As many in the north country can attest, one of life''s great
pleasures resides in the tradition of sauna-sitting in
180-plus-degree heat and throwing cool water on oven-hot stones to
create a blast of steam (called löyly), followed by a jump
in the lake, standing naked in subzero temperatures (or even a roll
in the snow), or just relaxing on the cooling porch. To the
uninitiated, there is a strange, alluring mystique to the art of
Finnish sauna. But to an ever-increasing number of people-from
their small urban saunas to backwoods and lakeside retreats-the
culture and practice of Finnish sauna are as much a part of
northwoods life as campfires and canoe trips.
Beginning with the origins of Finnish sauna and how the practice
was first brought to North America, and continuing all the way to
contemporary design, The Opposite of Cold is an exquisite
commemoration of the history, culture, and practice of Finnish
sauna in the northwoods. With stunning photographs of unique and
historic saunas of the region-including the oldest sauna in North
America, incredible surviving saunas from immigrant farmsteads, and
the gorgeous contemporary saunas from noted architects-Michael
Nordskog and Aaron Hautala unveil the importance and beauty of
sauna culture in modern Midwestern life.
Richly illuminated by Aaron Hautala''s photographs of distinctive
saunas from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario, and Finland,
The Opposite of Cold is for people who grew up with
Wednesday and Saturday evening saunas (or watched their steaming
neighbors running toward the lake) and for those who dream of one
day having their own. And through this book we see why Finnish
sauna tradition is vital and enduring, from the warmest summer
evenings to the coldest winter nights.
