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40 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 2018 2018 | DOING BUSINESS IN CONNECTICUT | 40 Element of Danger Stamford artist has big plans to reimagine the cityscape By Carol Latter Holly Danger believes in stretching the boundaries and, well, living dangerously – but mostly when it comes to her art. A resident of Stamford for almost all of her life, she's envisioning a big canvas that will bring her art to the entire city. You might say she's going for the wow factor. If she pulls it off, Stamford will be treated to something that few have seen before … an outdoor video projection and mapping exhibition featuring artists from across the country. Danger warns that the project – set for Stamford Innovation Week in September – is in its initial planning stages, and "nothing is set in stone. We've been pitching ideas to a lot of different people, and we still need resources and funding." But if it comes together, she'll be putting out a call to artists from throughout the country and creating a citywide video installation. And the canvas? The sides of buildings, of course. The end result could be on a smaller scale, with the projections focusing on the outside of Stamford Town Center. But regardless, it's sure to draw plenty of visitors. Danger is planning to use video- mapping software that can change the shape of the projected image from a rectangle to another shape of her choosing. She says this new digital technology is "cool, because it opens us up to a lot more of what we can do to transform the building." Danger, who studied graphic design and video, decided to stay in Stamford after college rather than seeking artistic inspiration in a larger city, but "five nights a week I would go into New York City – I had a day job in Stamford – and I did that for about a decade of my life." She did operate a personal art studio, but had to move after the owner decided to turn the building into commercial space. It was a couple of years later before she found a new artistic headquarters, in the city's Glenbrook Industrial Park. "I walked into the space and it just spoke to me. The space said that it wanted to be a gallery. So I said, "Okay, I'm going to create what I always wanted as someone growing up around here." At the end of 2016, she and her fiancé – musician and web developer Jeff Schram – took over the 700 square feet of industrial space, which she calls "a hidden gem." The designer, who worked for six years in advertising and now has a day job in corporate video production, says the Danger Gallery focuses on new media, digital technology and graphic art versus still life paintings and landscapes. "Also, a more experiential side of art, where the public can come in and be involved somehow," she said. Several years ago, she decided she liked the idea of creating installations – video work that could be projected on buildings or walls or at someone's event. Her first such project was the City Canvas initiative held in seven Connecticut cities in 2012. She and several other artists were given grants to beautify urban areas in Bridgeport. She has done several similar events since then, including an installation during Stamford's ARTWALK. "I chose an area outside of a landmark building, which had a white rectangular wall and a grassy area, away from traffic. People from all over downtown could see the work," she said. "We had a little bit of music, and people would bring picnic chairs and blankets and their families. It was like an impromptu movie theater. I did that all out of pocket. I called friends to help me put it together and used borrowed equipment to bring it to life." She's hoping to recreate something on a grander scale this fall. "We'll have to wait and see how it all works out," she said. For more information, visit dangergallery.com. PROFILE Holly Danger created the Soul Seasons outdoor video installation in Stamford. Artists participated in a One by One painting event hosted by gallery owner Holly Danger (third from left). " " "Okay, I'm going to create what I always wanted as someone growing up around here." - Holly Danger