Trimpin: The Sound of Invention is an amusing exploration of the sonic world of an eccentric creative genius. Artist/inventor/engineer/composer Trimpin shuns the hype and hyperbole of the commercial art world -- yet his freewheeling sculptures and outrageous musical experiments are cherished by museums all over the planet. Filmed over two years, this documentary feature follows the artist/inventor as he designs a 60-foot tower of more than 500 automatic electric guitars; builds an ensemble of huge marimbas that converts real-time earthquake data into music; and collaborates with the Kronos Quartet on an outrageous world premiere featuring toy instruments. Trimpin: The Sound of Invention will delight anyone interested in the mysteries, pitfalls, and sheer joy of creative experiment." NTSC format DVD, region 0. Total time: 77 minutes.

Trimpin (born Gerhard Trimpin) is a singular musician and artist who uses computer technology, found objects, conventional and retrofitted musical instruments and an unfettered imagination to create remarkable sound sculptures and musical compositions that no one else can reproduce. Influenced by Conlon Nancarrow, the experimental composer who used player pianos to perform compositions that were beyond the limitations of human musicians, Trimpin has designed and constructed machines than can "play" a variety of instruments,