Lan Kwai Fong has long been known as the heartbeat of Hong Kong's nightlife and entertainment scene. It's a place where people come to let loose, relax, and enjoy life. But as Hong Kong emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, it's become clear that we all need more than just a good party to lift our spirits. That's why we're excited to share our collaboration with Coolman Coffeedan (aka Danny Casale), a rising star in the art world who's using his talent and creativity to spread positivity through art.
By painting bright, colourful messages of encouragement and inspiration on the exterior of a couple of our buildings and displaying his animations around our digital billboards, Danny has helped transform Lan Kwai Fong into a place where people can come not just to have fun, but to feel uplifted and inspired.
Who is Danny?
Danny is a rising star in the art world, known for his bright colours and uplifting messages. Hailing from suburban Glen Cove, on the North Shore of Long Island, Danny found solace in making videos and connecting with people like him through YouTube. His art is all about spreading joy and hope, particularly in response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite not growing up in Hong Kong, his messages deeply resonate with our community and beyond.
Danny's work has been exhibited in New York and Hong Kong, and he has a large following on social media and YouTube with over 10 million subscribers. He gained global attention with his viral video "SNAKES HAVE LEGS," which highlights our gullibility online and encourages people to use the internet for good. We were drawn to Danny's style and message, and knew that he would be the perfect partner for our public art initiative.
The Collaboration with Lan Kwai Fong
Our collaboration with Danny involved painting positive messages on the exterior of several buildings in the area, including California Tower, 20/f of California Tower, and 1 Lan Kwai Fong. His positive messages also made their way onto our digital billboards around Lan Kwai Fong which feature his iconic characters that fans can collect by scanning the QR codes. The process of working with Danny was a true collaboration, with his art style and message inspiring our team and vice versa. We worked closely with Danny to execute the paintings, and the end result is a vibrant and joyful addition to our neighborhood.
We spoke with Allan Zeman, the “father” of Lan Kwai Fong and Danny about the inspiration behind the collaboration and the impact they hope it will have on the community. Danny explained that "art has the power to bring people together and spread positivity," while Allan believes that "our district is more than just a nightlife destination – it's a community of people who love to have fun and connect with others." Together, we hope that Danny's paintings will inspire locals and visitors alike to experience the vibrancy of our neighbourhood and come together in a spirit of joy and unity.
Spreading Positive Messages in Hong Kong and Asia
Hong Kong and the broader Asian region have faced numerous challenges in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic. In times of adversity, it's more important than ever to spread messages of hope and positivity. Art has a unique ability to bring people together and inspire communities to overcome challenges, and we believe that Danny's work is an important contribution to this effort.
Our collaboration with Danny is just one example of the many public art initiatives that are popping up around Hong Kong and Asia. From street murals to public sculptures, art is increasingly being used as a tool to promote positivity and community engagement. We believe that these efforts are essential to the cultural quality of life in our city and region, and we encourage everyone to get out and explore the art that's all around us.
We're so excited to have partnered with Danny on this public art initiative in Lan Kwai Fong. His colorful, positive messages have brought new energy to our neighborhood, and we believe that they will inspire and uplift all who see them. At a time when the world is facing so many challenges, it's more important than ever to come together and find joy in the small things.