Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Role: Lead disguise Programmer/ Operator

Eid Al Etihad 54 — Zayed National Museum, Abu Dhabi

Throughout November and into December 2025, I worked as a disguise Programmer / Operator for Creative Technology Middle East, alongside friend and fellow disguise Programmer / Operator Thomas Kother. Working under Senior Project Manager Dan Hughes, this was another fantastic project with Dan and his wider crew — a team I’ve had the pleasure of working with on a number of major productions.

We were responsible for the media-server programming and operation for the opening of the Zayed National Museum, including the projection mapping of the museum itself and the final performance of Eid Al Etihad 54 — my second time working on the UAE’s national celebration.

Performed on 2 December 2025 in Abu Dhabi, the Eid Al Etihad 54 Official Ceremony marked the opening of the Zayed National Museum and the 54th anniversary of the United Arab Emirates. Under the theme “United”, the production took audiences on a journey through the nation’s history, culture and ambitions for the future, combining immersive visual storytelling, large-scale projection, theatrical performance and a specially commissioned musical score performed by the UAE National Orchestra in its debut appearance.

The technical video system for the projection element consisted of six disguise servers driving 48 projectors, providing coverage across the museum’s spectacular facade and architectural ‘wings’. OmniCal was used throughout the projection setup and alignment process, enabling the complex projection system to be accurately mapped across the building’s intricate geometry.

Alongside the projection and live media systems, the ceremony featured an extraordinary 6,000-drone sequence by Nova Sky Stories. Precise aerial formations and vivid colour echoed the architecture of the museum and the themes of the ceremony, extending the visual storytelling into the sky and creating a defining moment for the museum’s opening.

The event was produced by People, with stunning visual content created by Moment Factory, bringing together cutting-edge technology, live performance and Emirati culture to create another world-class national celebration.

A Landmark Venue

The ceremony marked the official opening of the Zayed National Museum, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster of Foster + Partners.

Inspired by the wings of a falcon, the museum’s five iconic steel towers represent the UAE’s strength, pride and heritage, while also functioning as part of the building’s passive cooling system. The architecture presented a particularly challenging and rewarding surface for large-scale projection, requiring the media system to work seamlessly across the museum’s distinctive forms.

Delivering the show’s media systems within such a significant architectural landmark was a unique experience, made even more special by the presence of Lord Norman Foster himself, who attended the opening ceremony as the museum was officially unveiled to the world.

Another incredible project, and another show delivered as part of Dan Hughes’ amazing crew. I’m very grateful to have been part of a team trusted to deliver such a significant moment for the UAE.

Creative Technologies Middle East

https://www.ct-group.com

People

https://experiencesbypeople.com/

Moment Factory

https://momentfactory.com/

Nova Sky Stories

https://novaskystories.com/