THE LUME Melbourne to unveil Leonardo da Vinci experience

THE LUME Melbourne has announced the opening of Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius in March 2024, an experience that promises to be both immersive and breathtaking in scope. A couple of years back, Van Gogh at THE LUME changed how art is experienced in Australia, presenting masterpieces such as Starry Nights in an accessible way and on a scale that captivated audiences like never before. Now, from March 2024, the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper will come to life on THE LUME’s canvas at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Organisers say the exhibition will provide an intimate encounter with the brilliance of Leonardo’s artistry not possible in traditional museum settings. THE LUME does not offer your typical stroll through an art gallery and is able to blur the lines between art and reality, engaging all the senses with sights, sounds, scents, touch and taste. An intricate chronological narrative – woven through the streets of Florence, the canals of Venice and the grandeur of Milan – recreates the ambiance of the Renaissance. Visitors navigate through the 3,000sqm multi-sensory gallery to gain a profound understanding of the inspirations, innovations and enduring impact of the maestro. “Leonardo da Vinci’s contributions to art, science and innovation are immeasurable and continue to shape our modern world,” says Bruce Peterson, owner and CEO of THE LUME Melbourne. “We aim to provide a unique and immersive experience that not only celebrates the genius of Leonardo but also underscores the relevance of his ideas in the contemporary landscape. As a pioneer in bridging art and technology, THE LUME Melbourne is honoured to bring Leonardo’s legacy to life in a way that engages, inspires and resonates with audiences of all ages.” Central to the experience is a journey through the mind of a master inventor with adisplay of 50 “machine inventions”, painstakingly crafted by, and on loan from, the Museo Leonardo da Vinci in Rome. THE LUME Melbourne’s current experience, Connection, has been extended into the new year with the new addition of First Nations expert tours. The most comprehensive telling of our country’s story through art, Connection brings together First Peoples’ art, music and culture in a breathtaking experience. Connection features over 550 artworks from more than 110 visual and musical artists, representing the largest experience of First Peoples’ art ever assembled. Leonardo da Vinci – 500 Years of Genius is coming to THE LUME Melbourne, the world’s largest permanent immersive digital art and cultural venue, permanently located at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), on 15 March 2024. For more information and tickets, please visit: www.thelumemelbourne.com MCEC received the Business Event Venue of the Year Award at the VTIC Victorian Tourism Awards Gala Ceremony 30 November. Award recognises venues that achieve excellence, provide high quality facilities and events for business visitors, and have a positive impact on tourism. In 2022-23, MCEC hosted 694 events that brought more than 787,000 visitors from Australia and overseas to the venue and the city. In total, MCEC welcomed more than 2.6m visitors and generated AUD$805m in economic impact for Victoria. The venue saved more than 1.3m disposable cups from landfill, and its community partnerships resulted in raising $2.2m to Australian charities. It was also announced at the gala dinner that MCEC will host the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference in August next year.