"Neon Girl", Chankalun Speaks To TEDx Audience About Neon, Keeps Neon Heritage Alive In Hong Kong
Courtesy Zolima City Mag, Hong Kong
When I first heard of “The Neon Girl”, I knew we just HAD to connect! A woman after my own heart, Chankalun advocates for the future of neon through education. Chankalun’s project, Neon Girl, “is a cross-cultural neon light design, study and practice project that reaches 3 generations, 6 countries, and 2 genders.”
As the only female neon light designer and practitioner in Hong Kong, I investigate and incorporate new technology in my design and make 6 distinctive pieces with 6 different neon light masters around the world with “The Neon Girl” project.
She started her Neon journey learning from masters - known as si fu in Cantonese - becoming the only female Neon practitioner in Hong Kong. But this certainly wasn’t as easy as it sounds. She needed to beg her si fu, Master Wong, to teach her. Before Master Wong, there were others who had flat out refused.
Karen in the fires
Those of us “Neon Nerds” across the globe are familiar with the dying trade in Hong Kong that struggles against the “new technology”, LEDs, being manufactured right there in China. Chankalun says only 10% of real glass Neon remains. Especially difficult to swallow is the dying trade against a glorious backdrop of a city historically saturated and dripping in glowing light and glass. We, here in the West, also struggle against LEDs and a lack of knowledge amongst the general public. The difference, however, is that we have already begun to break down our walls of secrecy and gatekeeping to create an open source of information among us through channels like Facebook and instagram (and She Bends!) Even though it’s still hard to find classes and access, our masters aren’t necessarily vehemently opposed to teaching because of cultural traditions, rather it may be more a matter of ability, finances or personal preference.
In Hong Kong, however, cultural traditions prove to be too stubborn even to waiver or change in the face of the dying art.
“The si fu will not pass on all the knowledge, especially if there are no guidelines or manuals, they will only pass on their skills to their own descendants,” Chan says
Few family members wanted to take up a skill that was becoming redundant so many masters died without passing on their knowledge. - Young Post
Every Body Is A Beach Body, courtesy of Chankalun
Her project has garnered her an enormous amount of press and attention. Please see the included links below for just a few of the many articles written about Chankalun and her journey. My favorite quote from her is taken from YP (Young Post) and speaks to my very soul. She says,
“If you have very valuable skill or knowledge, you should be spreading it around so that it could live as well,. Overprotection can be a cause for a lot of crafts to die.”
Karen shares a glowing and buzzing heart with so many of us and I’m incredibly happy that she has found community.
In December of 2021, Chankalun was invited to talk to a large live audience for Tedx Talks, “TinHauWomen” about her journey and the future of Neon. We finally got the video link and are excited to share! We are so thrilled that this medium received the large stage it deserves and grateful to Karen for delivering such a powerful performance in its honor. Thanks for your passion! And thanks for mentioning She Bends in your talk! <3
Source links and other press for The Neon Girl project:
Art by Karen Chankalun