The pressure is on when you have to choose a gift for your significant other or loved ones. It can be hard to find something that not only shows that you appreciate them, but also that you know them well. Giving the perfect present can be very rewarding, and it’s good to keep in mind that a gift should be functional as well as tailored to the recipient’s interests. So if your bae is an art aficionado, here are a few gadgets they might like:
1. 2-D Acrylic Skull Lamp
Price: $120 ($108 for Members)
Where to get it: MoMA Design Store
Made by the Israeli designer, Nir Chehanowski, the Skull Lamp has a simple design that looks modern and chic in any environment. This lightweight LED lamp is made of a flat, laser-engraved acrylic sheet that sits on a wooden base. When turned on, light travels through the lines on the sheet, transforming the 2-D object into an optical illusion of a 3-D Skull. The art-lover in your life will go crazy over how this object alters our perception of everyday objects and challenges our comprehension of space, meanwhile providing some mood lighting for when (s)he wants to thank you for the thoughtful gift!
2. Yayoi Kusama Puzzle
Price: $75
Where to get it: Art Markit
This limited edition 200-piece puzzle of Yayoi Kusama’s self-portrait is the perfect gift for a patient art enthusiast who loves cozy nights in. The discombobulating mixture of patterns will have you two working together to finish the puzzle (wine pairing is suggested) and when it’s done, your sweetheart can have the pieces glued together and framed!
3. Hector Madera Backpack
Price: $130
Where to get it: Art Markit
The Puerto Rican artist, Hector Madera, mixes bold colors and patterns in an old-school styled backpack that still manages to look avant-garde. Your loved one will stand out wearing this unique accessory, and you’ll always be able to find them in a crowd.
4. Special Online Arts Course at the MoMA
Price: $139
Where to get it: MoMA Store
For the intellectuals who are eager to learn, an interactive gift can be a good choice. On that note, the Museum of Modern Art offers select online courses where participants get to explore different facets of the art world and what it is made up of. Some courses include hands-on activities, like “Materials and Techniques of Postwar Abstract Painting” where students learn the studio techniques of iconic artists from that period (i.e. Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko) and get to test them out themselves! So if your special someone is eager to engage in art programs throughout the city and you wish to give them something unique, an unparalleled learning experience at the MoMA will be a gift that they will cherish for the rest of their lives!
5. A Membership to their Favorite Museum
Price: $50 – $5,000 (Prices vary drastically depending on the membership)
Where to get it: Take a look at this specially tailored list that we have put together
Think of this as more of a gift for two. After all, you will most likely be enjoying the “plus-one” to some of the most exclusive events in the Art World. If your loved-one is excited about art and a frequent museum-goer, this might just be the perfect gift for them. With a membership, not only will they be able to skip the line at the entrance, but also enjoy a series of curated events and programs throughout the year. And as if the open bar weren’t a convincing enough argument, becoming a member means supporting and preserving the museum and getting even closer to the art.
6. LYFE Zero-Gravity Plant
Price: $189
Where to get it: Kickstarter
Let’s be honest, anyone who sees this floating plant will be dumbfounded by its edgy elegance! This zero-gravity growing system is not only a conversation piece, but also a creative and innovative way to ornament your lover’s home with beautiful plants. LYFE’s minimalist design consists of a geometric planter that gently spins over an oak base via magnetic levitation. Crazy right? And I haven’t even mentioned that LYFE requires no soil because Air Plants absorb their nutrients by their leaves through the air. So maybe instead of sending your loved one flowers, you can step it up with this modern piece!
7. Niels Bohr Atom Mobile
Price: $61.50
Where to get it: Hanging Mobile Gallery
The clean design of this hanging sculpture reminds us of the small parts that make up everything that we know. Made in Denmark, this sculpture imitates Niels Bohr’s revolutionary model of the atom in stainless steel and wood, blurring the lines between science and design. The mobile moves freely through space as the electrons orbit the golden nucleus, creating an almost hypnotizing effect. Atoms are the basic units of matter, so your lover will be happy to receive a (symbolic) piece of you.
