January 15, 2025
3 min read
For three nights in November 2024, the skyline of Hartford, Connecticut lit up with a dazzling display of light, color, and creativity as the Magic Mural Art Wall transformed downtown’s Frontier Communications building into a vibrant digital canvas. Spanning 40,000 square feet and visible to thousands of commuters on Interstate 84, the public art project featured contributions from over 150 artists across more than 20 countries — including local youth, international creators, and students with special needs. The installation was powered by state-of-the-art projection technology provided by Panasonic Connect.
The Vision Behind the Magic
Created by RiseUP for Arts, a Connecticut-based non-profit dedicated to making public art inclusive and accessible to everyone, the Magic Mural represented an opportunity to do something bold and innovative. “We wanted to create a public art experience that was unique and dynamic,” said Matt Conway, founder and executive director of RiseUP “Something that could engage the community in new and exciting ways.”
Traditional mural painting had its limitations, especially for a wall of this scale. So Conway and Ryan Glista, RiseUP’s creative director, envisioned a more innovative installation that would really engage the community. “Immersive technology has created the opportunity for us to feature and connect with so many more artists, and on a larger scale than ever before,” Glista said. “By creating a projection show and program, we can keep people in downtown longer and really foster community-focused events around the art and technology.”
Technology Meets Creativity
To bring this ambitious project to life, RiseUP turned to Panasonic Connect — a decision Conway described as a “no-brainer.” “For a project of this magnitude, we needed the best,” he explained. “We knew Panasonic’s projection technology and expertise would help us create a world-class art experience right here in Hartford.”
Eight PT-RQ35 3-Chip DLP 4K projectors delivered unmatched visual quality, ensuring that every detail — from vivid colors to dynamic motion — was crystal clear, even from a far distance. The projectors integrated exceptional image quality with practical features like compact design and easy setup, enabling seamless execution for such a large-scale project. Key features included:
- 60,000 lumens of combined brightness (30,000 lumens per projector) for clear, vibrant projections visible from Interstate 84.
- Advanced color reproduction with laser technology that enhanced vivid reds and blues for stunning realism.
- Compact and lightweight design, enabling easy installation with a small team.
Conway appreciated the projectors' small size and usability, particularly given the high brightness required for the installation. “With this many lumens, projectors are usually bulky and cumbersome to manage,” he explained. “But the RQ35s have the perfect balance of power and practicality, making them easy to use and transport without compromising performance.”
Reimagining Public Art Through Technology
Featuring a rich mix of mediums, including award-winning live performance video and animation donated by The Bushnell Performing Arts Center, the Magic Mural lit up the Hartford skyline over the course of three nights. It transformed the windowless, static wall of an unassuming office building into a vibrant, evolving work of art, demonstrating just what is possible when artistic vision is paired with the right cutting-edge technology. “With projectors, we’re no longer limited to static images,” Conway said. “We can blend mediums like animation and illustration to create the fluidity and movement that brings art to life. It’s something Hartford has never seen before.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=946MzrV8H3g
To learn more about how Panasonic Connect projectors can enhance your event, visit https://connect.na.panasonic.com/av/projectors.
For more information on the Magic Mural Art Wall and RiseUp for Arts, visit https://www.theriseupgroup.org/.
