Next month in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, James Rondeau, 45, will unveil the result of five years of research: a survey of sculptor Charles Ray’s work from 1997 to present. It will be the first time the second floor of the Renzo Piano–designed building houses a special exhibition, and it’s an exciting prospect for the seasoned curator. “Trying to understand how to deploy things in three-dimensional space is the most enjoyable part of what I do,” he says. This passion for installation is evident in the two-bedroom Edgewater condo he shares with his partner, Igor DaCosta. Here, art objects and vintage furniture coexist in a carefully calculated manner. These are some of his favorite items.
![‘The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle’ by Haruki Murakami](/wp-content/archive/images/2015/0415/C201504-C-James-Rondeau-book.jpg)
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
by Haruki Murakami
($10, Barnes & Noble, 1130 N. State St.)
“He is my favorite author, and this novel is a touchstone.”
![Anne Amie Pinot Noir](/wp-content/archive/images/2015/0415/C201504-C-James-Rondeau-wine.jpg)
Anne Amie Pinot Noir
($60, anneamie.com)
“Our house red.”
![Lanvin Suede sneakers](/wp-content/archive/images/2015/0415/C201504-C-James-Rondeau-shoes.jpg)
Lanvin Suede sneakers
($595, Neiman Marcus, 737 N. Michigan Ave.)
“These work with jeans or a suit.”
![Ellen Gronemeyer painting](/wp-content/archive/images/2015/0415/C201504-C-James-Rondeau-painting.jpg)
Ellen Gronemeyer painting
“Really strange and beautiful work by a young German artist.”
![Simon Carroll pitcher](/wp-content/archive/images/2015/0415/C201504-C-James-Rondeau-pitcher.jpg)
Simon Carroll pitcher
“An inventive form by an underappreciated British ceramist.”
![Mikimoto Gray Pearl cufflinks and studs](/wp-content/archive/images/2015/0415/C201504-C-James-Rondeau-cufflinks.jpg)
Mikimoto Gray Pearl cufflinks and studs
(mikimotoamerica.com for similar style)
“A gift, and pretty much the only jewelry I own.”
![John Vinci dining table](/wp-content/archive/images/2015/0415/C201504-C-James-Rondeau-dining-table.jpg)
John Vinci dining table
(vinci-hamp.com)
“A brilliant design: The top appears to float.”
![Wool blanket](/wp-content/archive/images/2015/0415/C201504-C-James-Rondeau-blanket.jpg)
Wool blanket
“From my father. It’s been on my bed since college.”
![Autographed Roy Lichtenstein poster](/wp-content/archive/images/2015/0415/C201504-C-James-Rondeau-poster.jpg)
Autographed Roy Lichtenstein poster
“A gift from the artist when I was an intern during my first museum experience.”