Gagosian opens not a gallery, but a store.


The Gagosian empire has spread across Chelsea and the rest of the world, most recently to Rome, Italy. But this incredibly successful venture is taking on a new aspect–retail. Coolhunting reports that the store “focuses primarily on the publications, posters and accessible artist editions that the powerhouse gallery creates from its many shows at its galleries around the world.”

My first reaction was along the lines of “ugh, how commercial.” Unlike museum shops, this seems like a drive to squeeze the last penny out of an already profitable machine in a way that may or may not help the artist. But then I started daydreaming about the cool stuff that I might actually be able to afford….this is clearly designed to reach out to a whole new audience of people like me…I like that.