MDC’s Acclaimed Art Gallery System Presents

Mona Lisa Unveiled

Mona Lisa Unveiled exhibit at The Freedom Tower

Miami, August 2, 2011 – Making its U.S. premiere, Miami Dade College’s (MDC)Art Gallery System brings to South Florida an extraordinary exhibition inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic portrait, the Mona Lisa. The exhibition, Mona Lisa Unveiled, will showcase various interpretations of the classic, created by artists around the world and dating from the 16^th Century to modern day.

This exhibition is co-presented by City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado and City of Margherita di Savoia (Italy) Mayor Gabriella Carlucci. An invitation-only opening reception will take place at 6:30 p.m.Thursday, August 25, at MDC’s own transcendent work of art, the Freedom Tower. The working media is welcome.

On loan from the Museo Ideale Leonardo da Vinci in Florence, Italy, the exhibition was created and inspired by Alessandro Vezzosi, the museum’s director, and Agnese Sabato, president of the museum’s International Association. In Miami, the exhibition has been made possible with the support of the Consul General of Italy, Marco Rocca, and Gloria Porcella, director of the Galleria Ca’ d’Oro in Rome and Miami.

Mona Lisa Unveiled is divided into two main sections. One part concentrates on the historical aspect and includes works and documents from the 16th – 19th centuries. The second part is more contemporary, charting the theft of the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in 1911 and continuing with 20th century artists who reinterpret da Vinci’s painting. Featured artists range from Marcel Duchamp, Jean Margat and Salvador Dalì, to Romero Britto, as well as artists who have recreated Italy’s most famous cultural symbol with computers, videos and installation pieces.

The exhibition opens to the general public on August 26 and will remain on display through October 7, free and open to the public during gallery hours. As always, local schools will have the opportunity to schedule guided tours for teachers and students.

Margherita di Savoia is a seaside resort town located along Italy’s Adriatic coast, renowned for its salt marshes and beaches. At the exhibition’s opening reception, Mayors Regalado and Carlucci will sign a Collaborative Agreement between the two cities.

Miami Dade College

Miami Dade College has a long and rich history of involvement in the cultural arts, providing South Florida with a vast array of artistic and literary offerings including The Miami Book Fair International, The Florida Center for the Literary Arts, The Miami International Film Festival, the Cultura del Lobo performance arts series, The MDC Tower Theater Cinema Series, the Miami Leadership Roundtable speakers’ series, the National Historic Landmark Freedom Tower, numerous renowned campus art galleries and theaters, and the nationally recognized School of Entertainment and Design Technology. With an enrollment of more than 174,000 students, MDC is the largest institution of higher education in the country and is a national model for many of its programs. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer more than 300 distinct degree programs including baccalaureate, Associate in Arts and Science degrees and numerous career training certificates leading to in-demand jobs. MDC has served nearly 2,000,000 students since it opened its doors in 1960.

For more information, please contact MDC’s Art Gallery System at 305-237-7700.