3D projection mapping offers novel way to mark national occasions

AMMAN — Organisers of the country’s 70th Independence Anniversary and the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt celebrations have said that this year has seen out-of-the-box approach. 

They cited the 3D projection mapping to display public messages on several skyscrapers in Amman as an example. 

“We have taken the way celebrations are done to a totally different level by following untraditional methods to inform the public about key historical periods, achievements and highlights by using some of the most advanced visually stimulating, engaging and fantastical display technology,” an official from the Great Arab Revolt Centennial Celebrations Executive Committee told The Jordan Times .

Work started with the Rotana Tower Hotel and Le Royal Hotel, in addition to the edifice of the main entrance of the Great Amman Municipality building downtown (chosen for their domination of the Amman skyline). 

These huge backgrounds are also used to project tactically produced videos within the 3D shows (called video clips in animated jackets) to tell Jordan's success story, highlighting iconic figures and infrastructure achievements to visually narrate 70 years of progress.

“The videos for example tell the story of the creation and establishment of the Kingdom and national institutions such as the Royal Medical Services and the University of Jordan, the story of pop culture, Jordan TV, the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, the air force, mega-projects and much more,” the official said. 

This activity, which is part of the centennial celebrations that will last until the evening of June 3, is executed with the support of the Royal Court's Royal Protocol Directorate.

In addition, the committee commissioned the production of four life-size structures informed by the centennial logo of a camel and a horse with riders holding the national and Great Arab Revolt flags flanking the number 100 numerals for the centennial. 

“The idea is to make the centennial logo more materially visible to the population of Amman, and physically present, in order for people to connect with it by interacting with a tangible art illustration," added the source. 

The structures are already installed in the following spots: the Boulevard in Abdali, Abdoun Circle, Rainbow Street entrance and Al Nakheel Square in downtown Amman. 

They will be moved on to different locations after June 3, said the source.

Young Jordanians said they liked the new idea of marking a national anniversary.

“The 3D mapping looks very nice at night. It adds to the beauty of Amman. I hope it continues around the year,” Hala Mohammad, a resident of Amman and a worker at an international aid agency, told The Jordan Times on Wednesday.

Bayan Abdel Rahman, a dentist, had a similar reaction.

“It is a very smart idea to tell the story of the Great Arab Revolt. The 3D mapping definitely draws the attention of passersby and onlookers,” said Abdel Rahman.

“This is a new concept. It is a very beautiful one to celebrate our national holidays.”