HKFP Lens: Keith Macgregor captures Hong Kong’s dazzling neon legacy in new volume and exhibition

British photographer Keith Macgregor's new book, "City of Lights," offers a vibrant visual archive of Hong Kong's iconic neon signs, capturing the city in its dazzling, illuminated glory from the 1990s and 2000s. The publication, released by Blue Lotus Editions, is accompanied by an exhibition at the Blue Lotus Gallery in Sheung Wan, spotlighting Macgregor's perspective on this fading craft.

"As neon signs are dismantled and familiar streetscapes fade, City of Lights becomes more than a celebration; it is a vital archive," a press release stated. The book aims to preserve a visual culture that once shaped Hong Kong's identity after dark, safeguarding memories that are otherwise slipping away. At its peak in the 1980s, over 100,000 neon lights illuminated Hong Kong, but only about 400 now remain, underscoring the urgency of Macgregor's archival work.

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As neon signs are dismantled and familiar streetscapes fade, City of Lights becomes more than a celebration; it is a vital archive.

Macgregor, who lived in Hong Kong until the late 1990s, admitted to taking the neon signs for granted in his youth. "Like so many others, I took neon for granted when I was younger, viewing it as urban wallpaper rather than investigating the creativity, skill, engineering, and imagination needed to create these dynamic, superb works of art," he said. His work now serves as a testament to the artistry and cultural significance of these once-ubiquitous signs.

The book and exhibition are set to launch on June 18. A private preview and opening event will be held at Blue Lotus Gallery from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by a talk with the photographer on June 20 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The exhibition will continue until the end of September, offering the public a chance to immerse themselves in Hong Kong's luminous past.

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Like so many others, I took neon for granted when I was younger, viewing it as urban wallpaper rather than investigating the creativity, skill, engineering, and imagination needed to create these dynamic, superb works of art.