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Buzzing Lights: The Book.

A decade-long documentary photo series & love affair with neon signs leaps onto the printed page.

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Buzzing Lights: The Book.

Buzzing Lights: The Book.

Buzzing Lights: The Book.

Buzzing Lights: The Book.

Buzzing Lights: The Book.

A decade-long documentary photo series & love affair with neon signs leaps onto the printed page.

A decade-long documentary photo series & love affair with neon signs leaps onto the printed page.

A decade-long documentary photo series & love affair with neon signs leaps onto the printed page.

A decade-long documentary photo series & love affair with neon signs leaps onto the printed page.

Tanja Tiziana
Tanja Tiziana
Tanja Tiziana
Tanja Tiziana
1 Campaign |
Toronto, Canada
$3,715 USD $3,715 USD 73 backers
65% of $5,640 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

The Buzzing Lights Project

My name is Tanja-Tiziana and I'm an artist and photographer based in Toronto, Canada.  For the past 10 years, I've been photographing the disappearing world of neon signs all over North America.  What started off as a simple interest in the art and design of signs has turned into a documentary mission to celebrate, share and save them in some small but meaningful way.

    You've seen the images scattered on Tumblr, Flickr and Instagram, but now the time has come to assemble this massive collection into something physical. Something that exists in the same realm as the neon sign...
    A beautiful, full-colour, real, live, photo book.


    Raising Money

    After drafting and coming up with some specs on what I'd like the Buzzing Lights book to be, I contacted a host of printing houses and found that the only way to afford the project right now was to use a print-on-demand service.  This means I don't need to be buying and warehousing 1000+ books. I can actually have them printed in small amounts or one at a time. 

    Of course, one-offs are still expensive. A single copy of the book as I've envisioned it will run close to $300.  I need to halve that -- at least -- to make the book accessible.  This is where you come in.

    Along with reworking the specs, I'm aiming to print a modest bulk order of 50-100 copies of the book for launch later this year.  This will help reduce the cost, per book, by 35-60%.  Now, we're talking.  The sum I'm raising via this campaign will go directly to paying for that bulk order of copies in advance and the materials to launch and promote it later this year.  Should the goal be surpassed (wishful thinking, Tanja!), then the book grows even more affordable to a wider audience.  Everybody wins.


    What You Get

    In return for your support, I'm offering a long list of reward perks!  Check out the list in the sidebar.  Here are some extra details on some of the items up for grabs:



    Kodak metallic photo prints:   Signed prints made on beautiful Kodak Professional Endura Premier Metallic paper -- ready for framing.  Prints are high gloss with an underlying metallic sheen that brings out the metal details in the neon sign photographs produced on it. You choose the city and I will send you a photo from that part of the continent (or the closest I've come to it!).  Have a particular photo in mind?  That's cool too!


    Expired film stash:  Rolls of film will be picked at random and sent out from my freezer stash.   Guaranteed fun.  Tell me if you prefer 35mm or 120mm. While supplies last!


    Original Polaroid neon set: A set of 3 actual Polaroid photos, featuring signs from my travels over the past decade.  3 sets will be available, you can claim them by contacting me after your donation!


    Neon walking tour:  Go on a storytelling and neon-appreciating walking tour of Toronto with me.  We'll swing past some of the great signs still standing, visit the ghosts of some that have gone and finish up with a slice of pie or a milkshake at good ol' Fran's on College St or perhaps The Senator on Victoria.





    Retro portrait shoot:  An afternoon photo shoot in Toronto with yours truly this summer.  Don your best vintage threads!  We'll have a local hairstylist retro-style your hair to match and you'll be ready to have your portrait shot around the city.  Top ten photos from the day will be provided to you digitally + you will be featured on my Instagram feed.  Contact me if you have any questions about this one!



    Other Ways You Can Help

    Save a neon -- promote this campaign!  Please post the link on your social media sites to spread the love and interest in this project. Everything helps!

    Links:
    Indiegogo Campaign: http://igg.me/at/buzzinglights
    Buzzing Lights on Tumblr:  http://buzzinglightsproject.tumblr.com


    Thanks to all my supporters who've helped and continue to help with this project in every possible way.  Special thanks to Ryan Couldrey, godsend filmmaker, who helped made the pitch video possible.



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    Choose your Perk

    Thank you!

    Currency Conversion $1 USD
    $1 CAD
    Heartfelt thanks from me to you + good creative vibes (and definite good karma) coming your way.
    1 claimed

    Postcard love

    Currency Conversion $6 USD
    $9 CAD
    Thank you! I will mail you a neon-themed postcard covered in thank you's for your support. (You can claim as many of these as you like if you really, really like getting mail. I will stagger the mail-outs so you never know when they'll pop up. ;))
    5 claimed

    Set of Postcards

    Currency Conversion $14 USD
    $20 CAD
    Set of 4 blank postcards featuring neon signs from the Buzzing Lights series.
    12 claimed

    Expired film fun.

    Currency Conversion $25 USD
    $35 CAD
    You pick the format (35mm or 120mm) and I will send you a loot bag with 1 randomly selected roll of expired film from my freezer stash + a postcard from the Buzzing Lights series. Will it be Velvia? Ektachrome? TMax? Shoppers Drug Mart? The fun is in the surprise. S/H to Canada & US included.
    2 out of 5 of claimed

    Greeting Card set

    Currency Conversion $32 USD
    $45 CAD
    Set of 5 blank greeting cards (w/ envelopes) featuring photographs from the Buzzing Lights series. Cards are 5"x5". You have the option of a colour or black & white set. S/H to Canada & US included.
    7 claimed

    MINI 20-pg Buzzing Lights book

    Currency Conversion $32 USD
    $45 CAD
    This mini version of the real thing will be a pocket-sized, softcover book featuring some of my favourite signs, quotes and inspiration. Available special to Indiegogo supporters of the project. Shipping in Canada & US included.
    10 claimed

    Mystery loot bag

    Currency Conversion $35 USD
    $50 CAD
    Prints? Hand-written notes? An over-sharpened pencil? Postcards? Drawings? Polaroids? Vintage ephemera? 60-year-old slides? My gravy-stained receipt from Peggy Sue's on Route 66 diner? ;) Choose this perk and I will assemble an art loot bag for you (content will vary for each recipient). Sure to make you smile and be pleased you supported this great project. Reward will be shipped in a bubble mailer to the address of your choice.
    4 claimed
    Ships worldwide.

    Full E-Book Edition

    Currency Conversion $35 USD
    $50 CAD
    For the hardcore minimalist or world traveler with no room in their life for the sexy physical volume: The E-Book. Full, glowing, colour joy for your tablet.
    3 claimed

    6"x9" Colour Metallic print

    Currency Conversion $46 USD
    $65 CAD
    A signed 6"x9" colour print from the Buzzing Lights series, made on Kodak Pro Endura Premier Metallic paper. You choose the city or state/province and I will send you a print from that part of the continent (or as close by as possible!)
    10 claimed

    8"x12" Metallic Colour Print

    Currency Conversion $67 USD
    $95 CAD
    A signed 8"x12" colour print from the Buzzing Lights series made on Kodak Pro Endura Premier Metallic paper. You choose the city or state/province and I will send you a print from that part of the continent (or as close by as possible!)
    3 claimed

    Darkroom prints!

    Currency Conversion $99 USD
    $140 CAD
    1 unique black & white print made by hand under the glowing red light of my darkroom. These are double-exposure photographs from my newest series. Keeping on theme, I have selected shots that feature signs. You can not get these for sale anywhere else right now! They will be made specifically for campaign supporters and I will give you a selection of 3 different images to choose from. Size approx 7"x10". Each piece will be signed and dated.
    1 out of 20 of claimed

    Set of 3 original Polaroids

    Currency Conversion $123 USD
    $175 CAD
    A set of 3 classic Polaroid photos from my neon travels over the past decade. There are a few sets available and each photo is signed and titled (on the back). If you would like locations signed on the front -- your wish is my command.
    0 out of 5 of claimed

    The Book -- Special Edition!

    Currency Conversion $141 USD
    $200 CAD
    In a land not so far away, the book will be finished and it will be drop dead gorgeous. But wait! The pre-ordered Indiegogo copies will be Special Editions! Custom insert pieces, hand-written notes and extra details will be added to your edition. S/H to Canada & US included for Indiegogo supporters... as is a set of postcards.
    9 claimed

    The Book + 8"x12 Print

    Currency Conversion $211 USD
    $300 CAD
    A signed copy of the book (with bonus Special Edition features included for all Indiegogo pre-orders) + the e-book + a signed 8"x12" colour print from the Buzzing Lights series, made on Kodak Pro Endura Premier Metallic paper. You choose the city or state/province and I will send you a print from that part of the continent (or as close by as possible!)
    0 claimed

    Your name in buzzing lights!

    Currency Conversion $352 USD
    $500 CAD
    I will be including a full thank you page in the book, naturally, and your name will be there. This will be no small, micro, fine-print, but bold, buzzing, thankful text. A signed copy of the book + e-book is included in this reward!
    0 claimed

    Book + Neon Walking Tour

    Currency Conversion $458 USD
    $650 CAD
    Receive your signed copy of the book + go on a storytelling and neon-loving walking tour of Toronto* with me. We'll swing past some of the great signs still standing, talk history as we visit the ghosts of some that have gone and finish up with a slice of pie or a milkshake at good ol' Fran's or The Senator. *You are responsible for your own travel and stay costs in Toronto.
    1 claimed

    Retro portrait shoot!

    Currency Conversion $564 USD
    $800 CAD
    An afternoon photo shoot in Toronto with yours truly this summer. Don your best vintage threads! We'll have a local hairstylist retro-style your hair to match your outfit and you'll be ready to have your portrait shot around the city. Top ten photos from the day will be provided to you digitally + you will be featured on my Instagram feed.
    0 out of 1 of claimed

    A real, live, NEON SIGN.

    Currency Conversion $846 USD
    $1,200 CAD
    Your book will be accompanied by a small NEON SIGN. Your sign will be hand-made especially for you featuring your choice of 1 single letter or word made out of neon glass tubes. You will also have a selection of colours and font styles to choose from. Sign will be wired so that you can plug it in to a regular outlet and enjoy.
    0 out of 1 of claimed
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