The Trimpin Movie... Coming soon to a theater near you (and I hope you go see it).

People who innovate, design, create, and (for lack of a better phrase) push the boundries are often the sorts of folks who I hold the most respect for... One gentleman who I've held (and continue to hold) immeasurable amounts of respect for over the years is a German-born, Seattle-based, world-renowned composer, sculpture, inventor, programmer, designer, and MacArthur Genius Award winning mad scientist named -- simply -- Trimpin.



Trimpin (who goes by just that single name) has been creating music, musical instruments, interactive sculpture works, multi-media presentations, and just really, really cool stuff for more than two decades.


Trimpin creates, designs, and builds his works in a mad scientist laboratory, hidden deep within the bowels of suburban Seattle.


The lab itself is equal parts "Superman's Fortress of Solitude," "Thomas Edison's Menlo Park," and "Pee Wee's Playhouse."


Though jaw-droppingly proficient at computer technology, Trimpin himself does not own a cell phone or have an e-mail address.



Trimpin's compositions will never EVER make it to the Top 40 charts... But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Though his works are definitely not easy listening (perhaps "uneasy listening" would be a better description at times), his compositions are always wildly innovative, and guaranted to hold the attention of anyone hearing/seeing/experiencing the music.



Members of the Kronos Quartet with Trimpin.

From left to right: Jeffrey Ziegler, John Sherba, Hank Dutt, David Harrington, Trimpin.



A truly inventive film that premieres this weekend (March 14th, 2009) in Austin, Texas takes a "fly on the wall" approach to the documentation of Trimpin's creative process. And it's certainly worth anyone's while -- at least, anyone with an interest in art, music, media, sculpture, design, and creation -- to check out "Trimpin: The Sound of Invention".

Filmed over a two-and-half year period, "Trimpin: The Sound of Invention" is a fun (and often funny) exploration of Trimpin's life, music, inspirations, and -- most interestingly -- his mindset and creative process as he puts together his multi-media, interactive, musical pieces. Great (and often insightful) stuff. And this is certainly a documentary worth seeking out when it comes to your town.

Here's a trailer for the Austin premiere:



Please, support the arts. Go see this film.

Matt

P.S.: Full disclosure... I was involved with quite a few portions of this movie during its Seattle and Pacific Northwest filming. Peter Esmonde -- the Producer/Director/Cameraman -- brought me aboard early on to record many of the dialogue tracks, musical performances, and to shoot publicity photos as the documentary was being made.

P.P.S.: Below is one of my favorite images taken during the filming of this project:



This is a photo of Trimpin, shown surrounded by his "Sheng High" exhibit. For those of you who will be at the movie's premiere this weekend, a 20"X24" version of this image will be available for sale at "The Trimpin Gallery."