The Museum of Neon Art has recaptured the 1950s nostalgia of Hollywood Boulevard and the Las Vegas strip, and takes you on a journey back in time into a visual realm of flashing lights.
For three decades, the MONA has been the only museum in the world devoted exclusively to art in electric media. Some of the world’s most historic neon signs have been fully restored and preserved so generations can continue to glimpse into a significant part of our cultural history.
According the neonmona.org, the museum aspires to encourage learning, curiosity and expression through the preservation, collection, and interpretation of neon, electric and kinetic art. Thanks to successful outreach programs, the MONA is able to exhibit a diverse selection of electric and light based arts, that have each played a role in illuminating our past, present and future.
The main gallery is currently hosting an exhibition called “Sign Geeks,” which describes its self as the magic that happens when like-minded people find each other. The group found each other on Instagram, and discovered they all shared a common passion and obsession with photographing vintage neon.
The exhibit features the work of 60 different images from around the world that each member of the “Sign Geeks,” group captured on various trips and destinations. Their hope is that through their art, the public will recognize the majestic beauty that they see in these rapidly disappearing and often ignored treasures along our roadways.
On display in the lobby of the museum is currently hosting an exhibition called “Dancing with Light,” which combines the Neon art of Brian Coleman, and the visionary photography of Roger Steffens. The background information provided on the two artists says they met in 1973 when Steffens photographed Coleman’s Neon sculptures for a national magazine article.
The two artists have been friends and collaborators ever since. In recent years, Steffens began experimenting with time exposure in Coleman’s art, and the result was the images featured in “Dancing with light.”
These exhibits are on display at the MONA Museum of Neon Art through June 19 and the opening reception will take place on Friday, April 1. The museum is located at 216 S. Grand Blvd. Glendale, CA 91209. The MONA is now open Friday and Saturday noon to 7 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5 p.m.
You can purchase a ticket in the museum lobby; general admission costs $8. Students can purchase a ticket for $5 and residents of Glendale can purchase a ticket for $4, both must have a valid form of identification at the time of purchase. Children 12 and under are free, and MONA members are free as well.
For more information you can visit Neonmona.org
(Ashley Horton/The Sundial)
