I interviewed Kris Hofmann about Out of Nowhere on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Venice Immersive in Venice, Italy.
Here is the story synopsis for Out of Nowhere:
- “Out of Nowhere gently explores how preserving alluvial forests, marshes and wetlands can help us face the challenges of an ever angrier, unpredictable climate. Told through the eyes of Anna, a lifelong resident of Hallein, a historic town at the foot of the Austrian Alps, the experience flows from first-hand experience of the devastating floods that hit Europe in 2021 to reveal how reconnecting with nature may be key to protecting ourselves going forward.”
Here are the contextual domains that are explored:
- Looking at the impact of extreme weather events of nature [4] on our homes [4], communities [11], and our lives [1]. Are there ways that we could collective act [11] in order to help prevent and preserve nature through various rewilding activities.[4]
Here is the Elemental Center of Gravity:
1st Center of Gravity of Earth Element / Environmental and Embodied Presence: Mostly told through montage and environmental storytelling. Switches from third-person POV and Dioramas into more first-person and embodied CGI recreations of the aftermath of extreme weather events |
2nd Center of Gravity of Fire Element / Active Presence: Light embodied interactions to gate the narrative |
3rd Center of Gravity of Air Element / Mental and Social Presence: I believe that it was mostly Voice Over Narration, but could have had some dialogue |
4th Center of Gravity of Water Element / Emotional Presence: immersive animation, the primarily uses a bit of spatial collaging type of technique to juxtapose these scenes together to tell a broder story. |
Archetypal Themes and Character Explored:
- Climate Change Leading to more and more Extreme Weather Events. So unexpected and catastrophic events that have utter transformative potential to bring about change. Also an account of the destruction of aspects of reality from homes to environments. A look into the Past to Prepare for the Future. “Each one of these events carries stories of personal loss, but also of inspiring resilience. If we can come together in the aftermath of a disaster, shouldn’t we be able to do so in preparation?” Solution to “give nature back a little bit of room whereever possible” for “climate resilience plans” that includes rewilding efforts — Planting trees at the table top diorama scale. Healthy riverline ecosystems can help to protect us
Artist Statement:
- “Every other month we hear about yet another devastating extreme weather event — most recently in Nigeria, Pakistan, or Texas, and also close to home for me, with severe floods in Austria and across Europe in 2021 and 2024. Each one of these events carries stories of personal loss, but also of inspiring resilience. If we can come together in the aftermath of a disaster, shouldn’t we be able to do so in preparation? The rise in extreme weather is linked to climate change. As this intensifies, it’s important to remember that we have an ally in nature when it comes to protecting ourselves. Restoring healthy riverine ecosystems isn’t just good ecology — it’s self-preservation. I really hope the project sparks reflection — and maybe even action — on how we live with our rivers. “
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Music: Fatality
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