With over 60 machines on display, many of which are interactive, the collection features replicas of the major and most striking inventions of the original Renaissance Man.

The replicas based on the designs of Da Vinci, who was without doubt the most significant engineer and technologist of his era, have already been seen by millions worldwide from Florence, Venice, New York and Warsaw to Madrid, Hong Kong, Dubai, Melbourne and Sydney.

This public display is informative and thought-provoking with the emphasis on enjoyment and interaction and offers a stimulating, entertaining and educational experience for pre-schoolers through to seniors.  Even the massive tent housing the exhibition on Riverside Drive has been specifically built in accordance with Da Vinci’s original sketch.

The main features under the big tent include the “tank”, “spring powered car”, “hang glider” and the “air screw”, a precursor to the helicopter.

Da Vinci created some of the greatest paintings in the history of art and high quality canvas reproductions of his most famous artworks such as Mona Lisa, Vitruvian Man, the Last Supper and The Annunciation can be viewed at this exciting exhibition.

A cinema features a documentary about the inventor’s life, plus there will be computer animations of the more complex models, informative panels showing images of his original designs and children’s activities like building your own parachute.

Innovative and creative, Leonardo da Vinci passionately dedicated himself to scientific studies. His manuscripts – known as Codices – exhibit ingenious solutions to practical problems of his time and he was able to imagine future possibilities such as flying machines and automation.
 
Historical documents reveal Da Vinci commissioned local artisans, who were the only craftsmen he trusted, to create his machines but unfortunately none of these have survived.

The systematic study of Vincian Technology is a recent phenomenon dating back only 50 years. A company of Florentine artisans have interpreted Da Vinci’s designs and constructed fine models, using computers to calculate their exact proportions. Each machine is hand-crafted using the materials of the time – wood, cotton, brass, iron and cord.
 
The tent is divided into four sections. The east section features copies of da Vinci’s artworks; the west section looks at engineering and futuristic designs, which includes fantastic weapons and several flying machines; the north houses drawings and sketches, including illustrations, anatomical sketches and unfinished works; the south area is an historical exhibit about the life and times of Leonardo da Vinci.

The exhibition runs from March 28th to July 21st daily from 10am – 5pm in the pavilion on Riverside Drive, Perth.

Tickets available at the door or from Ticketmaster on 136 100. Cost: adult $20, concession $15 (student, pensioner, carers card etc.), junior $10 (ages 4-13) and family $50 (2 adults & 2 juniors). For further information visit www.davincimuseum.com.au