It all began with a less-than-ideal visit to the Sistine Chapel in Rome.
“I didn’t really enjoy the experience,” recalls Martin Biallas, founder and CEO of Special Entertainment Events. “There were long lines and 2,000 people. You couldn’t take photos and the guards were very militant about it.”
Even worse, the incredible ceiling frescos by Michelangelo were so high that it was hard to see them clearly. Biallas envisioned a wholly different viewing experience of the masterpieces: up close and personal, and with a soundtrack of classical music.
Six years later, Special Entertainment Events’ Sistine Chapel exhibit has toured around the world, from Shanghai to Vienna. Its next stop: Mall of America. The mall has carved out 10,000-plus square feet of space never before open to the public for this exhibit, which has been on view since Nov. 13, but closed temporarily Nov. 20 due to Governor Walz’s executive order. It will reopen Jan. 14 with plans to stay open through Easter. The exhibit’s location on level two of the north atrium has no windows, making it a suitable venue for spotlit views of Michelangelo’s masterpieces.
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