Art of Tinkering Events | Exploratorium

Jul
2

A child works on a make-and-take activity with scissors and paper.

All Hands On Science

Every Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday in July • 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Get ready to get tactile! Join us on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays in July for All Hands On Science, a family-oriented make-and-take workshop.

Jul
2

Children place plastic produce containers in a wind tunnel and watch them fly.

Tinker Fest!

Saturday, July 2, 2022 • 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Celebrate the joy of tinkering with artworks, contraptions, exhibits, and experiences for all ages!

Jul
9

Still image from the animated short film Dot.

Saturday Cinema: The Art of Tinkering

Saturday, July 9, 2022 • 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. PT

An array of animated and kinetic short films explore the inventive ways that amateurs, artists, and tinkerers manipulate the moving image in surprising and/or captivating ways.

Jul
21

Scott Weaver's elaborate toothpick sculpture, Rolling Through the Bay, features the Bay Bridge, Ghirardelli Square, and a whale's tail emerging from the water.

After Dark: Build

Thursday, July 21, 2022 • 6:00–10:00 p.m. PT

Meet us at the intersection of possibility and structure. Explore unexpected creations made from everyday materials, and learn about engineering feats in our local landscape.

Jul
28

A shadow puppet figure dances in front of a silhouette resembling an enormous, toothy beast.

After Dark: Shine

Thursday, July 28, 2022 • 6:00–10:00 p.m. PT

Illuminate the connections between art and science during a night devoted to shadow and light. Featuring a premiere performance by Facing West Shadows.

Jul
30

A person casts the shadows of a forest on white canvas using a light source and small model trees.

Facing West Shadows: Phantasmagoria
With Facing West Shadows

Saturday, July 30, 2022 • 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 31, 2022 • 2:00 p.m.

Join us for the premiere of Facing West Shadows: Phantasmagoria, a live, multimedia, shadow-theater opera inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tale “The Robber Bridegroom.”

Aug
9

In a Manual Cinema production of Hansel and Gretel, two silhouetted figures approach a house in the woods.

Multimedia Shadow Play
With Manual Cinema

Tuesday, August 9–Sunday, August 14, 2022

Create your own form of live cinema in an installation designed by Emmy Award–winning Manual Cinema.

Aug
11

Performers from the Facing West Shadows production of Hansel and Gretel walk hand-in-hand and cast their silhouettes against a backdrop.

After Dark: Move

Thursday, August 11, 2022 • 6:00–10:00 p.m. PT

Gear up for a night of cogs and contraptions, analog gadgets and Rube Goldberg chain reactions. Featuring a performative talk by Emmy Award–winning Manual Cinema.

Aug
18

Red, arrow-shaped wind indicators from a sailboat illustrate how the laminar flow of wind changes with height.

After Dark: Fly

Thursday, August 18, 2022 • 6:00–10:00 p.m. PT

Marvel at wind-powered whirligigs and aerodynamic designs. Tinker with wind tunnels and wind tables. Tonight, creativity is in the air!