Experience Leonardo da Vinci’s genius first-hand when da Vinci Machines opens at the Western Australian Museum – Kalgoorlie-Boulder on Saturday 14 March.

This exciting exhibition features 60 of his visionary inventions in the areas of flying machines, nautical innovations, and machines of war, alongside 15 beautifully crafted replicas of famous da Vinci artworks.

WA Museum – Kalgoorlie-Boulder Regional Manager Zoe Scott said the exhibition is unlike anything the Goldfields community has experienced.  

“It explores the breadth of Leonardo da Vinci’s extraordinary talent in a really interesting and interactive way,” Ms Scott said.

“There are large wooden working models derived from Da Vinci’s designs which are hands-on: people can pull, twist, turn, and above all, touch!”

The exhibition places da Vinci’s Codices or concept drawings alongside real models of his machines, created by modern day artisans who, true to da Vinci’s ideas, used only materials of da Vinci’s day in construction.

Some of the objects include a revolutionary underwater breathing apparatus; a concept for a helicopter made of reeds, linen, and iron thread; and plans for an armoured vehicle made from wood – potentially the world’s first military tank.

“It is incredible how the working models bring Da Vinci’s drawings and ideas from the 15th Century to life,” Ms Scott said.

“You start to realise how much contemporary technology owes to his ideas and vision.”

Da Vinci Machines will feature at the WA Museum – Kalgoorlie-Boulder from 14 March to 14 June 2015.  Tickets can be purchased from the Museum or on the website at http://museum.wa.gov.au/museums/kalgoorlie-boulder/da-vinci-machines-kalgoorlie

The exhibition is presented by Niccolai – Teknoart SNC and the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci, Florence.

Media contact:

Sharna Craig

Media and Publicity Officer

Western Australian Museum

sharna.craig@museum.wa.gov.au