Washington’s Birthday is celebrated today, so the schools and the Library are closed and you won’t get mail delivery.
The Arthur Lakes Library at the School of Mines of hosting an exhibit of DaVinci’s Machines. This collection of over 60 authentic reproductions of machines and devices designed by Leonardo DaVinci were created using similar materials, building techniques and tools that Leonardo would have had access to in his time. Each exhibit is the exact size and is a museum quality reproduction of DaVinci’s technical drawings exploring weights and forces, levers and pulleys, cogs and wheels. From this he created everything thing from a loom to spin wool to clocks that kept time. His understanding of propulsion led to the first designs for a bicycle, his insight into water displacement allowed him to imagine what a submarine could do.
Over 30 high-resolution digital reproductions are also on display. Viewers can listen to an audio self-guided tour to learn about DaVinci’s entrepreneurial spirit and application of innovative techniques in the creation of these masterpieces. Full-size reproductions of the Mona Lisa, Last Supper and other classics are on display along with a special collection of a dozen high-resolution prints of Michelangelo’s paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.
The Library’s hours are limited today (because of the holiday), but it is open until 6PM. Their normal weekday hours are 7:30AM-2AM.
The school has several events lined up in association with the DaVinci exhibits, including a lecture this Friday (Feb 22nd) from 4-5PM in the Library’s Boettcher Room. There will also be guided tours beginning March 1st: Fridays at 4 and 5PM, Saturdays at 9:30, 10:30, and 1:30PM, and Sundays at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30PM.
The moon will be full at 8:53 tomorrow morning. It doesn’t seem likely that we’ll see it through the clouds, but if we do, it should be a pretty one–a Super Moon!
