Interview with Víctor Bonet, a graphic designer from Fraga who created the festival's image almost 20 years ago
The 31st edition of the Monegros Desert Festival , one of the world's most iconic electronic music events, is just hours away from kicking off . For nearly two decades, the silhouette of a lizard has been the festival's symbol.
Victor Bonet from Fraga designed this symbol almost 20 years ago , and we at Diario del Bajo Cinca are going to tell you some details.
dBC: When did you start working with the Arnau Family, Florida 135 and Monegros?
Victor Bonet: If I remember correctly, I started collaborating at the end of 2004, but it was in 2005 that I became more actively involved in everything related to designs for both Florida 135 and Monegros.
dBC: Was the Monegros symbol created then?
VB: No, back in 2005 I was already in charge of a large part of the festival's merchandising design. Several things had already been done, because they had people in the Barcelona offices and had started creating designs based on photographs of an owl, a snake, and a lizard, but it was difficult to apply them to different surfaces, and that's where I came in to improve some things.
They had been using a star graphically for several years, a symbol that was fine but too generic and easy for other brands and festivals to adopt, so they were looking for a unique identifying element, but they hadn't managed to find an image that really worked.
dBC: And the current Monegros logo?
VB: Well, from then on I practically stayed on as the "resident" designer (hehe, paraphrasing DJ slang), and if I remember correctly, after several designs and sketches, I created the current symbol and we started using it for the festival in 2006. And from that moment on, all the signage applications, merchandising collections, album covers, stages, etc…
dBC. Why the lizard and this lizard?
VB: Well, there's a backstory, but I'll save it for the 20th anniversary, hahaha. But the truth is, in the first half of the 2000s, tribal tattoos and scorpions were very popular, and I didn't want any of that . It had to be a unique and different element. The lizard is an animal that strongly identifies with the dry terrain of Monegros. Furthermore, originally, the edges and sides of the animal's silhouette resembled dry earth, like when clay soil is cracked after a long period without water. It was a very iconic image and perfectly represents the festival.
dBC: Did you design everything yourself or were there other people involved?
VB: No, back then I was on my own. It was a different time, really. Social media was just starting to emerge and didn't have the same impact as it does now. We organized poster campaigns, magazine ads in the international press, even TV spots in collaboration with brands. Obviously, the brands had their own teams for some of the creative work, but I designed everything, from the posters to the merchandising, including the cups and the festival signage.
Regarding social media, we started with MySpace, imagine that! Then came Facebook, and little by little everything else. Also, of course, everything related to the web, etc…
dBC: Do you like the applications they're making of the symbol now, collaborations with brands, etc…?
VB: Two years ago I was at the festival and they were still using some of the symbols I created in 2007 or 2008 for the visuals. I saw one application that I remember well, with a star in the lizard's eye and cracks; it made me laugh a lot.
I've also seen collaborations with DC and other brands that slightly vary the position, but without altering the symbol. That's normal; everything can evolve, but the essence remains.
I'm not going to compare myself to Milton Glaser, who created the iconic 'I love NY' logo, Carolyn davidson who designed the Nike logo, frank m. Robinson who created the legendary Coca-Cola design or the great Cruz Novillo and Alberto CorazónTwo leading figures in Spanish design. I'm very far from being like them. But I do like feeling that, like them, one of my works has transcended myself. Design and art have that tragicomic aspect, I suppose.
dBC: How long were you with Monegros and Florida 135?
VB: If I remember correctly, until about 2010. I was handling everything related to design, merchandising, coordinating photographers, video, suppliers, etc., for all the events and venues like Florida 135, Monegros, Row14 (the early days of elrow), and other festivals like M2, which took place in winter. Then, I decided to take a break and pursue other projects.
dBC: And the relationship with the Arnau Family
VB: Very good, I've always enjoyed working with them. Both with Juan and Cruz, as well as their children Juan and Mari Cruz, and the grandparents, Mr. Juanito, who passed away a few years ago, and Pilarín. I have a lot of affection and respect for them all. We keep in touch, and I can only say good things about them. I hope they feel the same way about me, hehe.
And of course, most of the other people I've worked with on these projects are no longer with us, but Joaquín Cabós is still here and is now the festival director. I got my start thanks to him and I've learned so much from him. I'll always be grateful to him.
dBC: What's the craziest thing you've seen with your logo?
VB: Well, seeing people getting the Monegros symbol tattooed on their bodies tells you it's more than just a festival. For many people, it's a feeling, even a way of life. The fact that the symbol I created almost 20 years ago has endured, and that so many people have it permanently etched on their skin, is pretty crazy, but at the same time, it makes me proud because it's clear that so many people now identify with the festival.
dBC: Do other festivals have such iconic symbols?
VB: There must be some. I think FIB and Cruilla have easily recognizable symbols. SONAR changes every year, but it has a fairly recognizable graphic. I suppose there must be others, but they don't come to mind right now.
dBC: Anything to finish up?
VB: There's a lot to discuss, but for now, I'll just say that this has been a fantastic exercise in graphic-communicative masturbation, hehe.
