Well, my Viva posts are over for another year - I hope that you enjoyed reading them! I still have some more holiday posts coming up, but before that, I thought I'd take a little break from the neon lights of Vegas, and bring you the neon lights of London...
This weekend we experienced perfect sunny springtime weather in London, so loverboy and I headed out for some adventuring, and our first stop was the Chris Bracey exhibition currently being featured at the Scream Gallery.
The exhibition, entitled 'I've looked up to heaven and been down to hell' is the first UK solo exhibition by London-based Bracey, who works with neon to create light art.
Developing the skills that he learnt from his father, who was a neon sign-maker, predominantly making signs for funfairs, Chris Bracey's artwork shines a light on popular culture, the seedy side of Soho, and of course, the neon mecca - Las Vegas.
Some of his works reference song lyrics, by bands such as The Smiths....
There is also reference to rock'n'roll and tattoo culture...
The heaven and hell side, as mentioned in the title of the exhibit is pronounced through religious iconography juxtaposed with sex, love and even violence.
I loved this show - it has all the glamour and sleaze of Las Vegas, without the cigarette smoke.
On a side note, you may have noticed that I've joined Instagram, where I posted some other pictures from this exhibition on Saturday. If you would like to follow me on IG, you can find me under @Incendiaryblonde, where I post general silly pictures, outfits of the day and so on.
'I've looked up to heaven and been down to hell' runs until the 1st of June 2013 at Scream.
This weekend we experienced perfect sunny springtime weather in London, so loverboy and I headed out for some adventuring, and our first stop was the Chris Bracey exhibition currently being featured at the Scream Gallery.
The first thing you notice when approaching the gallery is this neon dagger shattering the window and piercing through a neon heart.
The exhibition, entitled 'I've looked up to heaven and been down to hell' is the first UK solo exhibition by London-based Bracey, who works with neon to create light art.
Developing the skills that he learnt from his father, who was a neon sign-maker, predominantly making signs for funfairs, Chris Bracey's artwork shines a light on popular culture, the seedy side of Soho, and of course, the neon mecca - Las Vegas.
Some of his works reference song lyrics, by bands such as The Smiths....
I loved this piece, just as I love the song.
There is also reference to rock'n'roll and tattoo culture...
The heaven and hell side, as mentioned in the title of the exhibit is pronounced through religious iconography juxtaposed with sex, love and even violence.
Don't even ask how many attempts it took me to capture this shot with the flashing 'love' part lit up...
I loved this show - it has all the glamour and sleaze of Las Vegas, without the cigarette smoke.
On a side note, you may have noticed that I've joined Instagram, where I posted some other pictures from this exhibition on Saturday. If you would like to follow me on IG, you can find me under @Incendiaryblonde, where I post general silly pictures, outfits of the day and so on.
'I've looked up to heaven and been down to hell' runs until the 1st of June 2013 at Scream.
That exhibition looks awesome! Too bad it won't still be there in November. Love the There is a Light that Never Goes Out piece. That was our wedding song ;-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to enjoy some lovely spring weather!
What a great choice for a wedding song! It gives me chills!
DeleteI'm glad we got some good weather too - it's about time!!!!! I hear it has been beach weather in the bay area though!
Awesome gallery! I love neon signs. I wanted to go to the Neon Graveyard in Vegas but we didn't get a chance. This looks like a really great way to get people to talk. Nothing gets people talking like a different take on religion.
ReplyDeleteOooh we got to visit the Neon Graveyard whilst we were in Vegas - I will post about it soon! :)
DeleteOh looks like a very neat gallery. I love all the Neon. I'm so glad you've joined instagram, it's such fun!
ReplyDeletexo,
Em
The first thing I did when I got my smartphone was join Instagram! Hahaha! I felt like I was missing out on all the fun! :) xx
DeleteOh and by the way, totally random every time you call your hubby lover boy I always sing the Queen song Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy in my head. Weird? Maybe a bit :) Just thought I should share.
ReplyDeletexo,
Em
Hehehehe! Thanks for sharing! I thought you were going to say 'Love is Strange' by Mickey and Sylvia! :) xx
DeleteGreat exhibit!! Wish I had a chance to see it in person. Sidenote. You and the hubby looks fantastic (as usual!)
ReplyDeleteIt sure is! There are always so many great exhibitions happening in London for free...the question is finding them! :) THANK YOU! I had been dying to wear my suit, and it was the perfect weather for it that day!!! xx
DeleteThese are seriously cool - I especially adore the "Hot burning love" sign. It reminds me a bit of something one might see outside a roadside motel advertising a honeymoon suite with a heart shaped bed. :)
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
Aren't they? I loved this exhibition! I wish I had some of these signs to put up at home! :)
DeleteWhat a cool post with even cooler pictures! Absolutely brilliant! I love that "Hot burning love sign" too! The "Love Hate" one is very awesome!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tara! Everything was just so cool in the exhibition!
DeleteOn a side note, I just checked out your blog and love it! I've started following and I look forward to reading more of your posts! :)
Fun! Vegas and Neon ...it feels so Sinatra like:) I love your suit!
ReplyDeleteThank you Joanna! I had been waiting for the perfect weather to wear my suit without an additional coat, and Saturday was the day! :)
DeleteThat shot of you next to the heart installation looks like something out of Archie Comics! Love it, what a cool exhibit!
ReplyDelete:) Hmmmm, that has gotten me thinking - I would quite like to be a comic book character! It was a very cool exhibition - I love a bit of neon!
DeleteBefore seeing this I would have thought this kind of thing would look tacky, but on the pictures it looks amazing (thanks for being patient enough to get the pic with the word 'love' lit up!)
ReplyDeleteShame I can't get down to London in town, but I'll certainly be keeping an eye on if it does end up touring.
Thanks for sharing, and btw you both look fab too!
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Thanks Helen! :) It is a pretty small exhibition, but with great pieces. Hopefully it goes on tour and you get to see it in person! :)
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