CHRONOLOGY OF THE SCOOP

2003

• Garden historian Pietro Sorrento buys a sketch of Paletta Grande on eBaia (Italian eBay) described as an original work of Francesco Nicola Sansovino authenticated by the Italian Botanical Art Institute in Giardini Boboli, Italy.
• Sorrento discovers a secret Da Vinci code hidden in the famous painting "Elegant Art Pad". The artist’s hand shown clearly sketching a very big horse on his ornate art pad casts a rather unusual shadow which is actually that of an inverted scoop. More interestingly, the letters in the title "Elegant Art Pad" are the very same as those in "Paletta Grande".
• Careful research into the horticulture records of the Knights Templar reveals the truth. Covertly Paletta Grande was a joint project between Sansovino and Da Vinci to complement his great horse "Gran Cavallo". When Leonardo's full-scale clay horse was destroyed by French invaders in 1499, Francesco's scoop project was retired as well.
• After visiting the exquisite Frederik Meijer Gardens to see Da Vinci’s grand vision fulfilled, his great bronze horse now standing majestically, Sorrento feels inspired and resolves to finish what Francesco had begun.

2004

• Sorrento partners with Fondamento per la Scultura Naturale (Foundation for Natural Sculpture) to bring about the great scoop. The Foundation provides preliminary funding, hires artists, metallurgists and freemasons.
• Sorrento travels to Italy for meetings with leading Renaissance scholars, art historians, garden tool experts and descendants of the elite Priory of Sion.
• A 1/8th scale model is sculpted out of aluminum foil by world renowned artists Ponzo and Ileana Siricio. The scoop is faithful to Francesco's original sketches and is in keeping with his fun-loving, light-hearted spirit.
• Deeply impassioned by the spectacular botanic garden and world-class sculpture park, Sorrento selects Frederik Meijer Gardens as the quintessential venue for exhibiting the great scoop.

2005

• A celebrity polo tournament is held in Sacramento, CA to help raise funds. Patrons donate $5,000 per divot replaced and $10,000 per steaming divot.
• Precision 3-D Laser Imaging Incorporated scans the 1/8th scale model to develop full scale construction molds for the aluminum casting.
• Ford Motor Company donates 17 retired Mustang GT crash test vehicles for aluminum and steel raw materials.
• Lowes, Home Depot and Menards provide all remaining materials for the great scoop. Construction begins.
• A set back in the construction of the massive handle sends engineers back to the drawing board, delaying the project 87 days. White pine proves too soft to support the weight of the giant scoop. A towering oak is cut down to replace it. All intricate hand carvings are redone.
• Handle construction completed, sections are saw cut, packed and crated for delivery.
• Steel frame is completed for the massive scoop, 2 tons of aluminum placed and polished, final detailing is applied.
• Scoop construction completed, sections are laser cut, packed and crated for delivery.
  

2006 - YEAR OF THE SCOOP

• Boeing Aircraft Company expands the "Improved Cargo Helicopter" program which will modernize more than 300 US Army Chinook 47D helicopters. The first two Chinook 47F prototype helicopters are loaned to the City of Grand Rapids to transport Paletta Grande.
• Paletta Grande scoop and handle arrive at Frederik Meijer Gardens and are reassembled to exacting specifications by Fondamento craftsmen.
• Unveiling and dedication with special guests William Faulkner, Alexander Calder, Mark di Suvero, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen.
• September 16 - Paletta Grande exhibit officially opens at Frederik Meijer Gardens !!!