Sitting in the far corner of an art exhibit in the University Mall is a machine with four long, deadly blades protruding from its intricate center of wooden gears. The plaque on the wall reads "War Wagon." Around the corner stands a wooden bicycle with an ancient looking chain and an uncomfortable seat. The walls are decorated with detailed sketches of all the muscles that contribute to a human arm or chest.

These pieces and others like them are at the Leonardo da Vinci special exhibit in the Utah Valley State College's Woodbury Art Museum in the University Mall. This special exhibit brings more than 60 replicas of da Vinci's work to a hands-on 3-D display.

"The idea was to go through Leo's notebooks of machines and create them," registrar Robin DeSpain said. "If someone walked into Leo's workshop, this is what it would have looked like."

The different machines on display were built using materials that da Vinci had available to him during his lifetime, she said. Many version of this da Vinci exhibit are scattered throughout the world.

Though Da Vinci was born April 15, 1452, he created sketches for a car, a clock and flying objects such as a helicopter and hang glider. These machines and ideas can all be seen in this exhibit.

Above the 3-D flying models on display is painted a quote that was found among da Vinci's notebooks.

The quote reads: "There shall be wings! If the accomplishment be not for me, Tis for another."

Da Vinci had a vision of things that were before his time, and he was good at everything he set his mind to, DeSpain said. During the Renaissance the more an individual knew, the cooler that person was, she said.

Da Vinci dedicated part of his focus to the study of mechanics and understanding weight, force and thrust movements, DeSpain said.

In his sketches on display at the gallery, da Vinci used simple machines such as levers, pulleys and wheels, said Kenna Henneter, UVSC student and employee. In the exhibit many machines on display were intended to lift heavy weights using little force.

"He wanted to use less energy and get more result," she said.

At many of these machines, viewers are invited to pull a lever or turn a handle to watch da Vinci's genius come to life.

"Da Vinci was very good at everything he set his mind to," DeSpain said. "He was into observation and improving life."

Along with models of his machines, this exhibit also displays a room of full-sized reprinted paintings. His famous "Last Supper," "Annunciation" and the "Mona Lisa" are included in the exhibit.

"Leo defines the concept of a Renaissance man," DeSpain said. "He wasn't afraid to explore every piece of this world."

Exhibit Information

Who: Utah Valley University's Woodbury Art Museum

What: Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit

When: Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday; 12 noon- 5 p.m.

Where: In the University Mall next to Nordstrom

Price: Adults $14, students (with ID) $6, children $6, seniors $11

Copyright Brigham Young University 23 Jun 2008