Opening reception for "Electric Landscape," neon photographs by Bryton Sampson. Exhibit runs July 5–August 15.
Artist's Statement
Find a neon sign on a street corner in a city you’ve never been. Stand underneath it, listen for the electric hum. Look closely, glass tubes bent by expert hands. See the blackout tape that carves a single abstract twist into distinct letters. See the discolored patches where the phosphor has worn away. See the cracks and cobwebs, the patina on the metal box. If you’re lucky, there’s haze in the air letting the pastel light gently expand into the darkness. Wonder how many generations have passed underneath this sign.
These photos span 2002–present, taken across the country in any place I happen to visit. I go walking at night and peer down city blocks looking for the unmistakable glow. Some of these signs are gone now, some have been replaced with lifeless LED, some have been lovingly restored. All are made by hand.
Neon signs are beautiful, mysterious, haunted. They’re welcoming: DINER, MOTEL, BAR, COFFEE, THEATER, POOL. Martini glasses and ramen bowls. Palm trees and cactuses. Swooping shapes and flashing arrows. Blue swallows, pink elephants, diving ladies in turquoise bathing suits. Beacons for when you’re hungry, thirsty, tired, and bored. You donʼt have to be alone right now, in the dark and the cold. Come on in, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Artist's Bio
Professionally, I’m a copywriter/editor. I’ve been taking photos and making videos for over 25 years. Last year Salt Lake Magazine named me the best bar trivia host in Utah.
My favorite pastime is walking around and looking at stuff. Every place has beautiful imperfect treasures to see. Almost nothing makes me feel more electric than finding a little unexpected scene with interesting colors and shadows and shapes and lines all working together. There’s a handful of photo subjects I’m drawn to but neon has always captivated me. As a kid it looked like something out of a sci-fi movie and marked entry into the grown-up world.
I was born and raised in Holladay, Utah, where I saw a lot of my first movies at the Villa Theatre. About a decade ago I tried to catalogue the extant neon signs in Salt Lake City on the Instagram account @slcneon. I think I got them all. I don’t post there anymore but you can find my latest work on Instagram @brytonslc.
AGE GROUP: | All Ages |
EVENT TYPE: | Exhibits | Arts & Creativity |
NOTE: The Main Library's Rooftop Terrace is closed for renovations.
Salt Lake City's Main Library, designed by internationally-acclaimed architect Moshe Safdie in conjunction with VCBO Architecture, opened in February 2003 and remains one of the most architecturally unique structures in Utah. This striking 240,000 square-foot structure houses more than 500,000 books and other materials, yet serves as more than just a repository of books and computers. It reflects and engages the city's imagination and aspirations. The structure embraces a public plaza, with shops and services at ground level, reading galleries above, and a 300-seat auditorium.
A multi-level reading area along the Glass Lens at the southern facade of the building looks out onto the plaza with stunning views of the city and Wasatch Mountains beyond. Spiraling fireplaces on four floors resemble a column of flame from the vantage of 200 East and 400 South. The Urban Room between the Library and the Crescent Wall is a space for all seasons, generously endowed with daylight and open to magnificent views.
