It’s lovely to think about it as an equalizing space where you’re all in the experience together,” said Hinton. “You’re stripped of any signifiers or power that you might have outside of the sauna. It’s also an intergenerational tradition that doesn’t tolerate body shaming. While North Americans tend to connect saunas to wellness or self-care, which is certainly a valid benefit, in Nordic cultures sweat bathing is also a social activity, a chance to catch up with friends or family and maybe grab a beer after. To prepare, Hinton, Pimenta and Foster embarked on a whirlwind tour in 2022 of Finland and Norway, where they were warmly welcomed into about 60 saunas during their month stay. And for those looking for a cool-down, the heat decreases in Rihab Essayh’s “A Caress Before Dawn,” which uses hand-dyed textiles to create a sense of “radical softness.” Kim Kozzi and Dai Skuse, best known as the artist collective FASTWÜRMS, have transformed the exterior of a sauna barrel into an eruption of colours inspired by volcanoes. SHEEEP.Studio’s “Garmabeh,” led by Reza Nik and Connor Stevens, is inspired by ancient Iranian bath houses, referencing the culture’s traditional medicinal temperaments of hot, cold, dry and wet. Simone Jones incorporates her love of cinema into “Abandoned Splendour,” inspired by Victorian-era wood burners with some help from audio artist Mitchell Akiyama. Chris Foster, who also serves as the project’s technical director, will be rolling in his Finnish-style “Mobile Sweat” trailer, which has already made two appearances at Harbourfront Centre (making my list of top art experiences of 2022), featuring a series of rotating video art on its interior wall.įoster’s cosy portable sauna will be joined by Christie Pearson’s “Geospheric Sweatbath,” which connects the architect’s deep research into diverse bathing practices with a geometric design enhanced by a vibratory sensation created by electronic artist Rob Cruickshank. The village consists of unique architectural structures designed by artists with a connection to sweat-bathing culture. For anyone who’s maybe less comfortable with the art, we hope they can find something else on site that will satisfy.” “For people who may be new to sauna culture, we’re hopeful that the art aspect might attract them even though they don’t know what to expect. “We see this as much as an art experience as a sauna experience,” said Pimenta. There is even a dedicated zine to peruse while relaxing. There is also an outdoor fire, a lounge with snacks and drinks, scheduled performances and more sweat-bathing art to engage with, including some artist multiples available for purchase. For the brave there is a cold-bucket rinse (which I highly recommend trying at least once). Visitors book online at for a two-hour session, during which they’re free to follow their own path through the village. “Public Sweat” is designed to offer a unique experience for diehards like Hinton and Pimenta, but also be inviting to those who are sauna curious or who just want to experience art in a new way. From Wednesday to April 23, “Public Sweat” invites everyone to ditch their winter boots for a swimsuit and to immerse in a two-hour tour of sweat-bathing culture. This month Hinton and Pimenta are exchanging wheels for flip-flops as they transform Harbourfront Centre’s waterfront grounds into a sauna village. The roving curatorial super-duo have been working together for almost 15 years under the moniker Art Spin, offering guided bike tours of galleries and designing public-facing installations at events like Nuit Blanche. Layne Hinton and Rui Pimenta want to see you sweat.
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