New York art museum kitch is not just for kids

At the Palais de Tokyo gift shop in Paris, one can buy a giant Andy Warhol banana for 150 euros, a Keith Haring espresso-cup set for over 200 euros, and a postcard with the word “fuck” scrawled all over it for 5 euros.

Sure, Parisians know how to lavishly entice their visitors with quirky and bizarre art memorabilia, but one thing is certain when it comes to New York City museum gift shops: we do it with style.

A sign that reads “Entering: Book Heaven” should greet guests as they enter the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s book mecca. Two floors of books, CDs, stuffed animals, pencils—you name it—cram together to create the perfect gift-shopping experience.

Most importantly, books abound. One of the best parts to this shopping experience is the fact that the store resembles a dimly-lit library—albeit with many more loud tourists.

But in addition to Alberto Giacometti biographies and Pablo Picasso flip-books for kids, there are a multitude of tchotchkes you never knew you needed: classic Greek busts go for 300 bucks a pop (come on, it’s worth it!), while Vincent Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” puzzle is a mere $15.

The Museum of Modern Art’s sleek store is strikingly different from the Met’s touristy book shop. There’s a reason why the MoMA Design and Bookstore is the first thing visitors see when they enter the museum. Designed like the rest of the gallery rooms, this space is not a lowly bookshop—it’s a design center that resembles an elevated IKEA for art.

From notebooks to wine openers to pencil sharpeners, the gadgets for sale all reek of the uber-modern. Yes, T-shirts, mugs, and handbags can be found here, but a souvenir from the MoMA shouldn’t be any of these normal items. Instead, a Bauhaus table lamp for $925 or a two-tone purple and red umbrella for $20 can do the trick. And if a trip to this store isn’t enough, the ultra-chic and expensive MoMA Design Store across the street is sure to fulfill any homeowner’s dreams.

Much smaller than either the Met or the MoMA, and separated from the entrance foyer by an undulating fence-like wall, the New Museum’s shop feels like a quaint specialty store. This tiny space holds what seem to be hand-picked books and objects. Beautiful vintage dresses are sold at extremely expensive prices, but Walt Whitman silk-screened tote bags are a mere $10.

Because of the New Museum’s reputation for exhibiting newer and more cutting-edge artwork when contrasted with the MoMA or the Met, the objects here are less ordinary. This means that visitors may not be able to find a Jackson Pollock postcard, but are more likely to bump into a Ryan McGinness catalogue instead.

So for those wishing to find something more contemporary and cutting edge, it makes perfect sense to jump on the subway and take a trip down to the Bowery. If you’re looking for an overpriced Greek bust or a sleek bedside lamp, however, you’ll probably have better luck uptown.