Kitchen concerns at the boundary between markets and consumption:agencingpractice change in times of scarcity (Husmodern, Sweden 1938–1958)

Stigzelius, Ingrid; Araujo, Luis; Mason, Katy; Murto, Riikka; Palo, Teea

Abstract

This paper investigates practice dynamics in kitchens situated at the boundary between markets and consumption. The kitchen is conceptualized as a market-consumption junction, a space where multiple concerned actors in markets and consumption come to shape,and get shaped by, the practices in the kitchen. Drawing upon archival research of the Swedish household magazine Husmodern (1938–1958), this study traces two matters of concern in and around the kitchen: the scarcity of resources in food markets and the scarcity of time to prepare food for consumption. Findings reveal how thrifty and convenient practices became enacted, and their transformative implications for consumption, demand, and market action. The mechanisms involved in disrupting and reconnecting the dynamic elements of practices(meaning, competence, and objects) are explained through the notions of concerning, agencing, and overflows, which recursively work to redraw the boundaries between markets and consumption to establish novel practices.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: May 15, 2018
• Publication Date: Jul 4, 2018
• Deposit Date: Feb 2, 2025
• Journal: Consumption Markets & Culture
• Print ISSN: 1025-3866
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-223X
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 347-372
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10253866.2018.1462174
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=gcmc20