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Carole Mikita reportingMany of us know the book and movie "The Da Vinci Code." But the achievements of Leonardo da Vinci in art, science, design and aviation are beyond a work of fiction. A traveling exhibit based on his works has come to Utah.
The idea for this exhibit began in the 1950s when Carlo Nicolai, an apprentice in the Da Vinci studios in Florence, helped build models of the famous artist's drawings. Some years later, those models began traveling to give people around the world a hands-on experience of Leonardo da Vinci's designs.
Da Vinci is considered one of the most important artists of the Renaissance. He was also a master of science and engineering, and his designs have come to life in an exhibit that celebrates his genius.
The exhibit is made possible because of a mystery solved 42 years ago. "In 1966, a new codex was discovered; a book that we thought was lost, done by Leonardo da Vinci, where he was planning to publish the principles of mechanics," explained Luigi Rizzo, international marketing partner for the exhibit.
A bicycle by da Vinci was once thought a hoax. Now, because of that codex, experts say it's very likely his. "You can hop on it, you can actually ride it," Rizzo said.
A floating device, a way to move water from the river to the shore, a way to move heavy objects: all da Vinci inventions.
His art is no less intriguing today as in "The Last Supper," but in his time it was controversial and revolutionary.
He captured reaction, but was there a message? "Whether you want to count how many hands there are, how many fingers are left and how many knives are being held here and there and the beautiful appearance of one of them so pale and so pretty, you could conjecture it's a female, possibly," Rizzo explained of one item.
There is some evidence that Da Vinci made test flights from a model of his glider. No one knows, however, whether he ever really got off the ground. But recently in Utah, at Point of the Mountain, someone did successfully test his parachute model.
Although Leonardo da Vinci lived 500 years ago, we still marvel at his mind and his vision. "The da Vinci Experience" opens Friday, May 9, and runs through Oct. 4. Sponsored by UVSC, it is actually located at University Mall at the Woodbury Art Museum. For more information on the exhibit, click the related link.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
