Literary lothario Salman Rushdie spent Thursday night perusing objects of great mystery and beauty. But this time they were not members of the opposite sex. The author took in the opening of artist Victor Matthews’ new show of paintings, “The Vortex.” Rushdie arrived with Francesco Clemente at the De Buck Gallery in Chelsea, for the exhibition and party hosted by Russell Simmons, who was famously saved from drowning by Matthews in the Hamptons back in 2009. DJ Jellybean Benitez spun for art lovers till the early hours. While Simmons bought one Matthews painting, it was not immediately clear if Rushdie, who was seen chatting to a tall blond, picked up anything — or anyone.