MoonLab 42

MoonLab 42 is a satellite of a family-owned concept store 42 from Tbilisi, Georgia, run by Ruso Margishvili and John Holden, also founders of HAMS. The store showcases and sells affordable artwork, objects, and home goods made by different artists.

The owners created the shop with three goals: to provide a platform for emerging artists; to make artwork accessible to the wider community; and to celebrate the local culture and the rich heritage of Ruso’s home in Tbilisi, Georgia.

John’s career in TV production as a set dresser and Ruso's as an architectural designer inform their approach to design, spaces, and experimental projects. Their appreciation for curious architecture brought their attention to a 58” wide storefront tucked between two landmarked buildings in the historic Sugar Hill neighborhood in Harlem, NYC.

The space is divided into three zones: Works on paper, objects, and cashiers’. Due to the limited width, the shelving is set up only on one side of the store while the other side is used as a gallery wall. The shelving was custom-built for the shop. It is based on a 4’x8’ maple plywood panel size and consists of four modules, each designed to house specific items, such as records, framed artwork, or clothing. The warmth of the wood is offset by a blue ceiling. The retail space ends with a silver curtain.

MoonLab 42 space is also used for events and art shows. Once a month one of the artists represented at MoonLab 42 is given the space to showcase their personal projects. The store brings art to a neighborhood deprived of access to galleries and museums.