IN-PERSON Barcelona. Section B

Abstract

Hong Kong and Taiwan were both full of neon sign on the street, symbolizing the bustling city landscape. Nowadays, these signs in Hong Kong have been forced to be dismantled due to government regulations. Consequently, some Hong Kong residents have initiated grassroots movements to preserve neon signs from the bottom up, while others have traveled to Taiwan to further study the art of neon craftsmanship. Currently, the government has recently begun to intentionally create new neon installations as “check-in” landmarks and also collaborate with preservation groups to exhibit dismantled signs, aiming to contextualize the neon image of Hong Kong anew. On the other hand, in Taiwan, neon signs were not only the preferred choice for commercial but were also commonly used for cinema advertising. In the few decades, neon industry is declining due to environmental concern and economic reasons, with neon signs on the streets being replaced by LED. However, there is a revival of interest in neon signs in both places, with large outdoor signs being transformed into indoor art installations. Neon craftsmen are also transitioning to preserving their skills in an artistic manner. This study aims to compare the authenticity differences between neon signs in Hong Kong and Taiwan, examining how neon signs have shaped the connection of commercial landscapes in these two places, and identifying the aspects that influence the future preservation strategies in terms of their value. The article argues that the authenticity of neon is linked to the identity they invoke. Despite being past prevalent commercial products, they possess an aesthetic public role, evoking contemporary urban imagery, and thereby generating different preservation methods—original preservation, memory reproduction, and artistic innovation.