marcis ziemins re-interprets latvian rituals with smallest sauna on earth

marcis ziemins re-interprets latvian tabletop rituals with smallest sauna on earth
photo by lisa klappe © design academy eindhoven

in latvia, there is a strong sauna tradition which has become increasingly forgotten amidst our fast-paced urban lifestyles. to illustrate just how insignificant this has become, marcis ziemins created a miniature tabletop version of one, resulting in ‘smallest sauna on earth’. ‘classic elements like fire, earth, water and air meet and become one,’ he says. while it may not make you sweat, it introduces people to the basic principles of this ritual by adding the smell, sound and ambiance of water hitting hot rocks in an interior space. with the project, ziemins hopes to encourage people to relax a bit, and go back to trying to experience the real thing. the ‘smallest sauna on earth’ is being presented at dutch design week 2014 as part of the design academy eindhoven‘s graduation projects exhibition.

photo by lisa klappe, © design academy eindhoven