Leonardo da Vinci at the CNE

Faithful reproductions of his inventions now on display

The exhibit on Leonardo da Vinci's invention has come to Toronto at last. After a final bout of doubts and contratemps, the 37 models of machines invented by Italy's greatest Renaissance genius - born in Vinci, near Florence, on April 15, 1452 - are now on display at the CNE, Hall A, National Trade Centre, Exhibition Place.
The show is called A voyage with Leonardo and will run to the very end of the CNE, on September 5.
The models are faithful reproductions of Leonardo's machines, made on the basis of his original drawings. "We made them," says Manuel Perrotta, who conceived the idea of this exhibition, "with the approval and under the supervision of the officials of the Vinci Museum. It took us three years, but we finally managed to do it."
It is a dream come true: Manuel Perrotta, from Rome, worked in a totally different line, dealing in music and art, when he began wondering about this genius and how he managed to conceive such machines several centuries ahead of his time.
"What first struck me was the idea of flight," added Perrotta, interviewed while busily completing the assembly of the machines. "Then I got the idea of making these models and displaying them, which entailed a long approval process with Leonardo experts and the Italian Ministries of Culture, Environment, and Technological Research."
"This is the only official exhibit authorized and recognized by the Italian Government. Every machine was made with methods and materials available in Leonardo's age. We hired the services of skilled craftsmen from Tuscany and also Rumania and Poland, where advanced woodworking skills are still available."
The exhibit has been brought to Toronto thanks to Tony Marcantonio of Gaspé Promotions.
"Our mission," added Perrotta, "is to bring art to the people, having it interact with the public. This is possible because all machines are working, and visitors can test them."
The exhibit is an instance of culture becoming popular. All this has nothing to do with fiction, such as that of the best-selling The Da Vinci Code, which many have mistaken for the truth about the genius. "That's fiction," confirmed Perrotta, "the real Leonardo has nothing in common with that stuff."
Torontonian Tony Marcantonio clarified, "When I read about this exhibition in Rome, reported two years ago on Corriere Canadese, I fell in love with the idea, and got in touch with Perrotta to bring it to Canada. It took some time, but at last the CNE accepted to display it. Now we have other contacts to bring it to other cities, both in Canada and the United States." This is the first trip abroad for the machines, after several stops in Italy: Rome, Naples, Agrigento, Milan, Nardò, and Lecce; moreover, it's the first time they get displayed in such a large exhibition. "This will help Toronto's multiculturalism," added Marcantonio, "encouraging the CNE to carry other community exhibits."
This is also the opinion of Zis Parras, CNE program manager, who said, "We're in contact with universities to have this exhibit seen by as many students as possible. It's a pity that schools are out now, but we still hope to have many young people visit. In any case, we're proud of displaying Leonardo's genius."
Last week, the VIP preview included Carlo Coen, director of Istituto Italiano di Cultura. He was happy and electrified, suggetsing ways to advertise the exhibit.
Visitors will find two exceptional catalogues, in English, with all the drawings and the machines. This is a beautiful exhibit, not to be missed, especially by youngsters.

Publication Date: 2005-08-28
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=5513