Common Bread Sauna
2022 - ongoing | public sauna | performance | publication
This public artwork. Common Bread Sauna was built in the month of april 2023 during a residency organized by Waterwerken.
The Common Bread Sauna is heated by a custom wood stove. The stove is designed to be able to bake pizza and heat the sauna with one fire.
Since it’s inception the sauna has been visited by hundreds of people probably thousands and as many or more pizza’s were baked. Supported by the Community of the Buitenplaats.
Every Friday the sauna is open from 17h till 22h, you can make your own pizza and enjoy the sauna for a contribution of 6 euro. Be welcome at Buitenplaats van Brienenoordeiland, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. MAP
At your first visit you will be welcomed by the fire master who will introduce you to the sauna and it’s use. A code of Conduct has been written by the community and provided at your arrival. These guidelines will make your visit a carefree and joyous experience for all ! As these guidelines are a constant dialog between needs and desires we prefer to publish locally and in the moment. More info
You can be in bath clothes or naked. Bring your Towel.
No phones and photo’s during sauna nights, so you wont see much people in this documentation. The nights are often packed from 30 till 50 visitors. If you like space. come early!!!
2020 | Old bridge was replaced. The beams of Azobé hardwood of +75 years old were adopted by Buitenplaats.
2023 | After removing tarmac and shaving, the beams were used both for the floor and cut in thinner planks for inside walls.
The Common Bread Sauna is built from repurposed wood. The floor is made of hardwood beams that used to be the old bridge connecting the island to the mainland of Rotterdam. The asymmetrical hexagonal space can host up to 22 people at a maximum.
The Common Bread Sauna is heated by a custom wood stove. The stove is designed to be able to bake pizza and heat the sauna with one fire.
The base is an old stove found in the workshop, the triangle on top serves as bread oven. A baffle system controls airflow. In the rack stones are placed for steam.
more COMMIINNNGG SOOON
Curated by Maurice Meewisse
On invitation of Waterwerken Residency
Sauna desgined by Steven Jouwersma
Built by: Steven Jouwersma, Maurice Meewisse, Leander, Maurice Specht, Stan
Stove designed by Steven Jouwersma.
welded by Maurice Meewisse and Leander.
Realized with support of Waterwerken, Buitenplaats van Brienenoordeiland and The Mondriaan Fund
Thanks to the community of the Buitenplaats, all the fire masters and Maurice Meewisse for continuous support.
Common Bread Sauna | zine publication | Dec 2023 | Text by Timmy van Zoelen | Photo’s by Steven Jouwersma | Riso printed at nadine | Brusssels
This text written by Timmy van Zoelen on invitation by Steven Jouwersma was performed during the opening of Common Bread Sauna, April 2023.
The Text consists of three parts that together form a sauna ritual of before, during and after.
Available at Buitenplaats, Nadine and other artist book fairs.
opening performance 2023