For OnePlanet Summer Camps 2024, The Arts Bus brought the Art of Illusion inspired by artists Kenzo Digital and Dr. Akiyoshi Kitaoka. Using the principles of S.T.E.A.M. (Science Technology Engineering ART Math), we taught how our eyes see and thus, how to trick them with mirrors, shadows, shapes, light and patterns. The campers looked thru clear resin spheres to view the world upside down (as our eyes do), held gazing balls to bend light & see behind their heads, and peered into kaleidoscopes to watch the infinite combinations of reflected patterns. For their first piece of illusion art, the kids created patterns of color by dot painting on mandalas, then they explored the magic of mirrored reflection by viewing their mandals through a giant kaleidoscope, creating an endlessly blooming flower. Inspired by the infinite math of mirrors reflecting mirrors, the campers then constructed their own kaleidoscopes and personalized them with glitter paper & stickers. On our final day, we replicated “AIR” by Kenzo Digital to give the campers an immersive art experience with a walk-in, life-sized kaleidoscope using a 12′ bubble filled with mirrored balloons! As soon as we added the kids, the bubble was also filled with laughter, giggles, jumping and wonder! We finished off camp with a favorite edible art treat to make things extra sweet — cotton candy in 8 possible flavor combinations! — to complete a week of creating art and memories together!
