I SECRETLY LOVE EVERYONE

Alkinois Athens 
presents the duo show "I secretly love everyone" by German born Leonie Specht (*1994) and Austrian born Ines Kaufmann (1996*). Specht and Kaufmann both have studied at Athens School of Fine Arts (Kalon Texnon). The show runs 23.01.2026–22.02.2026. Curatorial Text I SECRETLY LOVE EVERYONE Falling in love is a tender, secretive and overwhelming process. As human beings, we share similar bodies, needs, fears, and desires. We live within the same ecological systems and depend on other species. In a thriving community, connection spreads almost quietly, without asking for permission. At times, love is kept private because it exposes us. It makes us vulnerable and unsure whether it will be returned. There is risk, shame, and the possibility of being hurt. As sociologist Eva Illoutz states, love today has been radically reshaped through consumer culture and therapy discourse. Living in increasingly disconnected societies has intensified emotional attachment to inanimate objects. The commodification of cuteness capitalizes on this disconnection by evoking instincts of care and nurture, drawing consumers toward cute objects in the first place. In a world marked by powerlessness, these objects offer an illusion of control and superiority. “Cuteness is not just an aestheticization but an eroticization of powerlessness, evoking tenderness for ‘small things’ but also, sometimes, a desire to belittle or diminish them further“ states cultural critic Sianne Ngai. An inherent hierarchy between consumer and commodity cannot be denied, revealing that society’s use of animals in advertising and production is not innocent. Leonie Spechts toy-like creatures are reminiscent of artificial facial proportions found in today’s product landscape, broken by imperfections and asymmetry. Some sit directly on the gallery’s floor. To see them clearly, the viewer has to bend down and meet them at their level, entering an intimate position. The ceramic reliefs hung on the walls are higher up and, in turn, take on the role of surveillance. The creatures open tongues, not only an animalistic and vulnerable move, also tie in with social context. To lick someone in Greek slang is to suck up to a superior, showing submission. Specht’s material choices merge natural and artificial qualities. Manganese clay and colorful glazes provide a tension between uniform and individuality. The paintings are made with heavily diluted and layered oil paint. While maintaining a fleshy color palette, the painting medium is a synthetic substance to enhance flow which creates a glossy, product-like finish. Viewing love as a universal law of the cosmos, Ines Kaufmann depicts dream worlds that contextualise human beings, nature and myths. She expresses her intuitive view of the natural world through merging colorful pigments and shapes on canvas. She creates a universe that thrives off opposites. Her works radiate an inherent poetry that is derived from her subconscious as well as life experiences. She dwells on the idea of an utopia in which physical laws cease to exist. Kaufmann’s works move fluidly between figurative and abstract forms. Using playful color compositions and evocative body language, she explores the individual within the collective, staging encounters that merge eroticism with mythical natural origins. The exhibition at Alkinois Athens functions as a reminder love is not an option, it’s a built-in need. It moves in many directions: towards others, towards animals, towards nature, and towards ourselves. Feeling deeply, even when uncomfortable, is a way of staying present in the world. From there, “I secretly love everyone” becomes a quiet truth about how open we already are. It is our responsibility to be aware of the value love and connection holds. To reconnect with the natural world and animals equals returning home to a more primal part of the own self.