Preserving Hong Kong’s neon from fading away silently

‘Colourful lights gave the city a ‘skin’, but this atmospheric layer is now being stripped away.’ 

Neon signs have been the icon and unique colour of Hong Kong since the 1950s. Since the government enforcement of policy on minor work control from 2010, statutory orders have been issued against ‘unauthorised building works’. Modern buildings are being slowly stripped of signs and other vernacular additions due to ‘safety’ concerns. Since then, the existence value of neon has become controversial. 

In a recent article ‘Neon Crisis in Hong Kong’ released on The Architectural Review, the topic was discussed from historical and artistic perspectives. Mr Brian Kwok, our Associate Professor and Leader of Information Design Lab being one of the proactive parties striving to preserve neon signs before they are gone was interviewed by the journalist. He talked about his online Hong Kong Neon Artwork Archive which strives to keeping working drawings of neon signs donated by Electrical Manufactory and Nam Wah Neonlight. As a professor in design school, Brian views the matter from artistic and cultural angle.