The second edition of Art Fair // Dijon is placed under the theme of neon.
Discover this medium, its history and its influence in the art highlighted during our fair through this article.
In signage, in decoration, or even in artwork, neon has been used by many creators, designers and artists and is now part of the common landscape that surrounds us. Present all over the world, neon is actually an invention created in France by the physicist and chemist George Claude in 1910. Neon tubes contain one or more gases which, once in contact with the electric current, are transformed into a source of light. Depending on the different chemical compositions and the glass used, the tube can present various and varied colors. The use of the term neon is quickly generalized to any colored light tube nevertheless it is good to specify that the neon emits originally only one color: a red orange. The tubes of other colors use other gases like argon or helium and present other colors different from that of the neon.
The neon technique is quickly adopted by all in France and in the world particularly in signs of businesses. It became a worldwide symbol of life and activity at nightfall. As always, artists will appropriate this new innovative and versatile medium to explore its possibilities in terms of artistic achievements. In installation, as a complement to paintings or even in sculpture, neon is used by many artists to give a new dimension to their works. Among these artists we can mention Lucio Fontana, Jean-Michel Alberola, Daniel Buren, Jeff Koons, and many others. More than an advertising and commercial symbol, neon becomes a message carrier and invites to reflection.
