Digital billboards are a new, controversial strategy for bringing life back to Philadelphia’s East Market Street. This slide talk will explore additional mechanisms used throughout the U.S. that draw on neon. Neighborhood and business districts from Wildwood to Washington State have utilized vintage and new neon signs to spark their revival. Neon pieces are prominent features in arts corridors, entertainment districts, and festive marketplaces.
We will also look at cities that restored their landmark neon signs to record history and spur development. Learn of neon sound and light shows, tours, walks, gardens, and “bone yards” that have become attractions for residents and tourists. Neon signs and art also electrify airports, conventions centers, office buildings, and other public spaces--producing luminous beacons to the street. Neon museums are anchoring neighborhoods and preserving local history, while vintage neon signs are also used to create magnetic environments in repurposed commercial buildings, catering halls, and numerous restaurants.
Technological updates in energy efficient transformers, animation, and metals have contributed to many such projects, and will also be examined.
LAST CHANCE!
Len Davidson’s vintage neon exhibition at the Center will be coming down later in 2015. Come check out these whimisical, classic signs one last time before they disapear from public view. Davidson is exploring new settings for these and 90 other pieces in his collection, but no one knows when or where they will once again be on public display. Lighted signage is of special interest to Philadelphia right now because of the developing East Market Street digital billboard district, approved by City Council in 2011.