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ADVENTURES

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NEXT DAY

Art Escape

What’s Art Anyway?

Art has been an integral part of culture and the human experience for centuries. The oldest cave painting made by a Neanderthal dates back 64,000 years! And the truth is, art can be just about anything. That's part of what makes it great—and what makes it so hard to understand sometimes (remember that artist who taped a banana to the wall? And remember the other one who ate it??).

Today we'll take a blazing-fast tour of art history and explore what makes art, art. You'll visit some of the world's most amazing museums, put some sound-art into motion on your own, and try your hand at recreating a masterpiece, right from your own home. (Just don't ask your parents for duct tape and a banana. It'll only make them nervous.)

DAY 1

FOR PARENTS

Ask About Today

What masterpiece did you recreate for the Getty Museum challenge? Why did that piece stand out to you?

Dinner Discussion

Often, artists make art about what is going on in the world around them. If you were to make art about what's happening in our world now, what would it be about? What would it look like?

Skip the Ads

Unfortunately, online videos often start with short advertisements. Remind your campers to click the "Skip" button as soon as they can to move ahead to the video.

explore

30-60 minutes

A quick dip into art history, with no grumpy museum guards.

01

What Is Art?

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Excellent question. Let's find out together with this quick video.

Remember: Online videos often start with advertisements. (Annoying, we agree!) Click the "Skip" button as soon as you can to move ahead to the video.

02

A (Very) Brief History of Art

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From cave painting to contemporary art in less than three minutes. Hold onto your paintbrushes, people.

03

African Art in Focus

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Artists from Africa, Asia, and indigenous cultures too often get left out of the "history" of art, even though they have shaped the evolution of art in powerful ways. In this video, you'll take a visual journey through the history of African art and see how it continues to influence the art world today.

04

Childhood Art of Famous Artists

Famous artists like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Georgia O'Keefe were all kids once, too. What kinds of drawings would we have seen on their families' refrigerators (or wherever parents put kids' art before refrigerators)? See for yourself in this article.

05

Five World-Changing Women Artists

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Meet Yayoi Kusama, Barbara Hepworth, Sonia Boyce and Dayanita Singh—five inspiring women whose work has reshaped the art world.

06

Get Up Close with Google

With Google's Art Camera feature, you can get an up-close look at some of the world's most famous artworks. We're talking really close. Pick a painting and zoom in to see details you may have never noticed before.

07

Art Games from The Tate

Explore the Tate Modern museum's fantastic collection of games and quizzes page to find out which artist should design your bedroom, do some virtual painting, and more.

create

45-60 minutes

Art is about color, composition, lighting, materials, and more. Today you'll get a feel for it by recreating a masterpiece, right at home.

01

Get Inspired

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Getty Museum asked people to recreate their favorite artworks from home—and thousands responded. Today, you'll join in! Start by watching this PBS News video about the challenge and see some of the photos people shared of their at-home masterpieces.

02

Pick Your Artwork

Find a piece of artwork on the Met Kids page with the time machine. Search by location, time, or idea. When you’ve found one, think about objects and items you could use to recreate it. Is it a portrait with an animal? Take a selfie with a stuffed animal or pet! Love Van Gogh's Starry Night? Use beads, Legos, or jelly beans to make your own! If they're around and have time, your family can join, too. Think about the colors, clothing, and lighting you see.

03

Create Your Version and Snap a Photo

When you've got your version of the artwork just the way you want it, snap a photo (you may need a grownup's help if you're part of the art). Can your family guess what you recreated? What similarities and differences can they spot?

Share your work! We'd love to see it. Ask a parent to email your artwork to us or share it on Instagram or Twitter by tagging @CampKinda.

move

15-30 minutes

Art doesn't just hang on a wall, you know.

01

Get Moving in a Sound Suit

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Nick Cave is a famous artist who makes "Sound Suits." These suits are costumes made of materials, often found objects, that pack a visual punch and make noise when they move. Notice how he combines art, dance and sound with these unique and beautiful costumes. Can you find things to wear or hold while you dance to a song that inspires you? Check out this short video of the Sound Suit performance "Invasion at the School" for inspiration.

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