Restoring the Legacy of a Lost Artist of Neon Light

The Gates to Times Square, completed in 1966, was Chryssa's most famous piece. © Εstate of Chryssa, National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens. Loan courtesy Buffalo AKG Art Museum

Photographer: Bill Jacobson Studio/Courtesy of Dia Art Foundation

The Greek artist Chryssa was a pioneer in working with neon in the 1960s. A new show in New York City has her primed for rediscovery.

Mark Byrnes

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Standing 10 feet tall, wide, and deep, the hulking sculpture called The Gates to Times Square radiates bright blue neon light through what appears as a giant capital ‘A’ split open. Inside, illegible letter-like forms made of metal and glass tubes mimic the alluring mess of mid-20th century commercial signage found throughout its namesake destination.

It is unquestionably artist Chryssa Vardea's masterpiece. But until recently, it had been seen by almost no one in 25 years.