Frigophobia, 2016

Video projection

Frigophobia is the fear of becoming too cold. When the temperature drops unbearably low, normal functioning stops and the heat leaving the body makes the brain think of only one thing: to reheat. Steam and smoke are the first indicators for possible heat and life source, be it a smoking chimney, steam from a hot beverage or breath coming from a person’s mouth. Steam is a sign of warmth, yet it is the indicator of energy leaving and therefore quite deceiving. 

The shadow of steam from hot water was filmed, then reversed in colour, like trying to reverse the temperature. The video was projected into a room in an unrenovated building that has the heat leaving from it the moment any heat source is turned off, corners being the weakest spots in that sense. The space became naturally cold where one could even see their breath against the projected steam. 

The artwork was exhibited in the group show “False Evidence Appearing Real”, off-season in EKKM, Tallinn, 2016.