A Visit with Michelangelo and Leonardo 2014

We hadn't been on a field trip for a while. This field trip took us to Forest Lawn in Glendale. We were to experience "A Visit with Michelangelo and Leonardo". This took place in the Great Mausoleum. In this building is a beautiful stained glass of the Last Supper painted by Leonardo da Vinci as well as replica statutes created by Michelangelo Buonarroti. It is also home to many family vaults. I felt a little irreverent sitting in plastic folding chairs in the midst of these with a large group of students, parents and teachers. I was also a bit appalled at the mom in front who was passing out snacks and drinks to her kids. I really would have loved to take some photographs of the things inside, but there was a sign at the front that said "no cameras". I obeyed, but it was hard!

"Michelangelo" began the visit by talking about the time period in which he lived and about his life. He talked about his statues that were displayed where we were seated. He encouraged the students to explore art in their own way - painting, drawing, sculpting, photography, music, etc. Then "Leonardo" came out and talked a little about his life as well as about his painting of the Last Supper and the Mona Lisa. I never thought about the Last Supper painting depicting specific disciples; but as Leonardo talked about it, he named each figure at the table by name and the symbolism of various items - like the salt tipped over in front of Judas Iscariot. Both men gave evidence of a belief in God. Leonardo said he didn't feel worthy to paint the Last Supper and Michelangelo talked about the beauty of the body as created by God. Following their talk, they gave the kids a chance to ask questions. I should have had the kids ask if they were Christians.

Pictures taken outside the Great Mausoleum:

This is "The Builder's Creed" written by Dr. Hubert L. Eaton the owner of Forest Lawn, Glendale. His desire was for people to focus on God, the Creator of all things.

"For such is the kingdom of Heaven"

The Great Mausoleum. This building is modeled after the gothic Campo Santo cathedral in Pisa, Italy.

Following our "visit" we heard there was another presentation showcasing two paintings - one an interpretation of the Crucifixion and another of the Resurrection. I think I took the long way, but we did find our way up to "Cathedral Slope" in time.

The history of this painting was very interesting. The painter was Jan Styka, a Polish man. He brought the painting to America for the St. Louis Exhibition. But because the right fees hadn't been paid, he wasn't allowed to take it out of the country. Sadly, it was rolled up on a tree trunk (It's 195 feet long and 45 feet high) and put in storage in the basement of a building. At some point, Dr. Eaton heard about it and decided he wanted to make it part of the cemetery. He purchased the painting in 1944. Since he had a depiction of the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, he asked another painter to do a painting depicting the Resurrection. This is also part of the presentation with the Crucifixion painting. They are both amazing!

Next to Hall of the Crucifixion-Resurrection is a museum. Besides the regular exhibit of various art works, we were very excited about the "A Million and One Pieces" display. Who knew there would be Legos at Forest Lawn?! Designer David Tracy created lamps and a few furniture pieces out of Legos. We enjoyed checking out the lamps close up and then watched the video showing David Tracy creating  a lamp.

Outside we took some pictures of each other. Then we headed back to the exit, stopping to look at the David statue along the way.

It did seem a little strange to experience these things in the midst of a cemetery. We have been to two different Forest Lawns for field trips. The programs are well done, the buildings are interesting, and the grounds are beautiful. A very unique experience!