INDIANAPOLIS — NBA All-Star Weekend is an international event, watched around the world in 200 countries and 47 languages, but much of what makes Indianapolis stand out is made right here at home.
The first sign that big things are coming to town is the new look of the JW Marriott. During NBA All-Star Weekend, fans will see two giant images of Indiana All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton on the JW side.
But did you know that a 140-foot-tall mural is being installed at JW by a local company called Sports Graphics?
Jim Caudill, vice president of the company, said JW is perfect for this.
“No other city has a canvas like this,” he said. “We have 400 feet of live windows, so it’s great to be able to do this in our hometown.”
NBA Senior VP Joseph Graziano got a good view of Indy as he climbed 350 feet to help install the monster mural.
“To be honest, I'm not really good at heights,” Graziano said as he headed toward the Indy Hotel.
The mural is applied to the window piece by piece using a squeegee which is used to remove air bubbles.
For the first time, the mural on the side of the JW will be interactive. Fans will see two giant QR codes on either side of the hotel. However, Caudill said he doesn't know if this is the largest QR code in history.
“This is about 40 feet by 40 feet, so it's a pretty large QR code,” he said.
Starting February 8, fans can scan a giant QR code every day for a chance to win a different prize each night.
“It's a price that the NBA and the Pacers have never been able to offer,” Graziano said.
Fans have the chance to win golden tickets to NBA events for the rest of the season, Pacers season tickets, a catered suite for NBA All-Star Weekend, and more.
Sports Graphics isn't the only local company helping transform downtown Indy for the All-Star Festival. Dodd Technologies brightens up the Circle City with art and light installations.
“We want to transform this city into something more than a basketball game,” said Justin Bennett of Dodd Technologies.
Currently, Dodd's team is preparing an all-LED basketball court with a 60-foot LED screen, a star-shaped DJ booth, and a basketball goal in a huge warehouse in Pendleton for the All-Star tip-off ceremony. There is. Through the LED wall.
“The whole thing will be a seamless video wall, kind of like a half court, with three-point contests and other games,” Bennett said.
LED Court is located at the Indiana Convention Center.
One of Dodd's most unique projects is a 16-foot character formed from Styrofoam.
“The final product will be a 16-foot tall character holding a basketball,” Bennett said. “So from the basketball to the floor, it’s 16-foot-tall Styrofoam, it’s three-dimensional, it’s painted, it’s full color, and it’s all done right here in the warehouse.”
“It's like a Styrofoam ice sculpture,” he said.
Bennett said it will be great to watch the All-Star festivities on TV and see the work of his and other local businesses showcased to the world.
