Rodrigo Salem Blends Art, Design & Architecture 
in a New York Apartment



by Benjamin Genocchio 

Photos by Stephanie Powell with MW Studio



Rodrigo Salem, founding owner of Found Collectibles, continues his creative curation of New York real estate spaces with a staging of art and furniture in a West Village apartment, in partnership with Nylon Real Estate.


Found Collectibles is among the premier sources of Brazilian modern furniture in the U.S., which can be found on Incollect along with his gallery space in the Garment District. He has combined his inventory with the work of several artists to create a beguiling blend of architecture, design, and contemporary art, viewing this as an opportunity to reach a new audience for his furniture, as well as supporting independent noteworthy artists.  

 



"Our goal is to create luxurious, livable, and personalized environments that achieve the best sale prices in the shortest time possible for everyone," Salem says. “By merging vintage Brazilian design with New York’s luxury real estate and local artistry, we craft a fresh atmosphere for art, design, and real estate buyers.”


The venue is 122 Greenwich Avenue, Apt 7, an architecturally iconic condominium designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox. Salem has included several exceptional pieces of Brazilian design, including Giuseppe Scapinelli’s "Acqua" coffee table, circa 1950s, and a sofa of Brazilian rosewood by Cimo, from the 1960s, alongside African objects and abstract art. 


Other furniture highlights include a set of three modern stools in Pequi wood by Jose Zanine Caldas from the 1970s, and a dining table in Caviuna wood by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler from the 1950s, coupled with a set of 8 dining chairs designed by Giuseppe Scapinelli, also from the 1950s. “The dining chairs exemplify his mastery in blending Italian design influences with Brazilian woods and materials,” Salem says. “The chairs are finished in ebony, with sculpted backs and legs that are signatures of Scapinelli’s style.” 





Three artists provided artwork for the installation. Iris Dankner, who is better known as the founder of the Holiday House interior design showcases and a successful interior designer, supplied some of her acrylic on canvas abstractions. Her triptych in the main living area takes inspiration from the work of Cy Twombley, consisting of lots of calligraphic squiggles, shapes and lines floating in space.


Marcelo Chaparro, a self-taught artist from Paraguay, paints abstract and minimalist art with collage elements. His “Guarani Bloom” series, named for the indigenous people of the Parana River region, on view in the powder room, deftly incorporate Ñanduti, which is a traditional Paraguayan embroidered lace. These artworks are beautiful and meaningful and among the most thoughtful works on display.


Susan Block is the most established artist participating. She makes paintings using oil paint on paper, mostly lyrical abstractions which will remind you of the dreamscapes of the artist Robert Natkin. There is also a touch of Surrealism as well. They are compelling images and the earth tones she employs compliment the Brazilian wood furniture.

 

Overall the combination of furniture and art compliments the space and provides a glad opportunity to see art and design in a relaxed domestic environment. “I love it,” Salem says, “presenting design and art in this way creates a much more compelling vision of what things look like in a home.”



Visits are invited during weekly gatherings every Wednesday in June from 5-7.30 pm or contacting Found Collectibles.


Residence 7
One Jackson Square

122 Greenwich Avenue
New York, NY




DISCOVER FOUND COLLECTIBLES ON INCOLLECT

 


Rodrigo Salem | Founding Owner | Found Collectibles & Found Spaces

255 West 36th St., Suite 502, NYC, NY, 10018

+1 954 294 3099 | rod@foundcollectibles.com| www.foundcollectibles.com | Instagram | YouTube