Art Meets Science: From Exhibition to Cinema at INFF 2025
Conservation Series: A collaboration with the University of Innsbruck and INFF ● Reading Time: 5 min
Nicolas Valentin standing in front of the insect macro photography exhibition wall at Metropol Kino during Innsbruck Nature Film Festival 2025. Photo Credit: Mickael Chavet
Standing before the big screen at Metropol Kino, watching my insect photographs fill a cinema while Austrian jaw harp music resonated through the theater, I witnessed something unprecedented. Two hundred people sat in darkness, captivated by the intricate details of creatures most would overlook—or fear. This wasn't simply an art exhibition. It was a collaboration between art, science, and music that brought hidden beauty to life in unexpected ways.
This is the story of INFF 2025 and one of the most meaningful projects of my career.
A Friendship Rooted in Insects
The collaboration began at INFF 2024, where I met Marjana Ljubisavljevic, a researcher with the University of Innsbruck's Insect Bus Monitoring (IBM) project. We connected immediately over our shared passion for insects and stayed in touch throughout the year—sharing photos, hiking, and exploring ways to support each other's work.
When INFF 2025 approached, Marjana introduced my photography to Dr. Michael Traugott, the IBM project director. The concept was compelling: use striking insect imagery to engage the public, then present the science behind biodiversity monitoring and conservation. Michael envisioned bringing my photos to the cinema screen, and with his band Polyphonix, the collaboration evolved into something extraordinary.
Nicolas Valentin with INFF Festival Director Johannes Kostenzer on the red carpet in 2025.
Festival Director Johannes Kostenzer and Executive Director Elisabeth Stark embraced the project wholeheartedly. As Elisabeth reflected:
“It’s just amazing to see how people come together to cooperate on such wonderful things. That’s the mission of INFF!”
Building the Exhibition
Preparing for INFF required careful coordination—transporting equipment, setting up the exhibition table with prints and photo journey books, and working with the festival team on space and logistics. The photos lined the staircase leading to the cinema halls, greeting thousands of festival-goers over six days (October 7-12).
Finding the right method to display the work safely and professionally presented its challenges, but seeing the final installation made every effort worthwhile.
The Cinema Premiere
The cinema premiere on October 9th was the highlight of the festival. The theater was nearly full with at least 200 attendees—university students, families with children (many from Ulla Traugott-Priester's class), Innsbruck residents, and international visitors.
The lights dimmed without introduction. My first image appeared: an extreme close-up of a bronze ground beetle's face. The detail was so precise that the subject remained mysterious until the camera slowly zoomed out, revealing the insect in full. This approach drew viewers into the textures, colors, and patterns invisible to the naked eye before revealing the creature behind the beauty.
Then Polyphonix began. Standing in a dimly lit corner, they created sounds that felt like the language insects might use to communicate—clicks, pops, and prolonged drone tones perfectly synchronized with each photo transition. The audience was captivated, and the ovation at the end was deeply gratifying.
During the Q&A, visitors expressed amazement at the technical precision and the fact that many of these species live in Austria, often unnoticed. One visitor shared, "I don't really like insects, but your photos opened my eyes to a different perspective." Award winning Photographer Mickel Chavet, who documented the event, noted:
“Your passion is evident in the amount of work you put into every photo. What you do is stupendous and beautiful.”
Experience the Journey
The cinema premiere is now available in 4K. I've uploaded the full 5-minute visual meditation—19 insect photographs paired with Polyphonix's live jaw harp performance—for you to experience.
👉 Watch "Hidden Beauty: Insects of Austria" on YouTube
This collaboration reminded me why I pursue this work: to reveal the overlooked beauty of nature and inspire deeper connections with the small wonders around us. Through art, science, and music, we created something that transcended any single medium.
Unexpected Connections
Over six days, several thousand people passed the exhibition. Hundreds stopped to engage with the work, leading to meaningful conversations and unexpected opportunities.
Connections ranged from young nature enthusiasts purchasing prints to established professionals expressing interest in collaboration. Magnus Klammer from Alpenzoo Innsbruck approached me about creating something special for the zoo.
Filmmakers Claudia and Hendrik Schmitt from The Jetlagged, who won Best Short Film for Kids, shared invaluable advice:
“Never stop. Keep trying, keep knocking, and the right doors will open.”
I also connected with Lia Furxhi from CinemAmbiente Festival in Turin and Mariëtte Rissenbeek from the Berlinale, both of whom expressed interest in my work. One visitor wrote:
“Amazing job! Congratulations. Your vision is really impressive.”
Reflections
This project exceeded expectations in many ways. The quality of the photographs on the big screen was stunning. The collaboration with the IBM team—Michael, Marjana, Ulla, and their colleagues—was seamless and energizing. Working with high-definition cinema formats presented new challenges, and I learned that film festival audiences value exposure and connection differently than traditional art buyers.
Michael Traugott reflected:
“It was really amazing to have your art included in our session, and I got a lot of positive feedback on your excellent photos and the work we have created.”
Peter Schleich from Polyphonix added:
“It was a great pleasure to create a ‘soundtrack’ for your fabulous images. I liked how tangible and open you presented your motivation to connect with nature in such an artistic way.”
Explore More
If this journey resonates with you, I invite you to:
📸 Explore Limited Edition Prints – Bring hidden beauty into your space
🦋 Follow on Instagram – Join the journey as it unfolds
✉️ Sign up for updates – Be the first to know about future exhibitions and collaborations
Thank you for being part of this story!
– Nicolas Valentin
The Artist and His Masterpiece - Scale and Quality Revealed
Nicolas is the founder of Overlooking Lens, specializing in fine art macro photography that bridges science and art. His work has been featured in publications such as Kompass Travel Guide and in exhibitions throughout Innsbruck.
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