With an ear, as big as the universe, I listen (2023)

This work began its brewing at a residency last August called Countdown Grabowsee in Germany and continued its boiling at the REACH residency at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshops this March.

This new body of work is exploring thoughts on human migration inspired by the collected texts in the book (Forced) Movement Across the Aegean Archipelago published by Kyklada Press.Through a series of symbolic sculptures and objects Alkmini is starting to explore ideas on voluntary migration and the impact of generational migration within the bodies of second and third generations. She uses the cochlea of the human ear as a symbol that represents the tool, the power that allows us to accept and process notions of migration across channels, worlds, lands, class, past, present and future.

In this wildlife garden hidden in the center of Edinburgh Alkmini re-imagines an action:
Like a bird extracts the snail flesh out of its shell, without permission, and as a necessity to feed itself, the western societal structures we live amongst extract notions of care and understanding from our bodies and replace them with otherness. Alkmini places these birds(guardians of structure) in the garden, not like migratory birds but as beings that at certain times protect the cochlea restlessly and at others, when they feel like it, extract and eat it.
How can we teach ourselves protection from this action?

This is not a finished body of work but the beginning of one, this sharing will be an opportunity to discuss and share thoughts so far and to support its growth. This graphic hand-out by Leo Robinson is in response to Alkmini’s sculptures and research.


This sharing wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop REACH residency programme and the wonderful technicians and staff. Also, a big thank you to Edinburgh Art Festival for the use of Palm House (created by artist Bobby Niven for the festival's commissions programme in 2017) and Julian Warman from the Scottish Wildlife Trust for generously giving me access to the Gardens.