Our Favorite Souvenirs from the MoMA Design Store

Directly across the street from the Baccarat Hotel New York stands one of the largest and most influential museums of modern art in the world: The MoMA. The Museum of Modern Art is an architectural marvel in itself—the perfect showcase for its extensive collection and exhibits ranging from Picasso and Matisse paintings to so much more. But much to the surprise of some visitors, some of MoMA’s most spectacular pieces don’t actually live on the museum walls. Beyond the mesmerizing artwork, don’t miss the newly reopened MoMA Design Store—the perfect place to find a souvenir.

Read on as Kemper Hyers, the man behind the meticulous and stylish choices for the hotel, selects for you the best souvenirs to bring with you or have shipped home by our Concierge.

THE FLIGHT LITE

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's the FLYTE light! This futuristic take on the Edison bulb is a levitating light that hovers above its base by magnetic suspension. As the energy-efficient LED bulb floats, it rotates slowly in the air, adding even more mystery to this extraordinary object. The sustainably sourced wood base plugs into a standard power outlet and lets you turn the light on and off with a single touch. It includes the base, lightbulb, and AC Adapter. Maximum brightness: 60 Lumens.

HIDEOUT CHAIR

Created by Swedish design group Front, this steam-bent solid beech chair is as welcoming as it is chic. Woven caned sides create a semi-private experience as you slip into the wide and uber-comfortable upholstered seat. Front is featured in MoMA’s collection.

YEH WALL TABLE

A clever solution for homes with limited space, this wall table stands on only two legs with its top bent upwards in a 90-degree angle. Yeh was inspired by watching people in sitting positions with their backs resting against a wall and their legs uniformly placed on the ground. 

CLOCK CLOCK 24

Clock Clock 24 is a statement-making object that re-contextualizes time through an ingenious marriage of analog and digital. Twenty-four round clocks come together to create one giant digital display. The clock hands are choreographed, liberating the clocks from the sole purpose of telling time. It can be set for 12 or 24 hour time in three different modes: minimal, medium, or elaborate movement between minutes. Humans since 1982 is a design studio that is well known in the art world for creating conceptual kinetic art that appears pure and simple but utilizes advanced technology. They have exhibited their works at prestigious museums and galleries. Clock Clock 24 was designed for Chapel in limited edition of 950.

LOMO’ INSTANT CAMERA WITH LENSES

The Lomo' Instant Camera is an analog delight that produces old-school instant pictures but has a multitude of features that allow for artistic experimentation. Two-step focusing makes it easy to quickly get the shot you want, and auto- and manual-shooting modes enable more direct control for advanced photographers. Modify your view of the moment with color gels or one of the three included lenses (fisheye, portrait, and close-up). Requires Fujifilm Instax Mini Film and 4 x AAA batteries. Film and batteries not included.

POWER CUBE

Condensing the utility of a power strip into a space-saving and portable cube, this modular power source can be configured in a variety of ways, allowing you to build a custom hub block by block. The stick-on dock included with the PowerCube Extension allows you to attach it wherever you need power most, whether it’s on top or below your desk, or on the wall. It is available in three styles:

●PowerCube: Four outlets and dual USB port.

●PowerCube Extension: Four outlet, dual USB port, 5 ft. extension cord, and a stick-on dock.

●The ReWireable PowerCube: Includes a dual-powered USB and four interchangeable plugs for use in the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Asia and Australia.

 

PAGE 1 MAGNIFIER + PAPERWEIGHT

This substantial 5X magnifier doubles as a paperweight to help control desktop papers. Designed by architect Page Goolrick, the Page 1 Magnifier represents multi-functional design, a principle celebrated in the Museum’s collection. It is made of stainless steel and glass.

LIVADA VASE 

Now there’s a new way to smell the flowers. Consisting of two glass pieces, this Livada vase has a cylinder for holding small bouquets of flowers or herbs, and a bulb-shaped cover. A small hole at the top of the bulb allows a concentrated fragrance to slowly release from the vase. The bulb can also be gently raised and lowered, creating a rush of aroma.

THE PORTHOLE INFUSER

The Porthole is a simple, beautiful infusion vessel designed by Martin Kastner of Crucial Detail design studio. Inspired by submarine portholes, this striking infuser can be used to create cocktails, infused oils, dressings, lemonade, and more. With a modern, stylish look, the Porthole is manufactured to rigorous standards and is durable and easy to use. The kit includes four delicious recipes. The Porthole is featured in the Kickstarter @ MoMA Design Store presentation, and was brought to life by 4,270 backers on Kickstarter.

SAILING SHIP KITE

You set sail on the big blue skies when you captain this boat-shaped kite—no ocean required! This sculptural flying machine was inspired by traditional Balinese kite designs, such as those seen flying during the annual Bali Kite Festival. When it’s time to drop anchor, it also makes a ship-shape mobile or objet d'art for the nursery or playroom and is handcrafted out of bamboo and nylon. 

JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT: SKATEBOARD TRIPTYCH IN ITALIAN

Past and contemporary street culture come full circle in this triptych of high-quality Canadian maple wood skateboards. 1980s art icon and native New Yorker Jean-Michel Basquiat was hailed for works that draw on a multivalent range of sources, from Greek, Roman, and African art to jazz, pop culture and his artistic contemporaries. Before he rose to art stardom, however, his work was already legendary on the streets of downtown NYC. Under the tag SAMO©, Basquiat's fragmented poetry and poignant symbols established a visual vocabulary that continues to inspire a new generation of graffiti artists today. This set of three of skate decks, which features images from of the 1983 work In Italian was made in collaboration between The Skateroom and The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Wheels and trucks are not included. The Skateroom is a platform for promoting, selling and producing art on skateboards that supports youth-empowering organizations.