Hively

Mark Abramson for the Wall Street Journal Kirsten Hively near some of her subject matter, neon.

Signs of Times Past and Passing Lana Bortolot 2011

Ms. Hively, 40, began the project during a break from her architecture career last year, turning it into a full-time endeavor upon receiving enthusiastic response from her Flickr group.

Signs of Times Past and Passing Lana Bortolot 2011

Both Ms. Hively and Mr. Rinaldi cite Colony Records' jumping girl (1619 Broadway) and the harp at Dublin House Tap Room (225 W. 79th St.) as glowing examples of Manhattan's most iconic neon.

Signs of Times Past and Passing Lana Bortolot 2011

Looking on a brighter side of things is Kirsten Hively 's Project Neon: an online archive of some 600 mostly vintage neon lights throughout the boroughs.

Signs of Times Past and Passing Lana Bortolot 2011

Here's how it's looking at Echo Park these days, via the Los Angeles Times' Ken Hively:

Franklin Avenue 2008

Here's how it's looking at Echo Park these days, via the Los Angeles Times' Ken Hively:

Archive 2008-06-01 2008

To Ms. Hively, an architect by training with a background in graphic design, neon has a quality that a light-emitting diode lacks.

NYT > Home Page By ADRIANE QUINLAN 2011

Ms. Hively says she was amused to discover what sorts of stores bother with noble gases and glass tubes.

NYT > Home Page By ADRIANE QUINLAN 2011

Ms. Hively posts select images to her blog, Project Neon!

NYT > Home Page By ADRIANE QUINLAN 2011

Since last December, Kirsten Hively has jaunted around the city photographing bursts of neon that advertise everything from churches to porn shops.

NYT > Home Page By ADRIANE QUINLAN 2011