Artistic research on Finnish Sauna Culture

since 2007
Through this compound longterm project I aim to encapsulate and express the lively tradition, radical change and current reality of sauna bathing. Resisting the urbanisation and technological penetration of the Northern European society, this tradition has been lovingly maintained as an island of original human interaction with nature and temperature. 

Joining the Finns in visiting saunas and following invitations to saunas all over the country I observed and experienced phenomena of public, private and countryside saunas since 2007. My goal is to share these observations and experiences in a visual and experimental analysis, articulate them in several publications, exhibitions and documentary films. This is an ongoing project. 

As the heater of Rajaportti Sauna in Tampere, I was elected Saunamestari (sauna master) by the Finnish Sauna Master Guild (Saunamestari Kilta ry) on 20 July 2024, becoming the first non-Finnish person to hold this title.

Alexander Markus Lembke,
Member Finish Sauna Society

A project about Finnish Sauna Culture

Through this compound longterm project I aim to encapsulate and express the lively tradition, radical change and current reality of sauna bathing. Resisting the urbanization and technological penetration of the Northern European society, this tradition has
been lovingly maintained as island of original human interaction with nature and temperature. Joining the Finns in visiting saunas and following invitations to saunas all over the country I observed and experienced phenomena of public, private and countryside saunas. I have started the project in 2007 and it is my goal to share my observations and experiences in a visual and experimental analysis, articulate them in several publications, exhibitions and documentary films. 

Alexander Markus Lembke, 2018