Book dossier

Plaste und Elaste

When it was night in the DDR, there was not only darkness -- in some places, advertising messages shone in bright neon letters. Not only an individual product, but also state-owned industry was praised or slogans were captured in pictures and letters: "Plastics and Elastomers, Schkopau" against the highway illuminated by car drivers, "Read more to know" standing on the building of the commissions- and major book trade, "Tradition and progress for modern living" on the furniture combine. Goethe's "Mein Leipzig lob ich mir" ("I praise my Leipzig!") greeted visitors to the fair city; "Drink Margonwasser, sparkling fresh," Dresdeners were encouraged; bubbling fish lured to the pet shop in the Frankfurter Ally. After 1990, the lights went out. Neon signs, in individual letters if necessary, became a coveted collctors item; some even found their way into the musuem. In this book heavily illustrated with photographs, the most beautiful and original neon signs are depicted in times of yore. Once again, they are restored to their dictinctive design.