God’s Own Junkyard Is Giving Leadenhall A Neon Glow-Up
Walthamstow’s technicolour treasure trove has been raided ahead of a vibrant new exhibition at Leadenhall Market.
From the Londonist: From 26 May until 31 July, God’s Own Junkyard — a shimmering cave of neon signage created by the late British artist Chris Bracey — takes over the Victorian covered market for an immersive trip through film history.
For over 40 years, God’s Own Junkyard worked on film sets, creating signage for movies including Judge Dredd, Tomb Raider, The Dark Knight, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Now, these same signs are coming to the Leadenhall Market.
Highlights include a homage to Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut, featuring props from the film. The cult nineties psychodrama was filmed at Pinewood Studios, which Chris helped to transform into New York’s Greenwich Village by recreating parts of the iconic Manhattan neighbourhood sign-by-sign.
Boise architect seeks to turn motel into an apartment complex
Author: Chase Biefeldt (KTVB). Published: 6:18 PM MDT May 3, 2021. Updated: 7:13 AM MDT May 4, 2021
From KTVB7: BOISE, Idaho — On Monday night, the Boise Planning and Zoning Committee will hear from one architect who is seeking approval for a plan that would repurpose an old motel into an apartment complex.
Fortified Holdings plans on giving “new life” to an old motel building with a new reuse-focused plan. Their first project will be turning an old motel off of Overland Road and Interstate 84 into a new apartment complex.
“Older motel properties can find new life as workforce and accessible housing at a time when housing is in such short supply across the region,” said Ziad Elsahili, the president of Fortify Holdings told KTVB. “We specialize in remodeling and converting older motel properties like the Howard Johnson building in Boise into revitalized, safe, and clean housing communities.”
Arkansas Postcard Past
Texarkana, circa 1955: In the era before chain hotels crowded Interstate 30 exits, the Twilight Motel at 815 E. Ninth St. advertised Beautyrest mattresses and G.E. air conditioning.
From the Northwest Arkansa Democrat Gazette: Texarkana, circa 1955: In the era before chain hotels crowded Interstate 30 exits, the Twilight Motel at 815 E. Ninth St. (U.S. 82) advertised Beauty- rest mattresses and General Electric air conditioning. The motel, with its neon sign, still stand near downtown.
Vintage Ming Wah sign is back up thanks to thousands of dollars donated
Ming Wah sign that was knocked down in a windstorm last year has been restored and was reinstalled Tuesday, May 4, 2021. COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
From The Spokesman-Review: The vintage sign for Ming Wah pointed the way to the Chinese American restaurant again Tuesday after more than a year out of commission.
The midcentury modern sign tumbled in April 2020 as its rusty base gave way during a windstorm. Replacing it cost close to $40,000, Ming Wah owner Kam Kwong said Tuesday.
Despite the pandemic’s toll on restaurants, the neon is burning again.
As soon as it fell, Kwong promised to get the sign up “no matter what.”
Signs Are Strong At Marion’s Single-Owner Auction
A New Hampshire collector left with the sale’s top lot, a rare 1959 diminutive Divco panel milk truck. Selling for $18,000, the milk truck led a plethora of pieces from a collector’s estate, offered mostly unreserved. With 23,425 original miles and nicely restored body, the vehicle was in good running condition and came with a bonus — vintage milk bottles and crates.
From Antiques and the Arts Weekly: MARION, MASS. – In-gallery patrons for Marion Antique Auctions’ sale on April 24 were in for a visual treat beyond the more than 500 lots that were up for bid comprising an important collection of toys, advertising, amusement park items, automatons, train memorabilia and country store items, including the entire interior of a 1900 country store. The firm was also unveiling its new auction showroom, nicknamed “Atlantis.” Auction co-collaborator Frank McNamee of the Marion Antique Shop, who runs the sales with his longtime friend David Glynn of Turkey Creek Auctions in Citra, Fla., explained that the name comes from the space’s earlier role as a power plant for Guglielmo Marconi, who invented the first wireless transmission across the Atlantic Ocean. The showroom, which is largely architecturally unchanged on the outside, is at 13 Atlantis Drive.