There’s a look, an aesthetic, called ‘neon noir’ that we’re big fans of at Demaras Racing. Highly stylized, neon noir imagery creates a dreamlike atmosphere with an eerie vibe of existential isolation. Neon noir combines the dark and mysterious elements of Film Noir with the colour saturated and futuristic look of neon lights.
A strong focus on dark imagery is often contrasted by the vibrant glow of neon lit city streets. Images often include rain which reflects neon lights to intensify the contrast between the bright reflective surfaces and the darkness of the night.
Neon noir is closely associated with moody Synthwave, Retrowave and Vaporwave music which draws inspiration from 1980’s new wave music, movie soundtracks and video games. On a cold but clear night, we took the 1992 Subaru SVX out of the stable and headed downtown to search for neon.
There are several electronic billboards at Yonge Dundas Square that created an excellent background. There’s also the old CHUM FM neon sign on Richmond St, plus the Bloor Viaduct and its illuminated cables.
A new YT channel from Poland called NEON RIDERS was kind enough to provide the synthwave soundtrack to this journey through the city. The video above starts at Toronto Island Airport, continues along Lakeshore Blvd under the crumbling elevated highway, the up to the Jetsons-like Gardiner Expressway.
There’s something about pink and baby blue neon lights against the retro-futuristic lines of the 1992 SVX that just look so right.