The Leonardo: New Sci+Tech+Art Center Opening This Summer

  • May 13, 2011
The Leonardo: New Sci+Tech+Art Center Opening This Summer
The Leonardo will use science, technology and art to explore new perspectives on today's big questions, inventions and discoveries, making visitors part of the experience.

Located at the Library Square stop of the TRAX light rail line at 209 East 500 South, The Leonardo anchors the south end of Salt Lake City's growing civic and cultural center that also includes an award-winning public library, and outdoor plaza that hosts music, culinary and arts events year-round.

At opening, The Leonardo will feature interactive exhibits, activities and workshops, including:

“Holyzoic Ground”: This massive, high-tech installation by world-renowned artist/architect Philip Beesley extends upward three stories, combining elements of engineering and kinetics, experimental chemistry, and artificial life to produce a surprising, interactive experience.

What Makes You, You? Located on the second floor of The Leonardo, this area explores the big questions of what makes human beings who we are. From the neuroscience of the brain and genetic codes, to family trees and on online personas, visitors get a new take on their own personalities and motivations. Featuring the first working gene lab on the floor of a U.S. museum, where visitors can participate in a real study conducted by university researchers.

LAB @ The Leo: For visitors who think they're too old to learn new tricks, the LAB will offer hands-on making and doing activities mentored by real-life experts–from artists and engineers, to garage inventors and master craftsmen and women. Walk in or sign up for a class.

Digital Commons: Visitors can get help from an expert docent, or go it alone as they experiment with digital tools like animation and music software, a green screen, or a motion capture machine to make an animation, a short film, a custom ringtone, or even an original song.

The Leonardo will be open Monday through Sunday; closed Tuesdays. For more information about pricing, times and opening day, visit www.theleonardo.org or call 801/531-9800.