A look into neon signs, the shining legacy of Hong Kong
Bzzt, bzzt, bzzt… In a city that never sleeps, neon signs illuminate a gorgeous mosaic of reds, lavenders, blues, oranges, and more. Back in the 1970s, they shone bright and brilliant, but for the past two decades, its prosperous glaze has been ebbing fast, gradually leaving behind a dismal-looking asphalt jungle.
Jive Lau is a neon sign artist based in Hong Kong who creates neon sign artworks in every possible form; Cardin Chan is the manager of Tetra Neon Exchange, a non-profit organisation dedicated to researching, preserving, and restoring Hong Kong's neon signs. Speaking with them, we uncover the neon sign's history, tradition, and glowing affair with Hong Kong.