Museum of Science and Industry

A photograph showing a gothic version of the Mona Lisa has been selected by voters as the winner of an online photo competition by MOSI to find the Manchester Mona Lisa. Carol Hodge from Chorlton attracted voters with a photo by Vicky Johnson-Brown, of her posed in a witchy top hat, white face and kohl-rimmed eyes against a firey background.

Carol was one of 20 entries for the photo competition, which was run by MOSI as part of their current Da Vinci – The Genius exhibition, and aimed to attract anyone who has the qualities (not necessarily the features) of Leonardo da Vinci’s classic painting.  Entrants could be women, men or even pets! The candidate simply had to have to have an air of mystery, calm and an enigmatic smile.

Carol Hodge said: “I'm really pleased to have been chosen, and want to say thank you to all the people who took the time to vote for me.  I'm particularly pleased with the portrait, which is in no small part due to the photographer, Vicky Johnson-Brown. We took the photo during a gothic fashion shoot, for Vicky's show at University. I think there is definitely something slightly ethereal and timeless about the photo.”

The Da Vinci – The Genius exhibition is the largest of its kind in Europe and has recently been extended until 12 September 2010. It includes a dedicated section on the Mona Lisa, which features the UK premiere of the work of Pascal Cotte. Cotte used a special hi-resolution camera to reveal the original colours and details of the Mona Lisa - such as her missing eyebrows, a fur-lined coat on her lap and brighter blues and greens of the background.

Last year, actress Michelle Keegan (who plays Tina McIntyre in Coronation Street), had a full makeover as the Mona Lisa, to celebrate the start of the Manchester-based exhibition.

The exhibition also includes 65 machines such as a glider, parachute and military tank, which have been created from Da Vinci’s designs and notes and demonstrate the full range of his talents. Italian artisans worked with Da Vinci’s drawings, as well as his unusual shorthand (written from right to left) and Florentine dialect, to bring his work to life for the first time in the techniques and materials of 15th century Italy. 

To view Carol Hodge’s winning photo for the Manchester Mona Lisa and other candidates for the Manchester Mona Lisa look up http://davincithegenius.ning.com/photo/albums/manchester-monas

Da Vinci – The Genius runs until 12 September 2010 at MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry), Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester.  Ticket prices are £7.50 for adults, £5 for concessions or £20 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children).  Tickets are available at the MOSI Box Office or www.ticketmaster.co.uk, call 0844 847 2261 (24 hours). Group bookings: 0844 847 2354. Tickets are non-refundable. For more information look up www.mosi.org.uk or www.davincithegenius.com

For media information or images please call Sarah Roe on 0161 606 0176 m: 07847 372647.

Notes to editors

About Grande Exhibitions: Creators and promoters of the Exhibition who have researched, sourced and interpreted much of what is contained in the exhibition.  Based in Rome Italy and Melbourne Australia, Grande Exhibitions is dedicated to delivering quality blockbuster exhibitions of mass appeal that entertain and educate

About The Anthropos Foundation: From Il Genio de Leonardo Da Vinci Museo in Rome, talented and gifted Artisans have made the machines inventions and many items that you see on display at the exhibitions.  They have spent more than 10 years bringing to life over 120 of Leonardo’s concepts and designs and use in the main techniques and materials available in 15^th Century Italy

The Radisson Edwardian, Manchester is the official sponsor of the exhibition.

For media enquiries please contact: Sarah Roe, MOSI press and publicity officer on Tel: 0161 606 0176, m: 07847 372647

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