From Gods to Google
Work description
This installation replicates the bathing setup at the Ai Pigai Hotel in Methana, Greece, where I immersed myself daily in the volcano-heated spring water in search of healing. Underwater I found a history rich in myth and geology. As soon as I emerged from the water, globalised consumerism hit. Stepping out of the bathtub onto the plastic anti-slip mat felt more secure again. Surrounded by divine myths and lousy Google reviews, I came across a clinical world of recovery which makes no false promises: here you can find healing in an honest way.
Process
Methana’s renowned thermal springs have a rich geological and mythological heritage. These springs arise from the southern rift of the Saronic-Corinthian subduction zone, affected by volcanic activity from the southern Aegean and a magma dome 4–7 kilometers below the surface.
Historically, these springs were a widely accessible public good. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Greek state promoted them through postcards and advertisements, emphasizing both the therapeutic properties of the waters and the mythic allure of bathing like the ancient gods.
The impressive thermal bath in Methana, designed in a Neoclassical style by architect Ernst Ziller, peaked in popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, attracting thousands seeking well-being in the sulphurous water.
As Western modern medicine advanced in the mid-20th century, the popularity of thermal baths declined, and today, Greek thermal springs are often associated with elderly visitors.
Privatization efforts now aim to address national debt and attract international travellers. Globalized tourism has introduced new standards of comfort and luxury. The historic thermal bath, closed since 2017, remains as a testament to a bygone era, while a warning sign near the adjacent thermal lake cautions against swimming due to elevated bacteria levels.
Nearby, the Ai Pigai Hotel continues to draw visitors with its own active spring. Immersed in these ancient, volcano-warmed waters, I find a blend of the profound and the mundane: the anti-slip mat, the white plastic chair, and the red light signaling when my bathing time is up.
