Today we’d like to introduce you to Ani Mnatsakanyan.
Ani, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I credit my love of neon, art, and architecture to growing up in Hollywood, CA. I was a sensitive and introverted child and my struggle with verbal communication was amplified by our socioeconomic conditions As a result, for hours on end I would lose myself in the architecture and the neon signs illuminating the town – from simple signs that just read “liquor,” to more extravagant signs such as the beautiful 1957 Chinese Theatre marquee dragons, one of which currently has a home in the Museum of Neon Art. The visual gratification that the city provided, the ephemeral street art around me, and the multicultural fibers that made Hollywood what it is played a huge role in my decision to pursue art and architectural history.
I went on to study Art History at the University of Southern California, with an interest in dissident art movements in the USSR. My family’s own traumatic history during the Soviet Regime and wandering through old Soviet-era streets of Yerevan, Armenia during summer trips inspired me to explore how buildings, monuments, and the urban landscape can impact people’s lives – and in the case of totalitarian regimes, become symbols of Monumental Propaganda.
After graduating, I wanted to apply those critical thinking skills to how I perceived my own city. I became a resident tourist, photographing historic Los Angeles buildings, vernacular signs, and cemeteries. I developed a fondness for the humble elements of the built environment, which ultimately led me to fall passionately in love with neon signage. I started working as the Museum of Neon Art’s educator about two years ago and was recently promoted to Curator of Education and Engagement. I had experience in museum education prior to MONA, but the collection of historic neon signage and contemporary neon and kinetic art really drew me in.
I love educating and spreading awareness about the rich, beautiful history of local neon through tours, programs, and events. Though the Museum is closed due to the “Safer at Home” order, we continue our efforts in education, preservation, and engagement through digital methods. We have produced free downloadable family guides, such as “Neon in Your Neighborhood,” and our “Light Walks,” which highlight the neon signage of different Los Angeles neighborhoods, all available on the Museum’s website.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve come to believe that most things that are worth it will lead you down a road full of challenges and obstacles. If you love what you do and you’re committed, the challenges are worth it. I’ve wanted to be an educator since I can remember, and I used to romanticize the idea of becoming a museum educator. Family would often lament the fact that I chose the arts as a career instead of law or medicine. Raised below the poverty line by a single mother, getting into a prestigious university felt like a far-reaching dream. Another one of the challenges on my personal journey has been to not only prove to myself that I’m on the right path but to show people that I made the choice that was right for me. I am emotionally attached to all the work that I produce; so it’s hard for me to not put in invisible hours and emotions outside of my set “work hours.” Despite the doubts from everyone around me whether I’ll succeed or fail and eventually change my career path, working in a wonderful environment with inspirational colleagues and a beautiful collection of neon art has made it all worthwhile. Plus, I get to work with the public, share my passions, and hear our guests share their stories with me. Nothing in the world can replace that satisfying feeling of knowing that your have connected and learned from someone; all I can hope is that as a museum educator, I made at least a speck of an impact in their lives through the work I do.
Museum of Neon Art – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The Museum of Neon Art is a non-profit museum founded in 1981 by artists. We encourage learning, curiosity, and expression through the preservation, collection, and interpretation of historic and contemporary neon, electric, and kinetic art. Neon exists at the intersection of science and art. It is commercial and high art, historic and contemporary. For the past four decades, MONA has devoted its collection exclusively to art in the electric media. We want to keep history aglow and spark curiosity through thought-provoking exhibitions, programs, and events. Our collection includes local gems such as The Brown Derby from the Hollywood and Vine location, one of the 1957 Chinese Theatre dragons, and more. Whether they’re lauded for their artistry, technical skill, or historic value, the signs in our collection all hold within them stories of the communities they come from. Although MONA is currently closed due to the “Safer at Home” restrictions, our physical location does not only display historic signage and contemporary art; we also have an on-site laboratory where we teach the art of neon in fully immersive neon classes. Many people don’t know that neon art is all hand made, and not much has changed in the neon-making process since it first began. No prior experience is necessary for taking our classes, and many of our students have gone on to become sign makers and artists. We are proud to display and share with the public important cultural artifacts, but we want to ensure that the art of neon shines on for generations to come.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
One of my proudest moments was organizing a four part restoration event at the Museum for our 1920s “Lincoln Market” sign, donated by William Washington Ellinger III. Lincoln Market was a small Japanese-American owned mom-and-pop grocery from Pasadena, CA. The market was designed in a “U”-shape and arranged around a central court with parking spaces available for automobiles. The ornate double-sided neon sign sat atop a freestanding pole in the center of the court. Exterior signs for “meats,” “vegetables,” and “bakery” marked the different sections for efficient shopping. The car-centric architecture favored the early rise of the automobile and showed that the customer’s needs were the priority for small business owners. The sign is a living artifact that reminds us of the ever-evolving history of Southern California’s automobile culture.
The event allowed us to share the history of the sign and it provided our audiences a one of a kind look into the neon restoration process. Neon signs are unique because all the glass tubing for neon signs is bent by hand. The sign’s donor had provided the sign’s history and a photo; using the photo as a reference, and our artist’s knowledge of neon history, they were able to deduce exactly how the sign may have looked when it was originally made in the 1920s. When we do historic restorations, we want to ensure we preserve as much of the original patina as possible. So you may see in the photo that the gorgeous green of the corrugated sheet metal is original, but we have simply restored the missing tubes. We kicked off the program with the first step of neon restoration – creating the pattern for the tubing with artist David Svenson, who traced the pattern of the lettering directly from the Lincoln Market sign right in our gallery! Next, neon artist Lyle George worked off of the pattern drawn the week before to bend the glass letters for the sign. Our guests were able to sit in the studio and watch Lyle turn up the flames, heat and bend the glass tubes. We invited guests back during week three so they can watch the “bombarding” process, where Lyle stripped the bent glass tubes from any impurities and pumped them with neon and argon/mercury glass to make the sign shine bright. Finally, during week 4, David and Lyle installed the new tubes into the can, and we had a small “lighting ceremony.” The sign had not been lit in decades, and it was so special to share the entire journey with our guests!
Pricing:
- Adults: $10
- Seniors (65+): $8
- Glendale Residents (with ID): $5
- Children (12&under): Free
- Veterans: Free
Contact Info:
- Address: 216 S Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91204 - Website: www.neonmona.org
- Phone: 818-696-2149
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/museumofneonart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/museumofneonart/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/museumofneonart?lang=en
Image Credit:
Ani Mnatsakanyan, Gary Van Der Steur
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