In January 1976, L.A. Louver opened at 55 North Venice Boulevard in Venice, California.  Our inaugural exhibition showcased the neon art of Lili Lakich; a second solo exhibition of Lakich’s neon art followed in 1977. This foundational history is celebrated today through the inclusion of Lakich’s seminal artwork Mona in the exhibition L.A. Louver Celebrates 50 Years.

Since 1971, Lili Lakich has dedicated her art career to the revitalization of neon art. Lakich founded the Museum of Neon Art (MONA) in Los Angeles (now located in Glendale) in 1981. The aptly titled, dynamic neon sculpture Mona became the iconic image for the museum, displayed on the building's facade from 1981-1999. To create the sculpture Lakich employed a photostat black and white image of Leonardo da Vinci’s world renowned painting Mona Lisa, which she mounted onto Masonite and overlaid with brightly colored neon tubes in yellow, red, pink, blue, white, aqua, and multi-colors. Delicate curved lines of radiant neon illuminate Mona Lisa’s enigmatic face with the energy and movement inherent in Lakich’s hallmark medium. The inclusion of this artwork commemorates not only L.A. Louver's history with the artist but also the contributions Lakich has made to the creative landscape of Los Angeles.

Lili Lakich: Neon Sculpture at L.A. Louver, 1976.