Leonardo da Vinci – the Energy of the Mind
Over 70 exhibits, including historical models, interactive installations, films and current examples of bio-inspired robotics, aviation and materials technology – these are the most essential elements of the exhibition which "EC1 Łódź – City of Culture" in Łódź is planning to host in November, 2017. The exhibits and multimedia content are connected to the work of Leonardo da Vinci – as scientist, inventor and engineer. They are characterised by extraordinary beauty and will awe visitors with the unique genius of their creator. They also present the creative process, starting from the initial concept, through drawings to the final model. Not all the machines and devices have been built. By creating numerous excellent drawings Leonardo da Vinci released his creativity.
– Not many venues are fit to present the "Leonardo da Vinci – Energy of the Mind" exhibition better than the cultural centre on ul. Targowa in Łódź, says Błażej Moder, the Director of EC1. - Vast historical spaces have proven many times that they can emphasise the effects of stage design and exhibitions, even such a spectacular one. Apart from that, the vernissage of the exhibition will coincide with the opening of the largest Centre for Science and Technology in Poland at EC1, which is a remarkable occasion in its own right. We are expecting a great promotional effect, at least in Poland, not only for EC1 but for the city of Łódź as well. Tourists visiting us will surely see other tourist attractions and not just our centre. We are also promoting services offered by hotels and restaurants in Łódź, but mostly we are focusing on the cultural element.
The concept of bringing the exhibition to Łódź is the fruit of the joint works of "EC1 Łódź – City of Culture" in Łódź and Cité des Sciences et de l'industrie, with its main office in Paris, the largest Science Centre in Europe. Together with Museo Nazionale della Scienza et della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci, the institutions are the producers of the project. The exhibition aims to pass on extended knowledge on Leonardo da Vinci, his genius, and his relationship with the external world, but also the significance of active observation of the world in forming his technical imagination. The exhibition enjoys international acclaim and the great interest of visitors. So far it has been presented in the most important centres for knowledge and science on our continent, including Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, Paris, France (2012) and the Deutsches Museum, Munich, Germany (2013), and also at SESI-FIESP – Cultural Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil (2014) and TCU – Museum, Brasilia, Brazil (2015). From February to September 2016, the exhibition has been presented at the Science Museum in London. The Polish supplement to the exhibition will be compiled by a team from the National Centre for Film Culture, presenting media archaeology, i.e. inventions and projects preceding the emergence of photography, film and cinema. We are also planning to commence cooperation with other museums operating in Łódź.
The exhibition is scheduled in Łódź between the end of November 2017 and May 2018.