The Wolfsonian Visionaries

Photography by Seth Browarnik on November 15th, 2011 in Arts, Charities & Galas, Parties

Valentina Vivi & Lei Marco

Miami Beach, FL – November 11, 2011 – The Wolfsonian Visionaries hosted 11:11:11, the second annual Visionaries’ fundraiser to benefit The Wolfsonian–Florida International University. The event started promptly at 7:00 pm as guests shuffled in and ended appropriately at 11:11pm on Friday, November 11, 2011, at the landmark 1111 Lincoln Road garage. The evening, which also marks The Wolfsonian’s 16th anniversary, featured signature dishes from Miami’s top restaurants and caterers, as well as top shelf spirits from Bacardi. DJ Mauricio Parra curated the music, and the images of artist Emilio Chapela were on display in a site-specific installation.

The Wolfsonian opened its doors on Washington Avenue on November 11, 1995, and the Visionaries have embraced this special date as the theme for their yearly fundraiser. “November 11, 2011 is a very special, transcendent moment of good will, and we’ve designed the 11:11:11 party with an emphasis on a feeling of euphoria, on celebrating a celestial moment,” says Jose Zaldivar, a member of the Visionaries host committee. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. We’re celebrating the moment, the here and now, and making this party a true celebration of life.”

Zaldivar designed the space to feel heavenly, “like a cloud of light.” It was illuminated by images from a book on the theme of 11:11:11 by the artist Emilio Chapela, commissioned by Wennett for the event. Finally, at 11:11 p.m., guests enjoyed a surprise performance art piece featuring The Lucky Dragons. The evening also featured an impressive selection of tasting tables representing a dozen restaurants and caterers donating their services, including Dolce Vino, Le Basque, Lovely Daze Desserts, Lyon + Lyon, Meat Market, Petit Pois Events & Catering, Ortanique, Rosa Mexicano, Shake Shack,Spuntino Catering, Stella’s Sweet Shoppe and Thierry’s Catering. Each serving a signature dish. Rex Goliath provided the wine, and additional confirmed event sponsors The Shore Club, Alhambra Antiques, ArtNexus, Fiction Events, The Gansevoort, Jacober & Associates, and Mako Video provided all sorts of treats for these lucky guests!