THE MASTER OBSERVER
Friday, my husband Steve and I, had the opportunity to go to the Venetian Casino, to experience the exhibit of Leonardo da Vinci. I have always loved the Renaissance Period after being exposed to art history in high school, and college. In fact, I loved it so much that I used to travel with my boyfriend, on a moped to downtown Cleveland’s Museum of Art. I was awed with the Masters genius. I guess I think of myself as a Renaissance kind of person, loving change, and creative thinking. Leonardo da Vinci is a name most people recognize, but perhaps few realize what an impact he had on our daily lives.
Imagine Exhibitions Gallery, at the Venetian, hosts one of the most incredible exhibits of how the past and future is the same thing. The comprehensive study of Da Vinci’s work was not what I thought it would be. My thoughts would have been limited. It had so much more meaning for me, and it certainly relates to my present -day life.
Every day you will find something that Da Vinci contributed to, or invented a version of in the late 1400’s -1500’s. The Exhibit covers his work as master artist, inventor, engineer, musician, architect, urban studies, event planner, and chef. Even back then, his financial situation caused him to create weapons for those who hired him, because he needed the money, or they needed protection. The exhibit has many physical replicas of his inventions.
Mona Lisa is a mystery that walks “alive” today. We see her everywhere. Ise sings about her. I have a copy of her with a Starbucks in her hand. Mona Lisa is a house-hold name. One can witness a presentation, and the study of Mona Lisa, and her secrets.
The high definition of the huge Last Supper was amazing. I have seen the painting illustrated, and in Italy, but I never realized how those sitting on the right of Jesus seemed to be listening to Mary Magdalene and those of the left were talking amongst themselves trying to come up with answers of the “who” would betray. Of course this is one of my “nancisms.”
Leonardo da Vinci is described today as a Genius. How did he do so much in one lifetime? How did he tap into the future with so many inventions of today? Flying machines, Gliders, paddle boarding, parachutes, ball bearings, cranes…the list goes on and on. I bet someone at the Venetian would have liked to have had him as a master chef and party planner.
How did he do that? By doing the same thing that many of us are trying to do today…stay in the moment where all creativity resides, and observe first the answers before thinking of them.
Leonardo is one of my hero’s. He knew back in the 1500’s what we are trying to do now. Stay in the moment, and learn to observe what gifts are available from our Universe that is beyond our tiny perceptions.
Thank you Grande Exhibitions from Australia for the incredible job of putting this exhibition together. Thank you Tom Zaller; your staff, and the Venetian for giving us the opportunity to see this exhibit with easy access to the area.
I am grateful that I can witness the work of one of the Greatest Observers of all time.
This man knows my heart:
“Once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”
Exhibit tickets are priced from $18.00 to $25.00, and the gallery is open from 10am-9pm.
You can reach Nancy Barr at 702 285-9069 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
