Curiosity Blocks: Anamorphic Animation Meets Digital Art

Yuko Suzuki’s award-winning work transforms coding into visual wonder.

Curiosity Blocks stands out as a digital art installation that bridges the worlds of printmaking and programming. Drawing inspiration from the layered nature of multi-colored prints, Suzuki overlays the relationship between blocks and prints with the interplay of images on screens and their reflections in mirrors. The title “Blocks” alludes to concepts such as mass, grid sections, programming commands, and traditional woodblock prints, encapsulating the multifaceted approach of the project.

At the heart of Curiosity Blocks is the technique of anamorphosis, where images are intentionally distorted so they appear correct only when viewed in a cylindrical mirror. This method, rarely seen in digital animation, is combined with generative coding using the Processing language. Suzuki crafted 16 distinct animation segments, each layered by color and transformed from flat to circular forms, resulting in a dynamic artwork that changes based on the viewer’s perspective.

The interactive nature of the installation is central to its appeal. As observers move around the cylindrical mirror, the distorted animations resolve into coherent images, creating a sense of discovery and engagement. The visual impact is heightened by the careful calibration of distortion patterns and animation timing, ensuring a seamless and mesmerizing experience. This approach not only entertains but also educates, as mathematical concepts such as trigonometric functions and vectors are embedded within the animation, making abstract ideas tangible for young audiences.

Curiosity Blocks was exhibited at the ICC Kids Program 2024 in Tokyo, where it introduced children to the creative possibilities of coding and digital art. The project’s development involved extensive research and experimentation, particularly in converting flat animations into circular forms and optimizing their appearance in mirrored reflections. Suzuki’s background as a printmaker informed the meticulous layering and composition, resulting in a work that is both technically sophisticated and visually enchanting.

The installation’s excellence was recognized with a Silver A' Design Award in 2025, celebrating its innovative use of generative, algorithmic, and parametric design. Curiosity Blocks exemplifies how digital art can foster curiosity, inspire learning, and evoke wonder through the seamless integration of technology, mathematics, and artistic vision.

Curiosity Blocks invites viewers to experience the magic of transformation—where curiosity, coding, and creativity converge to reveal new perspectives and ignite the imagination.