“The Drift of an Alien” is a project developed by resident artist Kyriaki Goni.

How do humans adapt to shifting ecologies? How do species cross boundaries they never meant to cross? And what happens when the invasive speaks? The Drift of the Alien addresses climate change, species migration, and ecological disruption with a focus on the Mediterranean Sea — where the lionfish, once confined to the Indo-Pacific, has become a new and unstoppable presence. The lionfish did not intend to arrive. As it quietly admits in its monologue: ‘I did not plan to arrive here’. Transported by human-made canals and driven by warming waters, the lionfish has spread rapidly — with few natural predators and no controls — transforming local marine ecosystems. In its native waters, the lionfish was rarely consumed — its venomous spines, distinctive form, and limited availability kept it off the menu. But here, in the disrupted Mediterranean, fishing and consuming this species are now encouraged as a practical response to its overwhelming impact. The installation — accompanied by a community dinner — invites visitors to taste the lionfish while listening to its story and reflecting on the transformation of Eastern Mediterranean ecologies. The recipes, like ecosystems, are living archives: they remember what was once abundant and make room for what is now inevitable. Each preparation is an act of care, mourning, and uneasy coexistence — for the sea, for its new inhabitants, and for ourselves. The work blends poetic storytelling, scientific data, and collective ritual — asking: What does the alien want? And what does it tell us about ourselves?

Scientific Contributor:
Dr. Andromachi Gkoulia – Assistant ScientistCyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI)

The residency was supported by the Studiotopia project. Studiotopia has been co-funded by the European Union’s Creative Europe programme under grant agreement No 101130939.