Expo 2020 Closing Ceremony – Gold Ring Rain-Curtain Installation, Dubai (2022)
Large-scale ceremonies often depend on a single scenic moment in which engineering, movement and visual storytelling come together. For the Expo 2020 Closing Ceremony in Dubai, Evolution Scenic was commissioned by Five Currents LLC to produce a giant gold ring inspired by the event’s iconic Expo rings.
Suspended from Al Wasl Dome, the structure concealed integrated water tanks and technical systems that transformed it into a dramatic rain curtain during the live performance. Flown 20 metres above the stage, the installation combined scenic fabrication, aerial engineering and water effects to create a defining moment within the closing ceremony.
The Challenge
The conceptual design required a visually elegant gold ring that could also operate as a technically complex performance element. Water tanks and associated systems needed to be concealed within the structure without compromising its appearance or the clarity of its circular form.
The completed ring had to be flown 20 metres above the stage and integrated securely with the existing rigging system at Al Wasl Dome. Its weight, structural behaviour and operating requirements therefore needed to meet the stringent safety standards associated with an aerial installation positioned above a live performance environment.
The rain-curtain effect also needed to activate smoothly and reliably at the correct moment during the ceremony. This required precise technical coordination and extensive testing before the live event.
The Solution
Evolution Scenic translated the conceptual design into a fabricated scenic structure capable of supporting both the artistic and technical requirements of the performance.
The giant ring was engineered to accommodate concealed water tanks and the systems needed to produce the rain-curtain effect. These components were integrated within the structure, allowing the ring to maintain a refined exterior appearance before transforming during the live sequence.
High-quality materials and a carefully executed gold finish gave the structure the visual presence required beneath Al Wasl Dome. The fabrication also provided the structural integrity necessary for the ring to be flown safely above the stage.
The aerial installation was developed to align with the dome’s rigging system and meet the safety requirements governing suspended scenic elements. Extensive testing was conducted before the event to verify the structure, water systems and rain-curtain operation.
Delivery Highlights
- Giant scenic gold ring inspired by the Expo rings
- Translation of the conceptual design into a functional structure
- Integrated water tanks
- Concealed rain-curtain systems
- Aerial scenic engineering
- Installation 20 metres above the stage
- Integration with the Al Wasl Dome rigging system
- Structural development for a suspended installation
- High-quality scenic materials
- Refined gold finish
- Extensive pre-event testing
- Live rain-curtain activation
- Delivery for the Expo 2020 Closing Ceremony
Outcome
The completed gold ring served as a dramatic centrepiece of the Expo 2020 Closing Ceremony. Its transformation into a rain curtain introduced an unexpected visual effect that combined the familiar Expo ring form with live performance technology.
The installation operated successfully while suspended 20 metres above the stage, demonstrating the importance of detailed fabrication, secure rigging integration and comprehensive pre-event testing.
By combining scenic craftsmanship, structural engineering and concealed water systems, Evolution Scenic delivered a technically complex aerial feature that contributed to the ceremony’s memorable conclusion.
Project Ecosystem
Evolution Scenic – Technical development, structural engineering, scenic fabrication, integrated water tanks, rain-curtain systems, gold finishing, aerial-installation coordination and testing.