Optical Toy Making Workshop, with Marta Belo

In this workshop we will discover what optical toys are, considered to be the forerunners of cinema.

Participants will have the chance to see some incredible optical toys in action and understand how, in such an ingenious and amusing way, they trick our eyes into perceiving movement in still images.

Each participant will also be able to create their own optical toy and take it home with them.

This workshop promotes: curiosity about how the eye and mind work // concentration // socialization // creativity // fine motor skills // time management skills // planning and choice // curiosity about mechanical processes

Marta Belo has a degree in Communication Sciences – Cinema and Television from Universidade Nova de Lisboa in 2010. Since then she has been working as a freelancer in video and photography production and post-production, with a special interest in cultural, educational, artistic and community projects.

As an artist, she creates keyframe animations from digital cut-outs (from photography, drawing, painting, etc.), and explores the potential of light refraction through various surfaces and elements in search of abstract worlds and emotional narratives.

She is also currently part of Cinema À Margem, a project that aims to bring the experience of cinema back to areas where it no longer exists.