backstory: It Glows!
Neon may be perfect for eye-catching signs and splashy storefronts, but let’s be honest: when most people think of neon, they picture the buzzing window of a 24-hour diner.
Today, the Neuberger welcomes Proscenium back to our Theater Gallery—it’s a glowing, 189-foot-long neon love letter to light, line, and space by pioneering artist Stephen Antonakos. When you see it, you’ll see that Antonakos wasn’t just making art with light, he was sculpting electricity for magical effect.
Originally created in 2000, Proscenium turns twenty-five this year. It hasn’t aged a day. The curves, the angles, the sheer scale still feel as bold and fresh as ever. Some say it’s like an abstract emoji conversation between comedy and tragedy. Others just stand in the center of the room and stare—or pose for that perfect neon-lit selfie. It’s one of our most Instagrammable works.
Want to know more about the artist behind the glow? Read about the exhibition or relive the 2018 installation through this article in The Brooklyn Rail.
Tracy Fitzpatrick
Director, Neuberger Museum of Art
