A Conversation with Rafael de Cárdenas

jad7156
Sep 26
2 min read

Rafael de Cárdenas is a designer and creative director based in New York. Since 2006, he has maintained a multifaceted international practice encompassing residential and commercial interiors, architecture, furniture design, art advisory, and brand development. As a returning member of our Design + Art Advisory Council for the 14th edition of Salon Art + Design, Rafael joined us for a round of rapid-fire questions on upcoming exhibitions on his must-see list, design eras and movements that inspire him most right now, and more.

Art + Design Favorites

If you could add one museum piece to your personal collection, what would it be?

Le Cadeau by Man Ray. Currently on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Which design era or movement most inspires you right now?

Always 1980s for its exuberant reinterpretation of opulent art deco 1920s, coupled with the organic, ergonomic and atomic references of the 1950s. Andre Dubreuil and Ugo LaPietra come to mind.

Who is an emerging artist or designer you think everyone should know?

Jake Coan is an artist who works mostly with lighting. I commissioned 2 cast bronze lighting works for my country house and am excited about installing them soon. They are cast from milk-weed pods. They are very organic but also the composition he's created is very refined and elegant.

What’s a piece in your collection that always sparks conversation?

My Paul Rudolph white laminate dining table with acrylic cylinder bases.

If you could collaborate with any artist or designer, living or dead, who would it be?

Pater Sato.

What’s your favorite space you’ve ever visited for its design or art alone?

There's a lobby designed by Noguchi in Tokyo at the Sogetsu building.