state arts

Animusic - A Computer Animation Video Album (Special Edition)
$19.98
Watching Animusic is like being mesmerized by the world's most elaborate Rube Goldberg devices: You're so astonished by their ingenuity that you can't look away. This "computer animation video album" is the brainchild of Wayne Lytle, a progressive-rock keyboardist and 1988 graduate of Cornell University's Program of Computer Graphics. Modifying techniques originally applied to the visualization of scientific data, Lytle partnered with graphic artist and 3D modeler Dave Crognale to create elaborate virtual stage sets and imaginary musical instruments that are driven via MIDI interface to virtually "play" the music that Lytle has composed for them. "The music drives the instruments," explains Lytle in his engaging DVD commentary, "and not the other way around." Using proprietary software called MIDImotion™, Lytle and Crognale have invented self-playing musical instruments that exist in a magical realm of musical and mathematical precision, perfectly synchronized to the kind of fully-synthesized prog-rock that Lytle obviously enjoys (and if you're a fan of Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman, you will, too). It's the kind of audiovisual bombast that appeals to some more than others (and there's something oddly impersonal about removing humans from the performance of music), but Animusic is so intricately clever that anyone can be captivated by the meticulous novelty of these beautifully engineered musical marvels. Take, for example, the most popular track, "Pipe Dream," in which thousands of animated balls take on a life of their own, popping out of an intricate system of pipes and barrels and bouncing, with percussive precision, onto all varieties of strings, drums, xylophones, timbales, cowbells... it's just hypnotically amazing. The same holds true for all of these videos, and while the colorful 3D rendering of Animusic (first released in 2001) is no longer state-of-the-art, the underlying mechanics remain timelessly appealing. For this special edition DVD released in 2004, Lytle opens his toy-box to reveal the creative process of Animusic from conceptual drawings to final 3D rendering. There's also a "solo-cam" function allowing viewers to switch angular focus from one instrument to another, along with animated set-construction demonstrations to show how everything fits together in the realm of Animusic. The 5.1-channel surround mix makes Animusic a perfect demonstration disc for high-end video systems (this is nothing if not a geek's delight), and Lytle's first animation (from 1996) is included along with a sneak-peek at Animusic 2, the follow-up DVD released in 2005. --Jeff Shannon

Duro-Med Allergy-Control Standard Pillow Case, White
$15.80

Foo Fighters - Live At Wembley Stadium [Blu-ray]
$29.98
Studio: Sony Music Release Date: 11/18/2008

MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS Team Logo ART-GLASS NIGHTLIGHT (4 1/2" x 4 3/4") by Memory Company
$19.99
This officially licensed decorative nightlight brings class and elegance to an essential home item! Team colors are artfully combined to encircle the team logo and produce a soft hue amid the shades of night. Produced in the classic art-glass style that adds beauty and function to any decor, this nightlight goes perfect in a den, kitchen, or child's room. Measures approximately 4 1/2 inches x 4 3/4 inches. All of our items are brand new from the manufacturer, and have never been used. We have been in business since 1987 and have been selling online since 1999. We will be listing many more items in the days and weeks to come! Please come back to our Amazon store, and look for our other Sports Collector's items. Feel free to E-mail your questions or requests to: sales@wesellsports.com Note: Please allow 3-5 business days for this item to ship out.