Leonardo da Vinci Galileo Galilei Archimede da Siracusa

1. listtravelingexhibitions
DISCOVER
ITALIAN
GENIUS
ArtisansofFlorence

2. I'MINDS GROUP from SenSpira SRL
IT14849071007
31, Piazza Euclide, 00197, Roma, Italia
•
DISCOVER ITALIAN GENIUS
from Artisans of Florence
Joël Tilanti Tacla
Managing Director
0039 339 218 0233
jttandpartners@gmail.com

3. • 4 •

4. Story
• 7 •
Our interactive exhibitions are recommended for students, families and children.

5. • 12 •
PROJECT,
DESIGN,
RESEARCH,
SHIPMENTS
ABOUT
OUR
SERVICES
The first step is to create a plywood model to see how to develop each
module (image at the bottom right). Subsequently we render an
exhibition space replete with display items. In the preparatory
simulation render (center image) you can observe that the panels are
coupled to create depth, stability and side by side (two-sided)
perspective.
H O W A P R O J E C T I S B O R N
• Sketch
composition of
panels (150x240cm)
• Model in
plywood
composition of
self-supporting panels
that divide the
exhibition space

6. • 13 •
From many years of experience in crafting and shipping exhibitions to
museums and science centers we have developed high quality packaging
methods for delivery by air, sea or from local ports by truck. With innovative
packaging design, the logistical costs are hugely reduced with the option of
self-assembly at the venue eliminating set up costs completely. These
exhibitions are available for hire or purchase by educational institutions
worldwide and come with over 50 interactive educational activities, graphic
panels, worksheets and spare parts.
• WORLDWIDE SHIPPING
• EASY ON SITE ASSEMBLY
• DESIGN OF EDUCATIONAL PANELS, CAPTIONS AND DISPLAY
UNITS (FOR LOCAL PRODUCTION)
• DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF CHILDREN'S CATALOGS AND
ACTIVITY ALBUMS
An example of our specially constructed transportation crates for
the Eureka exhibits. Each case measures 200 x 100 x 100cms
(80" x 40" x 40" approx.) and is constructed from fire retardant
wood compliant with airfreight and sea-freight requirements.

8. theexhibition
WARMACHINES
HYDRAULICS
FLIGHT
ENGINEERING
ROBOTICS
ANATOMY
ARTANDSCIENCE
SPECIALTHEME
DAVINCI’SRENAISSANCEIDEALCITY

10. On loan from the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum in
Florence, the Exhibition launched its world tour in
Melbourne, Australia in October 2009. Since then
it has enjoyed and educated millions of visitors
from more than 100 countries!
The Exhibition features more than 60 hand crafted
exhibits including a gallery of Leonardo's most
famous reproduction masterpieces, interactive
automatons and robots which mimic humans and
animals. As well as the most recognisable and
iconic interactive da Vinci inventions such as the
bicycle, helicopter, scuba suit, military tank
(subject of availability). Each exhibit in the
Exhibition is accompanied by a facsimile codex
page of da Vinci's original sketch, the same
drawings which were meticulously studied and
followed by the Artisansto create the functional
exhibits.
A saying by Leonardo da Vinci:
“Those who are in love with practice without
knowledge are like the sailor who gets into a ship
without rudder or compass and who never can be
certain where he is going…” Manuscript G, f. 8r
CONCEPT, RESEARCH
One of the world’s greatest artists and engineers,
Leonardo da Vinci was born with an insatiable
desire for knowledge. At a young age he declared
“Experience will be my mistress”, and throughout
his life he pushed the boundaries of knowledge and
experience, a true modern scientist. In his lifetime
he became a master of numerous fields such as
nature, science, art and technology.
The concept to present an exhibition that connected
Leonardo da Vinci’s passionate study of anatomy,
beautiful art and vision of a mechanical man (the
world’s first robot), was conceived by the Artisans
of Florence.
Studying and deciphering da Vinci’s codices
(manuscripts) in 2006 Artisans commenced
production on the life size anatomical models and
interactive machines and robotic exhibits that
comprise this Exhibition.
By the time the exhibition was ready for its world
launch, it was apparent to the producers that many
of da Vinci’s coded and encrypted secrets that had
lay hidden for over 500 years, had now been
discovered and would be revealed to the world for
the very first time.

11. The
presentation of
the Da Vinci
Machines is
made more
evocative with
design features
that emphasise
the colour of
the timber.
Each model is
painstakingly
made by hand,
using
materials that
would have
been available
during
Leonardo's
time.

12. In addition to
models
mounted on
plinths, the
exhibition has
an interesting
section on
flying
machines.
These can be
easily hung and
create strong
visual impact.
• 19 •

13. The section in
the exhibition
on automation
and robotics is
most
interesting and
relevant
because of its
modern and
contemporary
nature. Our
models reveal
the secrets of
Vincian
engineering.
• 20 •

14. To merely
observe the
models is not
enough. Our
didactic labels
come in a
variety of
formats and
assist the
visitor in
understanding
the complexity
of the
machines.

15. • 22 •
SPECIAL
THEME
DA
VINCI’S
RENAISSANCE
IDEAL
CITY

18. • 25 •
theexhibition
THEROMANLOBBY
MILITARYGENIUS
BUILDINGROME
COMMUNICATIONS
SPECIALTHEME
LIFESTYLE

20. Roman Imperial period was an era of massive
construction and large scale technical innovation that
brought unprecedented well being to the far corners
of the Empire.
Material inventions such as the book, windows,
cement, ship building and improvements to large
machineries (cranes for lifting, energy wheels for
multiple kinds of milling etc.), continued to provide
benefit well past the fatal date of 476 AD, the official
day the Roman Western Empire ceased to exist.
Most certainly, with its demise, we witness the end
of the largest globally integrated economy the world
had ever seen and will only experience again, with
the time of the industrial revo- lution of the 19th
century.
In our story of the Roman Empire, there are
foundational figures that stand out. Their legacies
linger on today in the fields of ArchItecture,
Engineering, Military Leadership, Scholarship,
Probity and Inspirational Vision. In learning more
about them, I hope we have been able to pass on their
truly inspiring nature: Gaius Julius – the first Caesar
(and its derivatives –Czar & Kaiser), Vitruvius –
Military Engineer and Architect, and Octavian
Augustus – the first of many Emperors, 82 in fact –
some good, some bad, who introduced advance-
ment and enlightenment to the whole Roman
World… In what has been an amazing journey for us
over the years of developing this Exhibition is the
discovery that so much of Ancient Rome’s
technology and ingenuity is still connected to us, is
present now, in our own age.
The Exhibition brings to life one of the most
technologically significant times in the history of
humankind. We hope your experience to the
Exhibition is as rewarding as it has been for us in
creating it for you.
CONCEPT, RESEARCH
It’s been almost six years since we first started
developing the concept for an exhibition that would,
through new archaeological discoveries and
reinterpretation of existing evidence, allow us to
shed new light and reflect on the enormous
achievements emanating from the Ancient Roman
civilization. Every item in this Exhibition is based
on factual evidence, historical accounts and
faithfully reconstructed artefacts inspired by a
number of important exhibitions staged in Italy in
the past couple of years (see the reference list at the
back of this book). What makes this exhibition
‘special’ is the Artisan style and tradition –
‘interactivity’ – tried and tested in the famous ‘da
Vinci Machines Museum’. The mechanical wonders
recreated by the Artisans were presented to the
public for the first time in early 2010 in Rome, Italy,
in a somewhat didactical exhibition entitled:
‘Machina – Tecnologia dell’antica Roma’. The
machines caused a sensation; newspapers,
magazines and even TV news reported and
documented what they defined as “a new way to
experience history.” In fact, the exhibition was
awarded the Italian President’s Gold Medal for
cultural innovation. Since we were contributors and
the creators of the machines presented in this one-off
display, we set about producing the ultimate
‘travelling exhibition’ to share the same pleasurable
experience with audiences, world-wide.
Our narrative covers a monumental era in history,
from the triumphant victory of Gaius Julius Caesar
over the Gauls (Celtic people from the ancient
country of Gaul, today’s modern France, Switzerland
and Northern Italy) that sparked the transformation
of Rome from a Republic to the mighty Roman
Empire. Besides the military ingenuity that we cover
in detail, the

21. The history of
the Roman
empire spans
many centuries.
To provide
historical
context, the
exhibition opens
with a timeline
showing
significant
events in Rome.

22. Large scale
panoramas
depict Rome's
most important
buildings; the
Pantheon and
the Colosseum.
We also
reconstruct the
famous Roman
eagle, symbol of
the military
power of the
Roman Empire.
• 29 •

23. Interspersed
with the
machines are
reconstruction
s of buildings
and
mannequins
with
impressive
armour worn
by soldiers as
well as by
gladiators
during combat.
• 30 •

24. The machines
created by the
Empire for use
by Romans are
displayed
alongside
large-scale
graphic panels
to increase the
sense of
spectacle.

25. Our faithful
reproductions
of supplies,
equipment and
armour are
most
impressive
when
presented in
display cases
(but can also
be shown
without display
cases).

26. In addition to
the historic
buildings, our
faithful
reproductions
of the most
important and
famous statues
are exhibited as
examples of the
grandeur of
Roman art.
• 33 •

27. • 34 •
SPECIAL
THEME
LIFESTYLE
AND
ROMAN
ARMORY

28. The grand finale of the exhibition is a theme that will entice the curious as well as scholars of ancient
Rome; games, gladiators and soldiers' armor. Our superb reconstructions allow visitors to touch,
observe and admire the equipment of gladiators and soldiers of various military ranks in order to reveal
the secrets of the most famous army in history.

30. theexhibition
MACHINESOFTHEANCIENTWORLD
ENERGYMACHINES
POWEROFSHAPES
LEGACY

32. If you visit Museums of Science around the
world you would most probably find a few
inventions attributed to Archimedes, the
Classical Genius of Hellenistic times - alerting
us that, 2,200 years after his death, Archimedes’
science is still alive. But despite all his acclaim
we wondered why there were- always “just a
few” - So scant a sample for such a famous
man!?... Armed with our successes of 4 ancient
technology exhibitions, this being our 5th, we
begun probing for answers. So in 2013 begun
our journey for the ultimate ARCHIMEDES
TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION bringing to life the
Science of Archimedes and the great machines
of his times. We soon realized that his science
had been lost, only rediscovered and partially
reconstructed 1,500 years after his death. What
an intriguing detective story! What a great
subject for an exhibition full of surprises and
discoveries. In unraveling the story we were
“lucky” to receive unwitting assistance from the
Renaissance Masters Da Vinci and Galileo; we
are also grateful to William Noel and his team at
The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore,
Maryland, for restoring the 13th century
manuscript - the only surviving ancient copy of
the lost codex of Archimedes - the so called
Archimedes Palimpsest, and for making it
available to the public through the internet. A
book we had to have (an antiquary copy is on
display). In our reconstruction we paid
particular attention to those machines and
concepts that have made their way unbeknown
to many into modern science. What’s more, we
were as surprised -as you will be - to discover
that some of his “inventions” can be used to
solve today’s energy problems!! This we felt was
a great opportunity to flush out an attractive and
comprehensive EDUCATION PROGRAM, and a
fun challenge: The Eureka Renewable Energy
Project! We were the first to reconstruct and
present in a complete exhibition, the awesome
machines of the Roman Empire, we were able to
explore the technology and science behind the
art of Michelangelo’s Renaissance World.
Finally we came to re-evaluate the ancient
wisdom of Archimedes’ Era – the third century
BC. To arrive at the final prototypes we
consulted copies of Ancient Greek texts:
Archimedes’ Palimpsest and Taccola’s Codex;
Roman Texts: Vitruvious' books of Architecture;
Renaissance Texts: Da Vinci's Codices, and
Treaties by Galileo Galilei. In this we were
inspired by scholars and friends who were lucky
enough to live in Siracusa (Sicily) - the birth
place of Archimedes himself.
Our goal was to reconstruct Archimedes’
inventions and the technologies to demonstrate
their function in a way for all to understand and
enjoy. For this we built sturdy models made with
materials of his time: timber, rope, glass,
worked iron etc... by applying our tried-and-
tested interactive elements and methodology.
Each model is complete with descriptive label
explaining the fundamental principles of the
science behind the technology with examples of
the science of our time. The exhibition
incorporates video animation and 3D visual
displays. Further more, THE EUREKA
WORKBENCH is a new addition providing a new
level of interactivity - it has proven so popular
that we will soon produce a version for sale.
This exhibition consists of around 60 historical,
interactive models. THE EUREKA RENEWABLE
ENERGY PROJECT – As a grand-finale we
propose a modern day application for the
technical minded; a fully automated GREEN
ENERGY FARM. Using Archimedes’ technology
and renewable sources of energy with a
biomass-fuel back-up. Parabolic mirror
combined with the Stirling Engine are the most
efficient solar energy harvester yet invented,
whose scientific principles goes back to
Archimedes times. When in March 2015, we
presented our premiere exhibition of over 55
exhibits in the city of Siracusa, Archimedes birth
place (Sicily, Italy), even the local authorities and
academics were surprised to learn how much
Archimedes had done and how relevant it is still
today!
concept
,research

33. The story of
Archimedes and
his notion of
Hellenistic
science
is told over 4
panels that
summarise
difficult
mathematical
theories in a
simple way that
can be
understood
by all.

34. Because no
portraits of
Archimedes
exist, we chose
a Roman statue
(no doubt a
Roman copy of
a Greek statue)
to represent
him in the
exhibition.
• 41 •

35. We constructed
the models
based on
written
accounts of the
siege of
Syracuse from
the perspective
of Roman
soldiers. These
describe the
way in which
Archimedes'
machines
repelled the
Roman
assault.
• 42 •

36. The exhibition is
not just about
war. Archimedes
was an expert
on the laws of
equilibrium and
optics and he
studied the
legendary
lighthouse of
Alexandria,
Egypt.

37. Interactive and
working models
provide visitors
an enjoyable
way to learn
about the basic
principles of
mathematics
and physics. All
the exhibitions
we design are
based on the
belief that
learning should
be fun.

38. The exhibition
is unique in its
focus on
science. It is
designed
specifically for
Science
Centers and
Museums that
wish to delve
into the origins
of modern
science that
has its roots in
the works of
Archimedes.
• 45 •

39. The exhibition
is very easy to
install thanks
to the modular
self-supporting
panels. The
large-scale
graphics create
an immersive
environment
that is
evocative of the
Hellenistic
period.
• 46 •

40. The modular
panels are
adaptable to all
space
requirements.
They can be
used to
accommodate
more visitors
and to guide
them through
each of the
themes,
creating a
narrative flow
determined by
the host venue.

42. theexhibition
GALILEO
GALILEI
THESCIENCEOFANTIQUITY
GALILEO’SACHIEVEMENTS
THEAGEOFMODERNITY

44. Often referred to as the father of modern
science, Galileo's life and works mark an
important period of history that enabled a
scientific evolution from the 'science of
antiquity' (culminating with the
Renaissance) to the 'age of modern
science' (beginning with the Industrial
Revolution). Without Galileo's contributions
to Physics, Astronomy and many other
fields of Science (coupled with his modern
empirical methods) our understanding of
the world would not be as advanced as it is
today. But Galileo's story is not one of
success and accolades, but rather the
story of a scientist who aimed to further
our understanding of the universe despite
the extreme personal costs.
The Science of Antiquity
Through a series of interactive historical
exhibits, we invite visitors of all ages to
take a look back at the story of science.
‘The science of antiquity' led to a pivotal
scientific period, and simple technologies
of that era paved the way for Galileo's
discoveries.
Galileo’s Achievements
We then invite visitors to take an in-depth
look into the science, inventions and tools
that Galileo developed and used in order to
discover and prove his groundbreaking
theories.
The Age of Modernity
In this section visitors can look at, and use
some interactive inventions, important
opening to the 'industrial age' brought
about through Galileo's achievements.
GALILEOTHEEXHIBITION
“To make great paradigm shifts in science
one cannot ignore history.”
“The progress of Science is intimately
linked with its society.”
T. Khun
“If I have seen further, it is by standing on
the shoulders of giants.”
I. Newton

45. Galileo Galilei
was an Italian
natural
philosopher,
astronomer and
mathematician
who made
fundamental
contributions to
the sciences of
motion,
astronomy,
strength of
materials and to
the development
of the scientific
method.

46. Galileo invented
a method to
calculate the
specific mass
density of
objects by
resuming the
studies begun
by Archimedes
on floating
bodies. He
improved it by
attaching a
scales system
that measures
the hydrostatic
thrust (force)
caused by the
water displaced
by body
inserted in the
water.
• 53 •

47. Galileo's was
the first
scientist to use
the telescope
to observe and
describe the
phases of the
moon, the
solar spots,
four satellites
of Jupiter
(giving them
Italian names:
Io, Europa,
Ganymede and
Callisto) and
even the rings
of Saturn.
• 54 •

48. Replica of the
Galilean
telescope
having one
convex lens
and one
concave lens.
The concave
lens serves as
the ocular lens,
or the
eyepiece, while
the convex lens
serves as the
objective.

49. He changed the
study of natural
philosophy from
a verbal,
qualitative
account (the
Aristotelian way)
to a
mathematical
one. He
followed in the
footsteps of
Archimedes,
and his
discoveries are
just as
revolutionary.

50. Finally, his
discoveries with
the telescope
paved the way
for the
acceptance of
the Copernican
heliocentric
system (Sun in
the centre of the
planetary
system). These
revolutionary
ideas resulted in
an Inquisition
against Galileo
and
imprisonment,
for which the
Church
apologised in
the 1990s.
• 57 •

51. Using inclined
planes and
geometry,
Galileo
examined the
motion of
objects under
gravity by:
a) rolling a
small ball down
an inclined
plane and
measuring the
time taken
against the
distance
travelled;
b) rolling a
heavier ball
and measuring
the time taken
against the
distance
travelled.
Astonishlngly
he found that
regardless of
their weight,
both balls fall
faster and
faster at the
same rate (i.e,
same
acceleration).
• 58 •

52. The clepsydras
is an ancient
clock consisting
of two
superimposed
containers,
connected by a
very small
opening and
containing
water or sand.
The passage of
time was
measured by
the amount of
water or sand
flowing from the
upper to the
lower vessel.

53. Ballistics as a
science began
with Galileo
Galilei and the
publication in
1632 of his
studies that
showed how the
trajectory of a
projectile in a
void, subjected
to gravitational
attraction,
followed a
parabolic path.

54. Galileo realised
that the
trajectory of a
bullet can be
explained by the
sum of the two
components of
its velocity (see
diagram). The
horizontal
component is
the one with
nearly constant
velocity
(i.e,nearly
constantbecaus
e air friction
would slow it
down after a
while). The
vertical
component of
its velocity is the
one increasing
at a constant
rate
(accelerating at
fixed value
9.8m/s2)
downwards
because of
gravity. As a
result, the
trajectory is a
parabola.
• 61 •

55. • 62 •
ASTROLAB - This 17th century astronomical instrument was designed to locate or calculate the
position of celestial bodies such as the sun, the moon, the planets, and the stars. It could also
determine local time by knowing the latitude of the viewer location. The name derives from
ancient Greek meaning ‘star grabber’(aster=star, labio=to grab). Its maritime use was made
redundant when mechanical clocks became more accurate and reliable.

58. THEEXHIBITION
ANINTERACTIVEHISTORY
OFSCIENCEFORCHILDREN
EUREKA

60. Our goal is to bring young audiences closer to
our world’s most important scientific heritage,
brought together in a small area so that they
can explore and learn together. From these
exhibits and workshops children can become
familiar with the geometric shapes of
Archimedes, learn about Leonardo's simple
machines, and be introduced to the amazing
engineering secrets of the great Roman Empire.
Despite the apparent simplicity of their designs,
these mechanisms are still in wide use today
and tell the fascinating story of the collective
scientific journey of mankind culminating with
the achievements of perhaps the greatest mind
in recorded history Leonardo da Vinci, whose
unfettered imagination, brilliant intellect, and
simplicity in presentation demonstrates the
capability within each of us to understand our
contemporary world through observation and
experimentation in order to equip us to one day
become active participants to its further
exploration and development.
Suitable for children and families and a great
asset for education in schools, science centers,
museums, libraries and educational
institutions, the Eureka - Interactive History of
Science Exhibition for children is an easy to
install, fun, interactive, educational exhibition
comprised of historically accurate scientific
models for even the most budget conscious
venues and a place where the next generation
of scientists can experience their first Eureka
moment!
CONCEPT,RESEARCH
In this sixth international traveling exhibition
Artisans of Florence's have achieved an even
more satisfying fun and interactive way to
inspire a new generation of students by
introducing them to modern science's most
important and fundamental principles in a
meaningful and memorable way from a
historical perspective.
The exhibition begins with the first truly
“modern” scientist Archimedes, continues with
the first large scale mass application of
technology by the very practical Roman Empire
(as recorded by Roman engineer Marcus
Vitruvius), and culminates with the science and
innovation of the Renaissance through the eyes
of its visionary master Leonardo da Vinci.
By examining the science of these three
important scientific periods and the genius of
these influential individuals we can experience
the scientific leaps upon which our modern
science is based. This exhibition of “small”
interactive exhibits contains very big historical
and educational value: with workshops,
structured games and open-ended activities
that are interactive and self-guided, raising
awareness among the younger generation that
is fundamental for the acquisition of knowledge
and the promotion of learning in a profound and
lasting way.
We do it by retracing the footsteps of
Archimedes, Vitruvius and Leonardo, because
these giants of science represent the peak of
human intellect through their invention of the
first “simple” machines.

62. TheEureka-
InteractiveHistory
ofScience
Exhibitionfor
Children covering
themajorerasof
scientificinnovation
throughouthistory
isdividedintothree
engaging themes:
Archimedesandthe
scienceofthe
HellenisticEra,
AncientRome–
BuildinganEmpire
asdescribedby
MarcusVitruvius,
andLeonardoDa
Vinci-thegreatest
genius ofthe
Renaissance.
• 69 •

63. This unique
hand crafted
interactive
historical
exhibition
developed by
the Artisans
has been
created in
consultation
with leading
academics
and
professional
educators
and is ideal for
school groups,
children of all
ages and their
families.
• 70 •

65. A sample of
other exhibits
in the exhibi-
tion designed
to teach
com-plex
scientific
concepts
in a simple
and fun way.

66. • 73 •

67. With a focus
on fun,
interactive
learning in the
fields of
science,
mechanics,
physics,
mathematics
and
engineering,
The Eureka -
Interactive
History of
Science
Exhibition for
Children is the
exhibition
where the
next
generation of
young
scientists can
experience
their first
Eureka
moment!
• 74 •

69. Modularexhibits
andeducational
workbenches
alongwith
learning
materialsfor
eachtheme
createaneasy
andfunplatform
forSTEM
teaching.

70. • 77 •

71. • 78 •

72. • PHOTO OF THE EUREKA INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS FOR CHILDREN