In Partnership with

CONCEPT

In his vision, Sheikh Zayed wished the Grand Mosque to be a place for us all, from all corners of the world and from all possible ethnic backgrounds and religions.

Thus, the Mosque stands for a place that celebrates the union of different cultures as described by following values:

TOLERANCE

PEACE
LOVE
CO-EXISTENCE

But beyond being a place for us all, the Sheikh also envisaged that the building of the mosque be a collaboration beween craftsmen and craftswomen from all over the globe. Literally thousands of hands from all five continents handcrafted individual pieces that eventually came together to be united at the Grand Mosque.

CONCEPT

Our concept is to use the mosaic as an overall metaphor.

Mosaic tiles will represent the many individual pieces from around the world that contribute to the construction of the Grand Mosque. The mosaic stands for individuality, craftsmanship, skilfulness and precision.

Symbolic mosaic tiles will accompany us on the journey on air, on water and on land to the various locations where components for the construction were crafted. The mosaic tiles will eventually lead our way back to the site of the Mosque for us to enjoy the marvel that it is.

The idea is to offer visitors a journey around the world in four minutes that captures the inherent values of the mosque but also gives visitors an idea of things to come when they start the tour of the Grand Mosque.

THE TECHNICAL SET UP

The idea is to create a highly immersive experience. Rather than looking at the Grand Mosque, we want the audience to feel as if they were inside, fully surrounded by images. To this end, we propose to add a total of up to seven beamers that are all built into the suspended ceiling and into the stage.

In addition, we recommend, that the main screen be a 1.8mm pitch Led screen that is divided into four panels that can move back and forth (option). This allows for the screen to be placed up front on the stage but can move back for other types of presentations.

As special effects we propose roll down gauzes and tilt down ventilators (supended from ceiling above stage). They are to further enhance the immersive quality.

STORYBOARD

STORYBOARD

PROLOGUE

Destination 2

New Zealand and Iran

(Carpet)

Destination 3

Germany

(Chandelier)

Destination 4

India

Makrana Marble

Unity

All mosaic tiles come together

Epilogue

Mosque in a 360° panorama

Emotional

Climax

0 MIN

4 MIN

TIMELINE

STORYBOARD

1

Prologue. 

What are the values that Sheikh Zayed had wanted to propagate when he built the Grand mosque 

2

The Mosque is magically divided into one thousand golden tiles that make their way to far away places. We follow the tiles first to new Zealand. 

STORYBOARD

3

We land on the island of New Zealand and find a herd of sheep grazing on green meadows.

4

Skilful hands shear the sheep whilst the wool is cleansed and pressed into cotton bales that make their way to a nearby harbour.

STORYBOARD

5

We follow the freighter as it crosses the Indian and Arabic Seas whilst a whiff of air blows through our hair. The bales of wool will now be transported by truck to the Chorasan province in northern Persia

6

where we watch one thousand women and men hand knitting the worlds largest carpet. It is a festival of colours ranging from the Sheik’s beloved green to reds, ochers and blues.

STORYBOARD

7

The mosaic tiles lead us to Idar-Oberstein in Southern Germany. This is the capital of gems. Here we find the most talented goldsmiths of the world. They are the masters of the gems. They know how to cut and polish them. It is here, that the crystals for the chandelier have been selected.

8

A quick side trip to Italy to see how the gems are being assembled but then it is off to India.

Here an art and a craft not found anywhere else in the world has been kept alive over generations: it is the precise chiseling of colorful marble stones to create the amazing mosaics on the Grand mosque’s walls and floors.

STORYBOARD

9

Return to Abu Dhabi. We watch the mosaic tiles as they magically assemble the various pieces from around the world to form what we know as the Grand Mosque.

10

After the journey around the world, we now start a journey around the Grand Mosque. 

A drone flight will afford us some close-up views of the various components: we get to see the finished Indian marble mosaics on walls and floors, 

STORYBOARD

11

Followed by a fly-by of the magnificent chandelier

12

And finally we skim at close height over the seemingly endless carpet from Persia.

STORYBOARD

Finale: a slow 360°panoramic scan of the interior of the Grande Mosque. The audience has now learned what their experience will be on the tour that follows.