Exhibition set to inspire

DA Vinci’s machines have taken over the Discovery Science and Technology Centre, with the newest exhibition officially opening last Saturday.

Until Wednesday, 1 June, visitors to Discovery can immerse themselves among the greatest functional inventions from the original Renaissance Man.

The exhibition comes from the Artisans of Florence, and head curator Tom Rizzo said there’s something for everyone on display.

“We have reproductions of all his famous paintings, we have anatomical medicine studies, war machines, flying machines, engineering,” he said.

“It’s quite universal, just like himself. A universal exhibition from a universal genius.”

Many of Da Vinci’s inventions encompassed the basic workings of modern technology, including wings, helicopters, gear systems and bike chains.

“I really hope people can come along and get inspired by it,” Mr Rizzo said.

“To see what can be achieved in one lifetime by someone who’s passionate about discovery, science, and learning, and also for people to take away the fact that so many of the things Da Vinci invented we still use today.

“Science and technology have increased and advanced so fast but there are some fundamental principles we’re still using.”

The exhibition is based on 500-year-old original sketches, with the drawings reproduced as life size models.

“We have about 25 per cent of Leonardo’s total works, 75 per cent have sadly been lost or are in private collections,” Mr Rizzo said. “Out of that 25 per cent we have 25,000 technical drawings.

“A lot of Da Vinci’s inventions were concept designs and thought projects so many of them have never been built until now, which is really great to build them. Low and behold they work and it’s great to be a part of that.”

Mr Rizzo said the decision to host the exhibition at Discovery was an easy one.

“It’s such a great venue in terms of the interactive science and historical learning that goes on here anyway, it was the perfect fit for us,” he said.