Today, neon art is considered to be one of the most culturally iconic forms of art… but did you know that it started out 100 years ago as an advertising and marketing tool?
To provide a quick potted history of neon’s journey from lights to artwork, let’s go back to 1898 and start at the beginning. The very first foray into neon lighting was by Sir William Ramsay, who was the first person (that we know of) to experiment with neon, glass tubes and electricity to produce glowing light. However, it was a French pharmacist who added different noble gasses required to achieve the vibrant neon colours that we know and love today.
How neon art evolved
In 1910, neon first appeared in signs around Paris and by the 1930s it was used to light up the dance halls and amusement arcades in Blackpool, which soon became known as the Blackpool Illuminations.
To many people, neon evokes the feeling of decadence, bars and flashing signs. Initially, in the 1930 and 40s, neon signs were colourful, sexy and glamourous, even Andy Warhol, arguably one of the most famous US abstract artists, was drawn to its many artistic possibilities. What started with nightclubs, shops and cinemas grew into the 24-hour neon-lit metropolises like Piccadilly Circus, Times Square and Las Vegas. By the time the 1960s arrived, neon was widespread and associated with seedier nightlife venues.
Early neon by progressive artists
Although new technology had provided an alternative to neon in the 1960s, it had already influenced artists such as Joseph Kosuth a conceptualist artist famed for his word-based neon artwork. Also, Jamaican born, New Yorker, Dan Flavin, who transitioned from canvas to neon completely in 1963 and started producing his signature light sculpture which were large enough to fill a room. In 1968, he filled the entire Documenta IV exhibition, Kassel with his work. Throughout the decades and particularly the 1990s, Flavin filled multiple galleries with light installations, including the Soloman R Guggemheim Museum.
Zdeněk Pešánek
Of course, Kosuth and Flavin weren’t the only artist to make waves, Czech artist Zdeněk Pešánek, was also at the vanguard of abstract artwork. He had worked with kinetic light art (light and movement) since the 1920s. He produced his first known piece of neon artwork in 1934.
The earlier progressive artists paved the way for more Young British Artists (YBA) who emerged in the 1980s, rediscovering and making neon cool again. Tracey Emin was part of the YBA movement, producing abstract artworks across a wide range of genres including neon art. Her word-centric neon artwork is reminiscent and heavily influenced by the aforementioned Joseph Kosuth. The sentiment to neon sign messages, like “The Kiss was beautiful”, resonated with an audience that appreciates the kitsch, irreverent side of art that neon represents.
Another Brit, Welsh conceptual artist Cerith Wyn Evans, is highly acclaimed for his work with neon. Originally a film producer, communication has always been key which is evident in his language focused 1990 artworks. His neon text sculptures, depict favourite film subtitles and favourite passages of text. His art installations, including neon lights can be seen at Tate Britain, London.
Meanwhile on the other side of the Atlantic, Venezuelan- US conceptual artist Alex Da Corte created a stir at the Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Museum of Art with his neon ghost house installation. The neon tube structure was essentially a screening room for a three-hour video comprising mixed images, ranges from clips of Sesame Street to the Wizard of Oz.
Neon bespoke art
Getting your hands on an original neon artwork could be easier than you think…at Studio 2 Art and Design, our talented abstract artists can design and create all sorts of neon artworks that can add colour and personality to any home and would be perfect as an office decoration item. We can create custom artwork personal pieces designed specifically to your requirements to compliment your living room, chill out space at home or a bar, restaurant or even hotel foyer.
Unique decor
How does the magic happen? Working together, we can create the image that you have in mind or design a wonderfully unique piece in line with your requirements. Once the design is agreed, the creative elements are hand crafted into the correct shape before the neon gas is added to impart that telltale colourful glow.
Whether you think neon art is completely bonkers, super cool or just kitsch, there is no denying it makes a statement!
If you would like to commission a piece of bespoke art in neon or to view the range of artwork and decorative items available at Studio 2 visit the website, pop by our workshop in Puerto Banús or get in touch on welcome@studio2artdesign.com.