11th September 2019 – More big Neon
Fabric Neon sign at the observatory, University of St Andrews
The following year, back at St Andrews and the Twin Dome, we decided to revisit the big Neon sign theme one last time (perhaps) and at a scale that would safely establish the record (should such a thing exist) of the world’s largest Neon sign. In order to achieve this we brought together a lot of coloured fabric – rather than the usual spray paint – and chose the playing fields around the observatory buildings as the giant spectrum backdrop.
On this occasion the driving force behind the project was astronomy student Izzy Donaldson and, with all the fabric ready and in place, the task of manhandling and choreographing the nearly 50 coloured strips fell to a large number of enthusiastic AstroSoc members as they gathered to enjoy their annual barbecue. So not only the largest Neon sign but also the world’s largest ambush of hungry astronomy students. Probably.
The 100 metre Neon sign was revealed for all to see and animated in a giant centipede-like sequence for the occasion. Since that sunny, September afternoon however, it has remained stowed away in several black bin bags awaiting some new iteration of Neon not previously known. What awaits us? The tallest Neon sign? The brightest Neon sign? The weirdest Neon sign? Time will tell.