Remembering Gianni Versace

Casa Casuarina, aka The Versace Mansion

Giovanni “Gianni” Versace was both a visionary and a dreamer. It seems fitting that as Miami embraces Art Week aka Art Basel that we remember Gianni Versace and his influence on fashion, art, and design not to understate his impact in Miami Beach. His remarkable mansion, “Casa Casuarina” (aka the Versace Mansion), at 1116 Ocean Drive is a constant reminder that this creative genius lived among the residents of South Beach from 1992 until his untimely assassination on July 15, 1997. Although Versace did not build Casa Casuarina, he rescued it from disrepair and transformed it to become the preeminently opulent landmark on Ocean Drive. The mansion is famous for the Million Mosaic Pool, the Kneeling Aphrodite bronze statue, the 130 Portrait Medallions, and the French Fountain in the courtyard. You can visit the Versace Mansion during Miami Art Week but it won’t be cheap. The property is currently operated as an exclusive hotel, restaurant, and spa.

Versace Dreams

Versace Dreams (pictured above) is a tribute to Versace. The artwork is a 20″ x 30″ limited edition archival print from the Surreality Collection; face mounted to acrylic glass. The beautiful architecture of Casa Casuarina is transformed into a colorful and inviting fantasy world. A glowing orb in the atrium is the center of an aura surrounding Versace’s posthumous world. Among the fantasy, there is a subtle darkness in the story of Versace’s fate emerging within the shadows. In front of the mansion steps where Versace was shot dead, a frail silhouette of a man (Versace) stands facing an ominously large and overbearing character (the assassin). The assassin looms while a young couple bears witnesses to the unfolding tragedy. Versace Dreams will be on exhibit in my booth (#S616) at Spectrum Miami 2019. You can purchase a limited edition of Versace Dreams (20×30) for $1995 in the Oceana Gallery.

Beat the Black Friday Crowds until December 8

Black Friday and Cyber Monday open up the official holiday shopping season and it gets hectic. If you’re the type of shopper who likes a bargain but hates the hustle, I can help you. Make a purchase of artwork valued at least $1950 on samdobrowphotography.com before the opening night party of Spectrum Miami (6 PM, December 8, 2019) and I will include a signed copy of my newest 110 page hard bound book, “Orient Expression, A Photographers Journey to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam”, a $150 value, at no additional cost. Miami residents ask about free delivery and installation.

Request Free Guest Tickets to Spectrum Miami 2019

I will be giving away a special work of art at the show but you must stop by the booth to participate. Request free guest tickets to Spectrum Miami 2019 so you can explore Miami’s best contemporary art and visit my booth (#S616) where I will be exhibiting several amazing works from the Surreality Collection. [click here].