The gallery showcases the artist’s mechanical inventions

6:00 AM on December 9, 2021, updated at 12:15 PM on December 9, 2021

WEST BRANCH-Leonardo da Vinci's genius was framed by "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper". But he is a real Renaissance man.

A man of vision and imagination—engineer, scientist, sculptor, and inventor, and one of the most famous artists of all time—he was born unmarried on April 15, 1452 to a notary and a The daughter of a poor farmer, located in Vinci near Florence, Italy. Since the use of his father's surname is not allowed, Leonardo reflects his birthplace.

From that humble beginning, a borderless curiosity began to grow.

His legacy also flew past the boundaries of his death in France on May 2, 1519, at the age of 67. Tourists are still fighting for the chance to see his mysterious "Mona Lisa" at the Louvre in Paris.

But what is on display is his lifelong obsession with flying, water, robots, and machinery. The exhibition lasts until January 29 and is on display at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in Xizhi.

"Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion" is an amazing celebration of Leonardo's great interest and contribution to technology that is several light years ahead.

What: "Leonardo da Vinci: Machine in Motion"

Location: Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, 302 Parkside Dr., West Branch

Time: extended to January 29; Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm; closed on December 25 and January 1

Tickets: Tickets need to be purchased regularly, limited to 25 people per hour; last admission time is 4 pm; masks are required

Cost: 16 to 61 years old, 10 US dollars; 62 years old and above, college students, active or retired military personnel 5 US dollars; 6 to 15 years old 3 US dollars; 5 years and younger free; buy.acmeticketing.com/events/269/list or at hall

Details: hoover.archives.gov/machines-motion

Although the eyes will naturally be attracted by the more than 20 actual-size working machines in the exhibition, banners, placards and a nearly 12-minute history channel video about his life and times give people a deeper understanding of his life. All levels.

Therefore, don't plan to just open the exhibition and shake the handles on a few machines. This collection provides a treasure trove of information that will capture the fantasies of people of all ages.

Guests must wear a mask and provide hand sanitizer-especially for those who want to play a role behind the mechanic. During the visit last week, several elderly people in Charles City and Freud happily turned the handles—I also tried a few machines.

The machines on display are not originals dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Instead, they are life-size working models created by scientists and craftsmen using Leonardo’s designs and tools and materials of his time (including wood, rope, and glue).

This is a traveling exhibition that has been visited in Athens and Istanbul, curated by Emmanouil Koutsourelis.

The exhibition focuses on four areas of Leonardo’s interest: earth, water, air and fire. All equipment is fascinating, from various aircraft to bicycles that walk on the water. The hydraulic water saw is also very interesting. As a reporter, I was attracted by the printing press.

But my favorite is the robot, called "Armored C-3PO". It looks like a set of armor you see in a medieval museum or movie, but standing in front of it, it will move, revealing a box full of gears.

The accompanying sign read: "This machine represents the first design that may be a humanoid robot. Leonardo designed it to open and close its jaw (anatomically correct), sit up, Wave its arm and move its head. The automatic drum is accompanied by movement. We don’t know how Leonardo plans to power his robot, but it’s probably through water or weight."

Even before you enter the realm of Da Vinci, other pleasures abound.

One of his biggest obsessions is flying, and although his design did not work, his closest approach may be his predecessor hang glider, which hangs above the hall leading to the gallery.

Walking into the exhibition, I immediately focused my attention on the other human-powered aircraft on display. From a life-size device that looks like a spinning top to another that looks like huge wings, Leonardo has captured more than fantasy when studying the movement of birds in various winds.

His text on the aviation banner declared: "Once you have tasted flying, you will always walk on the earth and look at the sky, because you were there, and you will always be eager to return."

On the part of the earth, look for cranes, printing presses, and olive oil printing presses. In the water, you see machines that rely on the power or energy of the water, as well as water walkers and webbed gloves that speed up swimming like flippers. In Fire, you will see the design of robotic warfare, including cannons and machine guns.

All his mechanics are closely related to the world around him. In the history channel video about the development of Da Vinci's art and design, you will hear his philosophy "Nature is the ultimate machine".

You will also learn that he recorded 15,000 pages of diary about "life, work, people and events-and various paintings" in his notebook. However, he not only writes from left to right, but also uses code, from right to left to back, just like looking in a mirror. In that book, about 6,000 pages still exist, giving us a glimpse of how his beautiful mind works.

Jerry Fleagle, President and CEO of the Hoover Presidential Foundation, said: “This is an excellent exhibition for everyone to appreciate, and it is also a perfect place to bring guests from other places to see and Do something different."

When you are in the museum, you should personally explore the huge permanent gallery, tracing the life of Herbert Hoover from his birth in West Branch to his promotion to president and beyond. His wife Lou Henry Hoover is also well represented in her own exhibition.

Then jump to the city center to see the resort-style West Branch around the main street and the heritage plaza in the middle.

On December 30 (closed on December 24 and 25), visitors can also stroll through the Tree Festival at the Hoover President’s Foundation site, 127 W. Main St.. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm; Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm; Sunday from noon to 5 pm, admission is free.

Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com

Art and entertainment writer, "Bulletin"

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Diana Nollen Travel December 2, 2021 at 6:00 AM

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