Calm Before The Storm is an original soundtrack designed for the group art exhibition of Logan Hicks and Beau Stanton of the same name. In the months leading up to the exhibit, Logan approached LuvJonez about creating a feature length soundtrack for the show, using nautical sounds like ocean waves, storms, seagulls and mixed with hip hop beats to build a mood for the overall theme of the show. Using unreleased and original production, LuvJonez mixed the soundscape with more mellow and downtempo music to emulate the feel of a man at sea, battling the elements, daydreaming, fighting his way through the storms at sea by himself and eventually arriving back at home. Broken up into four suites of soundscapes and music, the soundtrack builds from slow to hectic, then to rushed and chaotic, then introspective and reflective before slowly rolling back to a calm ending. This was a first time experiment for both Logan Hicks and LuvJonez, but a fun challenge for both. Check it out and share it with anyone who you think might be interested in some hip hop, seafaring sounds.

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Curators Lori Zimmer and Natalie Kates are pleased to present “Calm Before the Storm,” a two person show by Logan Hicks and Beau Stanton, which opens October 17th from 6-9pm at the Highline Loft (508 W 28th St, 5th floor).

Taking inspiration from nautical superstition, flood myths, classical paintings, life changing events and the modern issue of rising seas, the artists have created new paintings, multiples, and a site-specific installation of a reconstructed ship and captain’s study. A special print release party with 1xRun will take over the space on October 22nd. In honor of Halloween, the show will conclude with a costume party, “Sailors, Sirens and Sea Hags, in honor of maritime folklore on October 28th.

Logan Hicks’ interpretation of “Calm Before the Storm” will fuse the photorealistic stencil artist’s interest in nautical traditions with the implications surrounding the serenity felt before major life changing events. With a foot planted in acceptance of fate, Hicks’ new works will reflect both traditional imagery, such as his reinterpretation of The Execution of Lady Jane Grey, and modernity, such as the role of and reliance upon technology as our means of communication- which has created an impersonal barrier when receiving news both good and bad. For Hicks, the works in the exhibition will examine the driving force of fate, and the inability to alter momentum with paintings, aerosol on canvas, aerosol on panel and editions of aerosol on paper.

Through oil painting, sculptural works and multiples, Beau Stanton’s take on “Calm Before the Storm” meshes the artist’s long-time interest in nautical lore, relating the storied takes of deluge myths and divine retribution to the current concerns with global climate change and rising waters. Like Hicks, Stanton takes influence from classical painting and sculpture, weaving ancient superstitions with modern environmental realities.

The exhibition and installation will be set to an original score by LuvJonez (Jonas Angelet) luvjonezmusic.com

“Calm Before the Storm” runs from October 17th-28th,
Tuesday through Saturday from 12-7pm.

ABOUT LOGAN HICKS:
Logan Hicks is a New York-based artist known for using multiple layers of stencils to achieve photorealistic imagery. Studying at the Maryland Institute of Contemporary Art in the early 1990s, Hicks cut his teeth as a successful screen printer, before being inspired to branch into stencils. Called a painter with a photographer’s eye, Hicks’ work has largely focused on the perception of the urban environment, at times humanizing its architectural angles and structures, and at others using its vastness to explore identity, awe, and loneliness. Hicks’ introspective themes and imagery are pushed from sullen to vibrant to enigmatic, with his expert use of color and meticulous control of the spray can. Over the years, Hicks has developed his impeccable photorealistic style using stencils, sometimes using up to 15 layers of stencil to achieve this precision. Beginning with his own photographs, the images are translated to layer upon layer of stencil, brought to bold dimensionality by blending colors through aerosol.

ABOUT BEAU STANTON:
A multi-disciplinary artist, Stanton’s work takes the form of paintings, murals, large scale installations, stained glass, and multimedia animations. Focusing on meticulous technique and craft, Stanton’s work is heavily informed by historic ornamentation, religious iconography, and classical painting. A keen interest in iconic visual symbols and Jungian archetypes often provides the foundation for his images.

Stanton is originally from California where he studied Illustration at Laguna College of Art and Design. He relocated to New York after graduating in 2008 where continues to live and work in Red Hook, Brooklyn constantly drawing inspiration from local nautical history. His work has recently been shown in a 12th Century crypt, on the Berlin Wall, a Fiat 500, and in galleries worldwide.

ABOUT THE CURATORS

NATALIE KATES:
Style Curator Inc.’s founder Natalie Kates is a curator, collector and event producer based in New York City. An early supporter of urban art, Natalie has established herself as a leader in discovering and promoting emerging artists. She has curated numerous exhibitions and site-specific art installations, developed close relations with artists, galleries and museums and produced art events for both corporate and non-profit clients, including VH1, GrandLife Hotels, ArtWalk NY (Coalition for the Homeless), Housing Works, Galeria Melissa, Scope Foundation, Slideluck and Juice Press, among others. She is a contributing art editor to VAGA and The Unlimited magazines. Natalie’s work and persona have been profiled in Vogue’s Style.com, Harper’s Bazaar – Brazil, Huffington Post, Wall Street Journal, Artforum, Artnet.com, Paper Magazine, StyleLikeU, BlackBook, ArteFuse and BrooklynStreetArt.com.

LORI ZIMMER:
Lori Zimmer is a New York-based curator, author, artist rep and creator of art history guide, Art Nerd New York. Zimmer has curated exhibitions in New York, Berlin, Miami, Philadelphia, Chicago and Nantucket, favoring those with an art historical or narrative undercurrent. Zimmer’s first book, The Art of Cardboard: Big Ideas for Creativity, Collaboration, Storytelling, and Reuse was published by Rockport in July of 2015. She is currently working on the second book in the series, The Art of Spray. Zimmer also sits on the board of ACT/ART, an initiative in partnership with the White House to bring contemporary arts into the discussion with key administration issues and priorities.