Christmas Agamograph STEAM Project
In this activity, you are going to make Agamographs for Christmas. Agamographs are unique pieces of Kinetic Art and would make great Christmas presents that friends and family will talk about for a long time.
Christmas Agamograph STEAM Project
Table of Contents
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The Science of Agamographs
These artworks trick the eye into seeing two different pictures in one picture when the viewer moves from the left to the right of the artwork very slowly. Also known as a Lenticular, an agamograph is an art form that uses optical illusion and perspective to create that changes when you look at it from different angles.
The really cool part of this art is that it is interactive (known as a Kinetic image) and requires the viewers to interact with the art by moving and changing their perspective or angle of viewing the art piece. As the viewers perspective changes the images change completely, almost as if by magic!
An Israeli artist called Yaacov Agam developed this Kinetic Art style around 1953.
In this easy and fun STEAM project, you will make Christmas-inspired Agamographs.
Christmas Agamograph STEM Activity Video
One of the best ways to learn how to do a project is to watch us do the project! Enjoy this video of us making the Christmas Agamograph. If you can’t see the video, please turn off your adblockers as they also block our video feed. You can also find this video on the STEAM Powered Family YouTube Channel.
Christmas Agamograph DIY Directions
Materials & Tools
Cardstock and a printer that can print the printables on cardstock
Scissors or a craft knife
Two pieces of sturdy single-wall cardboard that measures 30 X 19cm (12 X 7.5inches), trim as needed.
A screw or a bone folder – it is used to score the cardboard for folding
Glue stick or a glue gun
Ruler
Pencil
Plus you need the printable templates! Simply enter your email to unlock the printable and join the STEAM Powered Family mailing list where you will get lots of innovative educational ideas and resources. Print the templates on cardstock.
Directions
Print out both Agamograph A & B templates on the project board and cut along the solid lines.
Glue Template A-2 onto Template A-1 where it says “GLUE 2ND PIECE ON THIS SIDE”.
Do the same for Templates B-1 and B-2 as well.
Color both Templates B-1 and B-2. Remember that all pictures marked “1” are part of the first
picture, and all those marked “2” are the second picture.
Score the fold lines with a bone folder or screw and fold like a fan. Templates A – on all the
lines where the colored sections meet and Templates B, along all the dotted lines.
Fold the two end pieces marked “FOLD BACK ON DOTTED LINE” backwards. These will
be stuck onto the underside of the cardboard base.
Cut two sturdy pieces of cardboard – 30 X 19cm (12 X 72inches). You are going to mount your
Agamograph on this piece. It makes it easier to hang up.
Mark out six sections on the cardboard, in spaces 5cm (2 inches) apart:
Starting at one end, fold the end and glue it under the cardboard base.
Glue each fold down onto the lines which are marked 5cm apart, moving to the
the opposite end, and glue the other end fold under the base.
Your Agamograph should look like this after gluing everything down:
Finally, hang it up and step back. Move over to the left, and you will see the whole
of the first image, and now move over to the right, and you will see the whole of the
other image.
Agamographs in Action
Now we have made the Agamographs, let’s experience these cool optical illusions.
Stand in front of the Agamograph. What do you see?
Now, move over to the left side of the Agamograph. What do you see now?
Now, move over to the right side of the Agamograph. What do you see now?
Agamographs are amazing examples of kinetic images and optical illusions!
Extension Ideas
There are blank templates included for you to make your own Christmas Agamograph designs. Get creative and give it a go!
Or try your hand at one of our other Agamograph Projects.
You can also dig into more Optical Illusion projects with these activities.
Happy Holidays!