Located in the midst of Glendale's bustling downtown—a rather stagnant, concrete hell filled with chain restaurants and strip malls aplenty—lies the newly minted Museum of Neon Art, a radiant collection of colorful awesomeness.
Finally opening after a ton of press and wild anticipation over the last few months, I can now now safely coin 2016 as "The Year the Neon Took Over" for the fine folks of Glendale. Hold those heads up and be proud, as this museum is certainly one of your most glowing urban achievements.
Upon arrival, the first thing you encounter is a gift shop, cleverly positioned to entice visitors to make purchases before they even enter.
Unlike most museums, where a gift shop might be tucked away near the bathrooms, here you're confronted with a shopping experience right from the start. There's no avoiding it; you can peruse around while waiting in line to purchase your tickets, and it beckons for one last look as you depart. It's a shrewd business move, neon gods; I admire the hustle you've got going on here.
This isn't your average art gallery.
Just look around and soak it in: This place has more colorful neon than a pair of Zumba Pants, more neon than The Fresh Prince (and Jazzy Jeff!) and more neon than a troll doll's hair! I feel like I'm in a classier version of Amsterdam's Red Light district...
While the gallery space itself isn't huge—basically one large white room with all the signs and sculptures methodically strewn about—the vibrant colors, unique designs, and "neonification" of each piece will keep you entertained for hours. I swear, I walked in circles for about 45 minutes, just staring at the same stuff over and over again, drooling like a freshly risen zombie and slurring "looook at the pretttty lighttttts" repeatedly. It's hypnotic, warm, and just feels so right to be here.
And the pieces themselves are pretty amazing, finally crafted by people that are far more talented than myself.
For example, just gaze at this dapper frog, living without a care in the world. He takes his top hat off to greet you, a shiny bowtie around his neck, looking like a better, more reptilian version of the Monopoly Man. This frog is clearly having the time of his life welcoming you to the museum.
And this sign: Come soothe my soul with your warming glow, and sell me a martini.
I live for this stuff. One of the reasons I've chosen to live in cities for the last 15 years is because I have a deep appreciation for the nostalgic allure of a broken neon sign flickering in a dark and dingy alleyway. It's like a glimpse into a bygone era, where each flicker of light tells a story of urban life, capturing the essence of both grit and glamour. This museum brings all those cherished memories rushing back, celebrating the artistry and resilience of neon in a way that's both captivating and nostalgic.
Highly recommended for those who want to add some real visual stimulation to their day, The Museum of Neon Art is open and ready to melt faces and warm heart. Your eyes will thank you, or hate you, in the end.
