Cardiff’s Central Square is about to transform with Under Neon Loneliness, an immersive audio-visual installation by artist and designer Mark James. Running until the 20th October as part of the Cardiff Music City Festival, this unique experience transports viewers to the bustling streets of Tokyo while evoking an intense sense of isolation.
Inspired by James’ own nights wandering Tokyo, Under Neon Loneliness recreates the feeling of being alone in a foreign environment—surrounded by the chaos of traffic, trains, and people, yet deeply disconnected. The installation takes place in a matte black 20ft shipping container, where 34 neon and lightbox signs, all designed by James, create a sense of infinity with mirrors on the floor and ceiling. The signs, made in collaboration with Japanese brands like Mountain Research and Wonderwall®, reflect off the walls, creating a mesmerizing visual effect.
“When you’re travelling with work,” something Mark has done frequently over a career that has seen him design over 100 record sleeves and work with artists such as Queen, Maximo Park, DJ Shadow, Karl Hyde and Amy Winehouse, as well as being a long-time collaborator with Gruff Rhys and Super Furry Animals, “there’s a point where you go and you’ve had some food, and you’ve got two or three hours to kill before you go to bed, and you just end up wandering around on your own.”
“I was in Tokyo earlier this year and it just causes that feeling of being Under Neon Loneliness. You’ve got these really tall skyscrapers and the neon signs go all the way up the side. Each one is a different bar, a restaurant, a shop – you can have fourteen floors of different things going on.”
With a looped soundtrack of field recordings made in Tokyo and mixed by Cian Ciaran (Super Furry Animals, Das Koolies), clever use of mirrors, and eighteen uniquely created neon signs advertising made-up bars, restaurants and clubs, Under Neon Loneliness creates what Mark describes as “the feeling of stepping into another world, but it’s a foreign world and it’s almost overwhelming – the same feeling I think the Manics were getting at in the song – and you look up and it’s almost infinite and you just go, oh my god!”
Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “There’s a real buzz around Cardiff’s music scene right now and following on from some amazing shows over the opening two weeks of the festival, the arrival of Under Neon Loneliness in Central Square takes things up to the next level as we head towards a final week packed full of incredible music.
“But there’s a serious side to this as well. Cardiff Music City Festival is a key part of our music strategy work to support the city’s music sector – which is worth in the region of £100 million a year to Cardiff’s economy – and put it right at the heart of Cardiff’s future development.”
Executive Director of FOR Cardiff, Carolyn Brownell, said: “Public art is a key part of FOR Cardiff’s place-shaping vision and we’re pleased to have been able to have provided funding to make the Under Neon Loneliness installation happen and unlock wider animation in Central Square. The Cardiff Music City Festival is a great opportunity for businesses across the city centre and a strong cultural offering is a key part of any vibrant and thriving city.”
Cardiff Music City Festival runs until October 20th. Ticket details, and the full line up of more than 80 gigs and events, are available here: https://cardiffmusiccity.wales/
Under Neon Loneliness, will be open to the public daily from midday until 8pm. Free admission. No ticket required.
This installation, inspired by the Manic Street Preachers’ song “Motorcycle Emptiness” and Patrick Jones’ poem of the same name, is a must-see experience. It’s open daily from 12pm to 8pm until 20th October and is a highlight of Cardiff’s vibrant cultural scene. Don’t miss it!