Grit by Nature, Elegant by Desire: Neon in Design

Curated by Tri and Grace Oller.

(Documented by McKenzie Fitz)

With neon’s rich history in the advertisement industry, it has long been associated with a kitschy, campy aesthetic utilized in nightlife in order to grab one’s attention. But what happens when the bold and bright tubes are integrated into contemporary forms of design and stripped bare of their signage history? This exhibition recognizes the nostalgic energy of neon and seeks to modernize this classic media through its relationship with other forms of design. When paired with highly stylized furniture, fixtures, and graphic design, the maximalist nature of neon can be subdued into a minimal gesture.

Artists featured: FÁTIMA, Fatimah Abuelenein, Adelaide Jimin Kong, Ethan Samaha, Yu Liang, Lena Bobbye Keys, Alex Jarus, Spencer Wohlrab, and Spencer Gale.