• Visual Art & Museums

    Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance Engineers

    Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance Engineers Image gallery

    The Tech Museum of Innovation

    September 27, 2008-January 25, 2009

    Avg. Event Rating (3.5 Stars): 3.5 out of 5 stars rating Add Review/Comment

    Leonardo da Vinci is celebrated as the inventor of extraordinary machines and mechanical devices that entered the common heritage of technical culture only several centuries after his death. However, a close examination of the history of technology from the late fourteenth century to the end of the fifteenth century reveals that the "Leonardo phenomenon" was the logical outcome of a development of engineering and technical skills to which other talented figures contributed as well. During Renaissance times, there was no division between art and science, as there is today. The unity of art and science echoes in the work of today’s leading innovators. Leonardo: 500 Years Into the Future represents the remarkable achievements of fifteenth century artist-engineers - Filippo Brunelleschi, The Sienese Engineers, and Leonardo da Vinci - and exemplifies the pivotal unity of art, technology and science.

    This exhibition brings together over 200 artifacts, including drawings, sculptures and life-size models of the art, architectural projects, machines and mechanisms crafted from the original notebooks of the Renaissance artist-engineers. Didactic tools, including multi-media stations with interactive functions, put the machines and achievements of Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance artist-engineers into modern day context. Get a glimpse inside the mind of one of the world's most innovative thinkers. Leonardo da Vinci is the epitome of the Renaissance man - most famous for his paintings yet also renowned as a scientist, engineer and inventor. Leonardo expressed his insights through the medium of drawing: drawing was a form of communication and experimentation.

    Drawings about his ideas and experiments depict the universal laws of equilibrium, geometric proportion and mechanical principles of movement that govern all of man and nature. The exhibition showcases how Leonardo's drawings blur the boundary between art and science and provide insight into how he thought. Leonardo da Vinci embraced art, technology and science, not as separate from one another, but as a whole. His imagination and ideas have inspired generations of scientists, artists and inventors.

    • Ticket Info

      Tickets: $15-$25 (includes Leodardo & Regular Tech Exhibits)

      Info Phone: 408-294-TECH

      Buy tickets

    • Dates & Times

      Dates:
      September 27, 2008-January 25, 2009

      Times:
      Tech Museum Hours:
      Tues-Sun: 10am-5pm

      Leonardo Exhibit Hours:
      Thurs-Sun: 9am-8pm
      Mon-Wed: 9am-5pm

    • Venue Info

      Parkside Hall

      180 Park Avenue San Jose, CA 95113

      Full map and directions

    • Parking Info

      Parking Lots at the Convention Center, Park Street Garage and nearby hotels.

    • Accessibility Info
      • Wheelchair Access
    • NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate, however it's a good idea to visit the website or call the venue to verify the information.

    • Member Reviews
      • Event Name: Body Worlds 2 & The Three Pound Gem
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Absolutely loved it!"
        Review posted by: Marylyn from San Jose, CA, Nov 10, 2007

        I think everyone could benefit from seeing our bodies in such great detail. It truly is an amazing system and so beautifully and educationally displayed. I learned more from that exhibit than I ever... Expand

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        I think everyone could benefit from seeing our bodies in such great detail. It truly is an amazing system and so beautifully and educationally displayed. I learned more from that exhibit than I ever learned from a textbook, due to the three-dimensional presentation. I also found it very helpful to see where my injuries and pains are on the plastic people as opposed to on an x-ray! A couple mom's brought their 3 year olds to the exhibit...Really don't think this is the place for them--would get a sitter. Collapse

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      • Event Name: Body Worlds 2 & The Three Pound Gem
        5 out of 5 stars rating "A Must see"
        Review posted by: Big Fan from georginagomez@gmail.com, Nov 08, 2007

        San Jose is lucky to get this exhibit. Millions of people around the world have seen this exhibit and have raved about it. It is so fascinating to see what we look like on the inside. Well worth the... Expand

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        San Jose is lucky to get this exhibit. Millions of people around the world have seen this exhibit and have raved about it. It is so fascinating to see what we look like on the inside. Well worth the price of admission. Collapse

        All reviews/comments and complete event details

      • Event Name: Body Worlds 2 & The Three Pound Gem
        4.5 out of 5 stars rating "Unique and interesting experience"
        Review posted by: sailrmac from san jose, ca usa, Oct 15, 2007

        The bodies are prepared and come across as much as art as anything else. This exhibition left me with a love and some wonder at the complexity and detail of the human form. Information presented may... Expand

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        The bodies are prepared and come across as much as art as anything else. This exhibition left me with a love and some wonder at the complexity and detail of the human form. Information presented may seem to in depth for the layman or simple for the medical professional but I think keeps a nice balance. I think it would be particularly benefitial for children 8+ accompanied by their parent. Could bring up wonderful discussions about what smoking, drugs abuse, exercise, etc. does for you. Could also spur discussions on where baby's come from, future medical profession interest, etc. However, the child or teen should be accompanied by their parent. Collapse

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      • Event Name: Body Worlds 2 & The Three Pound Gem
        2.5 out of 5 stars rating "Body Worlds, fascinating as well as problematic."
        Review posted by: Michael from thataddress@mac.com, Sep 30, 2007

        I saw Body Worlds in Amsterdam, Europe. I found it quite sensational in concept. Knowing little of the human anatomy I thought it would make more sense and be of more use to people that actually know... Expand

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        I saw Body Worlds in Amsterdam, Europe. I found it quite sensational in concept. Knowing little of the human anatomy I thought it would make more sense and be of more use to people that actually know what they see, like those with medical professions. Especially some smaller sections, showing networks of blood veins like delicate chorals, were very colorful and mysteriously beautiful. I understand it is a Chinese production, several shows going around the globe. Around the Amsterdam show there were some rumors concerning the bodies used possibly being those of Chinese prisoners. This possibility and the feeling of gawking at almost real human bodies made me feel a bit uncomfortable. The bodies obviously being Chinese made it strange to see them posing as if they were in the middle of sport activities like American football that seemed out of context. Healthy lungs next to lungs affected by smoking, with a box for people to throw away their cigarettes, I thought was a good idea. Collapse

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      • Event Name: Body Worlds 2 & The Three Pound Gem
        3 out of 5 stars rating "Not what yo would expect"
        Review posted by: Susannah from San Jose, CA, Sep 28, 2007

        I saw his exhibit wanting to really be in to the science of it, and I found it to be actually a little disappointing. A couple of the exhibits were ineresting (Fetal development, lungs, and the... Expand

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        I saw his exhibit wanting to really be in to the science of it, and I found it to be actually a little disappointing. A couple of the exhibits were ineresting (Fetal development, lungs, and the medical/artificial devices) but overall I wasn't terribly impressed. Interesting yes, but not the jaw dropper I was thinking it would be Collapse

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      • Event Name: Body Worlds 2 & The Three Pound Gem
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Body Worlds 3"
        Review posted by: Diane Folks from West Sacramento, CA USA, Jul 18, 2007

        I just saw Body Worlds 3 in Portland and it was beautiful! Because the bodies are plasticized, they appear more like fantastic sculptures than actual corpses. The atmosphere at the exhibit was one of... Expand

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        I just saw Body Worlds 3 in Portland and it was beautiful! Because the bodies are plasticized, they appear more like fantastic sculptures than actual corpses. The atmosphere at the exhibit was one of reverence, rather than exploitation. Seeing the bodies made me reflect on mortality and the amazing things the human body is capable of. The exhibit is unforgettable and I highly recommend seeing it! Collapse

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      • Event Name: The Tech Museum and IMAX Films
        5 out of 5 stars rating "Awesome ... Poignant"
        Review posted by: Southerner Yearning for the Bayou from San Jose, Apr 19, 2007

        Got to see this amazing movie at the IMAX (we're members of The Tech) and was blown away by the beauty of the landscape and the terror of the storm. The music is wonderful, the stories are gripping,... Expand

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        Got to see this amazing movie at the IMAX (we're members of The Tech) and was blown away by the beauty of the landscape and the terror of the storm. The music is wonderful, the stories are gripping, and the message is relevant. Everyone should see this at The Tech. Collapse

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      • Event Name: The Tech Museum and IMAX Films
        4 out of 5 stars rating "The Silicon Valley at its best"
        Review posted by: Susannah from San Jose, CA, Apr 17, 2007

        If you haven't made it to the Tech and to the IMAX, RUN! What a fun day and great high tech experience for all ages and what a bargain of a price. Sit all the way up at the back of the IMAX for the... Expand

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        If you haven't made it to the Tech and to the IMAX, RUN! What a fun day and great high tech experience for all ages and what a bargain of a price. Sit all the way up at the back of the IMAX for the best view of stunning and educational films that transport you to other worlds! A Segue tour is a special treat! Collapse

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      • Event Name: NetPl@net
        2 out of 5 stars rating "not a good use of the museum"
        Review posted by: Bob Nicholson from San Jose, CA USA, Nov 08, 2006

        There was very little here that could not be done on a website. Most of the exhibit consisted of signage (some interactive) and web pages. While the Tech is a fun and interesting place, this... Expand

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        There was very little here that could not be done on a website. Most of the exhibit consisted of signage (some interactive) and web pages. While the Tech is a fun and interesting place, this particular exhibit is a real waste of the Museum's floor space for something that could be accomplished via the web. Collapse

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