The call had sounded from before the pandemic hit. In order to stay relevant in a landscape of digital abundance, museums throughout the globe had to become more than just cabinets of antiquities. Museum shops had to face a similar challenge; to forego the mass-produced exhibit replicas so as to rival chic design stores that offer handcrafted memorabilia, perfectly suited for the taste and price range of any traveller. You know what they say; if you can’t beat them, join them.
By collaborating with contemporary artists and designers in order to create statement pieces, museum shops re-envision the past and offer items that are far more than just souvenirs. In the case of Athens, there’s a whole lot of past to cover; from the peak of the Cycladic civilization in 2500 BCE and the Christian imprint of the Byzantine Empire, to today’s red-hot art scene, Athens houses a fine array of museum shops that deal in exquisite items and encapsulate Greek history and culture with a current take.
Museum of Cycladic Art
The MCA shop sits right across the museum’s gorgeous inner patio café. At first sight it might look small, but it hides plenty of space in the back. The first thing you notice is the Cycladic figurine replicas, probably already being examined in the hands of visitors. Wander to the back of the shop where each artful pocket features its own aesthetic. The majority of the curated collections refer to past exhibitions, such as Kallos: The Ultimate Beauty Collection and Hyghieia. These include thematic jewellery, such as a gold-plated silver mirror pendant, specialty tea blends by Greek brand Alchemia, as well as high price range gold and diamond pendants by designer Lito.
MCA commissions its own series of bilingual children's books, like Art for All by Niovi Stavropoulou created for children with learning and other difficulties, or Is it a Man or a Violin?, which was born out of questions and comments by children upon first seeing these "little marble statues" during their museum visits.
MCA keeps its eyes and ears open for what's trending and doesn't shy away from making unconventional commissions. One of their latest additions is the Τ-shirt line designed by Takis Zontiros, the creator of Greek Visions, a popular Instagram-based archive of contemporary Greek culture. His designs feature typography elements from the museum's exhibitions abroad, with a DIY collage aesthetic.
E-shop: Yes
The Benaki Museum: Pireos 138
The impressive brick and glass building on 138 Pireos Street is part of the Benaki Museum, which has a number of locations across Athens covering different themes. This one is dedicated to photography, design and architecture exhibitions. The shop entrance is to your right as you walk towards the inner courtyard. The bright white-coloured space holds a rich range of fresh Greek design, with a focus on accessories. This is where you can find the cult Atlas Shopper handbag by STUDIOLAV that’s made out of olive oil and feta cheese tin containers—the same ones you might see used as plant pots by thrifty grandmas and millennials alike.
The gift shop also holds an impressive variety of jewellery. In fact, there are about 150 workshops throughout Greece that carry out commissions for the shop. There are several styles for you to choose from. On the high end of the price range, statement pieces inspired by Greek folk art such as Elena Votsi's Keys series—vintage keys with details of rubies and gold. On a more affordable scale, take a look at Β612's embroidered ornaments. Their bracelets and pendants have a post-folk flair, with the mixing of tattoo designs and traditional Greek attire elements and symbols.
E-shop: Yes—an all-encompassing online shop that carries items across Benaki museums.
Byzantine & Christian Museum
The Byzantine & Christian Museum is housed in Villa Ilissia, built in 1848 and once one of the many homes of the Duchess of Plaisance. Its shop is on your left upon entering the arch from the Vassilissis Sofias Avenue entrance. It spotlights authentic, certified reproductions of Byzantine art made by specialists in religious iconography. Putting the icon in iconic, the stunning replica of Archangel Michael is the first thing you notice. There are several options depending on your budget and luggage space. Take for example the selection of everyday use ceramics, mugs, and bowls with minimalist designs by Vassilis Georgiou. Greek Orthodox churches rock a maximalist flair, yet these minimalist renditions stand up to the challenge by depicting the essence of religious symbols and Byzantine landmarks. Silk scarves and umbrellas are adorned with timeless patterns from late Roman mosaics. There is also a comprehensive selection of publications in Greek, English, and German, that trace Byzantine and Christian history across Greece.
E-shop: No
EMST
Modern art and history meet at EMST, the National Museum of Contemporary Art. Its gift shop, with a view on busy Syngrou Avenue, holds merch that dares you not to take art, or yourself for that matter, too seriously. A minimalist and urban-style collection of hats, totes, t-shirts, and stationery features playful statements about art, all in the museum's custom typeface: "Art is everything!", "Art is futile", and the popular amongst teenagers "My parents dragged me to the museum, and all I got was this t-shirt."
Publications on the museum’s current and past exhibitions, such as Modern Love, Statecraft, as well as the beautiful short guide to the museum ENTER EMST, are among the most popular items with visitors. Most are bilingual, with a few published in separate English and Greek editions. ΦΙΞ/FIX 120+ Years of Architecture by Dora Theodoropoulou is an essential bilingual edition about the emblematic post-war industrial building that was Greece's first brewery (Fix) and which now houses EMST. Taking its cue from the museum, the shop also stands behind sustainable practices and showcases local craftsmanship in their collection, like the stylish EMST backpack line made from reclaimed balcony awnings, by Greek brand 3quarters. There is also a tasteful selection of ceramics by well-known local studios, like Trabala Studio and Mudlab.
E-shop: Yes
Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation
A visit to one of the world's most extraordinary private art collections will certainly make you want to bring something home. Even though you can’t gift wrap the original Degas’ Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, Kandinsky's Both Striped, or François-Xavier Lalanne's Rhinocéros, the B&E Foundation shop offers a comprehensive selection of everyday items which bear designs and elements from these and from many more iconic artworks. You’ll find the shop on the ground floor to your left.
The Foundation also showcases Greek craftsmanship with a series of high-end commissions. Elena Votsi, the 2004 Olympic Games Medals designer, created a paint-brush-themed series of aluminium items and a terribly cute porcelain series of kitchenware inspired by van Gogh. Jewellery lines include minimal-chic gold plated and silver rings by Varvie Milona, heart-shaped bling by Katerina Stamati, and gorgeous wooden necklaces by UKKA LELE. For the perfect Greek contemporary art trophy go for the numbered and signed porcelain plates and silk prints of Alekos Fassianos, or the numbered porcelain plates of Yiannis Moralis. The shop’s book editions make for the perfect coffee table staples, like their six-hundred-page guide on the museum collection, a full-colour hardcover edition that comes in two volumes.
E-shop: Yes
Theocharakis Foundation for the Fine Arts and Music
Theocharakis Foundation takes a more pop route when it comes to its selection of artisanal items. Its small yet compact shop, dubbed the Artshop, has a solid visual identity and sits across the lobby. Funky, pop and upbeat renditions firmly focused on interior design items underline the shop's signature style. Here too, you'll find an appreciation for recyclable and environmentally friendly materials. Amongst their favourite artisans are ENartists, the creative duo of Evi Karachli and Nicole Papakou who use vintage shoe trees, stones, pressed paper, and found wood for their concepts inspired by modern Greek history. Their hand painted tsarouchia—a type of moccasin shoe that is traditionally worn by Greek Evzones—made from old shoe trees is a much more elevated rendition of the ones that can be found at your run-of-the-mill souvenir shops. The Artshop also holds a great variety of bronze ornaments inspired by Greek symbols and nature, a vibrant collection of micro-sculptures, as well as a lovely selection of small boats that are the perfect if you want to take home a traditional Greek Christmas decoration.
E-shop: Yes
