“At Target, we are committed to making the arts affordable and accessible to youth and families in the Bay Area and across the country. Through this unique partnership with five of San Francisco’s cultural destinations, we hope to foster an appreciation and understanding of various culture, traditions and points of view.” – Laysha Ward, president, community relations.
For those of you who have never been to Zeum, it is a children’s interactive arts and technology museum geared towards creating user-generated content. From animator’s studio (where kids can create their own clay animations) to Music Production Lab (where kids can become a rock star in their own music video), Zeum is helping ushering in a new digital age. And with a major company like Target giving families a chance to experience activities like the ones available at Zeum, everyone who came to the Target Free Day were able to flex their creative muscle.
The experience through the eyes of an intern. . .
From the moment the first family walked through the doors, the energy in the air was parallel to the first time I worked a black Friday or waiting in line for a video game console release. Excitement and the unexpected were all on the docket, and I could see it in the eyes of the kids who came rushing in with their parents in tow. As I waded through the crowd and caught a peep of the massive line that formed, it was sort of a daunting task to start documenting everything.
Animator’s Studio was packed, as everyone told me it would be from the first day I started. The room was filled with laughter and creativity. Parents helping their kids with each step as the Zeum educator/intern/master assisted with any needs. Watching kids sculpting their figures made me realize how I wished I had the talent they had or maybe the unrelenting fearlessness because it seemed like they were so focused on their sculpture that they didn’t care what anyone else was doing.
The main gallery floor was just as crowded. The little ones playing with the foam building blocks and jumping around on the special effects stage really just represents one aspect of Zeum. While it seems like the museum caters to one type of age range, just roaming around the main floor really proved otherwise. The puppet theater saw some action. While in the back, there was a steady flow through the News Broadcast studio. Nothing screams, “I want to be on TV” more than the dramatic antics of kids jumping around in front of a green screen. But when you really think about it, who doesn’t want to star in their own TV show. Ahh kids; they always know how to dream big.
The massive spiral staircase brings youth art, arts and crafts, and the second floor of the building. And just to make it known, the staircase is really long and it has some really interesting art made by students from around the Bay Area. It’s amazing how inspired you can become with just one look at a piece of children’s art.
Reaching the second floor, it was easy to come across the Music Production Lab. Karaoke can make anyone into a superstar, especially when you have the moves to back it. A long line and then when you’re name was called; it was time to show the world what you got. I saw choreographed MJ and the belting out of ballads. Nice array for each hour that a group of hundreds got to come in.
In another room, computers housing Photoshop were the stars of the show. Families got to show their digital skills by taking pictures of themselves and then doctoring them into something other than what it originally was. As I looked around, it was very impressive the amount of knowledge each kid had. It was as if they were adept to using the software at birth.
Going into the Z-Dance room, surprising enough, the room was somewhat packed with spectators waiting for their turn with the simulator. It seems the simple act of dancing really puts everyone in the mood to dance in front of a green screen. Apparently, crazy backgrounds are all the rage.
The one unifying thought about Target Family Day at Zeum was the all out craziness wrapped with innocence. By that I mean; the day was filled with layers. It was one thing, but it was also another thing. Every time you pulled off a layer, there was something there that surprised you. And then when you look at the day through the eyes of a child, you realize the real innocence that a child has because they’re looking at new things without any judgment. It was definitely a day that I wouldn’t forget.
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