Under a grand: The Wrong Gallery
(Filed: 04/04/2006)

Want to buy a work of art for less than £1,000? This week: The Wrong Gallery

Miniature versions of one of the most intriguing contemporary art galleries of modern times, together with tiny models of works associated with the gallery, were launched as collectable art objects in the UK last week.

	Parking Lotus

The Wrong Gallery was conceived by the Italian prankster artist Maurizio Cattelan and two friends, and opened in New York's Chelsea district in October 2002. It consisted of an average-sized glass door with only one square metre of exhibition space behind it.

"The Wrong Gallery is the back door to contemporary art," said its founders with more than a hint of irony, "and it's always locked."

Typical of the exhibitions were signs saying that it was closed, or a sculpture of a baby in an abandoned car outside. But, last July, the Wrong Gallery was evicted. Since December, it has taken up temporary residence on the third level of Tate Modern.

The mini Wrong Gallery is just 18in high and is now on sale. Made of resin, glass, aluminium and steel with electric lighting, it costs £700, plus VAT.

"Open the door, turn on the light, install a work and become the curator you always imagined you could be," reads the sales blurb.

One of the works you could install is Parking Lotus (left), a 61/4in model based on a video by Mexican artist Yoshua Okun, who asked security guards in Los Angeles to meditate in the parking lots where they worked and then filmed them. One by one, the guards levitate, then disappear.

Other miniaturised models and paintings, all made with the approval of the artists, are of works by Elizabeth Peyton, Lawrence Weiner and Andreas Slominski. Alternatively, you could place anything you like in the gallery.