Photo taken on March 23, 2023, shows a neon sign of "Indonesian Restaurant" in Hong Kong, south China, collected by Cardin Chan, who runs a self-funded neon sign conservation group. （Xinhua/Chen Duo）
"They are more than just signs; they are arts to me," says Cardin Chan, who runs a self-funded conservation group that has preserved more than 50 neon signs in Hong Kong.
HONG KONG, April 11 (Xinhua) -- When you see a movie scene featuring busy streets lit up by colorful neon signs, you know immediately that a story is happening in Hong Kong.
For decades, Hong Kong was synonymous with neon signs. But with the rise of cheaper alternatives such as LEDs and stricter safety regulations, the iconic signboards gradually disappeared from the city's evening sky.
With relentless conservation efforts by a group of enthusiasts, neon signs shine on in the city, together with the memories they carry.
In 2017, Cardin Chan decided to become a full-time volunteer for conserving neon signs after coming back to Hong Kong from studying abroad. She now runs a self-funded conservation group that has preserved more than 50 neon signs.
Born in the 1980s, Chan developed a special affection for neon signs at a young age.
"When I was young, there were plenty of neon signs on the way home from school, and I used to make up stories about them, or count the number of signs I had to pass before I got home," she recalled.
Cardin Chan, who runs a self-funded neon sign conservation group, introduces a neon sign she collects and conserves in Hong Kong, south China, March 23, 2023. （Xinhua/Chen Duo）
Among her collection of neon signs stored in a factory in Yuen Long was a sign of a bridal shop, which started business in the 1920s.
That was just about the time when the neon sign making technology was first introduced into Hong Kong. In the 1950s, neon signboards were ubiquitous on the streets, becoming an innovative way for companies to advertise their services and a symbol of the bustling metropolis.
The signs were often designed in different types of Chinese calligraphy, and some were in English, reflecting Hong Kong's unique history as a meeting point between different cultures.
"They are more than just signs; they are arts to me," Chan said.
Last year, Chan curated an exhibition in the Central District of Hong Kong, showcasing the neon signs that have been conserved and restored.
Cardin Chan, who runs a self-funded neon sign conservation group, introduces a neon sign she collects and conserves in Hong Kong, south China, March 23, 2023. （Xinhua/Chen Duo）
For Chan, the hardest part of the conservation efforts is winning the trust of people. For many owners, the signboards are like family heirloom, and Chan has to convince them that she is the perfect heir.
"I spent almost three years to convince a hot pot restaurant owner to trust me to deal with the signboard," she said.
Fortunately, more people are joining the neon signs conservation efforts. In Hong Kong, a number of scholars started to study the history, technology and conservation of neon signs, while some young people are setting up studios to create artworks of neon lights.
In M+, a museum of visual culture that is popular among young people in Hong Kong, a neon sign with the shape of a cow attracted the attention of visitors. The signboard belonged to a steakhouse in the west of Hong Kong Island, and had been a local landmark before it was dismantled.
Now, in its new home, the neon sign lives on with more aesthetic value. Like Chan, a new generation of artists are trying their best to keep the city's neon lights shining. ■
