Experiencing History Up Close, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Exhibition, Omaha, NE

Attendees wander about looking at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibition on opening night featuring full-sized replicas of Michelangelo’s frescos from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel now on display at the Capitol District in Omaha, NE Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sometimes it’s hard to imagine what history was like in a place, notwithstanding somewhere hundreds of miles away from Siouxland. Even with movie “reenactments” to help provide a clearer visual cue, I find it difficult. And then there is the issue of traveling to view historical sites, even pre-pandemic, it wasn’t always possible. And it seems some folk also thought that, after having experienced the real deal and had the wherewithal to make it possible for the masses to encounter something one has seen in books, online and museums. Of course there is a buck to be made, but considering the cost for an individual or family to travel to see a place and yes enjoy all the other accoutrements associated with visiting a place, the chance to view up close and personal the works of Michelangelo’s at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican is pretty amazing.

A woman listens to audio commentary about the Prophet Isaiah fresco at the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibition featuring full-sized replicas of Michelangelo’s frescos from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel now on display at the Capitol District in Omaha, NE Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Martin Biallas, CEO of SEE Attractions, which produced Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibition featuring full-sized replicas of Michelangelo’s frescos from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, gestures as he talks about the exhibit with local media now on display at the Capitol District in Omaha, NE Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Three women view the overhead installation of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibition featuring full-sized replicas of Michelangelo’s frescos from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel now on display at the Capitol District in Omaha, NE Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

One can sit and view the frescoes that Michelangelo created so many centuries ago. Audio devices when swiped near an icon plays recorded pieces that talk about each specific fresco and its historical meaning vis a vis the Bible. I attended during an opening photographing for a media outlet and didn’t have the chance to really sit and take in all of the amazing work to be seen. Each piece is life sized and one can sit or stand and marvel at what was created from the mind of many historians who think the artist a genius.

An attendee activates his audio device to listen to the story behind a particular fresco of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibition featuring full-sized replicas of Michelangelo’s frescos from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel now on display at the Capitol District in Omaha, NE Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Peole view the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibit featuring full-sized replicas of Michelangelo’s frescos from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel now on display at the Capitol District in Omaha, NE Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A couple sits in front of the Last Judgement talking about the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibition featuring full-sized replicas of Michelangelo’s frescos from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel on opening night now on display at the Capitol District in Omaha, NE Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

I do plan to return to Omaha to see this exhibit on display not too far from the Old Market. Just to marvel at the work someone spent so much of a lifetime to create and to understand a bit more. While maybe I won’t get to wander about the Vatican, which probably wouldn’t happen anyway, or taste the local cuisine in Rome, it will be nice to get lost in art for a while and imagine what it must have been like or to even comprehend what was being created and to see it happening in real time.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Attendees walk about viewing Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibition on the opening day featuring full-sized replicas of Michelangelo’s frescos from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel now on display at the Capitol District in Omaha, NE Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Martin Biallas, CEO of SEE Attractions, which produced Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibit featuring full-sized replicas of Michelangelo’s frescos from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, talks about the exhibit with local now on display at the Capitol District in Omaha, NE Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Musicians perform in front of The Creation of Adam one of the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibition frescoes featuring full-sized replicas of Michelangelo’s frescos from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel now on display at the Capitol District in Omaha, NE Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Performance artist Sarah Jensen creates a canvas piece using acrylic paint about the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibition featuring full-sized replicas of Michelangelo’s frescos from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel now on display at the Capitol District in Omaha, NE Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A couple talks in front of the David and Goliath fresco of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel exhibition featuring full-sized replicas of Michelangelo’s frescos from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel now on display at the Capitol District in Omaha, NE Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)