Artist Maggie Lee Celebrates the Glitter of Youth in New NYC Installation for Nordstrom

By Jennifer Sauer

Photos: Connie Zhou

Layers of youthful nostalgia create the feel of “Daytime Sparkles”—artist Maggie Lee’s new installation for Nordstrom NYC and the Whitney Museum’s Emerging Artist Program. Calling on her teenage experience of time spent in malls and department stores, the artist’s project is an homage to the young love of “hanging out” in public spaces—whether to shop or just to be in the space itself. Just opened, this “secret meeting space” for people to spend time in mimics a retail vibe but stays true to its artistic roots. “I was thinking about how teenagers like to loiter for long periods of time in places just because they can, and for no good reason at all,” Lee tells L’OFFICIEL. “To be mischievous…that’s part of the attitude.”

Lee’s environment perfectly captures the playful irreverence of youth with an adept collage of store elements inside the casual hang-out. Artfully redesigned sofas, pop music, and light projections unfold into its complete ambience. Alongside bright “blings” wall shapes and store merchandise, analog TVs loop commercials for Byredo Suede, Diptyque candles, and background city imagery. While “No Loitering” signs hung tilted, sideways, and upside down provide a cheeky effect for the dedicated lounge space...READ MORE