Offbeat L.A.: Big City Lights- An Enchanting Exhibit of Neon Sign Photography… Sign Geeks do MONA

Inside of MONA as captured by Sign Geek Sharlynn Vee

Inside of MONA as captured by Sign Geek Sharlynn Vee

IMG_4635The darkened night lights up once again with the magic of glittering neon as the Sign Geeks photography collective returns with a new exhibit, and this one glows brighter than ever. Following a brilliant and extremely successful show in July 2014 at the Pomona Arts Colony, the group is poised and ready for the penultimate showing of their work, at the spectacular new home of the Museum of Neon Art in Glendale.

Postcard designed by Sign Geek Marc Shur

Postcard designed by Sign Geek Marc Shur

Photo captured by Sign Geek Sharlynn Vee

Photo captured by Sign Geek Sharlynn Vee

Curated by the incredible and multi-talented production team of Sharlynn Vee, Carlos Vargas and Marc Shur, this neon art photography exhibit features the hand picked work of 54 photographers world wide, with a total of 162 images. The Sign Geeks mutual love of old neon signs and their healthy obsession with capturing images plucked from the past, ironically allowed them to come together in the most modern of ways, the smartphone app, Instagram. As photographers bonded and appreciated each others work, the hashtag #SignGeeks was created and common admiration, inspiration and creativity was shared. This collection of artists found each other in an unlikely manner, but with a shared passion and purpose they are united, with cameras in hand, by the beckoning glow of neon lights in an otherwise dark night sky.

Outside looking in... Sign Geek Sharlynn Vee captures part of the exhibit

Outside looking in… Sign Geek Sharlynn Vee captures part of the exhibit

A beautiful neon diving girl atop the roof at MONA (photo by Sign Geek Gina Middleton)

A beautiful neon diving girl atop the roof at MONA (photo by Sign Geek Gina Middleton)

Running from March 11 to June 19, 2016, the opening reception takes place on Friday April 1st at the Museum of Neon Art, also known as MONA. Founded in 1981, MONA recently found a permanent and graceful home in a newly constructed building, shimmering with glistening glass and elegant architectural lines, on Brand Blvd in downtown Glendale. MONA’s mission is simple in that they set out to collect and preserve vintage neon, while simultaneously promoting contemporary artists who push the boundaries of the art form. MONA’s meeting of minds and hearts with the photography of the Sign Geeks is a perfect fit. Both seek beauty and truth in the subtle glimmer of a neon glass tube.

Sign Geeks mission statement as photographed by Sharlynn Vee

Sign Geeks mission statement as photographed by Sharlynn Vee

Photograph by Sharlynn Vee

Photograph by Sharlynn Vee

 

 

Museum of Neon Art: 216 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204. (818) 696-2149.

 

 

 

 

Nikki Kreuzer

About Nikki Kreuzer

Nikki Kreuzer has been a Los Angeles resident for over 30 years. When not working her day job in the film & TV industry, she spends her time over many obsessions, mainly music, art and exploring & photographing the oddities of the city she adores. So far she has written 110 Offbeat L.A. articles, published at the Los Angeles Beat. As a journalist she contributes regularly to LA Weekly, Blurred Culture and has also been published by Oddee.com, Twist Magazine, Strobe and Not For Hire. Nikki is also a mosaic artist, radio DJ and published photographer. Her photography has been featured in exhibit at the Museum of Neon Art, in print at the LA Weekly and in exhibit at the Neutra Museum in Los Angeles. She has recorded with the band Nikki & Candy as bassist, vocalist and songwriter, directing and appearing in the 'Sunshine Sunshine Santa Claus' music video for the band. She co-hosted the monthly radio show Bubblegum & Other Delights on Dublab.com for over two years. Her acting credits include a recent role in the ABC-TV show 'For The People', 'Incident at Guilt Ridge', 'Two and a Half Men', the film 'Minority Report' and 'Offbeat L.A.', a web series, written and hosted by Nikki Kreuzer. Her writing, radio and video portfolio can be found at OffbeatLA.com, her photography work @Lunabeat on Instagram and her music history posts @NikkiKreuzer on Twitter. Find Nikki & Candy music on iTunes or Amazon.
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One Response to Offbeat L.A.: Big City Lights- An Enchanting Exhibit of Neon Sign Photography… Sign Geeks do MONA

  1. Jeffrey Cook says:

    Hi Nikki~
    This list of historic restaurants is so amazing. I visit sometimes from Seattle and my friends show me around to some of these spots, or I try to find them on my own. Have you added The Warehouse in Marina Del Rey to the list yet? We only just drove by on the way to the airport but I was astonished at how amazing it looks! Apparently it may not be there after another year or two… I must go to this place next time I am in LA.
    Thanks for the resource info!
    Jeffrey

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