Hello everyone! Since the heat has been unbearable lately, we should embrace it! What other way than with actual fire? Heat and art go hand in hand for many artists – hence the term “fire art.” Blacksmithing, jewelry making, enameling, neon art, and various more techniques are included in this category because flame is actively used in the creation of a work.
The oldest known sculpture utilizing fire is titled “Dancing Girl from Mohenjo-daro.” Created using the lost wax technique, it depicts a nude woman with coiled hair dating from around 2300–1750 BC. You may ask why I mention this, but it is to highlight just how long fire has been used in the creation of art! Jewelry from the Bronze Age also shows the depth of history in the fire arts like the Shannongrove Gorget found in Ireland – but how else is the element used today?
Well as mentioned above, with neon! With the discovery of neon in 1898, it was only a matter of time until artists discovered the bright light produced from this noble gas could be used in their work. The early 20th century saw the use of flashy neon signs as a means of advertisement, but it wasn’t until French artist Martial Raysse began utilizing the material that neon moved from flashy to fine art. However, despite his early use of neon, Raysse is not considered the father of neon art. The honor goes to another artist named Dan Flavins. Flavins originally created abstract expressionist drawings and paintings before transitioning to sculpture, creating his “Icons” series with fluorescent tubes. It is thanks to him neon as a medium elevated to the fine art sphere.
However, during the 60’s and 70’s neon signs become more closely associated with the seedier underbellies of large cities, no longer retaining their once glamorous appeal despite artists implementing them in their works. By the time the 1980’s rolled around, another shift in neon’s popularity occurred. With the creation of the Young British Artists group, the use of neon as a valid artistic medium was revived and so did the popularity of neon signs. Artist Tracey Emin hailed from this group of artists, crafting neon signs in her handwriting in an autobiographical format. Other artists such as Welsh installation artist Cerith Wyn Evans who is known for combining chandeliers and neon elements in his works.
I bet you didn’t think this blog would go in this direction when you read “Fire” did you? Now that it has, I hope you see neon in a new light!
