Da Vinci Machines exhibit ushers in a new cultural space for downtown Saint Louis, USA

by Judith Rubin, IPM co-editor

All photos by Judith Rubin unless otherwise labeled

Some 60 items brought to life from notes and drawings by the maestro, from the manuscript collection known as the “Codices of Leonardo da Vinci,” comprise the traveling exhibition, “Da Vinci Machines,” created by Niccolai Teknoart SNC (Firenze) Artisans of Florence Pty Ltd., in association with the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci.

The objects are working models, handcrafted primarily of wood, metal and cloth, in five groups, reflecting this quintessential Renaissance Man’s tinkerings with ideas for flying machines, instruments of war, practical industrial and agricultural implements, an infinity chamber of mirrors, boats and transport. There are also a robot and – said to be the first time in the US – Leonardo’s famous mechanical lion.

In many cases, visitors can interact with the objects: turn cranks, manipulate hoists, etc. and observe their operation. They are accompanied by several related videos and reproductions of the Codices as well as a selection of famous Leonardo paintings and an array of merchandise. Local sponsor of Da Vinci Machines was the weekly Riverfront Times. Additional sponsorship is provided by Northstar Imports, which imports sugarless wine from Uruguay.

According to sales rep Jessie Gillam, who is based in St Louis and works with the company that manages the exhibit in North America, Imagine That! Design & Production Inc. (Las Vegas), Da Vinci Machinesaverages four months per stop but was popular enough in Saint Louis to remain for seven and a half months. While declining to give exact attendance numbers, Gillam said, “The St. Louis Schools and community embraced us; we had more than 100 school groups, and the da Vinci exhibit was extended twice.”

Rather than book the exhibit into museums, the distributor negotiates leases in private spaces. In Saint Louis, Da Vinci Machines was shown to good advantage at 800 Market Street, in a former bank lobby on the first floor of a commercial building downtown. The exhibitors found that very few changes, other than a few partitions and some seating, were needed to make the space work. “We had all the setup we needed,” says Gillam. “It worked out very well with the existing bank counters and the offices in back. It’s a beautiful space with good light and wraparound walls; we’ve been very happy. We changed out some of the light bulbs but the fixtures were already installed.” Individual tickets ranged from $9 to $14 with a special $40 price for family groups of 5. It was not far from Busch Stadium and stayed open late on baseball game nights.

Da Vinci Machines concluded its Saint Louis run March 31 and is now on its way to Denver, but Imagine That! is holding onto the 15,000 square foot space and planning to bring in a new exhibit by summer 2012. 800 Market Street is in a very accessible part of downtown with good business traffic, that has lately seen promising cultural developments such as the award winning CityGarden, an outdoor sculpture and fountain park; and the recently restored and reopened Peabody Opera House (formerly the Kiel Opera House). “The building owners are happy with the arrangement,” says Gillam. “The exhibit was good for the building. The space had been vacant for 7-8 years prior to our moving in, in July 2011. We’re trying to create a space that can house a variety of art exhibits and be different from the typical art museum or history museum. We wanted something downtown.” The next exhibit may be one of Teknoart’s offerings or it may be from a different distributor. Interested parties may contact Jessie Gillam at [email protected].

Photo: davinciexhibitstl.com

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