Waterbodies: Moving-image installations at Termemilano Spa

In recent years, the health spa experience has become a popular and widespread social practice. The quest for bodily relaxation and wellness is permeating the needs of contemporary society, as a way of counteracting the stressful pace of city life. What is more, health spa centre designers are increasingly integrating thermal services with spaces dominated by moving-image installations, to add an extra dimension to the relaxing and revitalizing experience. As a case study, I will examine the installations of the QC Termemilano Spa & Wellness health centre. the case study will be examined here through the lens of film and moving-image studies and, in particular, from an aesthetic perspective, leaving socio-economic implications aside. The spa moving-image experience will be framed as a new practice for experiencing moving images and sounds. The analysis is conducted with a focus on the synaesthetic aspects of the sensory-motor and perceptual involvement of the subjects who can be considered as spectators in search of relaxing sensations in a restful environment, rather than merely as customers.