Knowledgeable art lovers and non-specialists alike will get an opportunity to view digital reproductions of some of the most important works by Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci, one of the most influential artists of all time, as part of celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Italian genius’ death to be held at Rosewood Yangon next month.
Organized and sponsored by the Italian Embassy, the traveling exhibition “Leonardo da Vinci: Opera Omnia” will be held at the Rosewood Hotel Yangon. Ultra-high-definition digital reproductions of 17 of Leonardo’s masterpieces will be displayed in their original scale. The exhibition will include such iconic works as “The Last Supper”, “L’Annunciazione” and “Lady with an Ermine”. While Rosewood Hotel Yangon is covering the venue costs, the Italian Embassy is covering all of the other associated costs of mounting the exhibition itself.
The monthlong exhibition will be open every day from Nov. 9 to Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Leonardo da Vinci is widely acknowledged not only as one of the most prominent figures of the Renaissance, but also as one of the greatest geniuses of all time,” Italian Ambassador Alessandra Schiavo said at a press conference at the Rosewood Hotel Yangon on Oct. 23.
“Including Yangon in the restricted circle of Asian metropolises which have hosted this landmark exhibition is important to restore the reputation of this city as a cultural hub. We hope that this initiative – which is so emblematic of Italian creativity and heritage – will be a success, as it is yet another sign of our friendship toward the Myanmar people,” she added.
So far in Asia, the exhibition has been to Tblisi, Georgia; Beijing and Guangzhou, China; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Bangkok, Thailand. From Yangon it will move to Jakarta, Indonesia.
In association with the exhibition, Rosewood Hotel Yangon will host related lectures and workshops by Italian experts, especially for local art students. Additionally, a movie about Leonardo’s life will be screened at the Goethe Institut at 7 p.m. on Nov. 14.
The embassy will also organize a special Gala Dinner featuring dishes inspired by the cuisine of Leonardo’s time at the Pullman Yangon Centrepoint Hotel at 7 p.m. on Nov. 15. Chef Carlo Maria Ricci, an expert on Renaissance recipes, will travel from Italy especially for this event.
Another highlight of the exhibition is a competition, open to all Myanmar artists and art lovers. The creator of the best painting or sketch inspired by Leonardo’s pictorial work will win a pair of round-trip air tickets from Yangon to Milan. The second- and third-place winners will receive one round-trip ticket each. The Italian Embassy is sponsoring the competition, including paying for the prizes.
While the Leonardo exhibition is running, Rosewood Hotel Yangon will also be displaying a collection of artworks by local artist Htein called “Orbit of Dhamma”, a meditation of the symbolic importance of the wheel.
As the part of this celebration, the embassy has organized another special program, a unique “Renaissance Show” by the La Rossignol group of dancers, musicians and singers. They will perform songs and dances from the Italian courts of the 15th and 16th centuries. The show will be held on Nov. 9, 2019 at 7 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of Rosewood Yangon.
On the morning of Nov. 9, there will be two special Renaissance masterclasses for both amateur and professional dancers. Each class can be attended by a maximum of 20 people. They are free of charge but registration is required. Send an email by Oct. 30 to yangon.culturale@esteri. First come, first served.
All events are open to public and free of charge.
Note: This story was edited on Oct. 24, 2019 to clarify that the costs of mounting the ‘Leonardo da Vinci: Opera Omnia’ exhibition—including the associated art competition and its prizes—are being covered by the Italian Embassy (with the exception of the venue, which is being provided by Rosewood Hotel Yangon).
