'At Home in the Neon' from the compilation 'Air Guitar'

'At Home in the Neon' from the compilation 'Air Guitar'

Anyone who is all too familiar with packing and unpacking boxes as a result of yet another relocation will be familiar with David Hickey's elusive notion of home as merely being the roof under which one is currently sheltering under. After living in cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Zurich- places well known for arts and culture, Hickey could be forgiven to find Las Vegas, his new residence, rather superficial, carnal and excessive given its notoriety for shopping, fine dining, night life, gambling and casino-hotels with their associated entertainment. Instead, Hickey lives up to his contrarian reputation by finally finding the comfort of home in the city billed as the Entertainment Capital of the World. The root of this newly found solace could be traced back to his childhood memories of the city. Hickey recounts when his dad and he would attend a music show of his dad's friend, Shelton, in Vegas during a time when anyone from outside town can find a job which is self-subsistent and free of societal judgement. With clarity steeped in sarcasm, Hickey explains the cynicism, contempt and condescension in attitude towards Vegas by highlighting the absence of vertical social hierarchy in which people can achieve differentiation in status in their life achievements. Such a lack of social recognition is a direct threat to one of the core tenets of Western Society which we are indoctrinated to believe: social class stratification as a result of meritocracy. In Vegas, money is money. People are indifferent and unconcerned with the means of its acquisition and do not attach any socially honourable value to money other for its quantitative merit. Whilst the bourgeoisie and the aristocracy earn from mere speculation and hedging of risks, in Vegas there are only 2 simple rules: post the odds and treat everyone the same. Just like one feels in his own home, with close friends or with family members,the absence of social differences and of pretension instils a feeling of acceptance, significance and dignity within every visitor. After all, home may not be merely where you hang your hat, but where the heart feels accepted for what it is.