Milot's Monumental 'Albanian Key' Installed at Shkodër City Entrance

A monumental sculpture titled 'Albanian Key' by Italian-Albanian artist Milot (Alfred Mirashi) now greets visitors at the entrance of Shkodër, Albania. The 20,000 kg corten steel work, shaped like a key that evokes a double-headed eagle, was a winning project of the international competition 'Arte nello Spazio Pubblico', funded by the Albanian Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation led by Blendi Gonxhja, with support from the municipality of Shkodër and Mayor Benet Beci. The project involved curators Albert Vataj, Massimo Guastella, and Ji Shaofeng, artistic director Michele Stanzione, and engineers Valbona Calliku, Enver Zafeli, and Michele Palumbo. It required 60 days of design, 7 months of construction, and over 30 workers. Milot, born in 1969 in Milot, Albania, has explored the key motif for years, inspired by his grandmother's collection. He also serves as director of the DODO Art Museum in Beijing since 2020. The sculpture's form references both the Albanian national symbol and a triumphal arch, and its corten steel will naturally rust over time to resemble bronze.