Da Vinci’s inventions brought to life in exhibit
While Leonardo da Vinci is renowned for his artistic abilities, a new exhibition showcases the genius’ engineering innovations.
Spring-powered cars, flying machines, flood lights and hang gliders are among Da Vinci’s ground-breaking technologies on show at Motat in Auckland.
Da Vinci’s Machines, an interactive touring exhibition, is from the museum of Leonardo da Vinci in Florence, Italy. It is the life work of three generations of Florentine artisans who have been studying and reconstructing Da Vinci’s inventions.
The exhibition’s international manager Tom Rizzo says most of the inventions have been built for the first time ever.
‘‘A lot of them were thought projects or concept designs that were never actually constructed in Leonardo’s time. But we are finding when we build them now, even using the same tools and the same material, the science is spot on…he was far ahead of his time.’’
The exhibit brings to life 80 machines, all handcrafted by Italian artists using the same materials and techniques used by Leonardo da Vinci. Da Vinci’s Machines will be on show at Motat until October 16.