Barco

 

Astronauts zooming in on planet earth from space might be surprised to spot a brand-new 3.2-kilometer canal in the heart of Dubai. Cutting an elegant swathe through the city, the new Dubai Canal opened with a spectacular ceremony on 9 November, hosted by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. 13 Barco HDF-W30 projectors provided by partner Protec helped create an amazing projection mapping; one of the many spectacles that marked the opening.

Something spectacular
“In the design of such a prestigious opening, nothing can be left to chance,” said Paul Flint, Project Manager for Prodea, the creative agency that was commissioned to design this exceptional event. Prodea Group engaged the services of Protec, the Middle East’s largest and best-known specialist events technology provider and Barco’s business partner in the UAE for Entertainment. “Prodea brought a clear creative vision for the event, which they asked us to support by creating something spectacular with lighting, audio and video,” explains Simon Travis, Protec’s project manager for this event.

Style and taste, with a minimum of fuss
Just a few highlights from the amazing show? There was a 15-meter high waterfall with, suspended in the air beneath it, a stunning aerial performance. Three kilometers of laser connected the six bridges, creating a second canal of light. Unique shows on the water told the story of the construction of the canal and the way it will change the city. The video projection mapping on the main stage was powered by 13 Barco HDF-W30 projectors.

Flint and, most importantly, the customer, were delighted with the results: “Our client, the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, wanted an event that reflected the importance of this massive engineering project, and Protec helped us achieve that with style, taste, and a minimum of fuss.”