No need to spend $1,700 on airfare and travel 13 hours by plane to visit the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. The Albany Capital Center (ACC) will have the world-famous fresco on display at the ACC this summer from July 29–August 23—or rather, a licensed version of it—when they host the exhibit, Michelangelo – A Different View.
Michelangelo spent four years on scaffolding under the 70-foot-high vaulted ceiling of the chapel painting his interpretation of the history of creation. Basically, what a ticket-holder is seeing is a high-resolution image of the fresco, licensed from the Vatican, that has been transferred to fabric webs. In other words, audiences can see the intricacies they might miss looking at the work in an art history book or even at the chapel itself, which one is usually ushered into for only a set amount of time. One also has to crane his or her neck upward in order to see it in the chapel itself. For the exhibit, the artwork is positioned on walls and flooring, so that it’s much more easily viewed.
“The format of this event is ideal for our facility given our expansive space,” says Doug McClaine, general manager of the ACC. “We can accommodate large numbers comfortably and safely so guests can enjoy the artwork while maintaining social distance. The pieces that will be on display are incredible and will be a must-see for all art lovers.”
Following the restoration of the chapel between 1982-1994, a Japanese team of photographers received permission to film the newly resplendent ceiling. Photo slides were made of the frescoes in a 200x250mm format, which since have been guarded by the Vatican Museums under lock and key.
Tickets to Michelangelo – A Different View will be available for purchase on June 1 at 10am and are priced from $8-$17, with group discounts and family packs available. Tickets will be sold in sessions to allow for staggered entrance and to maintain social distance. For more information on ticket prices and session times, click here.
