Revealing the Unseen: A Collaborative Exhibition Transforms Innsbruck's View of Insects
Conservation Series: Collaboration between Overlooking Lens and INFF ● Reading Time: 5 min
In the heart of Innsbruck, an extraordinary transformation took place. What began as an empty 140 square meter space on Erlerstraße 10 metamorphosed—much like the subjects it would soon showcase—into one of the most talked-about exhibitions of the Innsbruck Nature Film Festival (INFF).
A Prestigious Collaboration
A moment of pride and celebration: Nicolas Valentin (Overlooking Lens) and Johannes Kostenzer (INFF Director), showcase the success of their collaborative exhibition with genuine enthusiasm. This partnership exemplifies how art and environmental awareness can unite to create meaningful change in our community.
The opportunity to collaborate with INFF—one of Austria's most respected environmental organizations—was truly an honor. For years, INFF has been at the forefront of raising ecological awareness through powerful visual storytelling, bringing crucial conservation issues to the public's attention through their exceptional film programming and complementary events.
When INFF had an unexpected opening in their festival program, it created an opportunity for a last-minute collaboration. The exhibition "Amazing Insects: Tirol and the World" came together quickly, transforming a vacant room into a professional gallery showcasing the hidden beauty of arthropods through 16 museum-quality, limited edition prints.
Throughout the six-day event, visitors repeatedly expressed amazement as they encountered macro photographs revealing intricate details of creatures most had previously feared or ignored.
Beyond the Surface: A New Perspective
The exhibition wasn't just about beautiful images—it was about shifting paradigms. Each carefully curated print—ranging from 45x30cm to an impressive 105x70cm—served as a portal into a world that exists alongside ours but remains largely unseen and unappreciated.
From the metallic shimmer of the Silver Green Leaf Weevil native to Tirol to the otherworldly form of Madagascar's Giraffe Weevil, each subject was selected not just for its visual impact but for the story it tells about our interconnected existence.
Personal Touch: Guided Tours That Transformed Perspectives
Throughout the exhibition, guided tours offered visitors personal insights about each subject and the photographic process. These tours became a highlight for many guests, who appreciated learning about the technical challenges and emotional journey behind each image.
The ability to connect with visitors in multiple languages—German, English, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese—created immediate connections. These personal interactions transformed what could have been a simple viewing experience into meaningful exchanges about our relationship with the natural world.
Interactive Education: Making Learning Playful
What truly set the exhibition apart was its interactive approach. Each print featured a unique "2 Truths and 1 Lie" game, complete with QR codes that revealed answers and deeper information about each species. This playful approach transformed passive viewing into active engagement with conservation topics.
Many visitors who initially admitted being afraid of insects were the ones who stayed longest, returning multiple times during the six-day exhibition and bringing friends and family to share their newfound appreciation.
Distinguished Visitors and Meaningful Connections
The exhibition attracted approximately 150 visitors from around the world, including notable figures like Johannes Kostenzer, INFF director, and Edgar Honetschlaeger, founder of "Go Bugs Go," an initiative creating non-human zones to protect insects.
Representatives from the University of Innsbruck's Zoology Department directing the Insect Bus Monitoring project, executives from Med-El (the Austrian Hearing Implants Company), and Kurt Ludwig Nübling, Co-Founder of Primavera Life, were among the distinguished guests who engaged deeply with the exhibition's message.
Raising Awareness: A Shared Mission
Celebrating a successful partnership. Left to right: Nicolas Valentin (Overlooking Lens), Johannes Kostenzer (INFF Director), Katja Trippel (INFF Film Curator).
The exhibition's philosophy of "raising awareness" with its intentional dual meaning perfectly aligned with INFF's longstanding commitment to environmental education and conservation:
First, drawing attention to endangered species and promoting conservation efforts—showcasing the beauty of creatures rapidly disappearing from our world.
Second, heightening consciousness itself—helping visitors recognize our fundamental interdependence with all living things, no matter how small or overlooked.
This alignment of values made the collaboration particularly meaningful, allowing the exhibition to amplify INFF's important work in bringing environmental issues to the public consciousness.
Looking Forward: The Next Chapter
The success of last year's exhibition has opened doors for future collaborations. Discussions are currently underway with INFF for a 2025 exhibition that promises to be even more ambitious, educational, and impactful. Additionally, new collaborative opportunities with the Innsbruck Botanical Garden are being explored, aiming to create experiences that bridge art and science in innovative ways.
What began as a last-minute addition to the festival has evolved into something much more significant. The upcoming collaborations represent a rare opportunity for visitors to experience the magic of seeing the overlooked made magnificent—and perhaps, to participate in the paradigm shift our world so urgently needs.
I remain deeply grateful to INFF for their trust and support in providing this platform. Their commitment to environmental awareness through visual arts has created a unique space where conservation, education, and artistic expression can converge to inspire meaningful change.
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. Follow @overlookinglens.photo on Instagram for updates on the upcoming exhibitions.
Discover our exclusive “Hidden Gems” collection of limited editions—only 15 copies of each artwork will ever be produced. View collection →. Each purchase supports conservation efforts focused on preserving diverse ecosystems.
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