too hard” and “the shock mocks you”.
Signed Original Francisco Larez Intaglio Etching
I appreciate that the seller specified the embossed surface texture. It makes a difference! I love this piece and might buy it for my studio if you don’t.
I saw a few TikToks (ex. A, ex. B) of people getting creative with a portable scanner, and now I’m kind of dying for one? I’m tempted to get one for my trip to Paris next week. This is a great 🚨large art hack🚨: scan any street texture, fruit, old photo, etc. at a super high resolution, and get it printed extra large.
Ok, fine, I’m getting one for Paris.
Sony Pictures Classics Crewneck
I’ve long believed Sony Pictures Classics to have the most respectable production logo in the film business. Zero schlocky animation or self-serious panache; it’s to the point, dignified, and somehow…academic? The filmic, microscopic vibration on the silver screen is my personal Nicole Kidman AMC intro. This would be enough for me to buy the crewneck, but it also so happens that Sony Pictures Classics are behind bangers ranging from Call Me By Your Name to Blue Jasmine. It comes in grey, too!
Guggenheim mini vase
My fiancé has gotten in the habit of getting me vases for milestone celebrations, then filling them with flowers when I’ve been good. I’ve added this one to my wishlist (hi, Daniel!)
I like this little vase, too— made by Luft Tanaka by pouring liquid clay into a leather mold, hence the dimply texture.
Christo Running Fence Lithograph
Yes, I include Jeanne-Claude and Christo prints on here a lot. Sue me!
Moon Jellyfish Barrette
The Jellyfish Barrette by Rego comes in many colors, but I love the idea of gifting the moon color to a bride-to-be (if you’re anything like me, you have at least 20 brides in your life right now). If I were shopping for myself and not completely wedding-brained at the moment, I’d get red.
The Ballad of Sexual Dependency by Nan Goldin
The Ballad of Sexual Dependency began as a slideshow piece by Nan Goldin in 1979. Goldin would flip through the slides in a club while friends curated the soundtrack. Goldin continued to shoot for this project throughout the 80s, resulting in this autobiographical master document of the New York new wave art and music scene. This book is the edited version of those slideshows. It’s a masterpiece and must-have for any documentary photographer.
Oak Pedestal Board
A luxury, handmade serving board is not something I’m likely to buy for myself, which is of course what makes it a perfect gift. You could throw Cheez-Its on this thing and it would look like art.
They come in different sizes and forms, and are one-of-a-kind and multifunctional: use them for serving, cutting, or as a sort of display pedestal for precious items (candlestick? jewelry?). I have one in my kitchen and it sort of re-contextualizes the whole room into a design-y one.
Shopping Bag Design in Japan
Kind of a meta gift in this day and age of shopping bag heavy designer hauls!
1970s Blue Frost Lithograph
The rich contrast here makes it almost appear battery-operated. Signed, titled, and a great size.
Office Hours
What could possibly be a better gift than 30 minutes with yours truly…
If you (or a friend) recently moved, are renovating your home, need some art direction, or just want to gab about rugs, send them over to me at Office Hours. Office Hours are one-on-one, 30-minute mini-consultations about whatever you need. Book here, and remember that paid subscribers have a 20% off code in the chat!
It’s been a pleasure. Til next time,
Talia
Wow the wallet
We’re gonna be tiptoeing around vases in the apartment this time next year