Q&A: Stadium Sessions by Heineken Featuring Mayday at Blackbird Ordinary

Photography by World Red Eye on August 8th, 2019 in Editorials, Lifestyle, Nightlife, Stadium Sessions presented by Heineken

Jorge-Miguel Rodriguez

Miami, FL – August 8, 2019 – We’re continuing our latest partnership Stadium Sessions presented by Heineken, as we interviewed Miami based artist Jorge-Miguel Rodriguez at Blackbird Ordinary. Stadium Sessions is an event series celebrating the cultural impact of the Miami Marine Stadium. The events will feature both art and education components revolving around performances by Miami based DJ’s and musicians.

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.

Jorge-Miguel Rodriguez is a native Miami artist and designer. He believes that art is his greatest form of self-expression and individuality. Jorge-Miguel’s greatest happiness in life is being able to live each day creating and innovating new ideas. He finds inspiration from human interaction and emotions. His style varies from different mediums such as but not limited to street, pop, and abstract art. Read the full Q&A on Rodriguez below and catch the last Stadium Sessions event on August 29, 2019 at Gramps!

WRE: How did you get your start in the art world?

JMR: I was exposed to art at a very young age. I developed a great love for illustrating and painting. I found myself escaping into my imagination and always turned to my sketch book. Through the years, I dedicated myself to doing art projects that let me express myself and left me creatively satisfied. I realized then the importance of pursuing my passion for art making in order to lead a fulfilled life, that I would be proud of. As years passed, I became more involved in the Miami art community when I began doing art festivals and markets. Through this avenue, I made many connections and was exposed to many opportunities to showcase my art. I was very fortunate to have been given many chances to share my work with the world through mural art as well as showcasing in galleries and event exhibitions. Through a lot of hard work and dedication, I can say my passion for art has turned into a fulfilling profession.

WRE: You were born in Miami, you have an obvious dedication to the city. What keeps you here? How have you seen the art scene evolve over the years?

JMR: In Miami there is a surge of electricity that runs through the city. Culture prevails and creativity thrives. It has been very exciting to see how quickly and massively the art scene has evolved in this city. In art districts you have the pleasure of enjoying massive murals and interactive sculpture exhibits. These murals and exhibits have become a staple of the Miami culture by providing a colorful, eclectic background for our urban setting. I believe that having color in the community helps us all focus on the beautiful aspects of life. l appreciate that the art scene continues to evolve to a more inclusive and diverse movement. I also love to see the community and visitors embracing outdoor mural exhibitions and the incorporation of art into our streets.

Jorge-Miguel Rodriguez

I believe that art is my greatest form of self-expression and individuality, my greatest happiness in life is being able to live each day creating and innovating new ideas.

Jorge-Miguel Rodriguez

WRE: What is the best part about being an artist? What inspires you?

JMR: I believe that art is my greatest form of self-expression and individuality. My greatest happiness in life is being able to live each day creating and innovating new ideas. I find inspiration from human interaction, emotions and the world that surrounds me. I strive to always grow creatively and I am always open to discovering and creating new ideas. Its important to me to step out of my comfort zone and play with my imagination. My true passion is to gather inspiration from my surroundings and moments in my life, while bringing that inspiration to life through my art.

WRE: Tell us about your connection to Miami and some of the work you have around not only in Miami but around the world?

JMR: I have a great connection to Miami’s culture and creative community. I love even more the ability to leave my mark and I always hope to positively engage with my community through my art. My art is connected to Miami in many ways since a lot of my inspiration comes from the culture and my surroundings. I very much enjoy contributing to the arts in Miami, but it is also very important to me to experience creative outlets outside of my city. To engage in a different atmosphere and connect with other people. Connecting with people and other cultures brings me inspiration and encourages my creative growth. I am always happy and I appreciate the opportunities to make a substantial contribution to the places I have visited and left my mark. It is very fulfilling as an artist and individual to immerse myself into different communities and learn about the culture that embodies that particular community. Each of these projects and connections have been very important to me for my creative growth.

WRE: Tell us more about the limited edition concert poster you created for the Heineken Stadium Sessions series?

JMR: In celebration of the Miami Marine Stadium Restoration Project, I created a vintage poster that celebrates the story of the Miami Marine Stadium. I wanted this poster to shed a light on the history of this Miami treasure and bring its story to life. The inspiration for my poster design was the architecture of the stadium and the Miami tropical atmosphere, as well as the memory of events that took place at the stadium, while also including the influence of street art in Miami. In my design you will notice many objects that represent the city of Miami and its tropical atmosphere. I included elements such as palm trees, the sun, and the ocean. I also added the Marine Stadium’s silhouette to put a spotlight on the landmark, while also including the historic boat racing that took place at the stadium. The name of concert band is displayed on the stadium bleachers to convey the influence of Miami street art. I am very honored to have been part of the Heineken Stadium Sessions series this summer.