If you’ve ever seen reels from the early days of cinema — It’s a Wonderful Life or any number of Rat Pack films comes to mind — one thing you might remember are the montages of neon signs, flashing advertisements that enticed potential patrons to buy sex, cigarettes and cheap liquor. Truth is, ain’t many of these gems around anymore — many have been dismantled and trashed, but several others are now at the Museum of Neon Art.

And of all the museums in the Los Angeles area — with the exception of the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City — downtown’s MONA, or Museum of Neon Art, is by far the trippiest and makes for more than just another museum: it’s a lot like a small cult– almost like where Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol might be hanging out if they were still around, and dabbling in their drug-induced art-making crazes (and living in L.A.).

One of the coolest things about MONA is how it’s comprised of a small little sect of artists, who take their rare brand of crafting very seriously: designs are drawn out, designed, painstakingly so. Neon bulbs are lined out, meticulously molded and crafted to their own desire — Pep Boys automotive services. Old mom and pop burger joint signs. Cool little animations — of shuttles taking off, of frogs jumping, electric currents dancing, and that famous Route 66 diver.

A virtual kaleidoscope of neon haze and gases , MONA’s latest show boasts an update to their already extensive array of signs, artists’ installations and while some pieces — particularly those signs — may beg the question ‘what is art??’, many are refurbished and re-made, several of the pieces are known for their interactive features, and others are just plain charming in their kitschiness.

Sometimes you’ll find artists inside, working on their designs and pieces as the exhibit is being walked-through by patrons. The new and re-vamped MONA puts less emphasis on the signs and more on the novelty and electric side of it all. Bulbs buzz, old soda bottles add a nice touch to the spills of neon gas coming at you from all directions. MONA is celebrating its 30th anniversary throughout Spring with a new exhibition — makes for a great date.

Words by Jeff Nau. Photos by Zoetica Ebb.