In 2013, MTV marked the 30th anniversary of its Video Music Awards with a Brooklyn-based show at the Barclays Center—the first time the event was held in the borough. To commemorate the milestone, MTV invited KAWS to reimagine the Moonman trophy, turning the astronaut into one of his Companion characters. The redesign became both a collectible award and a large-scale public artwork.

From Trophy to Public Sculpture

KAWS’s version of the Moonman swapped the astronaut’s human features for Companion’s crossed-out eyes, gloved hands, and rounded skull, while keeping the flag-planting pose intact. The trophies, finished in matte gunmetal, were awarded to winners that night. Outside the Barclays Center, a 60-foot inflatable Moonman greeted attendees and Brooklyn passersby, creating an instant landmark during the lead-up to the show. (1, 2)

A Brooklyn-Specific Celebration

MTV leaned into the Brooklyn setting by pairing KAWS’s redesign with promotional visuals that featured the Moonman in local street scenes and on subway posters. The collaboration reflected both the borough’s reputation for creative culture and KAWS’s own New York City roots. It was a statement that the VMAs, like the Moonman itself, could evolve without losing their place in pop culture. (2, 3)

Why It Matters

The 2013 KAWS Moonman was more than a one-off redesign—it was a merging of fine art, street culture, and mass-media spectacle. By choosing an artist whose work bridges those spaces, MTV underscored the VMAs’ role as both an awards show and a cultural event. For collectors and fans, the KAWS Moonman remains one of the most memorable reimaginings of the trophy in the show’s history.