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After Dark: Delightful Devices

Thursday, January 17, 2019 • 6:00–10:00 p.m.

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Free for After Dark Members

Adults Only (18+)

Note: The Tactile Dome and some programs have limited capacity and are available to visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lose yourself in over 650 interactive exhibits exploring perception, art, and science at our adults-only After Dark. Grab your friends and a drink and get immersed in mind-bending experiences and unique, thought-provoking programs.

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Featured Program

After Dark: Delightful Devices

Encounter delightful designs, outlandish objects, and astounding apparatuses in this celebration of the closing weekend of Curious Contraptions. Incorporating innovators whose hands-on approaches fuse with technology in surprising and enchanting ways, prepare to encounter objects and artists that have left the expected behind to explore curious new possibilities.  Top the evening off with a one-of-a-kind performance merging artistry, comedy, and song from by self-described “electronics company from a parallel world” Maywa Denki.

Tactile Dome
$10; purchase tickets onsite at the Information Desk

6:15–10:00 p.m.
Osher Gallery 1

Take an excursion through total darkness in our Tactile Dome. Crawl, slide, and bump your way through the pitch-dark Dome using your sense of touch as your only guide through its chambers and mazes.

Please Note: Due to the nature of this experience, certain restrictions apply. Guests who are afraid of the dark; claustrophobic; have back, neck, or knee injuries; or are in their third trimester of pregnancy should not participate. Guests wearing casts are prohibited. Also, please wear comfortable clothes.

Learn more about the Tactile Dome.

Explainer Demonstrations

6:00–9:45 unless noted
Various locations throughout the museum

Drawing Board
Ticketing at 6:00 p.m., first come, first served
Osher Gallery 1

Draw hypnotically flowing patterns with a swinging table, and watch friction cause the patterns to slowly shrink along a spiral path. Pick up a ticket to reserve your spot in line for this popular activity.

Speaker Dissection
Bechtel Gallery 2

Tune in to surrounding sounds by experimenting with strings and vibrations, and use electromagnets to build a basic speaker. Learn how to listen with your bones, and explore the workings of the inner ear.

Cow Eye or Flower Dissection (alternating)
Gallery 4

Do cows see color? How does a lens work? Examine the intricate structure of a cow eye to learn about similar structures in our own eyes, as well as some key differences.

Stigma, stamen, pistil, anther, style: Uncover the beautiful architecture of flower anatomy, and gather some surprising strategies that plants use to reproduce.

Magic Demonstration
Osher Gallery 1

Everything is not as it seems—at first. Pick a card, any card, and watch the Explainers reveal some surprising aspects of human perception.