Nite Lights. Neon illuminated advertisement USA 1958, film length 1:48. 4 x 30 seconds licence fee is charged to purchase a licence for the complete film.
Nite Lights from zb Media Filmproduktion on Vimeo.
Neon light 1958
Description
Neon light 1958
Historical background of the film clip
“Nite Lights” neon sign USA 1958, film length 1:48. The film was made for the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels. Shows various types of neon signs in US cities at night. Shirley Clarke’s films, which were shown in the American pavilion at the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels, were characterised by innovative storytelling and experimental techniques that pushed the boundaries of cinema. The use of neon signs as a central theme provides a rich visual aesthetic that captures American urban life in the late 1950s. Shirley Clarke was known for her avant-garde approach and experimental approach to filmmaking. A special visualisation of the American way of life.
Historical context of neon light
Neon light, neon tubes are more than just a form of lighting. Neon light was invented in 1910 by the French engineer and chemist Georges Claude. As early as the 1930s and 1930s, advertising spaces and signage illuminated with neon light became very important for nightlife in large cities.
After the Second World War, the popularity of neon lights increased even further. The economic boom of the post-war period and the rise of car culture contributed to the spread of neon signs along motorways and in suburbs, particularly in the USA. Las Vegas in particular became famous for its extravagant neon signs and was transformed into a neon-lit wonderland that attracted tourists from all over the world.
In the 1950s, neon light became a symbol of the economic vitality, technical progress and cultural dynamism of the time. The film “Nite-Lights” was created for the US Pavilion at the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels. It shows various types of neon signs in US cities at night. The film was directed by Shirley Clarke. Her films are characterised by innovative narratives and experimental techniques that pushed the boundaries of cinema.
The influence of neon light on urban landscapes, advertising and popular culture left a significant cultural legacy that continues to influence design and aesthetics today.
