Label
2021 Sign Garden label:
Hollywood Athletic Club Girl
1993
CityWalk, Universal City, California
On loan from Eric Lynxwiler
Painted by Richard Ankrom
Universal Studios’ CityWalk opened in 1993 as an open-air shopping and dining mall. Inspired by the city of Los Angeles, it was meant to provide residents and tourists a hyper-focused, romanticized, and idealistic experience of the city. Los Angeles had experienced great unrest the previous year during the LA uprising, also known as the LA riots. The events of 1992 brought to attention the city's struggle with racial inequalities, poverty, homelessness, and social and political turmoil. CityWalk was meant to be a controlled environment, and its hilltop location further detached the fabricated experience of Los Angeles from the actual city. Walking through CityWalk was like a neon wonderland with audacious displays of neon signs, many of which were historic signs from MONA’s collection. This neon blonde was one of many Marilyn Monroe-inspired ladies exercising in red bathing suits with giant billiard balls. The animated display was short-lived as its tenant moved out and the neon ladies were distributed to sign companies and collectors.
CityWalk still displays historic signs from MONA’s collection, including Condes’ Restaurant, Steele’s Motel, and a Pontiac sign.