OnePlanet Camp RockBridge – July 2024

The Arts Bus @ One Planet
Camp RockBridge July ’24

In July ’24, The Arts Bus traveled to OnePlanet Camp RockBridge to teach the Art of Illusion. 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, inspired by “AIR” by Kenzo Digital, we built an immersive art experience for the campers with a walk-in, life-sized kaleidoscope using a 12′ bubble filled with mirrored balloons….and as soon as the kids were in it, 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!