Neon writing - then and now

The craft of making neon signs is kept alive: Silvia, our neon specialist, explains: „Admittedly, LEDs have some beneficial properties like energy saving, but a neon sculpture scores as a unique piece of art. Based on a full-scale version on a sheet of white paper, I shape the neon tubes into words and images by managing the extremely hot flame. For managing it, I have to blow into a hose, modulating the temperature. I fill the tubes with gas and seal off their ends with electrodes. The color of the sign is created by combining the tint of the tubing with the type of gas. The sculpture is then mounted on a backing, along with a transformer for powering the electrodes. Now the piece is finished and all that’s left to do is plug it in – and be amazed!“

back