Melanie Pyne

Children of the Eagles is a reference to the literal translation of Shqiptar, a term used interchangeably by Albanians in reference to the true name of their country "Shqipëri" or Land of the Eagles.

The series documents the older population in the streets of Tirana, Durrës, Çeprat and Vloré.

Little is known of the country of Albania, in part due to ignorance and historical alienation. A fateful blend of isolationism and Stalinist-like authoritarianism under Enver Hoxha kept the Balkan country the poorest and most repressive in all of Europe.

This project attempts to document the generations who grew up under the rise and fall of the communist regime of 1945-1991 as they navigate the liminal space of a new, modernising Albania.

Melanie Pyne, is a multi-media documentarian and research communications specialist based in Glasgow, Scotland.

She is a co-founder and the creative director of World Over Here C.I.C, a collective of artists, writers, storytellers and academics looking at the dynamics of power within storytelling and the intersecting thematic realms of climate change, capitalism, human rights, activism and social transformation.

Melanie has an academic background in Decolonial Thought, Contemporary History, Macro ideological analysis and Cultural Psychology. She has a deep interest in exploring how to unpick the logic of coloniality and capital that evolved in tandem with the modernity project of the Western World.

Melanie has produced several documentary projects surrounding consumer culture, activist communities, environmental issues, migration, and international human rights.

This has led her to investigate neo-colonialism in the Panamanian jungle, document tree-dwelling activist communities fringing on the largest coal mine in Europe, and investigate border violence on the Balkan Route of Bosnia I Herzegovina.

She is currently supporting a Palestinian-led counter-surveillance project in Hebron alongside internationally acclaimed artist, Adam Broomberg and works as the Press coordinator for Minga Indigena, one of the largest Indigenous Human Rights diplomatic delegations in the Americas.

Melanie's work is enshrined in visual impact, founded on the core principles of participatory storytelling, and justice for our living world.

EVENT INFORMATION

Address

The Alchemy Experiment
157 Byres Rd, Glasgow G12 8TS, UK

OPENING NIGHT

Friday 21st April 19.00-21.00

OPENING HOURS

Mon - Thur 9.00-18.00
Fri 9.00-21.00
Sat 9.00-18.00
Sun 10.00-18.00

ARTIST LINKS

Website - https://melaniepyne.co.uk
Instagram - @melaniepyne

42 x 59.7cm
Digital Photography
£140

Location: Durrës, Albania

Albania is one of the poorest countries in Europe, with a per capita income of around £4,025 per year. This low level of income is reflected in the rates of pay in the country, which are among the lowest in Europe. According to official data, the average monthly salary in Albania is around 45,000 Albanian Lek (roughly £346), although this varies widely depending on the sector and region of the country. As the Watchman the average monthly salary in Albania is around 50,000 Albanian Lek (£386).

One of the main challenges in Albania is the high level of economic inequality. While there is a small wealthy elite in the country, the majority of Albanians live in poverty or struggle to make ends meet. Corruption is also a major problem, with many politicians and officials accused of using their positions to enrich themselves at the expense of the wider population.

The cost of living in Albania is generally lower than in other European countries, which means that salaries may go further in terms of purchasing power. Inequality in Albania is the dominance of certain sectors of the economy, such as energy and natural resource sectors, This has led to a situation where large amounts of wealth are concentrated in the hands of a few individuals and companies, whilst many struggle to make ends meet.

21 x 29.7 cm
Digital Photography
£60

29.7 x 42 cm
Digital Photography

£110

42 x 59.7cm
Digital Photography
£140

Location: Kalivac section of the Vjosa River

The Vjosa River is the last wild river in Europe, running through Albania and starting in neighbouring Greece. In recent years, the river has become a flashpoint for political conflict.

In 2020, the Albanian government signed a contract with a Turkish company to build a hydropower plant on the Vjosa River, sparking widespread protests from environmental groups and local pastoralists. The conflict has escalated in recent months, with environmental activists organising protests and hunger strikes to draw attention to the issue. The Albanian government has defended its decision, arguing that the hydropower project is necessary for the country's energy security and economic development.

The Vjosa River is necessary for the pastoralist communities that have depended on it for centuries. These communities rely on the river for fishing, irrigation, and grazing land for their livestock. The hydropower demands will displace many of these pastoralist communities, potentially forcing them to abandon their traditional way of life. Many pastoralist groups have joined the environmentalists' protests against the project, arguing that their livelihoods and cultural heritage are at stake.

There are currently plans for more than 30 hydropower plants to be built on the Vjosa River.

42 x 59.7cm
Digital Photography
£140

Location: Durrës, Albania

Mr Ciao was the day watchman at a new luxury residential build I would pass every day. Despite our language barrier, we formed a bond through fragmented Albanian, laughter, and kindness over the course of three months. He would always tell my partner that he was a lucky man and to treat women with care. Our exchanges would always end with both of us shouting "Ciao" or "Mirupafshim" as we would part ways. This is how I came to know of him by his name.

In recent years, Albania has seen a surge in new developments of luxury condos and hotels in major cities like Tirana, Durres, and Vlora. While the growth of the tourism industry has brought in much-needed revenue for the country, it has also had significant social consequences. One of the main concerns is that luxury tourism is exacerbating economic inequality in Albania, with the benefits of the industry being concentrated in the hands of a wealthy elite, many ordinary Albanians struggle to make ends meet.

Some critics argue that the influx of wealthy foreign tourists is leading to a homogenisation of Albanian culture, with local traditions and customs being lost or commodified for the benefit of visitors. There are also concerns that the rise of luxury tourism is leading to the erosion of traditional Albanian values and a growing emphasis on materialism and consumerism.

42 x 59.7cm
Digital Photography
£110

Location: Çeprat, Albania

While the Communist era in Albania did promote the idea of gender equality as a key tenet of socialist ideology, the reality for women during this period was complex and multifaceted. Despite there being advancements in women's economic empowerment and legal rights, many traditional patriarchal norms and customs persisted. The government's emphasis on women's participation in the workforce often resulted in women being forced to work in low-paying, low-status jobs.

After the fall of the Communist government in 1992, Albania underwent a period of significant political and economic change. During this time, the country experienced a shift away from the socialist model of governance, and toward a more market-oriented economy and democratic political system. This period of transition had significant impacts on gender equality in Albania.

Despite these challenges, there have been some positive developments in terms of gender equality since the fall of the Communist government. Women's representation in politics has increased, and there have been efforts to promote women's rights and combat gender-based violence. Women's rights organizations have also been working to advocate for policies that promote gender equality in the workplace, such as equal pay and parental leave policies.

21 x 29.7 cm
Digital Photography

£60

29.7 x 42 cm
Digital Photography
£110

Location: Çeprat, Albania

I was often told by many young people living in Albania that they would have to leave in order to afford and create a fulfilling life. Over recent decades, many young people have been leaving the country in search of better economic and social opportunities. Albania has struggled with political instability and corruption for many years, which has contributed to a sense of disillusionment and frustration among many young people. This has led some to believe that they will have better opportunities and a better quality of life abroad, where they can escape the political turmoil and corruption that has plagued Albania.

Albanians have faced discrimination in some countries, particularly those with large Albanian communities, such as Greece, Italy and recently in the UK.

Xenophobia and discrimination towards Albanians in the UK particularly in the context of the country's debate over immigration policy and Brexit have escalated in recent years. Some politicians and media outlets have portrayed Albanians as criminals, with negative stereotypes and sensationalized stories.

The truth is many people migrating from Albania are doing so for a deeply personal and often nuanced reason in relation to their country.

42 x 59.4 cm
Digital Photography
£110

Location: Durrës, Albania

Albania's healthcare infrastructure has undergone significant changes since the collapse of communism in the early 1990s. While the country has made some progress in expanding access to healthcare services, there are still significant challenges.

The country has relatively low levels of healthcare spending compared to other countries in the region, which has made it difficult to invest in new infrastructure and technologies. As a result, many healthcare facilities in Albania are outdated and poorly equipped, and there are shortages of critical medical supplies and medications. Healthcare services are concentrated in urban areas, particularly the capital city of Tirana, which has left many rural and remote communities with limited access to healthcare services. This has created significant health disparities between different regions of the country, with rural communities often experiencing higher rates of disease and lower life expectancies.

In addition, the high cost of healthcare services has created financial barriers for many Albanians, particularly those living in poverty, who are unable to afford the cost of necessary medical care. Those, particularly among vulnerable populations, are the elderly and people living in poverty.

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MELANIE PYNE Children of the Eagles

EVENT INFORMATION

Address

OPENING NIGHT

OPENING HOURS

ARTIST LINKS

Beyond the Screen

Tirana At Dusk

Vjosa_2

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Trending Now

Popular Products

MELANIE PYNE Children of the Eagles

Melanie Pyne

EVENT INFORMATION

Address

OPENING NIGHT

OPENING HOURS

ARTIST LINKS

Beyond the Screen

Tirana At Dusk

Vjosa_2

The Shepherd of the Vjosa

Mr Ciao

Mothers of the Market

Durres at Dusk

The Day After Tomorrow

The Polyclinic

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