Q&A: Stadium Sessions presented by Heineken at Gramps

Photography by Ryan Troy on August 29th, 2019 in Editorials, Lifestyle, Music, Nightlife, Stadium Sessions presented by Heineken

Stadium Sessions Presented by Heineken ft. Jacuzzi Boys from World Red Eye Films on Vimeo.

Miami, FL – August 29, 2019 – To complete our latest partnership Stadium Sessions presented by Heineken, as we interviewed Miami based artist Gabriel Alcala and member of Jacuzzi Boys at Gramps to learn more about the inspiration behind her latest collaboration with Heineken. Stadium Sessions is an event series celebrating the cultural impact of the Miami Marine Stadium. This summer, each Stadium Sessions was free to guests and took place at Floyd, Blackbird Ordinary, and Gramps. The events featured 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.

On Thursday evening, we met up with Gabriel Alcala an illustrator based out of Miami. Inspired by observations on everyday life, his work transforms seemingly mundane details into vibrant slices of augmented reality. Each element of his compositions assumes a life of its own, collectively making witty commentary on social conventions, relationships and the limits of human perception. Read the full Q&A below as we interviewed Alcala about his newest collaboration with Heineken.

Jacuzzi Boys

WRE: Where do you draw inspiration for your paintings and how do you choose your subjects?

GA: Everyday observations mostly. I get a lot of ideas for illustrations just by people watching! The subjects sort of reveal themselves once I know what the illustration is going to be about.

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

GA: I grew up in Miami so it is a big part of who I am. The humor, the colors, the weather… its all in my blood. As for work I’ve done, I’ve worked on editorial illustrations for The New York Times, The Guardian, The New Yorker, NBC News and I’ve worked on mural art for Nike, W Hotel, and Warby Parker.

WRE: As an artist, do you have any personal ties or experiences involving the Miami Marine Stadium?

GA: As a kid I’d go to the abandoned Miami Marine Stadium with a group of friends and have so much fun exploring and goofing around in there. As I got older, the Stadium was a cool place to visit whenever we’d go out on the water. I’m really excited it’s being fixed up again. I love hearing stories about the old rock ’n’ roll concerts that happened there. Hopefully Jacuzzi Boys get to play there soon!

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

GA: The idea for the poster was to have the wildlife around the Miami Marine Stadium play the first concert!