You'll Never Believe What's Inside This Giant Egg In Sweden

Created to commemorate the regeneration of Sweden’s iron ore city of Kiruna, Solar Egg by the Swedish artistic duo Bigert & Bergström is a unique art installation that doubles as a sauna.

As the urban transformation of Kiruna gets underway, locals and visitors will be able to partake in some typical Scandinavian relaxation inside the unusually-designed sauna.

Commissioned by the Swedish housing cooperative, Riksbyggen – who are undertaking the mammoth task of relocating entire districts due to ‘ground subsidence caused by decades of iron ore mining’ – the prizewinning duo took inspiration from Kiruna’s Artic climate for their very community-engaged artwork.

‘Saunas are places that fascinate. When Riksbyggen asked us to interpret Kiruna, we felt it was natural to explore a space that unites and encourages conversation,” said artists Mats Bigert and Lars Bergström. ‘Saunas are sacrosanct places where you can discuss all manner of things – from the big to the small.’

Bigert & Bergström, Interior of Solar Egg, 2017

At five metres high, Solar Egg can accommodate up to eight people. While the gold-plated steel outer shell reflects the surrounding mountains and wilderness, the interior is heated by a heart-shaped wood-fired burner.

Intrigued by our relationship with nature, technology and energy, Bigert & Bergström have created a symbol of collaborative rebirth that uses the region’s changing light conditions for a practical yet unique purpose.

If you’re not planning a trip to Kiruna, you’ll be able to experience Solar Egg at the end of the year when it travels to the Swedish Institute in Paris.

Solar Egg is open Thursday to Saturday until May 20 and again from June 1 to June 17, 2017 at specific times. You can book your sauna slot here. The sauna is free, though towels and other services provided by Riksbyggen will incur a fee.
Missed this amazing experience in Sweden? Then make sure you don’t miss the ultimate Sauna Experience in Paris this Winter.

About the author

Freire Barnes

Art & Design Editor

Born in the heart of London, Freire's been surrounded by art since childhood. From being mesmerised by Fra Angelico's frescos in Florence to experiencing Dali's Mae West room in Caduceus, Freire's extensive travels instilled a love of the arts. After studying painting she worked for David Bowie's, Bowieart and began to write for the BBC, Bon and Dazed &amp Confused. She curated the Converse x Dazed Emerging Artists Award and was one of the first cohort to graduate from the Royal College of Art's Critical Writing in Art &amp Design MA. When not at an art opening, she's excited to bring her global art discoveries to the Culture Trip's readers.