With Fourth House, Elena brought her curatorial eye and design sense to Wexler Gallery‘s diverse roster of artists and designers.
Fourth House plays a tongue-in-cheek reference to the 1970s-era renaissance of astrology, and the fourth house of the zodiac symbolizing the home. When conceiving the exhibition, Elena’s first point of inspiration was Purple Tantra, a hand-knotted wool tapestry by Belgian artist Jan Yoors dating from 1976. Further drawing on the 1970s, Elena reimagined what the decade’s free-spirited divergence would look like as a present-day living room.
The result: an eclectic, contemporary vision that effortlessly melds organic and geometric forms, plush and glossy textures, and warm earth tones with sleek metals.
Elena’s eye for bold, artful gestures comes through the selection of sculptural furnishings and unexpected artworks. Pieces from Frampton Co’s in-house furniture line, F Collection, include our Tux Sofa which invites lounging with a low, deep seat (plus era-appropriate fringe trim!), and the curving, high-gloss Arc Desk debuting in an exceptionally durable automotive finish and spicy-meets-earthy shade of Paprika.
A selection of tables by Gregory Nangle and Ekin Varon are minimal in form, yet rich in materials with a mix of cast-bronze, gunmetal patinated stainless steel, violet blown glass, and vintage Italian cream glass exuding lustrous glamour. Throughout, a soft glow is cast from a mix of nature-inspired fixtures including the new Marea Collection by Andreea Avram Rusu, and Silver Ginko Puddle Sconces by Gregory Nangle. Layering in accessories from Rosemary Hallgarten, Elena references the textiles and textures of the era with plush sheep fur and hand-dyed watercolor pillows alongside a thick alpaca bouclé rug.
Last but never, ever least: the art. Contemporary sculptures in unexpected, modern materials add levity to the overall spirit with silicone-cast cubes by Nick Missel, and Radiance, a hanging sculpture by Maribel Portela composed of shimmering gold PVC. Disco, anyone?
Fourth House is on view at Wexler Gallery in the New York Design Center through October 24th.
