I am very pleased to be here today to celebrate Carl's half century (well, a little bit more), with whom I share a sincere and loyal friendship. I also admire his extraordinary artistic virtue recognized by all of us.
This birthday is the perfect opportunity to rewind back in history and highlight the solidarity-based relationship between Carl Cox and Ibiza. In the late 80s, a very young and excited Carl arrived to Ibiza carrying an eye-catching package of vinyls under his arm. He wanted to create his own music and defy the whole world putting all his audacity, a world that was going to welcome him with sublime admiration.
And love arrived later! A love swiftly requited and consolidated, a love looked up at by the rest of the world as partially linked to Ibiza and Space. Carl has always demonstrated that his heart beats in tune with the heart of Ibiza, this wonderful island to which he devotes a big part of his artistic endeavour.
The natural and predestined encounter with Space arrived in the 90s. Since then, the name of Carl Cox became the symbol and the flagship of our club. There is a reciprocal friendship rooted in all the Space staff that goes beyond professional habits.
The creation of an outdoor terrace in Space was a milestone, represented an example of exception and confirmed Carl's creative heartbeat. Also, his presence was the key to Space's global success in 2001: Space awarded first prize in the London Music Award and Carl won two awards in the same event held in the venue Alexander Palace.
The entire Space team wants to show our affection for these links that guarantee a bright future. That is the reason why, with the help of the artistic mastery of Pedro Hormigo, I want to dedicate this sculpture to Carl Cox as a tribute to a friend and a extraordinary artist and also as a symbol that will prevail in the future and bear love and admiration for an artist who has definitely helped make Space the best club in the world over so many years.
Happy Birthday. Thanks Carl.