Neon signs may be gaudy and tacky but they are also irresistibly eye-catching. Their intriguing story dates back to the 1920s, reaching the zenith of popularity in the '40s. In more recent decades quite a few contemporary artists started experimenting with neon as a conscious art form, but neon lights remain part of the iconic architecture of many cities, especially in America.
Philadelphia has a spectacular neon heritage, also thanks to neon saver and acclaimed neon artisan Len Davidson who photographed, catalogued and saved vintage signs establishing a space dedicated to them – the Neon Museum of Philadelphia.
Davidson's obsession started in the mid-to-late '70s when he opened an American Dream theme tavern, The Gamery, decorating its ceiling with signs picked from local neon graveyards.
Drawn to the neon world, Davidson carried out further savaging and saving explorations that led him back to his native Philadelphia where he worked on rediscovering the local neon history.
Realising this was a proper art form, he opened in 1985 the museum and launched a new venture – Davidson Neon – to produce modern pieces for clients going from large corporations to small shops.
One of North America's leading experts on restoration and preservation of classic neon signs, and author of the volume Vintage Neon (Schiffer Press, 1999), Davidson is best known in Philly as "The Man Who Neonized South Street" for his creations scattered along Philadelphia's South Street.
Davidson has proved neon is proper art form with an architectural value since he has worked and collaborated with architects and designers to highlight elements of buildings, from roof lines and ceilings to staircases (the neon griffin logos on the information desk at the Philadelphia Museum of Art were made by Davidson in collaboration with Venturi Architects).
To celebrate the art of neon signs, the Philadelphia Center for Architecture has organised a series of special tours of historical neon signs around Philadelphia (check out dates here) with Davidson himself as guide.
People joining the tours will be able to see signs in different styles and with various functions built from 1936 to the present. Though the shapes, colours and forms – from waves and camels to sunsets, girls in cocktail glasses, mermaids and animated trolley cars – the history, architecture and technology behind the signs are also important and will definitely provide enough inspirations to fall under the spell of vintage neon lights.
Image credits for this post
All images in this post are taken from Len Davidson's site/museum
1. Buster Brown and Tige, 1950s
2. Howard Johnson's Simple Simon and the Pie Man, 1950s
3. Trolley Car Diner – 1947 trolley replica
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