With the BET awards set to take place, I thought I would get the run down of the actual award designed by artist/sculptor Carlos Mare 139 Rodriguez. The piece of work is one that deserves more accolades that what it has seen having played a huge role not only in the culture but in society. Here is a what insight Carlos Mare 139 Rodriguez had to give us about the sculpture.
SLAMXHYPE – How did the project come about?
Carlos Mare 139 Rodriguez – In 2001, I was hired by BET to design the “Rap It Up” website. One day the project producers were in my office and noticed a sculpture I had made in 1987- it was a Letter “I” in metal, graffiti wild style. It had two intersecting stars which caught their eye, they asked if I would be interested in designing the award; I accepted and told them I already knew what the design would be and represent. A week later, a preliminary meeting was set up at the BET Headquarters in Washington. I came in with a model, presented my case for it and the design was approved.
SXH – Where did you find the inspiration for the BET Award sculpture design?
CM – I found the inspiration in three key words- Aspire, Ascend, Achieve. It came to me on the spot. I believe I understood it on a deeper level beyond the aesthetic of the sculpture- it had to transcend
material into a grand emotion. Another important feeling was my appreciation for the creative
struggle, in particular in the contributions of African American artists.
SXH – How did you approach the design it to reflect the meaning of the awards?
CM – The design was already half there when the client drew reference to my sculpture. The intersecting stars played right in with their slogan mark Black Star Power. The real moment of truth for me was when I asked myself what would it mean to receive it… How does it feel? How do I look holding it? How much does it weigh? Is it an attractive object? Can I feel proud about this?
I have held an Oscar in my hands as well as an Emmy and one thing I found in common with these classic awards was that they have a strong visual identity and had a weight that made them feel
substantial, by that I mean there is a connection and emotional response to weight that suggests
value, not in money but in consideration.
The Aspirational part of the award is the base, it is the foundation, I chose to start with a black block that was polished, this is where the value of weight comes in. The Ascending portion is the swift upward motion, it’s in two parts and part connected to the struggle and journey. The Intersecting stars are reflective of Achievement, the goal realized and shining brightly. Having it in polished metal was also important because it made it seem more elegant and precious.
SXH – Since 2001, there have been numerous winners of the award, is there anyone that stands out for any particular reason?
Outkast won the first BET award and when I went backstage to congratulate them they were really
humble men, genuinely excited to have won and also extended their own congratulations to me for
making the award. That moment spoke volumes about my goal with the design and what it meant to
win one. I had met several other winners like Jay-Z, Beyonce, Missy, Sean Combs and they all
seemed rather proud to have won it. Having Prince receive one was also mind blowing to me, I find
him to be an exceptional artist and for him to own one of my sculptures is an honor.
SXH – How does this piece of work compare to others that you have done? Where does it place on a list of achievements?
CM – This is by far my most successful commercial sculpture in terms of design and public awareness. I’ve done other notable projects that have had reach but not like this one, millions of people see the BET award every year, and as an artist this is my way of (let me use a graffiti reference) ‘getting up’, being seen and acknowledged.
It’s a great achievement in that I also come from a place of struggle and creativity, being able to contribute and celebrate it at this level places high on my list- not as high as my son Leo but
definitely the top 10.
SXH – 8 years has passed since you designed the award and it was unveiled, what do you envisage for the coming years for the award as a design and as a reflection to society?
CM – I sometimes wonder what awards mean to the winners over time, does it lose value? Do you care
less about them the more you receive? How will society embrace it over time? Take the Oscar and
others awards for instance, they have become embedded into the fabric of this country, can this
award become that- I don’t know.
I do know there is something important in the relationship between an award and the desire to earn
one and that is the aspirational part which makes you work harder for your goals. Earning the
acknowledgement of your peers is also a major motivator. I felt this when I won the Webby Award for the Style Wars website.
Recently we interviewed you and we talk about the direction of the art scene at present. How do you
perceive your work and this piece reflect what you are about? You are obviously an established artist
and have created a unique concept of work so I am interested to know how this compares.
This piece reflects a milestone for me in ways I didn’t initially grasp, it came to me from people I’ve
met over the years who have expressed their appreciation and pride that an artist from the early NYC
graffiti/Hip-Hop movement had created the BET Award. I was taken back by at first, but yeah it is
something of a big deal to have Lebron James, Kobe, Denzel Washington and Halle Berry owning
one of your sculptures. I’m glad to have at least one work in my repertoire to speak of this kind of
achievement.
Whether the winners are aware of my other creative contributions as a artist is another thing
altogether, the fact remains that it is a sculpture first then an award, I see it as an extension of the
works I have been developing through my career, albeit a smaller one but no less relevant.
SXH – Who do you think will be the stand out winners for 2009?
CM – There is Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson and M.I.A who are consistently elevating their music, I was surprised to see Rosario Dawson whom I’ve long admired not just for her acting but her activism. I also think Idris Elba is an outstanding actor who is starting to get traction, so I’d like to see him win.
The trifecta would be if Dwayne Wade won- to have him, Lebron and Kobe on my list is kinda fly. Of course Tiger Woods would also up the ante. I believe when one gets this kind of recognition for
outstanding accomplishment in their field of work, it is a testament to excellence and even being
nominated is a small victory for the creative soul.
