TeamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi Grand Opening
The grand opening of TeamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi marked a defining moment in cultural event production in the UAE — a multimedia spectacle combining live music, drone technology, large-scale projection mapping, lighting, lasers, and fireworks. The event was attended by members of the UAE Royal Family, beginning with an exclusive experience for 250 Royal and VVIP guests, followed by a second performance for over 600 VIPs, media representatives, and regional influencers. HQWS led the creative direction and production. Central to the experience was a live performance by renowned composer Ludovico Einaudi, whose custom score served as the core timecode reference for the entire show.
At the heart of the performance was a record-setting display of 6,300 drones, flown by Lumasky, with 200 drones outfitted with pyrotechnic effects. The aerial display was precisely synchronized with the music and the expansive video mapping designed by Bild Studio, which covered a 120m x 30m canvas across the museum façade. The show culminated in a dramatic fireworks finale by Flash Art, timed to coincide with the last note of Einaudi’s composition, the peak of the drone formations, and the concluding moment of the projection mapping. A flawless show calling and stage management by Cue2Cue.
The pre-show and post-show sequences, however, were designed as full-scale lighting and laser showcases, conceived by Lighting Designer Durham Marenghi and Programmed by Pedro Marcé Socias. Nearly 600 lighting fixtures were deployed, including:
•GLP Mad Maxx
•Robe iBolt, iTetra, iForte, iForte LTX
•Ayrton Rivale Profile, Rivale Wash, Argo 6 FX, Kyalami
•Elation Excalibur
To preserve the visual focus during the main segment, lighting was kept to a minimum — only two concealed battery-powered LED fixtures were used to gently illuminate the pianist from within the grand piano.
Kvant Lasers added scale and aerial intensity, integrating tightly with the lighting design to create a dramatic visual build-up and resolution before and after the main show segment, including a large-scale laser mapping project of iconic buildings in Abu Dhabi, the National History Museum Exhibition, the Abrahamic Family Houses, and the Zayed National Museum, but also a massive water fountain display of 30x20 meters.
All lighting and projection systems were provided by Creative Technology Middle East, Clair Global for audio design and sound reinforcement, including comms and timecode sync.
This event demonstrated the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration and high-level technical execution — setting a new benchmark for immersive cultural experiences in the region.
April 2025.
TeamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi Grand Opening
The grand opening of TeamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi marked a defining moment in cultural event production in the UAE — a multimedia spectacle combining live music, drone technology, large-scale projection mapping, lighting, lasers, and fireworks. The event was attended by members of the UAE Royal Family, beginning with an exclusive experience for 250 Royal and VVIP guests, followed by a second performance for over 600 VIPs, media representatives, and regional influencers. HQWS led the creative direction and production. Central to the experience was a live performance by renowned composer Ludovico Einaudi, whose custom score served as the core timecode reference for the entire show.
At the heart of the performance was a record-setting display of 6,300 drones, flown by Lumasky, with 200 drones outfitted with pyrotechnic effects. The aerial display was precisely synchronized with the music and the expansive video mapping designed by Bild Studio, which covered a 120m x 30m canvas across the museum façade. The show culminated in a dramatic fireworks finale by Flash Art, timed to coincide with the last note of Einaudi’s composition, the peak of the drone formations, and the concluding moment of the projection mapping. A flawless show calling and stage management by Cue2Cue.
The pre-show and post-show sequences, however, were designed as full-scale lighting and laser showcases, conceived by Lighting Designer Durham Marenghi and Programmed by Pedro Marcé Socias. Nearly 600 lighting fixtures were deployed, including:
•GLP Mad Maxx
•Robe iBolt, iTetra, iForte, iForte LTX
•Ayrton Rivale Profile, Rivale Wash, Argo 6 FX, Kyalami
•Elation Excalibur
To preserve the visual focus during the main segment, lighting was kept to a minimum — only two concealed battery-powered LED fixtures were used to gently illuminate the pianist from within the grand piano.
Kvant Lasers added scale and aerial intensity, integrating tightly with the lighting design to create a dramatic visual build-up and resolution before and after the main show segment, including a large-scale laser mapping project of iconic buildings in Abu Dhabi, the National History Museum Exhibition, the Abrahamic Family Houses, and the Zayed National Museum, but also a massive water fountain display of 30x20 meters.
All lighting and projection systems were provided by Creative Technology Middle East, Clair Global for audio design and sound reinforcement, including comms and timecode sync.
This event demonstrated the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration and high-level technical execution — setting a new benchmark for immersive cultural experiences in the region.
April 2025.