Neon Sculpture, "Flow" at The Old Fire Station, Oxford

Last week saw the installation of "Flow", a three dimensional neon sculpture at The Old Fire Station, Oxford.

"Flow" is the culmination of many months of work for Mary Branson and Jono Retallick, collaborating with the homeless charity Crisis Skylight at their Oxford headquarters in The Old Fire Station Arts Centre, Oxford.

The initial breif was to produce a small, four metre long, three dimensional neon sculpture, made up of two, two metre sections of neon to hang in the entrance hall of The Old Fire Station, Oxford. After some early discussions the overall length of the piece was increased from four to fourteen metres and comprising of seven, two metre sections of 15mm White 6200K 1A glass.

The Exhibitionist: Neon at Felix Kulpa

Brian Coleman Bell Jar Magic photograph by Maureen Davidson.
Neon is one of those noble gases that hangs out looking sexy and drinking cocktails around Group 18 of the periodic table while the other gases sweat in the kitchen, cooking. Representing the fantasy-inducing family of neon, argon, xenon, krypton and helium gas, each with its distinct qualities and color, “neon” is usually captured in glass tubes that have been bent into artful shapes, then stimulated by currents of electricity until it glows.

Neon Sculpture from UK Artist Jonathan Parsons

Jonathan Parson Folklore 2004 neon and argon fluorescent tubing with electrical attachments tubing: 45 x 55 x 48 cm

Neon Coat Hanger

Neon Coat Hanger in 10mm turquoise, never loose that favourite shirt again.

Fritz Lang's Metropolis Shows Early Neon Sculpture.

Fritz Lang's 1927 masterpiece Metropolis shows some interesting examples of early experimentation with neon as a scuptural medium. Seen here on the desk of scientist Rotwang is a large inverted vortex showing off some fantastically big electrodes.

Meanwhile, in the laboratory...