KAWS Designs a New Companion Moonman for the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in Brooklyn

As MTV‘s storied Video Music Awards show makes its way to Brooklyn’s Barclays Center – the first time a live, nationally-televised show (non-sporting event) has been beamed from the borough – the network decided to shake things up with a special redesign to the show’s ubiquitous Moonman trophy; and who better to represent Brooklyn than arguably the area’s most famous contemporary artist: Brian Donnelly, better known as KAWS. As one might expect, the design sees the original Moonman – designed by Fred Seibert and New York firm Manhattan Design in the early ’80s and inspired by Buzz Aldrin’s planting of the American Flag on the moon – reimagined as KAWS’ own Companion, complete with its signature X-eyes and oversized crossbones. As before, the 13” chrome “Companion Moonman” holds a flag bearing MTV’s logo. KAWS has also been tapped to design the stage setup for the show, which is said to feature a 60-foot inflatable KAWS Moonman – the largest Companion to date. Look for the special edition Moonman to be awarded at the ceremony come August 25 – the VMAs will revert to the original trophy for 2014’s show.