Gesamtkunstwerk is a German word used in English to refer to a complete work of art. It describes the integration of the arts as a unified form. Gesamtkunstwerk (a.k.a. Werk) is also the fusion of gallery and boutique on Clinton Street in New York City founded by Alexandra Kuzyk and Lucia Vera. These two working designers bring this term to the Lower East Side, breaking down the boundaries between the notions of making, showing and selling.
Werk represents a constantly changing selection of over twenty different working artists and designers, concentrating mainly on locally handmade goods, but also showcasing handmade work from Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, Paris and Barcelona. The products range from one-of-a-kind jewelry to quirky stationary, silk-screened T-shirts and paintings. Because the store focuses on designers working here in New York, the space becomes a permanent home for “werkers” that usually migrate between different craft and design fairs. The boutique also gives these designers a space to host events like trunk shows, pop-ups, release parties and “werkshops”. By featuring new independent designers, visitors are invited to come and discover new works and possibly even their own inspiration.
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