For two months, I immersed myself in the renowned mountain village of Zakopane, a place deeply rooted in Poland’s artistic and sculptural traditions. Commissioned to create a documentary about two celebrated classical sculptors, I chose to subvert the conventional documentary format. Instead of merely filming their work, I became their student, documenting not just their practice but my own struggle to learn the art of sculpture from scratch.
As a filmmaker with no prior experience in sculpting, the process was an immense challenge—a journey of trial, error, and transformation. This film is not just about sculpture but about the relationship between master and apprentice, where technique is passed down alongside a philosophy of patience, discipline, and craftsmanship.
Throughout the documentary, viewers witness the evolution from a raw piece of wood to a fully realized sculpture, mirroring my own growth as a student. The artists are presented not simply as masters of form but as mentors, guiding a newcomer through the rhythms of their craft and way of life—a life marked by slowness, reflection, and a connection to material and tradition.
The project culminates in two sculptures, the physical result of this artistic exchange, standing as testaments to both the process of learning and the power of intergenerational artistic dialogue.
Featuring Artists: Michał Gąsienica Szostak, Stanisław Cukier
Featuring Artists: Michał Gąsienica Szostak, Stanisław Cukier