Scratching the Surface is an immersive, location-based XR experience blending 180° documentary film with 6DoF interactive environments. It invites audiences into the creative world of acclaimed illustrator Line Hoven, whose intricate scratchboard artworks emerge by carving light out of darkness.
At the center of the story is Line’s encounter with ARCHIE, an experimental AI trained to mirror and challenge her creative instincts. As Line’s analog practice collides with machine intelligence, Scratching the Surface explores urgent questions about authorship, control, and the evolving meaning of creativity in the age of AI.
Audiences first experience Line’s real-world studio through cinematic VR and are then invited to step into reimagined 3D landscapes based on her original illustrations. Guided by ARCHIE’s evolving presence, the journey becomes a dialogue between human imagination and machine logic, shifting the viewer’s role from passive observer to active participant.
Scratching the Surface is a reflection on vulnerability, transformation, and the fluid relationship between traditional craftsmanship and digital innovation. By weaving Line’s personal story with a participatory experience, it challenges us to rethink how stories and artists can evolve in a rapidly changing world.