In an extraordinary tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant, Californian couple Kelli Pearson and Pete Davis have created a massive 115 x 92-foot portrait in a park in Pleasanton — not with paint or mowers, but by bending grass using only air.
The duo used a GPS-guided TurfPrinter machine, a groundbreaking innovation that manipulates grass blades without damaging them. By gently bending the grass in specific directions, they produced contrasting light and dark shades that together form a stunning aerial image of Bryant. The portrait is fully eco-friendly — with no chemicals, no paint, and no grass cutting involved.
“This is our way of honoring Kobe’s legacy — blending nature, art, and technology to create something inspiring,” said Pearson.
The portrait can only be fully appreciated from above, making drone shots and aerial photography the best way to view the masterpiece. The technique has captured the attention of eco-artists and tech enthusiasts alike, and it opens up new possibilities for large-scale, sustainable land art.
As tributes to sports icons evolve with technology, this Kobe Bryant portrait stands out as a unique and heartfelt blend of innovation and admiration.
