Q&A: Stadium Sessions presented by Heineken at Floyd Miami

Photography by Ryan Troy on July 26th, 2019 in Celebrity, Editorials, Lifestyle, Music, Stadium Sessions presented by Heineken

Walshy Fire, Diplo, & Ape Drums

Miami, FL – July 26, 2019 – To continue our latest partnership Stadium Sessions presented by Heineken, as we interviewed Miami based artist Jessy Nite to get a closer look at the inspiration behind her latest collaboration with Heineken. On Thursday night, Cris Cab performed live at Floyd Miami as Walshy Fire and Diplo were also spotted celebrating Stadium Sessions. Stadium Sessions is an event series celebrating the cultural impact of the Miami Marine Stadium. This summer, each Stadium Sessions event will be free to guest and the final two events will take place at Blackbird Ordinary and Gramps. The events will feature both art and education components revolving around performances by Miami based DJ’s and musicians. Jessy Nite is a contemporary artist based in Miami.. Jessy’s work is best characterized by site specific, interactive works that place conceptual art into public places. Her signature use of color and custom made typography cross a variety of disciplines, carrying a playful but deeply rooted narrative. Read the full Q&A below on Jessy’s inspiration behind her newest piece.

The Miami Marine Stadium is a waterfront stadium on Virginia Key. The facility built in 1963, is the first stadium purpose-built for powerboat racing in the United States. For nearly 30 years, the stadium was used for its intended water sports as well as concerts and sporting events. In the wake of Hurricane Andrew, it was declared unsafe and closed in 1992. Since its condemnation, the stadium has become a haven for graffiti artist, but remains an attraction for its photographic panoramic view of Miami. With help from Heineken, a donation drive was done in the summer of 2015 helping to raise awareness and restoration funds. In 2018, Miami City Commission approved $45 million in special obligation bonds that will be dedicated to the restoration of Miami Marine Stadium, as well as other projects and improvements on its surrounding site. Attend the next Stadium Sessions event on August 8, 2019 at Blackbird Ordinary.

Cris Cab

Cris Cab

Cris Cab

Jona Cerwinske & Cris Cab

Walshy Fire, Diplo, Jake Jefferson, Ape Drums, & Silent Addy

Mike Deuce & Ape Drums

Stadium Sessions presented by Heineken Poster created by Jessy Nite

WRE: What is your connection to Miami and how this has influenced your work, featured here and in other places?

JN: Miami was instantly home to me… It’s always felt like the place I belong and the tropical lifestyle experience is central to all of my work.

WRE: Can you tell us a little about the piece you are creating in collaboration with Heineken and where its inspiration stems from?

JN: The Miami Marine Stadium is an extremely special place for Miami graffiti writers and back in the 60’s and 70’s when my mom was growing up, she used to see crazy boat races there. My poster is a tribute to both sides of the stadium: racing and culture. So in the aesthetic that put Miami on the map in the 80s, I drew a cigarette boat and the view of the Marine Stadium as it is today: adorned in the EPIC work of my incredibly talented friend Hox and the memory of my friend Ray who passed away just weeks after they completed a huge work that covered the entire seating area of the stadium. Hox is a Miami icon and Ray was a very special friend.

My poster is a tribute to both sides of the stadium: racing and culture. So in the aesthetic that put Miami on the map in the 80s, I drew a cigarette boat and the view of the Marine Stadium as it is today.

Jessy Nite

WRE: What is your favorite type of work to make: illustration, installation, or large scale mural work, and why?

JN: I honestly love it all. I would be inclined to say that installation is my fav because I LOVE to work with Space and always have. However, lately I have been making zines to go with my public installations and they are SO MUCH FUN to draw and layout and concept. I really just want to always extend my narrative to as many channels as possible… I kinda see as all the same work in the end.

WRE: How did you develop your unique typography and illustration style? Can you tell us a little about how your style emerged and your influences?

JN: I never realized it until I was older, but I LOVE signs. I am not quite sure why but I guess I love the utilitarian, functional aspect of signs and typography. Letters are the most natural thing for me to draw…. I love that there is a certain structure you have to work within to recreate the same letter over and over again in new ways.