Expo 2020 Dubai
The opening of Expo 2020 Dubai took place when the rest of the World was only just starting to open up after the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Expo 2020 offered visitors a unique and unforgettable experience with cultural events and interactive exhibitions from participating countries.
Matt was honoured to be asked to join the team from Woodroffe Bassett Design, as one of the House Programmers for the duration of the Expo 2020.
Matt worked closely with Adam Bassett, Terry Cook and John Coman to program and deliver both nightly visual sound and light shows and one-off Special Event shows in the main space of Expo 2020, Al Wasal Dome.
Matt and the other House Programmers worked to develop and maintain a reliable method to automate the lighting control system to be triggered and played back via Midi and Timecode.
This allowed for minimal direct supervision on the nightly performances, with the majority of the regular daily shows being overseen by operators from Agora, the technical suppliers for Al Wasal Plaza.
During Expo 2020, many performances brought with them their own Lighting Designers and Programmers. Matt and the other House Programmers were on hand to introduce and assist these guest LD’s and facilitate a quick and stress free introduction to the complex system of Al Wasal.
Other performances that did not have programmers were looked after in house, by the Woodroffe Bassett team.
Photo Credit: Ptarmigram Integration, John Coman, Matt Jones
Australia National Day Performance
One particular highlight for Matt, was having the opportunity to programme the lighting for the Australian National Day Performance in Al Wasal Dome. Working with Eneas Mackintosh as Lighting Director, Matt programmed a full timecode show for the performance, which featured musical and cultural performances by Mitch Tambo, Baker Boy and the Wulguruka Walkabouts.
Matt aimed to ensure a cohesive blend between lighting and video, as well as musical and artistic performance elements.
You can watch the full performance here
or view the trailer below.
Video Credit: Australia Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Photo Credit: Australia Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai
Production Credits
Lighting Design: Woodroffe Basset Design
Principal Lighting Designer: Adam Basset
Co. Lighting Designer: Terry Cook
Associate Lighting Designer: John Coman
Technical Design and Integration: Simon Fraser
Lighting Directors: Eneas Mackintosh & Alex Marshal
Technical Vendor: Agora