Raphael Mazzucco. A Melody, 2014. Signed. Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Multimedia, Diamond Dust, Encased in Resin. 31 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. 80 x 105.4 cm (RM 1585). Photo Courtesy of Raphael Mazzucco.

Raphael Mazzucco. “A Melody,” 2014. Signed. Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Multimedia, Diamond Dust, Encased in Resin. 31 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. 80 x 105.4 cm (RM 1585). Photo Courtesy of Raphael Mazzucco.

While some of you might not recognize the name Raphael Mazzucco, you probably have seen his iconic photographs on your local newsstand, gracing the covers and pages of publications like Sports Illustrated, Vanity Fair, French and Italian Vogue, Playboy and many more. But though this Canadian native’s claim to fame might have started off within the mass media and advertising spectrum (his work for Guess immediately comes to mind here, specifically his photographs of model Megan Ewing, back when she was still a Guess Girl), for the past few years he has been shaking up and enlivening the art world.

Taking residents of Ibiza, Spain for a ride into the ethereal depths of tantalizing colors and dreams that speak of passion, honesty, grace and obscurity, Mazzucco transcends the line between photography and painting in his first-ever exhibition, Lost in Dreams, in a town known for its exciting nightlife. And excitement is what you will surely get when you allow yourself to become lost in the magical — one might even say otherworldly – world of sensuality and women; a sequestered realm once only seen through the captivating lens of “one of the top 50 photographers in the world to watch”(as hailed by American Photo). Is it a philosophical journey of painted hues, ink, print and subject interacting and reacting off each other, and hence becoming one indescribable whole? Yes, but it also an excursion into a piece of fine art photography and exhilarating sensations with encrypted messages. In fact, the artist himself sees this opportunity as nothing short of thrilling.

Raphael Mazzucco. African Safari, 2014. Signed. Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Multimedia, Diamond Dust, Encased in Resin 31 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. 80 x 105.4 cm. (RM 1598). Photo Courtesy of Raphael Mazzucco.

Raphael Mazzucco. “African Safari,” 2014. Signed. Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Multimedia, Diamond Dust, Encased in Resin
31 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. 80 x 105.4 cm. (RM 1598). Photo Courtesy of Raphael Mazzucco.

Raphael Mazzucco. A Piece of Me, 2014. Signed. Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Multimedia, Diamond Dust, Encased in Resin. 31 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. 80 x 105.4 cm. (RM 1593). Photo Courtesy of Raphael Mazzucco.

Raphael Mazzucco. “A Piece of Me,” 2014. Signed. Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Multimedia, Diamond Dust, Encased in Resin. 31 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. 80 x 105.4 cm. (RM 1593). Photo Courtesy of Raphael Mazzucco.

“I draw a lot of inspiration from my surroundings and love being in the moment… I’ve been very fortunate to exhibit my work all over the world, from Milan and Melbourne, to Hong Kong and New York City. However, it’s an exciting time when I’m bringing my works to a country that has never seen them before,” Mazzucco says in a press release of his most recent work.

Therefore, although you might be drawn to the array of restaurants, clubs and bars that dot the 100 miles of coastline, don’t forget to sprinkle a little bit of culture (specifically, 15 pieces of it) into your intoxicating night. After all, who doesn’t want to get lost in their dreams as they wine and dine?

Raphael Mazzucco. When I was a Child, 2014. Signed. Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Multimedia, Diamond Dust, Encased in Resin. 31 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. 80 x 105.4 cm. (RM 1592). Photo Courtesy of Raphael Mazzucco.

Raphael Mazzucco. “When I was a Child,” 2014. Signed. Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Multimedia, Diamond Dust, Encased in Resin. 31 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. 80 x 105.4 cm. (RM 1592). Photo Courtesy of Raphael Mazzucco.

Raphael Mazzucco. “Morning Time,” 2014. Signed. Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Multimedia, Diamond Dust, Encased in Resin 31 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. 80 x 105.4 cm. (RM 1596). Photo Courtesy of Raphael Mazzucco.

Raphael Mazzucco. “Morning Time,” 2014. Signed. Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Multimedia, Diamond Dust, Encased in Resin
31 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. 80 x 105.4 cm. (RM 1596). Photo Courtesy of Raphael Mazzucco.

Raphael Mazzucco. “In the Sand,” 2014. Signed. Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Multimedia, Diamond Dust, Encased in Resin 31 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. 80 x 105.4 cm. (RM 1589). Photo Courtesy of Raphael Mazzucco.

Raphael Mazzucco. “In the Sand,” 2014. Signed. Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Multimedia, Diamond Dust, Encased in Resin
31 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. 80 x 105.4 cm. (RM 1589). Photo Courtesy of Raphael Mazzucco.

“Lost in Dreams” will be on view through August 31, 2014 at the Cavalli Restaurant & Lounge, located at PG JOAN CARLES 1, NUM 13 07800 IBIZA, SPAIN, every Monday to Sunday from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. For more information about the exhibit, please send an e-mail to [email protected].

Featured image courtesy of Raphael Mazzucco.