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Hong Kong is famous for its nightly ‘Symphony of Lights’ multimedia show on Victoria Harbour, but the city’s original symphony of lights began long ago on its narrow streets and busy thoroughfares, when a sea of neon signs lit up the skies and permeated the fabric of local culture in the post-war period. Now faded and replaced by the rise of LED, neon still holds a nostalgic charm that evokes good times past, though these bright signs have become much harder to spot in the wild due to mass removal over time.
Enter ‘Luminous Neon’, a new exhibition at the DX Design Hub in Sham Shui Po that aims to share the radiant world of neon signage and the beauty of the traditional art form with visitors for a dose of nostalgia and collective reminiscing. Presented by the Hong Kong Design Centre, Serious Staging, and Tetra Neon Exchange, ‘Luminous Neon’ brings together a collection of painstakingly restored neon signs and new creations, creating a visual dialogue between traditional craftsmanship and modern creativity.
Endlessly photographable but balanced with educational and informative elements, the exhibition contrasts the different generational approaches to neon art and its legacy as an enduring cultural symbol of Hong Kong. Check out the historic ‘Golden Phoenix Restaurant’ and legendary ‘Tai Ping Koon Restaurant’ signs that once illuminated two of the city’s most prominent soy sauce western establishments, the ‘Nam Cheong Pawn Shop’ with its unique silhouette, and the Ray-Ban-shaped ‘Tai Cheong Eyeglasses’ sign, and more, all of which highlight the hard-earned skills of neon masters.
‘Luminous Neon’ is one of seven distinctive exhibitions currently ongoing at the DX Design Hub, where it shares space with limited-time shows such as a spotlight on Italian fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo, a showcase of the iconic Qeeboo Rabbit chair, and more. For those who simply cannot get enough of neon art, alongside ‘Luminous Neon’, check out 59 Studio’s ‘The Light Within The Light Without’ immersive digital experience, which honours the heritage of Hong Kong’s neon lights through a seven-minute film.
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