--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Storage problems make neon signs the most…" description: "\"Storage problems make neon signs the most ephemeral of commercial arts.\" — Virginia Postrel" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ad/virginia-postrel-2867_art_storage-problems-make-neon-signs-the-mos_2092587.jpg" --- # Storage problems make neon signs the most ephemeral of… ![“Storage problems make neon signs the most ephemeral of commercial arts.” quote by Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ad/virginia-postrel-2867_art_storage-problems-make-neon-signs-the-mos_2092587.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ad/virginia-postrel-2867_art_storage-problems-make-neon-signs-the-mos_2092587.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ad/virginia-postrel-2867_art_storage-problems-make-neon-signs-the-mos_2092587.jpg) > “Storage problems make neon signs the most ephemeral of commercial arts.” [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Neon signs, while striking, are short‑lived due to maintenance and technological limits, making them fleeting commercial art. **In simple terms:** Neon art is bright but temporary. Key Takeaway Embrace impermanence in design. Themes art technology ephemerality commercialism Mood reflective analytical Type cultural critical When to use this quote - advertising - urban design - event planning - temporary installations Key Concepts material culture media theory transience Questions to Reflect On - How does fleetingness affect audience perception? - Can durability be engineered without losing aesthetic? A Different Perspective Neon’s durability issues can limit long‑term branding strategies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Arts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arts/) [Commercial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commercial/) [Commercial Arts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commercial-arts-3387059/) [Ephemeral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ephemeral/) [Ephemeral Commercial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ephemeral-commercial-4142877/) [Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make/) [Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/most/) [Neon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neon/) [Neon sign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neon-sign/) [Neon Signs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neon-signs-2791831/) [Problems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problems/) [Signs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/signs/) [Signs Ephemeral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/signs-ephemeral-4142878/) [Storage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/storage/) ## Related quotes > [Neon signs don't consume much power, but they look like they do. A cousin of fluorescent lighting, neon is actually quite energy efficient. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/neon-signs-don-t-consume-much-power-but-they-look-like-they-do-a/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [Like the skyscraper, the automobile, and the motion-picture palace, neon signs once symbolized popular hopes for a new era of technological achievement and commercial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/like-the-skyscraper-the-automobile-and-the-motion-picture-palace-neon/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [He took comfort in the neon signs, the wild strands of jazz creeping out of clubs whenever happy swells of people pushed through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/he-took-comfort-in-the-neon-signs-the-wild-strands-of-jazz-creeping/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [People tell you who they are. There are big neon signs going off. 'Pay attention! This is who I am.' And most of us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-banks/people-tell-you-who-they-are-there-are-big-neon-signs-going-off-pay/) [Jonathan Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-banks/) > [In the journey to find that right one, some people won't have to utter a word, but you can see what they are all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-nathaniel-butler/in-the-journey-to-find-that-right-one-some-people-won-t-have-to-utter/) [Eugene Nathaniel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-nathaniel-butler/) > [Having previously graduated from a 2-year commercial arts class, I thought that commercial illustration was the best way to make a living doing art.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-webb/having-previously-graduated-from-a-2-year-commercial-arts-class-i/) [William Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-webb/) > [Interesting choice," Sullivan said. He slid his gaze over to Paul, who was drumming his fingers on the table in a manic, caffeine-inspired way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/interesting-choice-sullivan-said-he-slid-his-gaze-over-to-paul-who/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [ I looked for it \[heavy hydrogen, deuterium\] because I thought it should exist. I didn't know it would have industrial applications or be the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-urey/i-looked-for-it-heavy-hydrogen-deuterium-because-i-thought-it-should/) [Harold Urey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-urey/) > [I hate album covers where people are just smiling so big. It's like a neon sign that says PLEASE COME BUY ME.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-chesney/i-hate-album-covers-where-people-are-just-smiling-so-big-it-s-like-a/) [Kenny Chesney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-chesney/) > [Everyone always noticed Ashley. She was like a flashing neon sign for anyone with an ounce of testosterone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/everyone-always-noticed-ashley-she-was-like-a-flashing-neon-sign-for/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [I love light in my work but I was never influenced by neon signage in itself, rather its effect on nature and architecture. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-sonnier/i-love-light-in-my-work-but-i-was-never-influenced-by-neon-signage-in/) [Keith Sonnier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-sonnier/) > [I'm the only one sitting alone, under the glowing neon sign which reads, "Complete and Total Loser, Not Quite Sane. Stay Away. Do Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-halse-anderson/i-m-the-only-one-sitting-alone-under-the-glowing-neon-sign-which/) [Laurie Halse Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-halse-anderson/) > [In the ensuing silence, I have time to contemplate the word cute— how dismissive it is, how it’s the equivalent of calling someone little,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/in-the-ensuing-silence-i-have-time-to-contemplate-the-word-cute-how/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [To Toronto City Council: The Sam The Record Man store and sign were important fixtures in Toronto's musical landscape as well as its Civic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geddy-lee/to-toronto-city-council-the-sam-the-record-man-store-and-sign-were/) [Geddy Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geddy-lee/) > [Risk is relative. And relative to the imminent planetary 'game over' neon sign that's starting to flicker above our children's heads, just as they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-hampton/risk-is-relative-and-relative-to-the-imminent-planetary-game-over/) [Dave Hampton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-hampton/) ## More by Virginia Postrel > [The low point for neon came in 1982, when Holiday Inn did away with its signature 'Great Sign,' replacing the neon extravaganza with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/the-low-point-for-neon-came-in-1982-when-holiday-inn-did-away-with/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > ['The Matrix' is a movie that is all about glamour. I could do a whole talk on 'The Matrix' and glamour. It was criticized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/the-matrix-is-a-movie-that-is-all-about-glamour-i-could-do-a-whole/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [Science is about exploring the unknown and cannot offer guarantees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/science-is-about-exploring-the-unknown-and-cannot-offer-guarantees/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [“Design is not style. It’s not about giving shape to the shell and not giving a damn about the guts. Good design is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/design-is-not-style-it-s-not-about-giving-shape-to-the-shell-and-not/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [Persuasion has become a kind of force. The more the advertiser knows about what consumers want, and the more desires the product and packaging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/persuasion-has-become-a-kind-of-force-the-more-the-advertiser-knows/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [When credit is cheaper to use and easier to arrange, people do use more of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/when-credit-is-cheaper-to-use-and-easier-to-arrange-people-do-use/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [Glamour is a beautiful illusion - the word 'glamour' originally meant a literal magic spell - that promises to transcend ordinary life and make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/glamour-is-a-beautiful-illusion-the-word-glamour-originally-meant-a/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [A standard 'well woman' checkup can last as little as 10 minutes, hardly time for any in-depth discussions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/a-standard-well-woman-checkup-can-last-as-little-as-10-minutes-hardly/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [When I was in college, I wanted to be editor of 'Reason' when I grew up. It was an impractical ambition, especially since the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/when-i-was-in-college-i-wanted-to-be-editor-of-reason-when-i-grew-up/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [A lot of consumers actively enjoy advertising, especially fashion print ads and clever TV commercials. The nostalgic cable channel TVLand features not only vintage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/a-lot-of-consumers-actively-enjoy-advertising-especially-fashion/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [“Functionality still matters, of course. But competition has pushed quality so high and prices so low that many manufacturers can no longer distinguish themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/functionality-still-matters-of-course-but-competition-has-pushed/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [Like the skyscraper, the automobile, and the motion-picture palace, neon signs once symbolized popular hopes for a new era of technological achievement and commercial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/like-the-skyscraper-the-automobile-and-the-motion-picture-palace-neon/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [When 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' premiered on the WB Network in 1996, American culture was in trouble. Americans were bowling alone, pursuing individual interests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/when-buffy-the-vampire-slayer-premiered-on-the-wb-network-in-1996/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [The glamour of air travel - its aspirational meaning in the public imagination - disappeared before its luxury did, dissipating as flying gradually became…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/the-glamour-of-air-travel-its-aspirational-meaning-in-the-public/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [Behind the criticism of fashion as an artistic medium is a highly ideological prejudice: against markets, against consumers, against the dynamism of Western commercial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/behind-the-criticism-of-fashion-as-an-artistic-medium-is-a-highly/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) [Explore all 147 Virginia Postrel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [The house has to serve comfort. 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