Global Warming Hot Yoga Studio

In the (participatory) installation Global Warming Hot Yoga Studio some 200 heat lamps convey the letters GLOBAL WARMING. They form the backdrop against which specially scripted hot yoga sessions are organized. The yoga teacher takes you on a relaxing journey into the molecular dimensions of the anthropocene. In this disruptive meditation, we sweat together while contemplating climate change and global warming.

Global Warming Hot Yoga Studio is inspired by the hot yoga practices worldwide.To purify, to detox, to bring a balance and touch of inner peace seems to be the main goal of such practices. Yet, there is a paradox, in that even for health activities, we jump in our cars to drive to the gym or spa. We outsource the burning of calories to the engines of our transportation that burns fossil fuel. We sweat and then we hydrate ourselves from plastic bottles, which end up accumulating in our oceans as plastic waste. The Global Warming Hot Yoga Studio is a theatrical and metaphorical take on our present moment as incurable consumers who are suffering the stress and burden of highly automated lifestyles in the age of the anthropocene.
We invite you to participate in the installation during the hot yoga sessions. Classes will take place at 6 moments during the STUK START Festival (every day at 19:00 and 21:00), and are led by yoga teacher Juan Gabriel, following a script written by Pinar Yoldas.

Pictures © Joeri Thiry / STUK

Pinar Yoldas
(°1979, Turkey)
Pinar Yoldas

is a cross-disciplinary artist/researcher developing architectural installations, sculptures, sound pieces, video works and drawings in relation to advancements within biological sciences and digital technologies. In her practice, she addresses themes such as post-humanism, eco-nihilism, Anthropocene and feminist technoscience.
A Guggenheim fellow, Yoldas’ work has been shown worldwide with solo presentations in a.o. Roda Sten Könsthall, Gothenburg (2016), Polytech Museum Moscow (2015), and Schering Stiftung project Space Berlin (2014), and inclusions in group shows in the 9th Nordic Biennial (2017), Taiwan National Museum of Fine Arts (2016), 14th Istanbul Biennial (2015), ZKM, Karlsruhe (2015), Transmediale Festival, Berlin (2014) and NAMOC National Art Museum of Beijing (2014).
She holds a Ph.D. from Duke University, a Bachelors of Architecture from Middle East Technical University, a Master of Arts from Bilgi University, a Master of Science from Istanbul Technical University and a Master of Fine Arts from University of California, Los Angeles.
Pinar Yoldas lives and works in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Interview with Pinar Yoldas on the occasion of her solo exhibition at Röda Sten Konsthall Herfst 2016
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Juan Gabriel
Originally from Chile, Juan Gabriel grew up traveling the world. He is based in Belgium, where he lives with his beloved french bulldog Sama (Samadhi). He built up a strong Yoga community in Belgium and teaches at his practice PuroYoga World. He’s part of Samudra – Global School of Living Yoga by Shiva Rea – As an affiliate, he offers Teacher trainings based in Prana Vinyasa Yoga and Retreats around the world. Juan Gabriel shares Yoga and Yoga Trance dance as practices available for every body, age, and ability. He aims to support all beings through movement, connection, and play.

pinar yoldas - global warming hot yoga studio, 2016
made possible with generous support from saha and roda sten konsthall.
architectural design: pinar yoldas & ceren yoldas, production: saygel & schreiber
courtesy: pinar yoldas