Rafael de Cárdenas in front of a painting by Lucien Smith

interview by FELIX BURRICHTER
portrait and pictures at his New York apartment by MAGNUS UNNAR

FELIX BURRICHTER — Three years ago, you’d just finished the restaurant Niko on Mercer Street. At the time, you had a reputation as the guy who uses stripes made of tape and lots of color, what many identified as direct references to Memphis. How would you say your work has evolved since then?
RAFAEL DE CÁRDENAS — Well, I’m older now, and my taste always evolves. I’ve also further structured my prac- tice over the past eight years, and our clients have gotten a lot bigger since then. There are higher stakes, and the projects have gotten more commercial, which I like. As for the stripes you mentioned, I’m not sure if you could really call…