Illuminated signage is a strong part of film advertising; from neon signs portraying various individuals or characters and theatre marquees. These illuminations have a strong history in and of themselves, featuring various innovations and eye-catching colors.

However, in Carolyn L. Kane’s Electrographic Architecture, Kane makes the argument that illuminated signage is more than just bright lights and vibrant colors. Through extensive research about theatres, advertising, and signage, she contends that technology, media studies, and aesthetics can be combined to explore powerful, provocative symbolism behind these illuminations. Overall, she points to power, property, and possession in her examination of electrographic architecture.

Electrographic Architecture is available for purchase via University of California Press.