Media reports
mep-Magazin September 2001
"Desert Show Laser"
Laser & Water in Saudi Arabia
The 1st of June has been a very special day in Saudi Arabia. So far the traditions of the proud Saudi Arabian people looking back on a glorious past, did not allow any public amusement events and reserved amenities of this kind for the representatives of only a handful of families. According to the organization commitee, now for the first time in the country's history an entertainment festival should be open to everybody in the Medina arena.
Medina is Saudi Arabia's holy city. For Muslims, it is almost as important as Mekka and the access to the city center is strictly prohibited to Non-Muslims.
Being active in Arabian countries over more than 10 years now, the company LOBO from Aalen was entrusted with realizing a stunning laser spectacle in the presence of about 20,000 spectators and representants from the Saudi Arabian Royal Family, which was broadcasted live on TV.
The event was divided in several parts, showing by means of laser scenes of the Prophet's life, the beauty of nature as well as the country's history and culture on a giant Water Screen. The laser show was enhanced by fireworks and hundreds of actors on the field presenting historic fights and folkloric dances.
Temperatures ranging between 40°C and 50° C and only two weeks of preparation, production and shipment made this project an extreme challenge to the LOBO crew. As the laser presentation included many religious parts, LOBO's show designers also had to take special care of the different sense of perception and aesthetics between Western countries and the Arabian culture.
Right in the middle of the arena, LOBO installed a rectangular 30m Water Screen to project seemingly free-floating laser animations. As Medina is situated right in the middle of the desert, the precious 150.000 liters of water to fill the custom-made welded steel pool had to be transported with multiple tank trucks from a water factory. Two laser systems, each with 11 Watts of white light served for the projection on the Water Screen. Two further solid-state laser systems provided with max. 10 Watts enough power for beam effects and projections onto the mountain in the background of the stadium.
