Million Dollar Couches: My next business venture
Photos by @brookslane
Gallery curated by @basic.space
The original “Polar Bear” sofa by Jean Royère from 1952. Listed at 1.9 million USD
As someone who gets all of their furniture and art from IKEA or the side of the road, the concept of these things costing anything over $100 dollars is a bit obscene. Little did I know that there exists a world where couches go for millions, and someone dressed up like a character out of Cyberpunk is selling their artwork for prices my little wallet can barely stomach. This whole “art world” was new to me - I fully expected to go into the gallery, curated by Basic.space NY, and laugh at the ridiculous prices, see some crazy outfits, and leave unimpressed. However, I found myself leaving the gallery with a new appreciation for home decor and art alike… I did still laugh at the prices and see some bizarre outfits.
Calamari Bench by Wendell Castle, surrounded by a Lounge Set from Pierre Jeannret and the Plain Cuts Stone and Steel #1 table by Wonmin Park
Pieces listed by Carpenters Workshop Gallery and Friedman Benda
Candidly, my first thought(s) when seeing the pieces in the gallery were “I can make this” or “Why is this so expensive?” - part of this is an inflated ego, and part of it is realizing how broke I am. You see a beautiful lounge set, in this beautiful shade of green, imagining how good it would look in your tiny apartment. Then you see that it costs over $300,000 dollars and immediately have to play defense: “Who would pay that much?”, “I can find the same thing at Target”, and the self assuring thoughts go on and on. But the harsh truth is… Someone would pay that much, and no - you can’t find something that looks this good at Target… sorry. There is a reason why these things cost so much money, and look so good, great design is rare, and it doesn’t come cheap.
The Tetra Chair by JUDEXAYA, which is surprisingly comfortable
As someone who deeply enjoys things that others find overpriced and pointless: watches, cars, etc. - It was funny to be on the other side of the conversation for once. I’m always defending the prices of watches through the standard talking points of design, function, and history. Over the years, I’ve just come to accept that a lot of people will just never understand these things how I do because they don’t want to understand them. I can’t convince someone, who couldn’t give a shit what they have on their wrist, that a $15,000 dollar vintage Rolex GMT Master is actually a great buy. I can convince, however, someone who wants to know why these things are so sought after, and someone who is genuine in their intentions about building taste and an appreciation for these really cool things. And at that point, it’s less convincing and more educating. Pro tip: Don’t get into the business of convincing people. Put out an excellent product, and the right people will come.
The GUNS2SWORDS Sword by MSCHF - Unironically my favorite piece at the gallery
Listen, all of this is to say to keep an open mind - I came into this “experience” a bit close-minded. Everything seemed so silly until I checked myself and became curious as to why people really enjoy these things. It’s good to try and see other people’s point of view, sometimes it turns out you were right, and people are crazy or full of shit, don’t get me wrong… But sometimes you gain a new appreciation for art, beautiful home decor, and… huge, obnoxious swords?
In natural fashion, this sword by MSCHF was my favorite piece out of everything I saw. My dream apartment has the 1.9 million dollar Polar Bear couch, a TV, and this Sword hanging wherever it will fit.