Think of Leonardo Da Vinci and it’s more than likely a plethora of infamous images will spring to mind. Perhaps you’ll remember the smile of the Mona Lisa in his most famous and parodied portrait, or maybe you’ll recall the splendour of The Last Supper in one of the most reproduced religious paintings of all time. Even those who claim to have little affiliation with the art world are bound to know a touch of trivia about his life and works.
As the January blues set in this month, the Lanitis Centre in Limassol is calling out to crowds to enjoy something a little different, encouraging all to set sights on a whole range of exhibits dedicated to the man so often revered as a genius of the Renaissance era.
Not just your average show on the renowned Italian artist however, this has a rather different slant with a substantial focus on his brilliance as an inventor. Specifically, the world touring exhibition will be displaying more than 60 interactive machines from original Da Vinci drawings, 15 high quality reproduction artworks, giant panels, and rare copies of Leonardo codices. Open until the end of February, the occasion has been organised as a celebration of the 30 years of the presence of the FBME Bank in Cyprus.
With Da Vinci having dedicated himself with passion to scientific studies in anatomy, biology, mathematics and physics, his manuscripts – known as codices – exhibit ingenuous solutions to practical problems of his time while he also put forth future possibilities for flying machines and automation. Historical documents reveal that Leonardo commissioned local artisans (who are known to be the only craftsmen he trusted) to construct a few of the machines he designed. Unfortunately however none of these machines have survived today, but with the establishment of the first technological museums, scholars and artisans began collaborations to interpret the artist’s ideas.
As for the intricate machines now on display within the Lanitis Centre, they’ve all been painstakingly constructed over a number of years by a team of Florentine artisans from the Niccolai-Teknoart group. The result of fine craftsmanship, interpretation, skill and modern day technology, they pay particular attention to detail to reflect Leonardo’s objectives. Each machine has been designed with the aid of computer technology to calculate the exact proportions of the models while the artisans have paid particular attention to detail. It’s worth taking note of the fact that they only use materials of the time in their reproductions, most notably wood, cotton, brass, iron and cord.
The interpretation of the language used by Da Vinci in his codices is also of upmost importance as he used local idioms which are hard to decode. This in turn has required a great amount of skill to indentify the secret clues, decoys and encryptions used in his works.
As the current exhibition stops off in Cyprus amidst a tour of the world, go along to the Lanitis Centre and you’ll get to set your sights on over 60 models grouped into themes including war machines, flying machines and nautical/hydraulic machines, topped off by devices illustrating the principals of mechanics.
While many are scale models, others are life size, with certain interactive machines proving to be a particularly popular aspect of the whole occasion as visitors can touch and handle the models to gain a first-hand appreciation of how they work. Walk around the centre and you’ll come across explanatory notes and illustrative panels with Da Vinci’s drawings accompanying each model.
From scuba to submarines, to the first machine gun and design for a canal system used for irrigation, the public can gain an insight into their functionality. Then there’s all the artwork to ogle at with the exhibition including 15 high quality reproduction artworks of some of his masterpieces including the Vitruvian Man, the Last Supper and The Annunciation. That’s not to forget the most famous and valued of all, the Mona Lisa. A painting that sees about six million people flock to the Louvre in Paros each year, the exhibit here in Cyprus will reveal the findings of recent scientific research including x-ray analyses.
Also featured at the centre are giant art panels, computer animations, film screenings and copies of rare codices. With the codices standing as limited edition collections that reproduce the surviving manuscripts of Da Vinci’s notes, the copies of the codices together with animated computer programmes enhance the scientific, cultural and educational experience of each exhibit. As for those of you who really want to get to grips with everything on show, you can take part in a tour by experienced guides to guide you through the motions.
Da Vinci Machines – An exhibition of Genius
Exhibition displaying more than 60 interactive machines from Da Vinci original drawings, 15 high quality reproduction artworks, giant art panels and rare copies of Leonardo codices. Until February 28. Evagoras Lanitis Centre, Vasilissis Street
(Medieval Castle Area), Limassol. Weekdays: 10am-8pm. Weekends: 10am-8pm. Tel: 25-342123. www.davincimachinescyprus.com
