LOS ANGELES -- "ScruTiny in the Great Round" is a captivating and hypnotic interactive experience that delves into the unconscious mind using multiple elements which include paintings, poetry, cinema, music and literature. Published and distributed by Calliope Media, ScruTiny was awarded the multimedia industry's most prestigious award, the MILIA d'Or Grand Prix, at the 1996 International Publishing and New Media Market Conference in Cannes.
The first full-length work in one of the key art forms of the 21st century, ScruTiny was first created as a book of collage art by New York City artist Tennessee Rice Dixon. The Getty Museum was among the institutions to purchase one of the 22 limited edition, hand-made books for $1,700 from Granary Books. ScruTiny in its CD-ROM incarnation is a collaboration between Dixon and multimedia artist Jim Gasperini, with music and sounds by composer Charlie Morrow.
Focusing on the mystery of the connection between spirit and body, it allows users to navigate through a banquet of interwoven moving images, metaphoric icons, audible symbols and poetry.
Like most art, the experience of ScruTiny resists description. Reaction to the title is personal for each user, male or female, young or old, because each embarks on an individual journey. The richness of the collages, infused with flowing images and 3-D elements, allows users to interact with the title over and over without replicating their experiences.
Users can manipulate the screen using two cursors -- a moon or a sun. The moon cursor explores the feminine, rhythmic cycle of life, while the sun cursor relates to the linear, masculine perspective. In true interactive form, the user creates his or her own sequence of events and controls the pace of the experience.
"Users should view this title as an interactive dream," explained Calliope President Robert Winter. "ScruTiny and your computer provide an environment where individuals can reflect on their own sense of inner life."
Dixon, whose career as a SoHo-based artist includes producing and exhibiting artists' books, collage and painted works, poetry and, most recently, multimedia works, sees the progression from paper to computer as a natural extension of her work.
According to Dixon, "Moving pictures are one step away from the sequential imagery of the artist's book form, and with computer technology comes the ability to incorporate text and sound in a dramatic way."
Dixon feels computer generated work is an important way to engage mass audiences in art.
"To date, most art is defined as an original hand-crafted piece you see in a museum," said the authors. "Most art is very exclusive in that it is seen and appreciated by very few. The computer changes that, by providing access to a general audience, allowing art to be incorporated into everyday life."
ScruTiny in the Great Round is available now in retail stores in the U.S. Consumers can order the CD-ROM directly by calling (800) 617-2541.
ScruTiny is distributed in the UK by Macmillan Interactive Publishers, and throughout Europe and Asia this spring by Maxis. Suggested retail is $39.95.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., Calliope Media is an independently held company co-founded by businessman Jay Heifetz and multimedia author/performer Robert Winter. The company publishes and distributes interactive multimedia software titles for the consumer market. Calliope's titles feature originally authored programs in the arts, entertainment and humanities that focus on combining intellectually stimulating content with entertaining interactive design.
