Da Vinci? In Vegas? Field Trip!

That's one big Mona Lisa.

The Venetian once housed the Guggenheim Museum and hosted some of the most famous art in the world. Though that is closed, the Venetian has expressed confidence in the intellectual interest of the Vegas tourist and invited Leonardo Da Vinci and his notebooks for a visit.

 

I've been twice. Not bragging, but due to the autumn school break of a fourth grade family member, I had the outstanding chance to again view Leonardo a second time through the eyes of a budding genius.

 

Some of Da Vinci's actual notebooks with his illustrations and teeny tiny writing were on display. There were replicas of Leonardo's inventions that made it seem like you were hanging out in his studio. Extremely cool. There were interactive displays. Great for curious minds of all ages. There were models of his visions, like the perfect city.

Guess there were no fig leaves in Florence

  A whole room details Mona Lisa over the centuries, including the anecdote that Napoleon at times moved the painting into his bathroom and the painting there received water damage. At least Bonie appreciated great art. His troops in Egypt used a canon to blow the nose off the Sphinx. (I guess they didn't get the memo.) 

 

A short film about Da Vinci's process of producing 'The Last Supper' is at the end of the exhibit.

 

 

I've been blessed to view several paintings by Leonardo at other museums, but the displays of his inventions in a three dimensional experience bring us into his workshop in an almost personal way.

Da Vinci, truly a most unusual genius, but not those who assembled this canon designed by Leonardo. A family member who has a degree in physics noticed it was assembled backwards, and if fired would hit the artilleryman who fired it!

Displayed inside: the famous glider, protohelicopter, lots of canons, parachute, deep sea diver, water skiis, various sleuces and irrigation devices, and surprisingly, musical instruments: Leonardo was a busy man.   

 The Venetian itself is very pleasant to visit, lovely ceilings with peering cherubs a la Renaissance Italy, a cute canal with gondolas for rent a la Disneyland, and pretend outdoor cafes with pizza and gelato under a dazzling painted sky and clouds that seem to move. And a wonderful pallazzo, minus St. Mark's. (And the Paris has an Eiffel Tower but no Notre Dame. Wonder why Vegas subtracts famous churches? Ha! not much mystery, Vegas being nicknamed Sin City.)

Don't be disappointed, the gondoliers are not truly opera singers. But trust me, they try.

 

Leonardo's inventions in replica

Here is the website. The dates have been extended through January. Hurrah for the intellectualism of Vegas tourists!

Da Vinci – The Genius

A glimpse into the mind of the original Renaissance Man

http://www.venetian.com/Las-Vegas-Entertainment/Special-Events/Da-Vinci-The-Genius/