i. lab leonardo
experience the genius
Find out more about Leonardo's ideas and work through large interactive machines that you can operate and take apart. The new interactive laboratory, a place where you can paint like Leonardo, discover the manuscripts of a genius and throw some ideas around.
The i.lab Leonardo is a large space for experimenting: somewhere between an artist's studio and an inventor's garden shed.
The interactive area houses 9 large machines. In addition to this is the glider suspended above the entrance to this area. The machines are faithful reproductions of machines designed by Leonardo. They are all fully working and in some cases can be disassembled.
- Aerial screw
- Beating wing
- Archimedes screw
- Revolving crane
- Lifting winch
- Self-supporting bridge
- Twisting machine
- Pulleys
- Gears
Together with a leader, you'll sit on a crane, take a bridge apart and reassemble it, lift weights and much more.
This way you can study how the machines work, and how Leonardo intended them to be used.
For fans of art and painting, the laboratory offers several educational programmes on painting techniques in Leonardo's day.
How the machines come to life
Like any self-respecting workshop the i.lab Leonardo has its master: doing an i.lab means gaining an understanding of Leonardo's work and philosophy with the help of a leader. The leader uses interactive machines and educational programmes, visual aids, explanation panels and models on display to tailor the experience more our individual interests and curiosity.
Revolving crane. We'll sit on the crane and lift the wait, using the two available sprockets in sequence.
Beating wing. We'll try to pull down the lever quickly in a single stroke.
Archimedes screw. We turn the crank clockwise: what happens?