ALEXY SANTOS
In making videos to illuminate his writing, Alexy Santos finds grace in a world otherwise overflowing with loss and doubt.
Alexy Santos creates more from need than choice. He writes and makes videos at crisis moments: when the color of his skin feels more curse than blessing; when his life purpose becomes unclear; when a loved one dies. Through his art, meaning rises, and lightness follows.
“These pieces are like journal entries,” he says. “In each of them I seek to accept parts of my story—to find grace.”
Also like journal entries are Alexy’s introductions to his three videos—words coming from vulnerability, and speaking of grace.
—Peter Bruun
ICanvas
“Going to an elite boarding school had me thinking about the color of my skin as I never had before. Not being like everyone else—it being noticeable—there were times when I wanted to hide my brown skin. I lost myself paying attention to someone else’s story. In making ICanvas, I returned myself to myself. I am saying, ‘Here I am and look at me now.’ Look at me. I want you to look at me.”
—Alexy Santos
ICanvas, 2019, Alexy Santos, 1:15 single-channel video, Voiceover: Alexy Santos
ICanvas, 2019, Alexy Santos, 1:15 single-channel video, Voiceover: Alexy Santos
A Life Well Lived
“After graduating college, I didn’t know what was next. I looked around and saw all my friends in their careers; I saw my family with their jobs—some of my cousins had already started their families at my age. I wondered how to navigate my life; I wondered how to be a man within the context of Latin culture. Making A Life Well Lived helped me see no one can define your purpose—it’s a personal journey that depends on you specifically. Finding meaning? It’s a process. It’s like the journey I took within writing this piece.”
—Alexy Santos
A Life Well Lived, 2019, Alexy Santos, 2:13 single-channel video, Voiceover: Alexy Santos
A Life Well Lived, 2019, Alexy Santos, 2:13 single-channel video, Voiceover: Alexy Santos
Bendicion Tío
“In creating this piece, I thought about God’s grace—His blessing us not because of anything we’ve done but just because He wants to give it to us. With the love my uncle gave me, I didn’t have to do anything. That’s why it hurts that he’s gone. The more it hurts, the more I know I was loved, and the more I feel his grace. Making this piece, going into my uncle’s shoes—retracing his walks from when he was homeless—I could feel his love and that grace. I now feel him with me all the time.”
—Alexy Santos
Bendicion Tío, 2020, Alexy Santos, 1:49 single-channel video, Voiceover: Alexy Santos
Bendicion Tío, 2020, Alexy Santos, 1:49 single-channel video, Voiceover: Alexy Santos
“And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.”
—Romans 11:6