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Be inspired by one of the world's greatest creators.
This summer locals and visitors to the Nelson region will have the opportunity to be awed and inspired by the innovative thinking of Leonardo da Vinci.
From 17 November to 28 February, The Nelson Provincial Museum will host this prestigious world-touring Da Vinci Machines exhibition which features up to sixty intricate and exquisitely crafted wooden working models made to da Vinci's designs by Florentine artisans, Teknoart s.r.l.
While best known as an artist, Leonardo da Vinci was a man of infinite curiosity, innovative thinking and invention. He designed machines such as a glider, missile, vertical drill and a car powered by springs, hundreds of years before their inventors were born. Exhibition visitors, young and old, will delight in trying out some of the models on display, including Mechanic, Hydraulic, War and Flight machines, witnessing da Vinci's genius in action.
Da Vinci Machines will occupy the Upper Gallery at the Museum. Proceeds will go towards the care and conservation of the Museum's collections.
The Nelson Provincial Museum acknowledges the financial support of our sponsors who stepped forward and enabled Da Vinci Machines to come to Nelson. We ask all visitors to consider the generosity of all those listed here: Cawthron, Nelson City Council, Tasman District Council, Anchor Press, Nelson Airport Ltd, Nelson Pine Industries Ltd, Port Nelson Ltd, Classic Hits 89.8FM, Jim Cleland, Adrian Secker and Graeme Skeggs, Irving Smith Jack Architects, Heliquip International Ltd, Hunter Ralfe Lawyers, Kidson Construction Ltd, MWH, NBS Nelson Building Society, NZ Marine Turbochargers Ltd, Sealord, Palms Motel, Zest Deli & Cafe.
Leonardo devoted his attention to the study of nature and perfected ideas and inventions, producing his visionary drawings of engineering devices, war machines, ideas for city planning and even theatrical stages.
About a quarter of his technical drawings have survived. Most have been grouped by later scholars into manuscripts and the Codices (collections of drawings and notes). These collections are held in libraries throughout the world. There is evidence that the few machines commissioned by Leonardo himself were built by local artisans - unfortunately none of the machines remain.
In the late 1950s the first museums of Leonardo da Vinci machines were established in Vinci and Milan. A capable young apprentice in Florence, Carlo Niccolai, was one of the artisans commissioned by the Da Vinci Institute to construct Leonardo's machines. Today these models can be seen at the permanent Da Vinci Museum in Vinci (near Florence).
In 2001 a new museum was established in Vigevano (near Milan) where Leonardo lived and worked. The machines built for this museum were life-size and fully functional. Niccolai's son, Gabriele, further developed the craftsmanship of reproduction using the latest computer technology.
In 2002 the Niccolai family, together with a group of Florentine artisans, established a new company, Teknoart s.r.l. The company prepares and manages travelling exhibitions of fully-functioning interactive machines, including machines reproduced from newly discovered Codices that have not been previously displayed in museums. Da Vinci Machines are the creation of Teknoart s.r.l., Artisans of Florence.
Da Vinci Machines is presented by Cawthron at The Nelson Provincial Museum, in association with Nelson City Council, Tasman District Council and with sponsorship from our business community and private individuals.
Beca, Patron of the da Vinci New Zealand Tour.
