{"product_id":"beacons-nathaniel-j-bice-castro-neon-blue-painting","title":"BEACONS - Nathaniel J. Bice - Castro Neon Blue painting","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCastro Neon Blue\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAcrylic on panel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e24”x12”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFramed using floorboards from the Castro Theater\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCastro Neon \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis painting depicts the Castro Theater’s neon blade sign at a single stage in its cycle. The Castro Theater first opened in 1922, but the date of the blade sign and marquee neon is unknown since neon signs were not yet popular or widely available when the theater first opened. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you watch the sign, you’ll see that it goes through cycles of different looks by turning parts of the neon on and off. It’s interesting to paint it with only certain parts lit up, because the color of the neon completely changes everything about the scene.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Castro Theater and its sign have become a symbol of the Castro neighborhood as the most famous gay neighborhood in the world. For decades, the theater put out a monthly schedule of movies and patrons could pop in for a movie on a whim, making the theater a gathering space for locals as well as a pilgrimage for queer people all over the world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt’s this access that many fear will be lost with APE’s takeover and the removal of the theater seats, signaling the prioritization of more expensive, exclusive live events. However, the beautiful architectural details of the space have finally gotten the loving restoration they deserve, and the neon sign is freshly painted and brightening the neighborhood again. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Queer Arts Featured","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44861227532479,"sku":"NJB101","price":2823.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0619\/4583\/9807\/files\/CastroNeonBlue.jpg?v=1767483117","url":"https:\/\/queerartsfeatured.myshopify.com\/products\/beacons-nathaniel-j-bice-castro-neon-blue-painting","provider":"Queer Arts Featured","version":"1.0","type":"link"}