A six-episode documentary series directed by Andre Ross and produced by One Albuquerque Media, on the history, craft, and legacy of Albuquerque's Route 66 neon.
Episode 1 | "Albuquerque's Route 66: A Storytelling Thread"
The opening episode of the Albuquerque Neon series, in this short, Dr. Audra Bellmore and Dr. Alicia Romero talk local culture, history, and architecture and the storytelling thread of Route 66 in Albuquerque. Shot on location at the University of New Mexico on Route 66 and the Albuquerque Museum.
Episode 2 | "Bending Light: The Art and Techniques of Neon Bending in Sign Making"
This episode of Albuquerque Neon visits the studios of two prolific Albuquerque neon benders and artists, Robert Randazzo of Absolutely Neon and Arleigh Schray of New Mexico Neonworks. David Pelletier and Zeon Signs staff invite us in to their legacy business and talk about the importance of sign design to the history of Route 66. Shot on location on Route 66 at Absolutely Neon in Nob Hill and at NM Neonworks studio.
Episode 3 | "Artful Signs: Public Art and Artistic Response to Albuquerque's Historic Signs"
This episode of Albuquerque Neon explores the transformation of historic signage into new works of public art. Fine artist, Karl Orozco, presents his work on “blue sky” signs, pondering the liminal spaces in which orphan signs reside. Friends of Orphan Signs executive director, Lindsey Fromm, and Friends artists talk about the importance of representation in art on transformed orphan signs. Shot on location from artist studios and in Nob Hill on Route 66 in Albuquerque.
Episode 4 | "'This Way!' The Business of Route 66 Roadtrippin'"
In this episode of Albuquerque Neon, Route 66 business owners Sharmin Dharas, owner of Hotel Zazz, and Jimmy Hartley, the owner of The Dog House, talk about legacy businesses, family-owned “mom and pop” shops on history Route 66, and the appeal of iconic signage to visitors from around the world. Two octogenarians on a cross-country roadtrip make a cameo appearance. Shot on location on Route 66 from Hotel Zazz in Nob Hill and the Dog House in West Downtown.
Episode 5 | Symbols and Cultures of Route 66
This Albuquerque Neon episode features Donatella Davanzo, a scholar on Route 66 in Albuquerque from Italy, to discuss the recurring symbols and meaning of Route 66 iconography in signage and architecture, including tropes, culturally appropriate symbols, and the changing landscape of thought about Route 66 icons. Shot on location at the Special Collections Library on Edith and Central on historic Route 66.
Episode 6 | Conservation and Collection: Best Practices and Ongoing Rehabilitation
In its final installment, Albuquerque Neon explores the legacy of Route 66 signage in Albuquerque. This episode talks about local conservation efforts, including the sign museum at Glorieta Station, the Route 66 Visitor Center, and the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Office grants. Interviewees include Carlos Garcia, Klarissa Peña, and Kaisa Berthuli. Shot on location at Glorieta Station, the Route 66 Visitor Center, and the Monterey Inn on Route 66 in Albuquerque.
