The Parisian Tabac Neon Spiral

There's nothing like a Parisian Tabac's neon spirals...

Tristin Lowe's Comet: God Particle at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

 Tristin Lowe's Comet: God Particle, 2011, Glass, neon, aluminium 

On a recent trip to Richmond, Virginia, I was lucky to stumble upon Tristin Lowe's Comet: God Particle, on loan to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

A beautifully executed piece of neon sculpture that I had been aware of since it's inception several years ago, it was a pleasure to be able to see the piece full size and close up, in all it's glory.

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has a fantastic and varied permanent collection as well as a diverse calendar of exhibitions and is well worth the visit.

Mona Hatoum's "Hot Spot" at The Tate Modern

 Mona Hatoum's "Hot Spot" , stainless steel and neon tube, Artist's Edition 2013

Following the installation of Mona Hatoum's "Hot Spot", at the  Centre Pomidou last year, her retrospective exhibition covering 35 years, has now moved to the Tate Modern in London where once again myself and Pete spent three days in mid April, slowly attaching the forty seven neon sections and wiring up the ten transformers.

"Hot Spot" is one of 88 exhibits that are on show until 21st August 2016, after which it will be travelling to the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki. Get down there and have a look.

I'm In Love With The Modern World

D J Roberts, "I'M IN LOVE WITH THE MODERN WORLD", 2014, neon on steel frame.

Last week saw the installation of D J Roberts latest neon piece, "I'M IN LOVE WITH THE MODERN WORLD" on show at the 99p Stores, 259 High Street, Walthamstow, London E17 7BH.

The letters are 305mm (12 inches) high and the whole piece is 8000mm (26 feet) long. 15mm diameter clear glass was used, filled with neon gas, using 80m/A electrodes and running from three 50m/A transformers. The glass has then been mounted onto three seperate 20mm steel box sections frames, each measuring 2700mm x 200mm. 

The project has been organised by Walthamstow Forest Street Gallery Project and is curated by Ashley McCormick. D J Roberts neon art work is on show until April 2014. Get down there.

All of these beautiful photographs were taken by Charles Milligan. Many thanks.

Before you pay a visit to this wonderful spectacle, be sure to listen to Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers, "Roadrunner" (1974)

And when you've listened to that, listen to and watch this... the Modern Lovers, "Roadrunner" (1972)

Like An Enormous Yes

D J Roberts "Like An Enormous Yes", 2014, neon, cable and transformer.

Occupy My Time Gallery at Enclave 9 Resolution Way Deptford SE8 4AL presents D J Roberts new show, Runnin' Down A Dream running until 15th February 2014

Transposed from D J's original drawings the neon was made from 10mm clear glass with 25m/A elecrodes and filled with neon gas and running on a 7000/25 transformer

Phillip Larkin - For Sidney Bechet

That note you hold, narrowing and rising, shakes
Like New Orleans reflected on the water
And in all ears appropriate falsehood wakes

Building for some a legendary Quarter
Of balconies, flower-baskets and quadrilles
Everyone making love and going shares

Oh, play that thing! Mute glorious Storyvilles
Others may licence, grouping around their chairs
Sporting-house girls like circus tigers (priced

Far above rubies) to pretend their fads
While scholars manques nod around unnoticed
Wrapped up in personnels like old plaids

On me your love falls as they say it should
Like an enourmous yes. My Crescent City
Is where your speech alone is understood

And greeted as the natural noise of good
Scattering long-haired greif and scored pity

The Birth of Neon Stars

love neon neon love

These are the first sections off the pump from D J Roberts new neon art piece, "I'M IN LOVE WITH THE MODERN WORLD". 15mm clear red, 305mm cap height.

More photos to follow after a January installation at the 99p Store in Walthamstow.