SPECIAL OFFER August 1st and 2nd only. Show the ticket desk this blog post to receive $10.00 admission.
The Discover DaVinci and Michelangelo: Side by Side Exhibition is a very special traveling exhibit from Florence Italy which has currently taken up temporary residence in Atlanta. The Exhibition will be on display through October (possibly longer). The DaVinci and Michelangelo exhibition takes visitors back in time to learn about the remarkable genius of two of the greatest Renaissance masterminds that ever lived. The exhibit has been on display at various locations across North American for the past 4 1/2 years and is made possible by Genius Productions a nonprofit company based in St. Louis.
“Not everybody realizes DaVinci and Michelangelo were alive during the same time but were also bitter rivals,” explained Rodgers, “When discussing the Italian Renaissance you can’t talk about one without the other.”
A moms review:
After you check out at the front desk (and hopefully meet curator Mark Rodgers) I recommend taking advantage of the fun Mona Lisa photo op. After you are done striking your best Mona Lisa pose get your FREE audio tour ready for a total immersion experience or sign up for a docent tour which is offered once a day Monday through Thursday and twice a day on Friday through Sunday. Hopefully you are lucky enough to get a tour from Mark Rodgers the curator. He is amazing and full of energy and knowledge. He is so knowledgeable one would think that he somehow traveled back in time to the Renaissance to interview these two amazing men.
The exhibition is broken into themed areas, 5 themes for each genius. These include Michelangelo's life story, sculptures, paintings, architecture, artists bottega. And DaVinci's military machines, flying machines, nautical & hydraulic machines, mechanics and masterpieces. The exhibition compares and contrasts DaVinci and Michelangelo’s masterpieces that defined their individual talents and beliefs.
Some of the highlights and comparisons in the exhibition include:
The Mona Lisa – The Pieta
The Vitruvian Man – The Statue of David
DaVinci’s Ideal City – Vatican City & St. Peter’s Dome
Last Supper – Sistine Chapel
Battle of Anghiari – Battle of Cascina
The first section of the exhibit showcases DaVinci's and Michelangelo's life and several of their most famous paintings, including the "Mona Lisa," "Last Supper" and a picture depicting Michelangelo's life with Lorenzo de' Medici. Next you will explore my favorite part of the exhibition which are the original cast sculptures of Michelangelo's most famous pieces. These cast sculptures were created directly from the Master's works by the National Academy of Cast Making in Florence. Since they are original cast sculptures they are actual size and include all the fine details like the chisel marks. I may never get to Italy to see the original David or Pieta so seeing an exact cast of these two amazing works of art was truly an amazing, once in a life time experience. Did you know that the The Gonfaloniere Soderini of Florence wanted Michelangelo to change the nose on David because it was too big? Well you can find out what he did during a visit to the exhibition. And did you know that the Pieta was the only piece that Michelangelo signed? Visit the exhibition to see his signature.
There are several more DaVinci and Michelangelo paintings throughout this section as well. Do you know what a fresco painting is? Well if you don't you can learn all about them in this section of the exhibit as you get an up close look at details of the "Battle of Anghiari" and famed Sistine Chapel frescos including the famous "The Creation of Adam".
Next you will hit the front corner of the exhibition where visitors get to immerse themselves into Michelangelo's Bottega. Learn about Michelangelo's art studio, his tools of the trade and some of the old secrets and deceptive techniques. Also in this section are several of DaVinci's inventions including the life preserver, scuba diver, glider and portable bridge. And your children won't want to miss the fantastic hands on area where they can build a bridge, color their own Mona Lisa masterpiece, make a paper helicopter and see what these masters saw when they looked through perspective frame.
As you proceed to the next section you will see many more of DaVinci's Masterpieces on display. Each one is a spectacular high quality licensed reproduction with the sort of detail known only to professional restorers. They are even framed to the exact size of the original artwork. Before you make your way into the hands on invention section be prepared to be amazed as you stand in front of DaVinci's water pipe organ.
Finally you will make your way to the DaVinci invention exhibition which contains over 60 hand-crafted inventions that were built from Leonardo's 500 year old designs as no originals exist today. These displays are the life work of three generations of Florentine artisans, who have meticulously brought to life the creations by the brilliant scientist, inventor and artist Leonardo DaVinci. This exhibition is grouped into the following themes: military machines, flying machines, nautical & hydraulic machines, and mechanics. Some of the inventions you will learn about include the "bicycle," "spring powered car," "hang glider," "robotic lion," and the "air screw." Each display has a 3D model of DaVinci's invention along with explanatory notes and illustrative panels with DaVinci's drawings.
I can think of no better way to learn about this Renaissance master than through a hands on interactive exhibit. Yes children (and adults) can touch and try out many of the 60 machines on display. Give the first ball bearings a spin, try out a lever, find out how gears work and slam down a CAM hammer. And if you have any car enthusiasts this is an excellent way for them to learn how the cars we drive today were inspired by DaVinci's invention sketches. This interactive feature definitely makes this exhibit a very educational and memorable one.
After you work your way through the inventions, which might take awhile if you have children, you will learn about DaVinci's and Michelangelo's impact on architecture. Yes these masters were more than inventors and artists they were also architects.
Throughout the exhibition there are several videos for visitors to enjoy including a video by Mark Rodgers.
Extra details:
-Teachers and homeschool educators can download a fantastic free teacher guide to expand on the exhibition.
-The exhibition will offer docent and self-guided tours. Docent guided tours are pre-scheduled and visitors can check the website or call for daily times. Self-guided tours require a smart device with Internet capabilities. Visitors who self guide should bring their own smart device and headphones. Docent and self-guided tours are included in the price of admission.
-Photography is allowed.
-No food or drink is allowed.
-Pay close attention to the little red and green signs which alert you as to what you may and may not touch.
-Exhibit is stroller and wheelchair accessible.
-Be sure to check out the really awesome gift shop.
1155 Mount Vernon Hwy – Suite 150
Atlanta, GA. 30338
Phone: 470-395-4888
Email: info@discoverdavinci.com
When to visit:
Monday-Friday 10am to 5pm
Saturday 10am to 9pm
Sunday 12 noon to 5pm
Cost:
-Adults are $18.95
-Seniors (65+) and teachers (with school ID) are $16.95
-Children 4-12 years old are $14.95
-Children three and under are free with a paying adult
Parking is accessible at the public parking lot available at Perimeter Pointe. There is no charge for parking.
Links to follow:
-Website
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