Fontana’s light structure was originally created and installed in the foyer of a theatre. As people approached the top of the stairs they encountered the dramatic neon structure at eye-level. As they descended the stairs, the gigantic, glowing shape slowly began to reveal itself in all its glory. Originally created in 1951, the piece was re-fabricated for this exhibition in 2010. Photo by Iwan Baan. Collection of Contemporary Art Fundación “la Caixa”, Barcelona, gift of Fondazione Fontana, Milan, © Fondazione Lucio Fontana, Milan

Like Soto, artist Lucio Fontana was inspired by the idea of drawing in space and going beyond the two-dimensional. His manipulation of neon in the early 1950’s was an incredible feat. Struttura al neon per la IX Triennale di Milano features gigantic white-neon tubing bended and folded in a dizzying array of circles and curves suspended from above by deep sea fishing lines. Photo by Iwan Baan. Collection of Contemporary Art Fundación “la Caixa”, Barcelona, gift of Fondazione Fontana, Milan, © Fondazione Lucio Fontana, Milan