Some Background Reading OR A Code Of Conduct
Thanks
for your interest to find out more about
the Sauna Reading Group.
The SaunaReadingGroup is an attempt to force one traditional format into another.
It is, as the name suggests, a reading group hosted in a fully functioning sauna cabin. A research tool to calmly, slowly, closely, examine authenticity, process, context and awkward interaction.
I am interested in how we navigate the communal rituals of sauna and reading group, and how the demands of each one might benefit the other.
For each session I invite a small number of guests to join me discussing a short text about a theme tangentially related to the sauna experience. That could be isolation, personal space, out of body experience, health, boredom, nudity, small architecture, or our relationship to the elements.
They have mainly been hosted in the basement sauna of the Finnish Church in Rotherhithe, but also in other public and private saunas around the UK and Europe. Sessions have either been self-organised by me or at the invitation of an interested group or organisation. Do get in touch if you would like to be involved. This document will evolve as the project does.
- Barry Sykes
The Sauna Reading Group
Sequence
(Steps 1-10)
- THE GROUP can be large or small. But between three and ten works best. People come by invite, word of mouth or other connections. But it is rare for everyone to know each other.
- DRESS CODE is generally swimwear and towels, often with a traditional sauna hat to regulate the head temperature.
- THE HEAT will control your movement, so go in and out of the sauna cabin whenever you need to. The conversation should adapt accordingly. The conversation will naturally shift as we move in and out. Silence is always fine. Listen to each other and your body. Say only what is needed.
- SAFETY & RESPECT are crucial to the process. For this to be a satisfying experience please respect each others opinions, bodies & personal space.
- ACCESS to most saunas always seems to involve some steps up and down. If this is practically difficult for you then I can arrange assistance or a more accessible solution. Other access needs – BSL, large type, better lighting etc.can also be accommodated with notice.
- the changing area and showers at the saunas we use can often be informal or open plan. But we always work together to make sure everyone is comfortable. Just ask me if you’re unsure about anything.
- DOCUMENTATION of the SRG is kept to a minimum, with a few discreet photos agreed on by the group. Attendees are encouraged to document too if they wish – in photos, drawings, diagrams etc. then invited to share with group permission.
- SESSIONs often HAve A CO-HOST who I select the text with and suggests other guests. This has been a great way to open the process up beyond my frame of reference and to start the conversation in advance of the reading group happening.
- THE CONTEXT of each sauna is always significant. For example the Finnish Church sauna is in the basement of a place of worship and community centre, but it is interesting to consider why each sauna is where it is and how it is used.
- THERE IS NO FIXED STRUCTURE to the session as I’d rather let the heat guide our activity. Conversation flows naturally but can also be encouraged with various group exercises: reading, listening, note taking, silence, singing or some useful question prompts.
- POST SAUNA DRINKS are always an enjoyable part of the process, allowing us to discuss our discussion, or not. Usually somewhere close by - a pub, bar, terrace, public square.
- Always aSK ME if you are uncertain about any part of this process. My aim is for you to feel as comfortable as possible during the reading group. This handbook is designed to answer most questions but if anything is still unclear just ask. My contact details are on the back page.
SAUNA READING GROUPS SO FAR...
#1
Friday 4th March 2016, 7-8.30 pm - The Finnish Church, Rotherhithe, London
Discussing ‘TheStrange Case of the North Pond Hermit’, Michael Finkel, GQ magazine, 2014.
Attending: Simon Willems (UK), Hans Rosenström (FI), Elina Suoyrjö (FI)
#2
Saturday 27th January 2018 - Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Lumsden, Scotland
Discussing an extract from Dr Anthony Storr's 'Solitude', 1988. Selected from the SSW Edge Effects Library. and 'The Stranger in the Woods', Michael Finkel, 2017
Attending: Current SSW International Artists in Residence, SSW staff.
#3
Friday 2nd March 2018 3-5pm - The Finnish Church, Rotherhithe, London
Discussing Marlene Haring's 'Report to an Academy' 2015.
Attending: Vesta Kroese (NL), Marlene Haring (AUT)
#4
Friday 28th September 2018 7-9pm - SOLU / BioArt Society, Helsinki, Finland
Reading 'Auto-Immunity: A Self-Destructive Service' by Emma Balkind, 2018..
Attending: Mari Keski-Korsu (FI), Yvonne Billimore (UK)
#5
Friday 16th November, 2018, 2-4pm - The Finnish Church, Rotherhithe, London
Reading Carolee Schneeman's 'Parts of a Body House', 1957-67.
Attending: Karen Di Franco (UK), Irene Revell (UK), Mohammad Namazi (IRN)
#6
Friday 23rd August, 2019, 2-4pm -The Finnish Church, Rotherhithe, London
Reading an extract of Michael Lambek's 'How to Make Up One's Mind: Reason, Passion & Ethics in Spirit Possession'
Attending: Anja Borowicz (POL/UK), Col Self (UK), Harold Offeh (UK)
#7
Friday 24th January 2020, 2-4pm - The Finnish Church, Rotherhithe, London
Reading the essay 'Bodies in Heat' by John Christ, from a paper by Pia Lindman about her 'Hybrid Sauna' that placed a two-person divided sauna in the courtyard of PS1, New York
Attending: Mine Erişir (TR), Olivia Glasser (UK), Wendy Liu (CN), Mika Meskinen (FI), Kimmo Raitio (FI), Bethany Wells (UK).
#8
Friday 21st February 2020, 12-2pm - The Finnish Church, Rotherhithe, London
Reading the essay 'The Word Made Fresh: Mystical Encounter and the New Weird Divine' by Elvia Wilk, published in e-flux journal #92.
Attending: Sarah Browne (IRL), Lucy Sames (UK). Natalie Boobis (UK)
#9
Friday 9th September 2022, 2-4pm - Beaconsfield, London
Reading an extract from 'Belonging: A Culture of Place' by bell hooks , 1990.
Attending: Alasdair Hopwood (UK), Charlotte Troy (UK). Mélodie Roulaud (FR)
#10
Thursday 13th June 2023, 6-8pm - UUSI Sauna, Helsinki
Special conversation to mark the 10th reading group, entitled 'Burnt Out: on the Problems (and Possibilities) of Sauna'. Co-hosted with Anna Talasniemi (FI).
Attending: Mika Meskanen (FI), Wendy Liu (CN), Sami Helle (FI), Mari Keski Korsu, (FI), Petri Sarrikko (FI), Bec Gallo (AUS). Miki Tokairin, (JP)
Sketch of Anna Talasniemi made whilst she was reading aloud during Sauna Reading Group #10 at UUSI Sauna, Helsinki.
Sometimeinthe1990s,answeredKnight,hepassedahikerwhilewalkinginthewoods. "Whatdidyousay?"askedPerkins-Vance.
"Isaid,’Hi,’"Knightreplied.Otherthanthatsinglesyllable,heinsisted,hehadnotspoken withortouchedanotherhumanbeing,untilthisnight,fortwentysevenyears.
Mybody’sabilitytodistinguishitselfbecamebroken,andsomyimmunesystemwouldset offachainofeventsanytimethatitdetectedariseinhistamineinmybody.AnytimeIate, slept,showered,caughtUVlight,wastoohotorworetightclothes,mybodyrespondedwith arashofhivesonmyskinandwithspontaneousswellingofmyextremities .
WhenyouentertheBodyHouseyouwalksouthandnorthforalongtime;youcometoan opencircularstructure–astaircaseofribs,smoothandshinywhite.Youwillseeafat knottedropeofblackhairhangingdown.Thecircularspacebecomedark.Takeoffyour clothes,leavethem.Hoistyourselfuptherope;thehairsspreadoutandbecomeacarpet youcrawlalong.IthasledyouintotheCatHousewhichissomewherebehindtheeyesofthe house.
Thedifficultyofprivatecitizenstoexpressthemselvespubliclyisboundupwiththemarket economyandleavesnuditytoflauntitselfonlyinprotectedprivatesituationsorunderthe influenceofalcoholorothersubstances.Alsocruciallyimportantistheroleoftheimageofthe bodyinadvertisingwhereitfunctionsasanagentintheflowofcapitalandtheproductionof desireforcommodities.TheshameandfearofnudityinU.S.cultureareinextricablyboundto thebody’soversexualizationandovercirculation.Itisaneroticizedbodythattheadvertising industryhasstrippedofitsanus,itsvagina,itspenis,itshair,aswellasitslumps,odorsand secretions,inordertofunctioninthecontinuationofconsumption.
- Bodies in Heat' by John Christ, on Pia Lindman’s 'Hybrid Sauna', PS1, New York. SRG#7
- 'Auto-Immunity: A Self-Destructive Service' by Emma Balkind, 2018. SRG#4
- ’The Strange Case of the North Pond Hermit’, Michael Finkel, GQ, 2014. SRG#1
- 'Parts of a Body House', by Carolee Schneeman's, 1957-67. SRG#5
Some ideas
the
Sauna Reading Group has led to...
Sauna Poses Drawing in the sauna with watercolour pencils and my own sweat.
Sauna Hat With pockets for notepaper, pencil & laminated business cards
Sauna Life Drawing Where I am both teacher and model
Laugh-guss stickers continued...
Laugh-guss
Sauna Poses
Air drying clay,
My invention of Laughter Yoga in the sauna. pigment, and energy drink.
Post-Sauna Portraits
Moisture sodden extract, clinging to the shower wall, at the end of Sauna Reading Group #5.
