Researching for narrative options for Neon Atelier


Neon Atelier is a VR experience aiming at presenting the culture behind Hong Kong neon light, beyond its stereotype rooted in visual media. With diversity of perspectives in mind, we expanded our research onto a variety of news, cultural study literature and NGO materials, in order to discover alternative entry points into the neon light topic. 

During this progress, we came quite some amount of interesting information. While the substantial amount of available materials are way beyond our project to cover, we were able to select a few pieces that are able to bring out the depth of neon light culture, maintaining the conciseness of our project:
  1. The shift in mindset of neon light practitioners: While Hong Kong's neon light scene generally considered at its peak during the 90s, practitioners at the time mostly consider it a form of  business. Despite the passion and talent of some practitioners, the design part is meant to tailored according to client requests, and the tube morphing and installation part is mostly streamlined or even alienated. (Tsang, 2025) The elevation of neon light from industry craft to art form emerges at the recent decade, especially when both practitioners and enthusiasts strive to prolong the legacy of Hong Kong neon lights in against both the replacement by LED signboards and the dismantling of neon light signboard due the more restricted regulation since 2010. (Yeung, 2025)

  2. Neon lights as Hong Kong's economic-centric collective unconsciousness: Hong Kong's neon light scene portrays the dominance of business that dwarfs mundane Hongkongers. This not only align with city's materialistic culture and economic inequality, but also coincidentally analogs with its past economic boom that took place amid authoritarian colonial rule and geopolitical interference, which suppressed Hong Kong's pursuit in civic rights. (Tsang, 2025)

  3. Grassroot conservatism and activism catalyzed by the decline of neon light: Since the implementation of the “Minor Works Control System” in 2010, Hong Kong's neon light signboards has been under pressure of dismantling. The lack of official mechanism to appeal for retention of the neon light signboards has sprouted various form bottom-up conservatism, such as the Tsui Wah Restaurant case and debut of young generation of practitioners  (Kwan, 2020)

Each of  above issues should be sufficient for the text of one dedicated mission. With a few extra neon light topic about the craftsmanship and design of neon lights, our project should have enough content for the more intellectual texts of at least 6-7 mission already. 

With the above materials available to us, we are confident that Neon Atelier has the potential to achieve our narrative visions. As for future development, we will proceed to integrate these content into our playable mission in an informative but nonpreaching way. 

Thanks for tuning in. We are looking forward to presenting more progress soon. 🙂
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References:

Kwan, R. (2020, August 27). In Pictures: Hong Kong NGO saves iconic Tsui Wah neon sign for posterity. Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. https://hongkongfp.com/2020/08/27/in-pictures-hong-kong-ngo-saves-iconic-tsui-wah-neon-sign-for-posterity/

Tsang, H. L. (2023). Illuminating the Trajectories of Hope: A Cultural and Spatial Analysis of Hong Kong’s Neon (1980s-present) [Master’s thesis, Hong Kong Baptist University]. https://scholars.hkbu.edu.hk/ws/portalfiles/portal/111479640/G24THFL-042028T.pdf

Yeung, G. (2025, February 20). How a Hong Kong neon artist is making new waves in a sunset industry. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3298466/how-hong-kong-neon-artist-making-new-waves-sunset-industry
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Image sources:

Photograph, group of neon signs on Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong ([1990s]) - Nam Wah Neonlight & Electrical Manufactory Ltd. | Objects | M+. (n.d.). M+. https://www.mplus.org.hk/en/collection/objects/photograph-group-of-neon-signs-on-nathan-road-kowloon-hong-kong-ca13-4-108/

Tsui Wah Neon Sign Removal Documentary – Design Spectrum | 設計光譜. (n.d.). https://www.designspectrum.hk/project/tsui-wah-neon-sign-removal-documentary/

新假期編輯部. (2022, August 19). 3D霓虹燈月亮登陸黃大仙中心 中秋節「霓彩映月」+珍貴霓虹工藝. 新假期. https://www.weekendhk.com/%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E5%A5%BD%E5%8E%BB%E8%99%95/%E9%9C%93%E8%99%B9%E7%87%88%E6%9C%88%E4%BA%AE-%E9%BB%83%E5%A4%A7%E4%BB%99%E4%B8%AD%E5%BF%83-%E9%9C%93%E5%BD%A9%E6%98%A0%E6%9C%88-js02-1361351/

被遺下 | NEONSIGNS.HK 探索霓虹. (n.d.). NEONSIGNS.HK 探索霓虹. https://www.neonsigns.hk/my-neon-city/wing-shya/#11