The Sistine Chapel arrives at Oakbrook Center

Back in 1965, I recall the blockbuster film “The Agony and The Ecstacy” based on the earlier book by Irving Stone depicting the saga of the paining of the Sistine Chapel ceiling in Rome. The ceiling was painted by Michelangelo and was considered the cornerstone of “High Renaissance Art”.

This Chapel was built back in the period between 1477 and 1489 as requested by Pope Sixtus IV ( for whom the chapel is named). Pope Julius II was the party who commissioned that Michelangelo paint this work of art.

The stories that are told are those of “The Last judgement” and in total there are nine scenes from the book of Genesis. Charlton Heston portrayed the artists and Rex Harrison the Pope, who consistently exclaimed “When Already!” for hours as his artist was unhappy with the work he was doing and the Pope unhappy with the speed at which his artists was performing.

What was created by this duo of  Pope and artists is art that has touched many lives, religious or not. I know of many Jewish people who have made the trip to view the glorious art up close and personal. Not always easy, convenient or affordable.

Guess what? Since many of us may never get the experience of seeing these works in the Sistine Chapel, the SBX Group and SEE Global Entertainment have brought it to you!

The old Sears store at Oakbrook Center is now the local home for an Immersive Experience- Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Exhibition!

This building which has been vacant since the demise of Sears, has now found purpose and one that will amaze and astound you. Tickets are already  sold out  for the first weeks, so as I said earlier, this is art that people have expressed desire to see and while it s NOT the real thing, the unique exhibit shows his masterpieces in a truly unique way, focusing on life sized, exact reproductions of te ceiling frescoes of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel.

These are brough to life by using special photographic techniques that reproduce the look and feel of the original work. Visitors are given a chance to engage with the artwork in ways that have never been possible before and they are able to see every brushstroke and every color of each of the 34 frescoes.

Thirty-four reproductions, each on a 16 foot panel- exciting, unique and an experience to remember.

All safety measure are in house. The exhibition is true to size, hands free and perfect for our socially distant yet innovative world. The ticketing is times so not to have crowds at any time. There is an audio system that will tell you about each of the works and of course signs at each piece as well. There is also an APP that will keep you informed along the way.

At this point, “The Sistine Chapel Immersive Experience” will continue thru August 15^th

For information, visit www.chapelsistine.com

For tickets visit www.feverup.com  tickets are $20

Open Wed.,Thursday and Sunday 11 am-7 p.m

Friday and Saturday 11 am- 8 pm

Location 2120 Oakbrook Center in Oakbrook   At the mall ( this was the old Sears store.