In 2005, the first time I went to Las Vegas, the casino hotels were so tall that it was impossible to see what the signs on the parapets were made of…other than that they were very bright.

I knew of the tacky neon or multi bulbed signs that were the face of the Strip from watching old movies and seeing those dominating signs in garish bright colors. As the low rise casinos were torn down and replaced by skyscrapers, someone had the great idea of collecting those signs, as well as the “matching” ones from such businesses as Cleaners, Chinese Restaurants, and Motels.

And thus started what I call the “Neon Boneyard” which was being built as an outdoor museum and that I was lucky enough to be allowed to photograph during it’s infancy. Seeing these signs together as opposed to individually, strips away their vulgarity and presents a wonderful panorama of color and shapes.