The Essential List 04. Alix Dana's Functional Design Picks for an Art-Filled Home
The DANA_MANNIX cofounder shares a stunning candelabra, appliances that are chic and functional, and tips for finding your own unique discoveries in the art world.
Today, I’m excited to feature Alix Dana, the cofounder of DANA_MANNIX. Alix has worked in the art world in New York City for over a decade and she always has unique recommendations, a breath of fresh air from the popular picks that we tend to see repeatedly across the internet.
First, she shares her favorite functional and decorative objects for the home. Then, I share our Q&A about her experience helping with museum openings around the world, how she started a consultancy with her friend, and a goldmine of useful tips and recommendations for finding unique pieces and navigating the art world.
Akari Light Sculptures Noguchi baby! Possibly obvious, definitely essential. These give the most delicious soft, ambient light, and they are sculptures, too! Though they appear delicate, they retain their value.
BALMUDA Toaster I'm slowly trying to influence everyone into this Japanese toaster. It's everything and looks so good. There's a teeny little cup that you use to pour water into the top so that it toasts bread or bagels to the perfect (not-too-crunchy, still-soft-inside) texture. I barely use my oven anymore and my husband had to draw the line when I tried to cook salmon in there once.
Sophie Lou Jacobsen The general design inclination in our home is pretty mid-century minimal so I love the juxtaposition of this ornate, gestural candelabra, which fits nicely echoes the stainless steel accents on some of our more structural pieces from USM Haller and Herman Miller. I am also eyeing the designer’s new drool-worthy glassware collection.
Anything Aalto My grandmother, Bunny, has instilled (mandated?) a fervent appreciation for Finnish designer Alvar Aalto in our family, which means I’m lucky enough to have been handed down two well-loved Artek children’s chairs. They are in constant rotation through every room in our home. It’s the perfect chair, stool, bedside table, and it just gets better with age so it doesn’t feel too precious.
Haden Microwave Possibly the thing in our home we have gotten the most inquiries into. Ask Google for a "cute microwave" and you shall receive! Many different colors, not as stupidly huge and deep as most microwaves, so it sits nicely on the counter, perfect for heating up baba at bedtime.
Bisley 5-Drawer Cabinet Yellow This may come off as a boring suggestion, but it elevates an office setting (especially next to an Ellsworth Kelly poster), and there are many colors to choose from. Passports, birth certificates, and the "credit card graveyard" live here.
With a background in art fair management and special events, Alix has the unique experience of producing and managing dozens of high-caliber, private and public facing events across the United States and internationally. In 2019, Alix cofounded DANA_MANNIX, a full-service strategic consultancy for galleries, institutions, brands, and individuals seeking support for projects in the arts and culture sphere.
How did you enter the art world? What is your background and what are you currently doing?
I found my way into the art world through one of my first jobs in my 20s. I worked for a New York PR firm that specialized in art, design, hospitality and special events, and I had to opportunity to work on three large-scale museum openings: Museo Jumex in Mexico City, the Whitney Museum's move from the Breuer Building uptown to its current downtown home, and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow. It was definitely grueling and trial-by-fire, but I feel really lucky that I was able to witness these moments and participate from the inside. (And that I was able to go to Moscow twice; I might not ever be able to go there again!)
My next move was to an in-house position at Independent, which is an annual contemporary art fair in New York and, at the time, also had an edition in Brussels. I was the first full-time staff member so I got to "try on" a bit of everything: production, marketing, VIP relations, sponsorship, budget management. During my time at Independent I started working closely with the participating galleries and exhibiting artists to plan the production, delivery, installation, promotion, and sales of their projects for the fair, which was a four-day event. I learned a lot from Elizabeth Dee and Laura Mitterrand, the fair's founders, and Matthew Higgs, who curates the fair each year. It felt like getting a Master's degree in contemporary art and a real inside view of the art landscape from a curatorial as well as business perspective.
After a couple years, I felt a little burned out and ready to try something new. I took a month off, and the idea for DANA_MANNIX was born after a giggly, orange-wine-filled evening with a close friend, Hyatt Mannix, who was in a similar time in life and mental space as I was. At the time, she was the Director of Marketing at the New Museum, and had stints previously handling communications for David Zwirner, High Line Arts, and Kickstarter. We were like, “Okay, WE should start a company. I'm serious. No, I'm serious." We all say that stuff to each other all the time (especially after a few glasses of wine) but, shockingly, we actually did it.
A big part of our origin story was also our shared desire to have a family, and we were both stumped on how we could pull that off with our current (non-existent) work-life balance. We started our partnership with a mutual understanding—I got you when you need me to cover for you, and let's focus on the important stuff.
So after filing some paperwork and some brainstorming sessions, we soft-launched our strategic communications consultancy, DANA_MANNIX. We specialize in arts and culture, so many of our clients are galleries and museums, but also brands who have cultural initiatives or goals. Rather than a traditional "PR agency" structure, we aim to provide holistic marketing services as a kind-of "senior staff for hire" that integrates easily into (and helps streamline) into clients' existing team operations.
We're now approaching DM's 5 year anniversary in the fall (!!!), and it's really special to look back on all the projects we've worked on and how things have evolved since then (especially after COVID). A big part of our origin story was also our shared desire to have a family, and we were both stumped on how we could pull that off with our current (non-existent) work-life balance. We started our partnership with a mutual understanding—I got you when you need me to cover for you, and let's focus on the important stuff. It's rare to find a partner that you can communicate and work so well with—especially when working with a friend—so I feel forever grateful of have found my work-wife Hyatt ❤️
I think that, for many people, when they hear "Art," the first things that come to mind are paintings and wall art. However, there are obviously many more mediums. Which mediums excite you?
I love ceramic work. I love textiles. I'm a big knitter, so I geek out on textile work. I would also love to start collecting glass or stained glass work. I'm a compulsive shopper and hoarder type, so I love buying functional art and I love the intersection between art and design. There's a bit of a stigma about "Design" in the art world, or snobbishness, but I enjoy that gray area.
The art world turned their nose down at self-taught material for a long time, but there’s been a serious change in perception over the past 15 years, in no small part due to some key maverick art dealers that have believed in and campaigned for the artists and work.
Friends of mine have an independent bookshop/espresso bar/art space, Head Hi, in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. In 2019, they started putting on a "Lamp Show," where they put out an open call and anyone can submit a lamp—you could be a professional artist or designer, or it could just be any old Joe messin' around. They now get hundreds of submissions a year and droves of people come to see the show. The lamps they select can range in price from $100-$10,000, with designs by professional artists/designers but also creative types that just "went for it" or found something funky and cool. I love the spirit of that show and I get lamps from it every year because there's always such unexpected, eccentric things and I think of them as part of my art buying.
I also am drawn to work by self-taught artists, meaning artists who aren't part of the traditional "art world" system, ie. didn't go to art school, have formal training, and go through the whole art world rigamarole. The art world turned their nose down at self-taught material for a long time, but there’s been a serious change in perception over the past 15 years, in no small part due to some key maverick art dealers that have believed in and campaigned for the artists and work.
Some of these artists have a mental disability, or they were in prison, or they're so-called "amateurs"—so to speak—but they're finally gaining recognition on the mainstream level and many well-known contemporary artists talk about the profound influence self-taught artists have on their practice. Another "grey area" / dissolving of the barriers that I enjoy.
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to start or expand their art collection, but doesn't know where to start? Where can they find unique pieces?
Find artists and creators you love and reach out for available works or the possibility of a commissioned work. Here are some of my personal favorites:
Portrait of my daughter, Alma, (left) and a pet portrait by Emma McMillian One of my most prized possessions is this portrait that our wonderful friend and painter, Emma McMillian, captured of our daughter, Alma, when she was only 4 months old. When her busy schedule allows, she occasionally accepts commissions (her pet portraits are beyond!). Stay vigilant!
Works by my husband, Charlie Rubin I work in art, so obviously I’m married to a cute artist (Charlie Rubin). If you ask nicely he might take on a custom commission or let you raid his studio, too. Can’t promise you the same discount I get though ;)
Custom handles (left) and bespoke furniture by Cadis Cadis One essential thing I literally reach for every day (and what we get the most compliments on) are the unique custom handles that our bestie, artist Moch Hahn, made for our kitchen. Gloriously mismatched and each with a life of their own, each “pull” is uniquely handcrafted from reclaimed materials. Moch’s sculptural practice is evident in Cadis, his new bespoke furniture and home goods studio.
rrres Point+Line 02 rrres My husband discovered this exceptional design studio when he was doing a residency in Oaxaca. I hesitate to over-explain it—just click and let it wash over you. We have this hand-made cotton throw for our bedroom and it really "ties the room together".
Find galleries you like and develop a relationship
Most people don't realize that if they find an artist or gallery they really like, they should reach out for more information. Can I have the price sheet? Do you have any more inventory at a lower price point? Could you offer a payment plan or discount? Does this artist have any other shows coming up? Some gallery owners will even help you "hone" your taste and help you start acquiring work within your budget. If the piece you like is $20,000, you could ask if they have any other work at a lower price point that they think you might be interested in. The key to acquiring work (and anything?) is patience, timing, relationships and dialogue— and not just rushing to cross "hang something over the sofa" off your to-do list.
Porcelain sculptures by Korean-American artist Se Oh (Stroll Garden) One gallery (and client 😉) I love is Stroll Garden in Hollywood, who specialize in contemporary ceramics, sculpture, and design, with an emphasis on working with artists of all backgrounds. Their current show "Se Oh: Elegies" is a knock-out—and with a nice range of scale and price points—so definitely check that out before it closes on March 30. Stroll Garden does about 4-5 shows per year, including an annual group exhibition over the summer at Adolf Gottlieb’s former studio in East Hampton, New York.
Scour the internet for Artist Lithographs, Monographs & Exhibition Posters
Depending on your budget and level of ephemera-nerd, you can go deep throughout the internet for collectible original prints, matchbooks, exhibition invitations (1stDibs, LiveAuctioneers, Artsy, eBay) or go quick and dirty with an inexpensive reproduction (Etsy has a ton). Favorites in my collection are these two below – an Ellsworth Kelly exhibition poster and David Hockney’s 1987 “Stravinsky” Met Opera poster. Key search terms: Ellsworth Kelly, Lawrence Weiner, Louise Bourgeois, Gaetano Pesce
An Ellsworth Kelly exhibition poster and David Hockney’s 1987 “Stravinsky” Met Opera poster Exhibition invitations and other ephemera (matchbooks, pins, t-shirts) are fun to search for. My Aunt gave me an Ellsworth Kelly invitation that she got off eBay, which we framed. (Look at this Gaetano Pesce invitation!! I need it!!) It's fun to go down the Wormhole and find those things (LiveAuctioneers has sucked up so much time in my life—it’s so fun).
Buy editions and prints from non-profit art organizations (good cause!)
Artist Limited Edition Prints by White Columns
With your extensive experience in Art Fairs and Event Production, which are your favorites to attend? Which fairs or events would you recommend to someone new to the art world?
The Outsider Art Fair is an annual art fair in New York that presents work by self-taught artists. I think that was the first art fair that I ever went to. It's a very shoppable fair—you can get something for 50 bucks and get something for 50,000 bucks. It's a great "starter" fair because it's less intimidating and more accessible than the "blockbuster" art fairs like Art Basel or Frieze, but the quality and element of "discovery" is still there.
NADA (New Arts Dealer Alliance) NADA is an organization that supports emerging, young art galleries. There is a more favorable range of price points to the work for young collectors, and it has more of an experimental/fun vibe. It's definitely younger and more hip, the kind of place you bump into people and sit around and have a beer. I have bought a couple of things from NADA throughout the years.
If you want really major, cool art—I feel like this is something I tell people all the time and no one listens to me—every June, White Columns does a benefit auction and all of these big artists donate crazy works to it because it’s for a good cause.
White Columns is an artist-run non-profit space in New York, and they put out these really incredible fundraising editions every year. I bought this Nicholas Party one for like a hundred euros when we did the art fair in Brussels in 2016 or so, and I also have ones by B. Wurtz and Alice Mackler.
If you want really major, cool art—I feel like this is something I tell people all the time and no one listens to me—[Ed. Note: I’m listening, taking notes, and saving dates!] every June, White Columns does a benefit auction and it always has incredible work. They do an auction and the in-person auction is all galleries buying more works for themselves, but it sells for way less than it ever would anywhere else because it's not a commercial venue or marketplace.
You've told me in the past that if the price is intimidating, most artists and galleries are usually open to arranging a payment plan, right?
Yes! I think that's something not enough people know about. Payment plans are beautiful thing.
Do you think artists and galleries are open to bartering or negotiating on price?
If it's a drawing for $800, they’re probably not going to give you a discount the price point is already so low, and 50% goes to the artist. If you're trying to buy something for $5,000 you can probably innocently ask if there is any room for a discount (they're used to being asked!)
What are your thoughts for shopping for art online versus in person?
I think Instagram and online discovery is one of the greatest ways to find art these days, but the actual transaction is probably best after some dialogue.
I think most people discover art online at this point and there’s no shade if you can find a trustworthy way to buy it. I prefer to buy online when it's an edition through an organization I am already familiar with. I follow a lot of artists and galleries on Instagram, so when they’re promoting an upcoming show I’ll DM the gallery and ask for a price sheet. (Sadly now with a 2 year old I don't have that kind of cash flow right now—usually I get the price and I’m like, “oh, never mind.”)
What are your favorite art destinations at the moment? Which cities or destinations do you find have great galleries or a vibrant art scene?
I love going to Copenhagen, it's a design capital of the world (and now a runner up for fashion too!)—it’s has the best aesthetics, quality and makers.
Upstate New York is teaming with artists. The Hudson Valley has a long history of luring and inspiring attracted artists, and there’s been a fresh resurgence after people moved up there during the pandemic. A lot of people were priced out of New York and now it feels like Brooklyn up there in Hudson. Catskill, which is 10 miles from Hudson, has really exploded. I work with Foreland in Catskill - a sprawling arts complex with artist studios and public programming.
The gallery scene in Los Angeles has exploded over the past five years. Frieze week in LA feels more exciting to Miami in my opinion.
But TRULY best place to see art is Venice during the Biennale, and it stays open the whole summer so you can go anytime. Miami during Art Basel is fun, of course, though I have a bit of Miami PTSD from a decade of work trips. Inevitably, I feel like anyone who works in the art world will say the same thing. It can be a very punishing week if you’re on the clock.
The gallery scene in Los Angeles has exploded over the past five years. Frieze week in LA feels more exciting to Miami in my opinion. Miami is more of a host city, and it’s party time, but L.A. is more like New York in that all of the galleries are there year round and there are also museums. It’s less of a spring break vibe.
Thank you, Alix! This was so fun—I feel like I just earned a mini Master’s in Art. I’m buying the Bisley cabinet for my messy husband’s desk, I’m obsessssed with Sophie Lou Jacobsen’s glassware, and I’ve already lost hours of sleep to scrolling Artsy (worth it).
website: danamannix.com
instagram: @dana_mannix
Let us know if you have any questions for Alix in the comments. And if you know anyone who might be interested, please pass this along to them.
What are your favorite finds or places to discover unique art? Share in a comment below or hit reply to send me a note.
This was SUCH a good read Laura, loved her picks! xC
Love this!