Just days after the installation of a massive 65,000-pound, 38-year-old kapok tree at the base of Jade Signature in Sunny Isles Beach, the tower and Fortune International Group celebrated the unveiling of “Bonhomme Universe,” their new gemstone snowman, a whimsical piece is by Romania-born artist Daniel Knorr which was commissioned by Fortune International Group President and CEO Edgardo Defortuna. The sculpture will be accessible to the public, a potential future social media icon for Sunny Isles Beach. The unveiling was celebrated with a fashionable beachfront luncheon, guests included Edgardo Defortuna, and his wife, Ana Cristina; the artist himself Daniel Knorr, co-host Sarah Harreslon, founder of CULTURED magazine; Jason Frantzen, partner of Herzog and de Meuron; Raymond Jungles, founder of Raymond Jungles Inc.; Vice Mayor Dana Goldman of the City of Sunny Isles Beach; and former U.S. Treasurer Rosie Rios. Defortuna spoke about his passion for art and the ability of sculpture to enliven and embellish outdoor spaces (December 8, 2017).
“We are thrilled to be able to share this unique sculpture with the world – one that celebrates Miami’s diversity, its beauty, soul, and welcoming atmosphere,” said Defortuna.
Daniel Knorr added, "This fantastic building that challenges architectural standards, like three stories of parking under the beach, inspired me to the idea of the snowman and his impossibility to melt under the strong Miami sun. Like the house that hosts inhabitants of 25 countries, the snowman is decorated with gemstones coming from various places in the world. It shows the good soul of mankind and its close connection to nature."
Knorr first began creating these sculptures when he became fascinated by the conceptual possibility of a snowman existing without snow. In Bonhomme Universe, he re-locates this cold-climate object to a sub-tropical environment, releasing it from the material it was once reliant on. Bonhomme Universe stands 10.5' tall and 5.57' wide at the base. The "snowman" crafted around a metal grid of stainless steel, topped with concrete which is adorned with 28 different types of precious and semi-precious stones that have been polished and treated for durability, including green quartz, red jasper and moonstone. The vibrant gemstones chosen are inspired by the colors of the Miami landscape yet sourced from around the world. These natural materials reflect the diverse mesh of buyers at Jade Signature, a testament to Miami’s unique cultural identity. Instead of the typical broom for an arm, this snowman has a palm tree, fashioned from stainless steel. This extended arm serves as a friendly wave to passersby, but also has the deeper visual reference, with the palm tree an ancient symbol of peace, victory, and eternal life that originated in Near East and Mediterranean culture.
Jade Signature is located at 16901 Collins Ave. and was designed by Herzog & de Meuron, interiors by Parisian interior design firm PYR, led by Pierre-Yves Rochon, and landscape architecture by Raymond Jungles. The tower feature 192 flow-through units with pricing ranging from $3.9 million and 1,581 SF for a 1 bedroom + den with 2 baths to $33 million for a 5 bedroom, 6,407 SF penthouse. Jade Signature will also features lush, landscaped grounds with beach access, a beach grill, resort style amenities including a lagoon style pool, fitness center and spa, wine cellar, library, teens lounge, 24 hour concierge and valet along with more five-star amenities that buyers demand in such a high-end, luxury building. Jade Signature features views of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Intracoastal Waterway. Check-out PROFILEmiami's coverage of Fortune International Group reporting over $51 Million in sales in Q1 2017 at Jade Signature in Sunny Isles Beach.
Artist Daniel Knorr in front of his Bonhomme Universe
Artist Daniel Knorr with Jade Signature Developer Edgardo Defortuna
Edgardo Defortuna, Ana Cristina Defortuna, Sarah Harrelson and artist Daniel Knorr
Esther Porto and Rosie Rios, Former U.S. Treasurer
Florencia Aise and Luis Pierrini
Artist Daniel Knorr and Ana Cristina Defortuna
Raymond Jungles and Richard Toledo
Ryan Cole and Jason Frantzen of Herzog & de Meuron along with Sebastian Salvat, VP of Development for Fortune International Group
Tatjana Sprick and Arthur Duncan
Jade Signature Sales Team along with artist Daniel Knorr
Luis Seoane, Enrique Manhard, Maria Amorin and Eduardo Campliglia