DA VINCI – THE GENIUS Exhibit: Da Vinci Fever hits Manila! (Is it worth going to?) @TheMindMuseum #DaVinciTheGenius

Related Blog Post:  The Mind Museum at Taguig: A Complete First Timer’s Guide

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LEONARDO DA VINCI is hailed as the greatest genius of all time from the Renaissance Period (late 14th century to about 1600). He is well-known as the artist behind The Mona Lisa.

But with the discovery of his codices (think coded idea notebooks) and the reconstruction of his inventions, people now get to further appreciate his forward thinking, vision, and artistry, which was well ahead of his time. One of his famous drawings is that of the Aerial Screw, believed to be the forerunner of the modern helicopter.

Finally, the most comprehensive traveling exhibition (with over 200+ exhibits) of Leonardo Da Vinci’s works is now here in Manila. The Mind Museum and Grande Exhibitions Australia presents “Da Vinci – The Genius” for a limited 3-month exhibition which opened today. 🙂

Admittedly, I thought the exhibition would be boring and only for the renaissance art lovers and hopeless inventors. But it was actually very inspirational, and you leave with a passion to make your own difference in the world.

So, is it worth going to? Read this first before going to the Da Vinci exhibit…

Leornardo da Vinci Machines Museum, Venice, Italy

Early this year, we visited the Machine Museum of Leonardo da Vinci, located in an old church in Campo San Barnaba, Venice, Italy.  

Le Macchine di Leonardo
Campo S.Barnaba 2771 | Dorsoduro | Venezia
Tel: 339.7985464 | Fax: 0583.312252
Email: info@leonardoavenezia.com
Ticket price: 3 Euros/ person

The museum features 55 expertly reproduced and interactive models from Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex, all made from wood, brass, fabric, and bronze.

They reproduced his drawings on flying like this parachute…

…and the glider from the Atlantic Manuscript.

Leonardo’s pupil Salai had a drawing of a bike believed to be copied from the master’s workshop.

There were also water machines…

…and war equipment like this Machine Gun.

The centerpiece of the exhibit was a reproduction of The Last Supper located up front, with the altar of the church as the backdrop.

The Last Supper measures 15 ft x 29 ft. The original painting can be found on the back wall of the dining hall at Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, Italy.  

 

DA VINCI The Genius Traveling Exhibit @TheMindMuseum, Philippines

Finally, we can experience the same exhibit and more, right here in Manila!

Da Vince – The Genius is a more comprehensive exhibit that not only features Leonardo’s Renaissance artworks and interactive machine reproductions from his codices, but also his works in music and optics, hydraulics and aquatics, physics, and anatomy.

When you enter the Mind Museum, I suggest you start the tour with reading the primers on his life to get a general context of Leonardo’s Renaissance era. 

 

The Codices

The codices are expert reproductions of his surviving notebooks.

It’s interesting to see how he wrote in the mirror-image of his handwriting and in the old Florentine language.

There are also interactive displays where you can explore each of the codices in deeper detail. 

 

Renaissance Art

A lot of people love the Renaissance Art hall, which showcases high-quality reproductions of Leonardo’s Renaissance artworks.

One of the interesting features of the exhibit is learning about The Secret of Mona Lisa and Trivia about Leonardo’s Obra Maestra.

Don’t forget to check out the Virgin of the Rocks (Musee du Louvre in Paris) and the Annunciation paintings (Uffizi Gallery, Florence).

The Vitruvian Man featuring the Golden Ratio and illustrating the perfect proportions of the human body.

The Last Supper which is digitally projected into the wall (instead of an actual reproduction).

Military Engineering

It’s also fascinating to see Leonardo’s ideas about war machines like…

Carro Armato, a precursor to the Modern Tank.

Cannone a Vapore or the Steam Cannon.

Multi-Directional Gun Machine or Machine Gun.

 

Music and Optical

Here’s an exhibit on his Portable Piano Idea.

One of the most photographed exhibits is the Mirrors Room…

…where you can take a “selfie” showing all your angles.

(Tip: This is a photo-op with the family you should not miss. :))

 

Mini-Theater

To further appreciate the exhibit, it’s best to check out the Mini-Theater…

…featuring the BBC Documentary on the life of Leornardo da Vinci – The Man Who Wanted to Know Everything, and how they actually tested some of his ideas.

 

Hydraulic and Aquatic

Hydraulic and aquatic machines featuring scuba diving equipment and breathing apparatus.

Here’s an interactive exhibit on Archimedes’ Screw for lifting water effortlessly.

Here’s a demonstration of the Emergency Bridge idea, made from small tree trunks and to be used during battle. You can do it yourself for a better understanding of the concept. Who knows, you might use it someday.

This is also a popular place for a photo-op with the bridge acting as a natural frame.

 

Flight

On flying machines, flapping wings, and…

…the Aerial Screw (Modern Helicopter).

 

Physics

In the Physics area, you can get lost in just playing with the interactive machines like the Weight Study Mechanism or Compound Hoist…

…and Flying Wheels.

 

Civil Engineering

Leonardo’s Ideal City Architecture to improve the health conditions of the cities, and to prevent diseases like the plague of 1484.

Here is the topography and top view of the Ideal City.

 

Modern Machines

The Humanoid Automaton or Modern Robot idea.

Leonardo’s Self-Propelled Car…

…and his Crank Operated Cart.

 

Anatomy

Leonardo’s Anatomical Studies.

To end the tour, make sure to give Da Vinci a message on the wall. Our most favorite message: “With these things, I ask: What will Leo Tweet?” – Rappler.

Overall, it’s an inspiring, educational exhibit that is a must-see with your whole family. I love the interactive machines, the Renaissance art, and the mirror room. 🙂 Check out his life story, explore the Codices, and watch the documentary to fully appreciate the mystery surrounding Leonardo. 

It’s indeed worth every peso, and it’s not as boring as I expected it to be but actually awe-inspiring.

Don’t miss this traveling exhibition which is only in Manila until the end of November!

DA VINCI – THE GENIUS Traveling Exhibition
Special Exhibition Hall @ The Mind Museum
September 1 to November 30, 2013

Tickets Prices:
Da Vinci only: Adult (P250), Children/Students (P200)
Da Vinci + 3-hour Museum: Adult (P800), Children/Private School Students (P600)
Da Vinci + All-Day Museum: P950, Public School Students and Teachers (P300)

Buy your tickets from: tickets.themindmuseum.org

Read: The Mind Museum at Taguig: A Complete First Timer’s Guide

Live an Awesome Life,

Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com 

P.S. I have not been to the other Da Vinci Workshop exhibit at the Science Discovery Museum in the Mall of Asia. How does it compare? 

P.P.S. Thank you to the Mind Museum for the Instameet Sneak Preview of the exhibit. 🙂