Shadow message

In 1990, when televangelist Dr. Gene Scott bought the 13 floor Gothic-Art Deco office building where the United Artists Theatre is located, he installed two huge neon signs on the roof. "Jesus Saves," they proclaimed to the world and to the few remaining inhabitants of lower Broadway in downtown Los Angeles.  The message was large and bright enough to be seen by the sweatshop garment workers toiling in nearby lofts, and the people lining up at Tacos Mexico in the parking lot.

Scott's estate sold the building in 2011, and this January it re-opened as the trendy Ace Hotel, complete with a restaurant, pool, and a very cool rooftop bar.

Ace Hotel facade

One sign disappeared in the night during the renovation, its whereabouts still unknown. The other still stands, facing west.

From the rooftop bar, at the right time in the afternoon, the sign's shadow can be seen, thrown against the flat surface of the building to the north. As you sit, beneath faux-Morrocan awnings, sipping hipster cocktillian concoctions, behold.

UPDATE: Here's a link to a story that gives the history of the "Jesus Saves" signs:  http://jesussavessign.blogspot.com/