Sistine Chapel Comes to the Philippines

Luciana Jury | The World-famous Sistine Chapel Comes to Life in the Philippines | The Sistine Chapel is a world-famous religious and cultural icon that is also the chapel that is used by the Pope in his official residence. It is the location of solemn gatherings, important religious rites, and conclaves, which are the papal elections.

The chapel has been present throughout the years for a great number of significant events in the history of the Catholic Church, including the coronation of popes and the Mass of the Holy Spirit.

The awe-inspiring artistry of Michelangelo, a Renaissance artist, is largely responsible for the incomparable creative heritage of the Sistine Chapel, which is famous not just for its historical and spiritual value but also for its unique artistic legacy. The amazing beauty of this man-made wonder, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and a fascinating destination for travelers from throughout the world, continues to mesmerize generations.

The innovative understanding of human anatomy, bright use of colors, and ability to depict depth and movement in two-dimensional frescoes are all things that stand out about this artist. The confluence of these elements, in addition to the spiritual and narrative themes that are depicted, has established the Sistine Chapel for ages as an artistic masterpiece.

A Traveling Exhibition

SEE Global Entertainment Inc., an exhibition producer based in Los Angeles, has garnered significant notice and appreciation all over the world for its ability to organize large-scale touring exhibitions, such as “Star Trek,” “King Tut,” “Titanic,” “Frida Kahlo,” “Michael Jackson,” and “LumiNight Lantern Festival.”

SEE has recently been bringing the display of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel to a wider audience in North America and Europe, and they have now expanded their reach to include the Philippines.

The organization led the replica of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in an extraordinarily one-of-a-kind fashion by making use of licensed high-definition photographs. They did this with a rare expertise and extraordinary care.

The artwork is then brought to life during the exhibition through the use of specialized printing technology, which recreates the appearance and sensation of the paintings themselves.

Visitors are afforded a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with this historically significant and artistically significant creation in ways that were previously unimaginable without making the journey to the Holy See, wherever the exhibit is erected in the world.

As a result of this initiative, spectators will be able to examine each and every element, brushstroke, and color in all 34 of Michelangelo’s frescoes.

In April 2015, the exhibition made its debut for the very first time in Montreal, which is located in Canada. Since that time, it has visited a number of cities around the United States and the rest of the world, including New York City, Shanghai, London, Melbourne, Vienna, and Los Angeles, among others.

Because the show is making a stop in Manila, Filipinos will have the opportunity to witness Michelangelo’s masterpieces and enter into the grandeur of the Sistine Chapel for the full month of July and the entire month of September. This multi-sensory exhibit, which has been a hit all over the world, is now on display at Estancia Mall in Capitol Commons Pasig City. It is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. It is being presented as a collaborative effort by ATIN Global Inc. and SEE Global Entertainment Inc.

At the media introduction of the exhibit, Martin Biallas, the Chief Executive Officer of SEE Global Entertainment Inc., made a statement that was spot on: “It is a must-see for Filipinos since I know the Philippines is a strongly Catholic country. But I want to emphasize once more that this is not something that is exclusive to Catholics; rather, it is the history of Christians and artists, and it is for everyone.

“Coming to the Philippines has always been our aim, and there are a lot of people who just are unable to afford to go to Rome or fly all the way, so this is effectively Rome coming to the Philippines. For this reason, I believe that people should see this because there will not be another opportunity to do it anywhere else that is this close. He placed a strong emphasis on the statement that “there is nothing in the world that can represent what this exhibit does.”

The show takes the work of the artist down from the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel and presents it at eye level by making imaginative use of cutting-edge technology, rigorous study, and perfect copies. Even those who make the trip to Rome are unable to examine Michaelangelo’s dynamic compositions of the holy figures and their facial expressions with the clarity and appreciation that they deserve. The “Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel” software and personal headsets make it possible to access the instructive signage and audio instructions that have been placed next to each image.

Biallas elaborated, “You are looking at photographs,” in this context. However, it is essential to note that all of these were completed after the restoration. As a result of the fact that we hold an exclusive license, there are no alternative post-restoration photographs that may be accessed. After the completion of the restoration some twenty-five years ago, the Vatican severely forbade any and all photography.

Before that time, the majority of these frescoes had lost their color. They were going to have to put in a lot of work to get the restoration completed. Therefore, these are photographs that are displayed at the exhibition; nevertheless, they are high-resolution photographs that were taken immediately upon the completion of the repair.

Before the photographs were ready to be mounted, they were first mounted on a specialized fabric from Germany referred to as deco tex.

The Exhibition Grounds

The moment you enter the exhibition grounds, it is as if you have been transported to the sacred corridors of the genuine Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. Guests are transported back in time along the main hallway thanks to a visual history display that recounts the history of the chapel and Michelangelo.

Visitors will start to hear ambient Renaissance music once they have been transported to a very specific age. This music was specially curated for the area by Marlon Chan, conductor of the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

The halls, which have been curated by ATIN and provide visitors a truly multi-sensory experience, are filled with the gentle fragrances of patchouli, sandalwood, and frankincense, which evoke the atmosphere of the Renaissance era.

Instagrammable affair

It should come as no surprise that this exhibition provides visitors of all ages with an experience that is suitable for Instagramming. This is because, in contrast to the actual Sistine Chapel, where photography is strictly prohibited, guests are permitted to take as many photographs and videos as they wish (as long as they do not use a flash).

There are countless opportunities for taking selfies, not only against the frescoes but also beneath wall-mounted fluorescent angel wings and in photo booths where images can be downloaded onto mobile devices, emailed, or printed for a nominal price.

In addition, visitors have the opportunity to peruse the Sistine Souvenir Shop, which stocks a variety of goods. There is a room designated specifically for families called the Art Room. In this room, parents and children can spend quality time together coloring monochromatic pictures that can then be hung on the Art Wall.

Guests are strongly invited to give even the smallest donations possible via GCash, which will go straight to supporting the exhibit’s affiliated charitable organizations. The Philippine Red Cross National Blood Service Program will receive a share of the proceeds from the sale of every ticket. This program’s mission is to provide a sufficient, safe, and high-quality blood supply to the most vulnerable members of society. The Hapag Movement, an initiative led by The Globe that combats hunger that is not voluntarily chosen, will also receive some of the proceeds.

Caffe Michelangelo provides guests with the opportunity to indulge in a one-of-a-kind dining experience, which is sure to satisfy whatever appetites they may have. The café provides a delightful combination of artistic and gastronomic delights, specializing in Italian sweets, for its customers to enjoy.

Visit the website HERE