The Luminous Allure of Neon Art: Craft, Creativity and Colour

• Neon art is a vibrant fusion of craftsmanship and creative expression. It combines a little bit of science and a little bit of magic.

• Real Neon art is becoming more and more popular and forms a substantial part of our core business as many artists see the creative potential in it's aesthetic. This is why you see real Neon in galleries, public installations and modern interior design

• This blog post will explore the beauty, process and impact of neon as an art form, as well as the uniqueness of real neon as opposed to it's cheap and derivative LED knock-offs

What Is Neon Art?

• A Neon art piece is a work that incorporates one or more gas filled glass tubes that are illuminated with an electric current. It is most often the case that these tubes are bent into whatever fashion the creative vision suggests, whether that be typography, an image, an abstract design or even a sculpture.

• When Neon was first invented, it didn't take long for industries to recognise its potential in advertising. However, artists also saw its potential in creating unique illuminated works. One such artist was Zdeněk Pešánek, a Czech sculptor, painter and architect who is recognised as the first person to use a neon tube in an artwork.

Torso from the Spa Fountain, 1936

• There is something about the chemical reaction that occurs when noble gases are ignited within a glass tube that bridges the gap between industrial technique and emotional expression - this is Neon Art.

• Artists such as Shezad Dawood, Keith Sonnier and Iván Navarro have all explored the medium, however Tracey Emin's works stand out for their explorations of human themes of love, desire, loss and suffering. She describes her relationship with neon in terms of its feel good quality stemming from its association with fun fairs and nightlife. In prizing neon as a medium for her artistic expression, Emin is helping to revitalise the neon industry.

The Kiss Was Beautiful, Tracey Emin

The Misconception: Neon Art Is Just for Signs

• Artists like Emin are proving that the iconic glow and unparalleled luminosity of real neon is not used only for commercial signage, but are equally impactful in artistic mediums such as sculpture, abstract art, typography and narrative installations.

• Here in Melbourne, Australian poet and artist Jazz Money uses neon to communicate their poetry centered around themes of first nations identity and place, expressed in both Wiradjuri and English language.

  
  

  

  It's Always Been Always, Jazz Money

• Reko Rennie explores similar themes through sculpture, drawing from his Kamilaroi heritage to create a compelling fusion of iconographic and street art inspired neon works.

Neon Aboriginal flag, Reko Rennie

• These artists and their respective pieces say a lot about neon as not just commercial utility aimed at catching eyes, but as an artistic medium that catches hearts.

The Craft Behind the Glow: How Neon Art Is Made

• The process of bending glass requires a synergetic relationship between glass and technician, who uses their body and breath to shape their desired creation. It requires an awareness of the most minute and invisible forces against the material and an understanding of how to wield them to your advantage.

• After the tubes are bent into shape over a flame, they are put under vacuum and then filled with gas before being sealed.

• Making a piece, especially if it is complex, can take a lot of time as well as trial and error. It will likely take a few goes before you are satisfied with the result unless you have years and years of experience.

  
  

Why Neon Art Captivates the Eye and Imagination

• Real neon owes its iconic nature to its unmistakable 'glow'. It has a warmth and a brilliance that is unmatched by any other form of illumination.

• It has the ability to transform the space it lights up, to alter the mood of the surrounding people and command their attention.

• For example, look at how this neon installation has transformed the side of this car park in a community housing block in Richmond

Neon art installation in West Richmond

• Neon is a sophisticated artform because, paradoxically, it is industrial yet delicate, nostalgic yet modern.

Collecting and Commissioning Neon Art

• It is important to understand that neon signs are very bright, especially if installed in a confined space. However this can be counteracted with a dimmer.

• When approaching a neon artist with your idea, get them to outline the parameters that you can work within to attain your vision, i.e. the range of glass sizes, the range of colours through the combination of gases and fluorescent coating and general safety considerations.

• Neon glass tubes comes in sizes generally ranging from 6mm to 15mm in diameter, however it is possible to make neon with glass up to 25mm if you are looking for something more specialised

• Ranges of neon colours can be found online, however you can ask your neon specialist for colour samples as you won't know what's perfect for your piece until it's right in front of you.

• As a general rule, any line that you draw can be made from neon. However keep in mind that the smaller you make your art piece, the more difficult it is for the neon artist to manufacture.

  
  
  
  

Caring for Neon Art: Display and Maintenance Tips

• If your neon is not in a display case with a protective cover, it is highly advisable that it be mounted above average shoulder height so as to avoid the risk of people bumping into it.

• A well made and properly maintained neon piece should last indefinitely, however it is important to remain in contact with a specialist should something break or wear out.

• Always make sure that your neon sign is installed with an open circuit monitor so as to ensure that there are no electrical hazards if the sign gets damaged

• Neon requires cable and transformers, so it is important to consider whether you want these necessary components hidden somewhere (i.e. behind a wall, in a ceiling etc.) or are ok with them being visible alongside the piece. Additionally, cable and transformers can be colour matched with the surface they are mounted to.

• Neon is waterproof and can last many years outside as long as the electrodes are well protected from moisture

FAQs About Neon Art

• Q: Is neon art safe for home or gallery settings?

  A: Of course! Neon can, and does, go anywhere so long as it is correctly mounted and installed.

• Q: How long does a neon artwork last?

  A: If properly installed and maintained, it will last indefinitely, unlike its plastic LED counterpart.

• Q: Can any image or text be turned into neon art?

  A: A neon artist that is recreating an image or text is translating it to a different medium rather than recreating it 1:1. Some images will translate better than others and that's why it is important to open a dialogue with the neon specialist to discuss what will work and what won't.

Final Thoughts: Why Neon Art Still Shines Bright

• Neon has an enduring place in art, design and culture. From the brash, in-your-face colour and movement of the Las Vegas strip, to the thoughtful, sensitive and often provocative works of Jazz Money and Tracey Emin, the broad appeal and application and the iconic status of real neon will always be a popular choice for discerning artists and collectors alike.

• If you're an artist or someone looking to revitilise their art collection consider the vibrant and unique medium of real neon! We can help bring your vision to life or help you create one.

Real Neon vs LED Lights: What's the Difference and Why It Matters

• Since the 90s, imported LEDs have held a market share of the illuminated signage industry in Melbourne. Recently, with the creation of "LED-flex" LED signage manufacturers have been trying to copy the unique aesthetic of real Neon as well as marketing it as neon.

• As a result many consumers are being duped into either believing they have purchased the real thing or believing that LEDs are a safer, more durable and more sustainable option. At Australian Neon Services, we often encounter many disillusioned customers who are disappointed to learn that their plastic LED sign is not real neon and cannot be serviced or repaired.

• This blog post will outline the differences in quality, design and impact between real Neon and LED "neon"

• Illuminated signage is an expensive investment. Consumers have a right to know what it is they are being sold and what the relative merits of the product are and how it compares with other products in the market.

Understanding the Basics: What Are Real Neon and LED Neon Lights?

• Real Neon contains actual Neon gas, housed in a hand-made glass tube that is then illuminated with an electrical current.

• LED "neon" is made from an imported, extruded plastic tube filled with light-emitting diodes

• The process of bending glass requires a synergetic relationship between glass and technician, who uses their body and breath to shape their desired creation. It requires an awareness of the most minute and invisible forces against the material and an understanding of how to wield them to your advantage. For example, laying a fresh bend on a bench is imperative in making sure the bend stays flat, however, leave it on their for too long and the cold surface will likely crack the piping-hot glass. It is a skill that requires a creative mindset and infinite patience. Conversely, LED assembly requires very little skill or creativity, allowing them to be mass-produced, quickly consumed and then consigned to the ever-increasing heap of plastic waste polluting our planet.

  
  

Common Misconception: "LED Neon Is Just a Modern Version of Real Neon"

• There is a lot of misinformation circulating regarding the relative merits of real Neon vs LED "neon" flex. This is due to the recent influx of cheap, imported plastic signage componentry flooding the Australian sign market. This has created a glut of fake neon shops, most of which have no local manufacturing base and many of which don't even have a shop-front.

• This misinformation will tell you that LEDs are longer-lasting, safer, more durable, more sustainable and better looking than the real thing. They even go as far as to say that real Neon requires a qualified electrician to install it. They also claim that LED flex is the new standard for "neon" signage, and that authentic glass Neon exists only as a relic of an era long past, to be appreciated only by collectors and enthusiasts. None of this is true.

• LED "neon" would be much better described as a cheaper in the short-term alternative to real Neon, not a replacement. We say short-term because an LED sign will last 6-8 years at a conservative estimate whereas a real Neon sign has the capacity to outlive the business it was created for. This makes real Neon a far more prudent long-term investment.

• Just because an LED sign is low voltage does not mean that it is any safer than a neon sign. Neon signs run from high-voltage transformers, but the transformers are fitted with open circuit monitors and earth leakage protection so if the tube breaks the power will switch off immediately. Additionally, it is a myth that neon tubes contain harmful gases. Neon and argon are both inert gases found naturally in the earth's atmosphere. If a neon tube breaks the gas simply dissipated into the air.

• We have manufactured neon signs made from glass tubing that are still working forty years later. Glass tubing can last for generations if correctly installed and maintained. LEDs are made from plastics and electronic circuits that are susceptible to heat and moisture which limit their lifespan

  
  

Where LED Neon Falls Short in Ambience and Character

• In appropriating the name "neon", the LED industry is also attempting to appropriate Neon's aesthetic. However, LED neon fails to replicate the organic glow of real Neon.

• LED neon looks artificial and cheap because it is artificial and cheap! It doesn't matter what colour and how bright you make your plastic, at the end of the day it's still plastic.

• The city of Melbourne is full of major illuminated signs that are held back by the medium in which they are made; LEDs can't do them justice, either simply because the final product lacks the impact a real Neon sign would have, or just because what was promised as a long-term investment turns out to degrade in brightness and quality in a matter of years. A quick trip around Melbourne will illustrate the number of illuminated signs that are pockmarked by a blown LED.

When to Choose Real Neon Lighting

• Real Neon is ideal for businesses wanting nostalgic, high-end or artistic lighting, however it is equally suitable for the local milk bar or fish and chip shop who are looking for a long term and durable advertising investment.

• Real Neon is also perfect for statement pieces, shopfronts, bars, galleries or set design

• Real Neon is unmatched in its brilliance, beauty, longevity, sustainability and sheer class. It catches the eye like no other!

• Real Neon is not just lighting, it's art!

FAQs About Real Neon vs LED Neon Lights

	Real Neon	LED "neon"
Affordability	More expensive to make but cheaper in the long term	Cheaper to make but more expensive in the long term
Durability	Easy to break if not handled by a professional, but will last indefinitely if installed and maintained correctly.	Made of cheap plastic that is susceptible to heat and moisture
Safety	OCMs and earth leakage protection = safer	Blown out LEDs are known to cause serious fires!
Lifespan	Will last indefinitely if installed and maintained correctly	Maximum of 6-8 years
Aesthetic	Ethereal, mesmerising, bold and exciting	Cheap, dull, derivative and ubiquitous

Final Thoughts: Choose Light That Reflects Your Vision

• Lighting is a design decision, not just a utility. There is a lot more to consider than convenience and cost when it comes to illuminated signage. A sign has the potential to be a work of art all on its own and real Neon lends itself to that very idea in the atmosphere it creates and the impact it leaves on people.

  
  

Neon gecko designed and manufactured by Australian Neon Services

The Bright Choice: Why Real Neon Illuminated Signage Still Shines in Melbourne

• For nearly 100 years, neon has been the most iconic and enduring form of illuminated signage in Melbourne's vibrant business scene

• Recently, imported, plastic LED "neon" has tried to mimic genuine neon with only half of the unique aesthetic and impact

• Many Melbourne based businesses and creatives, however, still recognise that neon made in the time-honoured fashion of glass and flame is unsurpassed in the world of illuminated signage

  

  
  
  
  

• We need only look towards Melbourne's iconic Skipping Girl neon to understand the lasting impact and incredible lifespan of a true neon sign. "Little Audrey" has been shining bright over Melbourne's inner north since 1936

  
  

  

  
  

  What Is Real Neon Signage and How Is It Made?

• An "LED neon" sign is NOT a Neon sign. A real Neon sign contains actual Neon gas, housed in a hand-made glass tube. An "LED neon" sign is made from an imported, extruded plastic tube filled with light-emitting diodes

• The process of bending glass requires a synergetic relationship between glass and technician, who uses their body and breath to shape their desired creation. Because of this, no two Neon pieces are the same. It is this 'one-of-a-kind' craftmanship that adds to the ethereal beauty and timelessness of a real Neon sign.

• George Claude invented neon lighting in the early 1900s and by 1929 the first Neon sign in Australia was installed. By 1931, the Claude Company had established a significant operation in Melbourne, thus kickstarting a shining cultural legacy

  
  
  
  

  The Big Misconception: LED Neon is "The Same" as Real Neon

• Many businesses that sell "LED neon" assure their customers that their product is a safer, more reliable, longer lasting and more environmentally sustainable alternative to real Neon that is cheaper in the long-term. These are lies!

• Glass tubing can last for generations if correctly installed and maintained, whereas LEDs are made from plastics and electronic circuits that are susceptible to heat and moisture which limit their lifespan.

• Just because an LED sign is low voltage does not mean that it is safer than a real neon sign. On the contrary, burnt out LEDs are a serious fire hazard! Neon sign transformers are fitted with open circuit monitors that prevent them from drawing power the moment a tube breaks.

• It is a myth that neon tubes contain harmful gases. Neon and argon are both inert gases found naturally in the earth's atmosphere. If a neon tube breaks, the gas simply dissipates into the air.

• A side-by-side comparison of an LED sign with a Neon sign immediately shows how they diverge in sheer brilliance. Neon makes a more efficient use of the power it draws in terms of its luminosity than its LED copycats. Neon light is a far more penetrating and, in our opinion, far more beautiful form of illumination.

  
  

  Why Location Matters: Melbourne's Design-Forward Culture

• Street art is a big tourist draw card for Melbourne as a destination for local and international travelers alike. This is showcased in Melbourne's unique network of culturally significant laneways. These are working in conjunction with a strong cafe and hospitality culture to create the ideal setting for iconic Neon signage.

  
  

  

  The Atlantic, Southbank, Melbourne

  
  

• This plays out against a broader backdrop of Melbourne's art culture, evidenced by the many galleries and public art spaces in which Neon is showcased alongside more traditional artforms.

  
  

  

  Neon installation at Glenhuntly station, Melbourne

  
  

• Like many metropolitan areas around the world, Melbourne's local strip-shopping centers are joining the fight against mega-malls. Part of this fight has been the demand for custom-made and eye-catching illuminated signage to set a business apart, highlighting their own individual visual identity.

  
  

  

  Chapel Tattoo, Chapel St, Melbourne

  
  

  The Common Mistake: Choosing the Cheapest Option

• A real Neon sign is an economic investment. Many Neon signs become collectors pieces long after the businesses they represent have ceased trading. Neon signs, if properly maintained, can last indefinitely. On the other hand, at a conservative estimate, the average lifespan of an LED sign is 6-8 years, depending on the quality of the componentry .

• Glass Neon tubes fade in brightness by approximately 3% yearly. Conversely, their LED lookalikes' brightness degrades at a rate of 30%. These statistics speak for themselves as to which of the two are a long-term investment that can catch the eye for decades and which will fizzle and die in a matter of years.

• More importantly, every single part of a Neon sign can be repaired or replaced. If a Neon tube gets broken it can be repaired at a fraction of the cost of replacing the whole sign. On the other hand, when an LED sign fails it will have to be replaced in its entirety.

  
  

  How to Choose the Right Neon Sign for Your Melbourne Business

• We haven't come across a brand aesthetic that hasn't been enhanced by the power of neon illumination

• The applications for real Neon are more diverse than you might think. Neon is not restricted to 2 dimensions. This opens up a world of possibilities towards creating illuminated works of art that can showcase their appeal from every angle.

• If you're in the market for an illuminated sign, don't be hoodwinked by the plethora of faux-neon pretenders, i.e. LEDs! Many will tell you it's real neon but just ask them if it's made of glass and contains noble gases and voila! You have your answer.

  
  

  Signs Your Neon Sign Is Doing Its Job

• A good neon sign becomes imprinted in the collective cultural consciousness. Think the Skipping Girl or Nylex neon signs in Melbourne. Neon is so brilliant and enigmatic that even once you have looked away its image remains as a signpost of the place you have visited.

• Neon is photogenic! People will naturally want its light to illuminate their group selfies and nighttime streetscape shots that populate their social media pages. This means only good things in terms of eyes on your business.

  
  

  Frequently Asked Questions About Neon Signage in Melbourne

• Q: Is real neon safe for indoor use?

  A: Yes, of course! Real Neon signs are fitted with open circuit monitors (OCMs) that cut power to the sign the moment something goes wrong, eliminating the risk of overheating and potential electrical fire. In addition, signs in high-traffic areas can be enclosed within a perspex casing to protect both the sign and passers-by.

• Q: How long do real neon signs last?

  A: Indefinitely. If properly serviced and maintained a neon sign can last decades. We regularly service signs that predate our 40+ years of being in the industry.

• Q: Can neon signs be repaired or updated

  A: Yes! Hint: it's in the name, Australian Neon SERVICES :) But jokes aside, it makes real Neon the most sustainable form of neon signage. Because real Neon is made in sections, its easy to remove a broken section and insert a new one.

• Q: What's the turnaround time for custom neon in Melbourne

  A: Usually 2-3 weeks, especially large projects with complex installations, however, urgent jobs can be turned around in a matter of days

Making the Bright Choice: Invest in Real Neon

• Real Neon is unmatched in its brilliance, beauty, longevity, sustainability and sheer class.

• Whether you want to upscale your business branding or create a one-of-a-kind hand-crafted work of art for work or home in Melbourne and beyond, you can't beat real Neon. Join us in fighting back against aesthetic appropriation and over-produced, imported plastic waste and be part of the real Neon survival revolution!

• Contact us either by phone or e-mail for a free quote or to discuss your real Neon needs.