Signs of a Time

IThis collection depicts a selection of heritage neon signs in and around Vancouver. These signs formed a prominent part of the urban landscape in post-war Vancouver. In this period Vancouver had approximately 19,000 signs, and while some thought they signaled glamour, excitement, and big city living, others saw them as a tawdry display that disfigured the city’s natural beauty. The result was a deep civic controversy, which culminated in the enactment of signage laws in the 70’s. Neon signage subsequently gradually disappeared from most parts of the city. However, a number of these survived in the Downtown Eastside, perhaps as a function of the relative lack of development.

As time has gone on, the disappearance of these signs has been recognised as a cultural loss, and as the area has been developing, the heritage signs are being renovated, and new signs have started to appear, often associated with the renovation of low-income housing.

Within this context, neon signage not only provides a tangible link with the past, but also a visible sign of renewal in some of Vancouver’s poorest neighbourhoods.