Art and Transcendence with Alfonse Borysewicz

We recently traveled to Brooklyn, New York, with our partners at Think Theory to capture the compelling story of Alfonse Borysewicz, a painter who bridges the worlds of art and theology. Through his profound work, Alfonse explores how art can provide fresh ways of engaging with spiritual questions, complementing the written word with powerful images. Alfonse's journey shows us that creativity and art-making can lead to deeper spiritual understanding.

VIDEO

Project Objective

DropDrop, in collaboration with Think Theory, embarked on a mission to capture the profound intersection of art and theology through the story of Alfonse Borysewicz. This project aimed to explore how Borysewicz’s unique blend of artistic creativity and theological insight can provide fresh perspectives on spiritual questions. By documenting his journey and integrating his thought-provoking work, we sought to illuminate the vital role that both art and theology play in deepening our understanding of faith and reality.

The Eye Direct

We employed the eye direct filming technique, allowing Alfonse to look straight into the camera lens. This approach was essential in establishing a direct and intimate connection with the audience, reinforcing the themes of art and transcendence. By having Alfonse speak directly to viewers, we emphasized the profound impact of his unique blend of theology and art, creating a genuine and engaging narrative. Additionally, this technique facilitated a one-on-one conversation between Alfonse and Scott Heagle from Think Theory, who sat behind the camera and allowed Alfonse to see his face. This direct dialogue enriched the content, offering viewers a deeper appreciation for the intersection of faith and creativity.

ARRI ALEXA MINI

To capture the depth and nuance of Alfonse’s story, we chose the Arri Alexa Mini. Its superior image quality and dynamic range were crucial in portraying the intricate details and emotional intensity of both Alfonse’s art and his theological insights. The Alexa Mini’s flexibility and performance enabled us to authentically convey the profound questions posed by his work, enhancing the overall visual and narrative impact.

Cooke S4i Lensing

For this video, we chose to use Cooke S4/i lenses to capture Alfonse Borysewicz’s distinctive art style accurately. These lenses are known for their sharpness and vibrant color rendition, which helped reflect the near-abstraction, beauty, and grace in Alfonse’s work.

Their ability to handle intricate patterns and texture was ideal for preserving the spiritual depth that characterizes his paintings.

Animation Style

For this video, we needed two scenes to capture Alfonse Borysewicz’s unique art style for two stories, both featuring Alfonse himself. To stay true to his vibe, the animation had to reflect his near-abstraction, beauty, and grace. His paintings, known for their austerity, rich imagery, and intricate patterns, required the animation to mirror their earthiness and spiritual depth.

Alfonse’s expressive mark making and color palette provided so much creative freedom when developing an animation style. Because of his organic and more abstract approach to painting I was able to work in a less restrictive and looser flow… the rigid 2D keyframe animation took a back seat.

Ryan Brady, Animation and Illustration

Director’s Statement

This project was deeply personal for me. Growing up, the emphasis on “The Word” in Christianity always felt strange and somewhat limiting. The doctrine often seemed to trump personal experience, leaving little room for the profound impact that images and art can have on our spiritual understanding. Working with Alfonse allowed me to explore these feelings and reconsider the role of art in theology.
Alfonse speaks passionately about how we’ve neglected “the image,” suggesting that both art and theology suffer from this oversight. His argument resonated with my own experiences—the notion that art has been sidelined in favor of written doctrine. Through this collaboration, I realized the importance of integrating art into our spiritual lives, not just as an aesthetic choice but as a profound medium for exploration and understanding.

 

Scott Heagle, Think Theory

“DropDrop has the ability to capture not only beautiful images on screen, but also, and perhaps even more impressive, the essence of a person and the depth of their human experience. Working with Alfonse Borysewicz truly embodied that sentiment.”

Behind the Scenes

Behind-the-scenes photos from our Brooklyn shoot, capturing the vibrant subways and diverse culture that provided the perfect backdrop to highlight Alfonse Borysewicz’s unique blend of art and theology.

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