Leonardo versus Michelangelo: The Epic Battle of Genius

The North American premiere of a 90 minute immersive show about the Renaissance rivalry between Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, built with virtual reality, large scale projections and a full scale virtual museum inside Blume Studios’ 32,000 square foot main room. It is the first production in a new partnership between Blumenthal Arts and Barcelona’s Layers of Reality, the company behind the IDEAL digital arts center, and Charlotte is that studio’s first ongoing North American home.

The show follows the two artists to Florence in the early 1500s, when both were commissioned to paint battle scenes on facing walls of the Palazzo Vecchio and neither finished. In VR you walk through 16th century Florence and both artists’ studios; physical and digital galleries fill in the work and the lives. At the end every visitor votes for team Leonardo or team Michelangelo.

What to expect

• Virtual reality walk through Renaissance Florence
• Large scale projection galleries and a virtual museum of both artists' work
• About 90 minutes, timed entry
• The first show in a multi year partnership bringing European immersive productions to Charlotte

Schedule

• Nov. 12 Opening day
• Through March 27, 2027 Timed entries; see Blumenthal for the schedule

Plan your visit

Tickets start at $23 and went on sale Sept. 18 through Blumenthal Arts. Groups of ten or more get 15 percent off the base price, which makes it a good school or office outing.

Good to know

• Blume Studios is at 904 Post Street in the Iron District, off West Morehead Street between Uptown and South End.
• It is not a theater with fixed seats; you move through the space. Wear comfortable shoes.
• VR headsets are provided and adjusted on site.