You know we love to bring you gift guides for every holiday from that artsy person in your life. From coffee table books to Louise Bourgeouis gardening set (yes, they exist and they are incredible.) Here are 14 gifts from your Valentine or even better, yourself.
1.) Kay Nielsen’s A THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS
We are huge proponents of giving beautiful art books as gifts, so it is only right to start the list with such an item. TASCHEN is running copies of the Danish illustrator and artist, Kay Nielsen’s A Thousand and One Nights. The asking price is $300, which is a bit steep, but this is a gift that will last a lifetime and continue to impress.
2.) CONCRETE SUCCULENT PLANTER SET
If your lover is an architect or into brutalism, don’t pass up these geometric, concrete planters from FORMA’s Etsy Store. A set of 3 costs about $60, and you should probably add a few cacti, which you can find almost anywhere for a few dollars.
3.) JOTBLOCK
JOTBLOCK is perfect for the constant creative in your life. You know, the one who is always brainstorming their next great painting or design. This sleek, rectangular notepad incorporates storage into the notepad itself, so colored pencils are always accessible when the inspiration hits. Grab one from the Guggenheim store for an easy $25.
These unique, sterling silver, handmade rings by Dreamland artist Aidan Koch, are dynamic, fashionable, and great for anyone. The rings come in a custom pouch also designed by Koch that features a line of poetry, and tucked inside each ring you will find a unique, pastel drawing. Wear them on a chain or your fingers. You’ll find this beautiful gift at the Met Store for $200.
5.) LOUISE BOURGEOUIS GARDENING SET
LACMA’s Louise Bourgeouis gardening set could be the perfect gift for the urban gardener in your life. The set comes with an apron featuring a rare Bourgeouis sketch, as well as a trowel and hand rake. Pick it up online or in LA for $70.
6.) COS x HAY
We couldn’t pick one item from this amazing collab between COS and Danish, design firm, HAY, so we’ll let you do it yourself. The collaboration features beautifully designed home goods for a reasonable price. You can’t go wrong. Items range from $15-$100.
7.) Joanna Burton’s TRIGGER: GENDER AS A TOOL AND WEAPON
Let’s not forget that Valentine’s Day is completely corporate and favors traditional, heterosexual relationships. So keep your friends and lovers woke with the catalog from the New Museum’s exhibition TRIGGER: GENDER AS A TOOL AND WEAPON. New Yorker’s should grab a few tickets and check out the exhibition as well.
8.) BOOK REST LAMP
A bedside lamp that also functions as book rest? Need I say more? This LED lamp will save your page when you’re half asleep and can’t find your bookmark. Plus, it’s LED which provides a nice, warm light, and won’t catch your books on fire! You can find this at the New Museum store for $60.
9.) LOUISE BOURGEOIS BRUSH ROLL
This cotton canvas brush roll is a great gift for the painter in your life. It comes with three brushes that feature a different quote from the artist, which are bound to keep those close to you inspired. Find it at the New Museum store for $60.
10.) COLOR NEGATIVE SIMPLE USE CAMERA
A great gift for anyone who likes to make memories, this atypical disposable camera comes with funky film and filters to create fun and unique. You can also choose between a preloaded Lomochrome Purple camera as well as a traditional black and white. Find these at the Whitney for $22 a piece.
11.) Brand New Noise’s LOOPY LOU
Perhaps your lover’s art form of choice is sound. Appease their taste with this chic, handmade, recording and looping device from Brooklyn-based Brand New Noise. The Loopy Lou also has a pitch control nob and a 1/8″ output, so that you can manipulate, amplify, and record original sound pieces. Find it online at the Brand New Noise store for $76.
12.) Venus de Wino Bottle Stopper
Pair this classically inspired Venus wine stopper with a nice bottle of vino, and maybe even a pair of glasses if you really love your Valentine. My mantra is you can never go wrong with a bottle wine, unless you know that a person doesn’t like wine.
13.) Mondri Vase
Pair this Piet Mondrian inspired vase with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for an amazingly romantic gift. The vase has three separate containers for flowers so make sure the bouquet is as big as your heart. Find it at the MoMA Design store for $100.
14.) Radical Women: Latin American
Celebrate the Radical Women in your life with this anthology that pays homage to radical, Latina and Chicana artists who worked between 1960 and 1985. The book covers a hundred women working in various mediums. It also includes essays that address the political context that these women were working in. Grab a copy from ICA Boston store for $60.00.