66 Signs of Neon

66 Signs of Neon exists on several levels as an art exhibition dominated by assemblages of artifacts of the Watts riots (August 1965); as a one-to-one format of communication between individuals who otherwise would not or could not communicate; as an evolving system of philosophy. It began as an expression of the necessity for art education, affirming the importance of this avenue of self-expression to individuals in the community of Watts. Noah Purifoy and Judson Powell began with six assemblages created from the lead drippings of melted neon signs, artifacts of the riots. As their work continued they recruited six other professionals skilled in the plastic and graphic arts. In concert, the group set out to create 66 separate works of art for the festival, in the incredibly brief period of 30 days. They labored literally night and day, groping through “the glittering, twisted, grotesquely formed materials, each interpreting in his own way the August happening”.

The assemblage of junk illustrated for the artists the imposition of order on disorder, the creation of beauty from ugliness. Its analog was the essence of communication…The reason for being in our universe is to establish communication with others, one to one. And communication is not possible without the establishment of equality, one to one.

— From the catalog “Junk Art, 66 Signs of Neon”. The exhibition traveled domestically and internationally between 1966 and 1971.

See the entire catalog here…

For more information:

“Noah Purifoy, an artist forged by fire”, LA Times, August 13, 2015

“Make Art Not War: Watts and the Junk Art Conversation”, East of Borneo, November 22, 2010