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Following Face

A box with an illuminated shape of a face
The face appears to extend outward towards you, but the surface is actually curved inward away from you.

As you move your head side to side, the face appears to turn towards you.

Materials

This exhibit came premade, but you could construct something similar yourself.
  • a translucent plastic halloween mask
  • a light source, perhaps a small battery-powered LED
  • black posterboard
  • a box, a little larger than the mask

Construction Instructions

Mount the LED light in the back of the box, near the bottom of the box so that the light will shine on the mask indirectly. If the LED light has a power cable, cut a hole for that. If it is battery-powered, mount the light and cut a hole in the box so that the power button and battery compartment are accessible. You might want to line the back of the box with white paper to help with indirect illumination.

Cut the black posterboard to fit in the box. Trace and cut a hole for the mask, and attach it to the posterboard with clear tape or hot glue around the edges. Tape it from the back side, so it is not visible from the front. Mount the posterboard in the box, with the mask curving in towards the back of the box (so you are looking at the inside of the mask). You might want to use black duct tape or black electrical tape. If the surface is recessed into the box, line the rest of the box with more black posterboard.