Leonardo arrives at Italian Cultural Institute

The mystique of Leonardo da Vinci has arrived at the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles in the form of a tiny exhibition. The long-planned project of the institute’s director, Francesca Valente, will open Thursday with two drawings by the Italian Renaissance master and a video installation by Bill Viola, a leading contemporary artist.

One drawing, “The Theatre Sheet,” shown with two fragments cut out of the sheet in the late 16th century, contains sketches of theatrical sets and productions. The other Leonardo, “Angel in the Flesh,” is an erotic image of an androgynous nude said to have been purged from the British Royal Collection during Queen Victoria’s reign because it was deemed pornographic.

Both drawings are on loan from unidentified private collections in Germany.

Viola’s video, “The Last Angel,” made in 2002, is the final segment of a series featuring figures plunging into and emerging from rushing water. Leonardo’s “Angel,” Valente says, “stands for the annunciation of life in all its complexity” while Viola’s work represents “the eternal cycle of life and death.”

L.A.'s art audience will get a more extensive look at Leonardo in an exhibition opening March 23 at the J. Paul Getty Museum.

“Leonardo da Vinci and the Art of Sculpture: Inspiration and Invention,” a major international loan show organized by the High Museum in Atlanta and on view there through Feb. 21, explores the artist’s three-dimensional work, including designs for massive equestrian sculpture projects that were never completed.

-- Suzanne Muchnic

Photos: "Theatre Sheet" and two fragments, circa 1506-08, by Leonardo da Vinci. Credit: Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles

Related:

Leonardo da Vinci drawings coming to L.A., accompanied by Bill Viola

Comments

[ArtsBeatLA]

If you're in the area (Westwood), this F R E E exhibit is worth a fleeting visit.

While the da Vinci pieces are on the small and fuzzy side, his "Angel in the Flesh" is truly spooky, with its lunatic gaze and large phallus & pendulous testes.

Viola's ten-minute video is elegant and hypnotic.

[robin]

this is an incredibly fascinating exhibition in an intimate space. a rarity to see such works in this setting. i highly recommend going before it is over...dec. 12 is so soon!

[Donald Frazell]

Drove by but didnt see the building, and had lunatic drivers behind me and limited time. Where should one park? I sw a public lot, is that best?

[sue]

park in the public lot or there is 2 hour metered parking on the street....

[Donald Frazell]

Thanks, the meters were all taken, will try the lot.