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Museum of Neon Art

Coordinates: 34°08′37.5″N 118°15′17″W / 34.143750°N 118.25472°W / 34.143750; -118.25472
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Museum of Neon Art
Map
Established1981
Location216 S. Brand Blvd.
Glendale, California, United States
Coordinates34°08′37.5″N 118°15′17″W / 34.143750°N 118.25472°W / 34.143750; -118.25472
TypeArt museum
Collection sizeneon art
DirectorCorrie Siegel
Websitewww.neonmona.org

The Museum of Neon Art (MONA) in Glendale, California, United States, is an educational art museum that exists for the preservation, collection, and interpretation of neon art. The first museum devoted to art that incorporates neon lighting, it only exhibits art in electric media, including kinetic art and outstanding examples of historic neon signs.[1] The collection includes neon signs from the Brown Derby and Grauman's Chinese Theatre.[2]

For over 20 years, Kim Koga was executive director, overseeing crucial moves of the institution and finding it a home in Glendale. In 2020, Corrie Siegel was appointed as executive director.[3]

In addition to exhibitions and tours, the museum offers introductory classes in glass bending held in the museum's state-of-the-art studio.[4]

History

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Arts District (1981–1992)

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MONA was founded in 1981 by Lili Lakich[5] and Richard Jenkins[6] in Downtown Los Angeles' Arts District.

Universal CityWalk (1993–1995)

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In 1993, MONA moved to Universal CityWalk[7]

Grand Hope Park (1996–2007)

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In 1996, MONA moved to Grand Hope Park, in the South Park district of Downtown Los Angeles.[8]

Historic Core (2008–2011)

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In 2008, MONA moved to Downtown Los Angeles' Historic Core,[9] but the museum's leadership soon realized that the new space was too small. By 2009, there were plans to move the museum to Glendale.[10]

While located at the Historic Core location, MONA participated in the Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk, a recurring self-guided walking tour of galleries and public art in the neighborhood.[11]

Dormancy (2012–2015)

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In 2012, MONA turned down the donation of the neon sign of an Arby's restaurant in Santa Monica, California due its size, reportedly 20 feet wide by 35 feet tall.[12]

In 2013, MONA began to operate a 2,500-square-foot warehouse in Pomona, California, where it stores more than 250 pieces of its collection.[13]

Glendale (since 2016)

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The museum reopened in Glendale, California in 2016.[14] MONA's Glendale facility was designed by Shimoda Design Group, and was adapted from two existing structures: a pharmacy and a video arcade. A public paseo, created through strategic demolition, bisects the site and draws visitors across a landscaped deck to Central Park and Central Library.[15] The paseo will also connect to the under-construction Armenian American Museum.[16]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MONA was on the brink of closure in 2020, but through increased memberships and donations, the museum was able to survive. At a belated 40th anniversary celebration, highlighted by the "40 Years of Light” exhibition, attendees were able to tour the galleries and hear from featured neon artists. Artist Roxy Rose, who is transgender, highlighted MONA's support of the LGBT+ community, stating “I want to say 'thank you' to MONA, the staff members and everyone here for making this a safe place to be.”[17]

Management

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MONA has a Board of Directors and an Advisory Board.[18]

Collection

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The museum holds numerous items, including neon art, clocks, photographs, and neon signs.[19]

Some key objects in the Museum's collection include:

Exhibitions

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Memorial to Armenian Genocide (2021)

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In 2021, the museum presented a window-based public display in honor of Armenian History Month, marking the 106th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.[23] The display featured the tricolors of the Armenian flag. Accompanying the neon flag was a verse from Armenian poet Paruyr Sevak, in Armenian and English.

MONA's Curator of Engagement and Education, Ani Mnatsakanyan, noted that "The 44-day war in 2020 that was waged against the indigenous Armenians in Artsakh by Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, retraumatized Armenians globally, because it brought up unresolved emotions about the continuous denial and cultural erasure of the Armenian people by Turkey and Azerbaijan. This year’s Genocide commemoration will be especially difficult to cope with as a result of that, but the support for the community through artistic means is meant to highlight the resilient spirit of the Armenian people and provide some light during these dark times through the arts".[24]

Light in the Dark: Queer Narratives in Neon (2023)

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"Light in the Dark" exhibition

In 2023, as part of the One Institute's Circa: Queer Histories Festival, MONA organized "Light in the Dark: Queer Narratives in Neon", featuring notable items in the museum’s collection, including neon signs from LGBT+ businesses and artworks made by LGBT+ artists and craftspeople. Programming included a panel discussion about LGBT+ connections to neon art, the Glendale community, and the museum, and included museum trustee Eric Lynxwiler, filmmaker Rachel Mason, sex educator Buck Angel, neon artist Dani Bonnet, activist Paul Manchester of glendaleOUT, and activist Shant Jaltorossian of GALAS LGBTQ+ Armenian Society.[25] Lynxwiler noted that several of the businesses included in the exhibition aided queer men during the AIDS crisis, and served as community spaces.[26]

The Executive Director Corrie Siegel remarked that:

"The stereotype that Americana is something as cisgender, white, and heterosexual, holds still for many folks[.] MONA aims to address these stereotypes and demonstrate the diverse histories neon shares. LGBTQ pioneers in neon demonstrate that queer histories are deeply woven into American history. The future of the medium continues to be advanced by LGBTQ artists and preservationists."[27]

Tours

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Neon night walks

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MONA offers guided walking tours through various Los Angeles County neighborhoods, including Glendale, Koreatown, Hollywood, the Broadway Theatre District, and Chinatown.[28]

Neon cruise

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MONA offers double-decker bus tours, which depart from Downtown's Historic Core and visit locations including Chinatown and Hollywood.[29]

Neon preservation and restoration

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See also: Conservation and restoration of neon objects

MONA advocates for the preservation of historic signage and the buildings on which they are mounted. The museum has saved and restored over 500 historic signs, and helped relight over 150 signs across Los Angeles County.[30]

Following the 2024 closure of the Arby's restaurant in Hollywood, MONA was consulted regarding preservation of its neon sign. MONA's executive director, Corrie Siegel, has noted that it is in museum’s best interests to keep the sign preserved in-place, in the context in which it was created. The family of the business' founders have urged the City of Los Angeles to designate the sign as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.[31]

Awards and recognition

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In 2022, the Los Angeles Conservancy presented MONA with a Preservation Award, recognizing the museum's achievements in historic preservation.[32]

In 2024, the California Association of Museums and the California Department of Education presented the Superintendent's Award for Excellence in Museum Education to MONA for its School Engagement Program, which offers professional development for teachers, classroom workshops, museum field trips and free family admission for students.[33]

Selected objects

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  • Doc Kilzum animated neon sign from Paramount Pest Control (1940s)
    Doc Kilzum animated neon sign from Paramount Pest Control (1940s)
  • Neon sign from La Fonda Mexican restaurant (1940s)
    Neon sign from La Fonda Mexican restaurant (1940s)
  • Animated sign from Body Builders Gym (1970s)
    Animated sign from Body Builders Gym (1970s)
  • Neon sign from Midtowne Spa (1970s)
    Neon sign from Midtowne Spa (1970s)
  • Architectural neon art from Man's Country (1970s)
    Architectural neon art from Man's Country (1970s)
  • Sign from Circus of Books (1980s)
    Sign from Circus of Books (1980s)

References

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  1. ^ "The Museum of Neon Art". Museum of Neon Art. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  2. ^ Cooper, Arnie (September 3, 2008). "Neon Museum Casts Its Otherworldly Glow". The Wall Street Journal. p. D9.
  3. ^ Seidman, Lila (April 10, 2020). "Museum of Neon Arts' new director works to electrify attendees from a distance". Glendale News-Press. Retrieved 2022-07-08.
  4. ^ Womack, Catherine. "After Decades of Decline, L.A.'s Neon Light Industry Is Experiencing a Resurgence". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  5. ^ Lawrence O'Toole (February 4, 1990). "Where Neon Art Comes of Age". The New York Times.
  6. ^ Lewis, Louise (February 17 – March 31, 2001). "Sirens and Other Neon Seductions". Catalog essay, Art Galleries, California State University, Northridge.
  7. ^ Smith, G. Bruce (14 May 1993). "Bright Lights, Big CityWalk: The vintage neon signs at MCA's new entertainment/shopping complex could breathe life back into a one-of-a-kind museum". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  8. ^ Muchnic, Suzanne (23 February 1996). "Museum of Neon Art Will Light Up Downtown Again". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  9. ^ "HAPPY NEW YEAR OF THE TIGER!". 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  10. ^ Cara Mia DiMassa (September 25, 2009). "L.A.'s Museum of Neon Art is glowing, glowing, gone". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  11. ^ "Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk draws gallery hoppersauthor=Yvonne Villarreal". Los Angeles Times. February 8, 2009. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  12. ^ Anne Louise Bannon (January 9, 2012). "Ohio Museum Ready for Big Arby's Sign". Patch Media. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  13. ^ Deborah Vankin (July 5, 2023). "Museum of Neon Art's storage facility opens for rare glimpse". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  14. ^ Ahn, Abe (February 3, 2016). "The Museum of Neon Art Switches Back on in LA". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  15. ^ Fitzgerald, Rebecca (May 23, 2016). "Shimoda Design Group builds L.A.'s Museum of Neon Art a new home in Glendale". The Architect's Newspaper. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  16. ^ "SWA Overall Master Plan". Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  17. ^ Natalie Miranda (March 29, 2022). "The Museum of Neon Art Returns the Love". Glendale News-Press. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  18. ^ "About". Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  19. ^ "Collection". CatalogIt. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  20. ^ "Man's Country". hub.catalogit.app. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  21. ^ "Queer narratives in neon presented by The Museum of Neon Art". Los Angeles Blade. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  22. ^ "Adult content warning: Don't swipe too far or you might come across an assortment of phalluses!". October 14, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  23. ^ "Memorial to Armenian Genocide". Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  24. ^ "Museum of Neon Art Honors Armenian Genocide Victims in Neon Display". Asbarez. April 9, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  25. ^ "Light in the Dark: Queer Narratives in Neon". Retrieved 2023-10-29.
  26. ^ Sarah Belew (September 13, 2024). "Queer Neon Lights: A Light in the Dark at the Museum of Neon Art". OutWrite. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  27. ^ "Museum of Neon Art Presents 'Light in the Dark: Queer Narratives in Neon'". Crescenta Valley Weekly. October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  28. ^ "LA TOURS".
  29. ^ "LA TOURS".
  30. ^ "Museum of Neon Art (MONA)". Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  31. ^ Makenna Sievertson (June 26, 2024). "Hollywood Arby's sign". LAist. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  32. ^ "Museum of Neon Art (MONA)". Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  33. ^ "MONA to Receive Superintendent's Award for Excellence". Glendale News-Press. August 31, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
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