THE LUME Melbourne’s latest experience is a celebration of innovation, art and the timeless genius of Leonardo da Vinci. Visitors have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to step inside the da Vinci’s world, featuring original drawings and writings from the Codex Atlanticus, penned by the master himself. This is the first time in history the Codex Atlanticus has been in Australia.
The showcase also features to scale machine inventions brought to life by Italian artisans from the pages of Leonardo’s codices, the only exact 360º replica of Mona Lisa in the world, a brand new immersive experience in the enormous 3000 sqm multisensory gallery, cutting-edge AI and VR interactive technologies that breathe life into the master’s iconic work, a Renaissance-themed culinary experience like no other in Caffè Medici, and more.
THE LUME Melbourne’s colossal multisensory gallery serves as a gateway to Leonardo’s life and legacy. This expansive space envelops visitors in an immersive journey, engaging all the senses with sights, sounds, scents, touch and taste that recreate the ambiance of the Renaissance. As visitors navigate through the streets of Florence, the canals of Venice, the history of Rome, the grandeur of Milan and end their journey – as Leonardo did – in Amboise, France, they will gain a profound understanding of the inspirations, innovations and enduring impact of the maestro.
Unveil the enigma behind the world’s most famous portrait in a scientific exploration by the world’s number one authority on the Mona Lisa, Pascal Cotte. The famous French Optical Engineer and consultant to The Louvre Museum, given unprecedented access as an advisor to the French Ministry of Culture, employs state-of-the-art technology to peel back the layers of technique and symbolism within Leonardo’s brushstrokes, inviting visitors to experience the artistry and intrigue that continue to captivate the world. On display will be the only exact 360º replica in the world of the Mona Lisa in actual size with her front, back and sides revealed from Cotte’s 240,000,000 pixel multispectral camera. His research peels back the layers of Mona Lisa, revealing previously hidden details and visitors will see the Mona Lisa in her original colour from 1503. “The results shatter many myths and alter our vision of Leonardo’s masterpiece forever,” says Cotte.
Central to the experience is a journey through the mind of a master inventor with an awe-inspiring display of 40 “machine inventions”, expertly crafted by Italian artisans at the Museo Leonardo da Vinci in Rome. From flying machines to underwater breathing apparatus, created from Leonardo’s sketches using mostly techniques and materials that would have been available in fifteenth-century Italy, each bears witness to his pioneering spirit, centuries ahead of his time, as he sought to reshape the physical world through his groundbreaking inventions.
