The Da Vinci Experience at the San Diego Air and Space Museum
February 16th, 2009
The San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park hosts The Da Vinci Experience, a special exhibit of more than 60 precise and interactive replicas and models of the transportation, military and mechanical devices developed by Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century. The exhibit also offers a gallery that houses 12 reproductions of da Vinci’s most famous paintings, a theater featuring a short film about the life of da Vinci, interactive computer kiosks and a gift shop. The Da Vinci Experience is a fun, educational, hands-on exhibit for the entire family!
Sought after and appreciated as an artist at court, da Vinci was also concerned with scientific subjects, applying his knowledge of mechanics to military and civil engineering works and dedicating himself to the study of anatomy, biology, mathematics and physics. A group of Florentine artisans have spent the last half century studying the original notes and drawings of da Vinci’s various projects, and have created this international exhibition of fully-functional and interactive models of da Vinci’s creations.
Godfrey Harris, Exhibition Curator, noted, “For all of Leonardo da Vinci’s great achievements, he had his share of mistakes, failures, and disappointments. In driving himself to overcome a disadvantageous background, he successfully addressed a number of issues that he hoped would bring him recognition, status and wealth. I think we are fascinated by Leonardo because he seems to have been an ordinary man who was able to accomplish so many extraordinary things.”
The machines in the exhibit are organized around three themes: transportation, military and mechanical. There is a large, interactive Educational area where everyone can test some of Leonardo’s ideas. Each of the models in the exhibition has been built according to da Vinci’s notes and with the materials available in 15th century Italy. Eleven machines are full-sized and 25 are interactive. People of all ages will be delighted by the chance to manipulate these machines to see how they were intended to function. Each replica is displayed with a facsimile of the relevant da Vinci drawing.
The Da Vinci Experience Exhibit can be seen at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park now until January 2010.
Ticket Prices for the Da Vinci Experience are as follows (Note: includes admission to both the Air & Space Museum and the Da Vinci Experience Exhibit):
- Adults (12 years and older) – $24.75
- Seniors (65 years ad older) - $21.75
- Youth (3 to 11 years old) – $15.75
- Students (with valid school/university ID) – $19.75
- Children (under the age of 2) – Free
- San Diego Air & Space Museum Members – $9.00
- Active Military (with ID) – $9.75
- Adult Groups (minimum of 10) – $20.75
- Senior Groups (minimum of 10) – $16.75
- San Diego Student Groups (minimum of 10) – $11.00 ($8.00 for DVE)
- Non San Diego Student Groups (minimum of 10) – $12.00 (9.00 for DVE)
Admission Prices on “Free Tuesday”:
The San Diego Air & Space Museum is free the 4th Tuesday of every month to San Diego County residents, active duty military and their dependents and college students who have a valid San Diego County school ID. The Da Vinci Experience is a “Special Exhibition” and is an additional charge on Free Tuesdays, as follows:
- Free Tuesday - Adults - $18.75
- Free Tuesday - Seniors - $15.75
- Free Tuesday - Children - $10.75
- Free Tuesday - Students - $14.75
The Da Vinci Experience takes place at the San Diego Air & Space Museum until January 3, 2010. The San Diego Air & Space Museum is located in historic Balboa Park at 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101.
Did we help you today? (1) Share this! (2) Never miss a thing! - Get New Updates via Email
We Recommend
- Free Family Art Days 2012 at the Oceanside Museum of Art
- Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp on Fat Tuesday 2012
- VIDEO: Black Holes Planetarium Show and Exhibit at Science Center
- San Diego Museum Month 2012
- Cafe Coyote Old Town Featured on Food Network's Heat Seekers
- VIDEO: Star Wars, Pirate Reef, Claws - New Legoland and Sea Life Attractions in 2012
- Free Concerts at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido
Leave a Comment
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed