Garvey, Pauline (2008) The Norwegian country cabin and functionalism: a tale of two modernities. Social Anthropology, 16. pp. 203-220. ISSN 0964-0282

Preview

Download (273kB) | Preview

Abstract

The mountain or shore-side cabin (hytte) represents a common leisure form for a significant proportion of the Norwegian population. Its roots can be traced to the decline of farming society, growing urbanisation and an emphasis on the outdoor life as part of 20th-century state modernising projects. Throughout this modern history, and through periods of accelerated social change, the cabin has represented an ‘other’ form of domesticity. This paper makes the argument that far from representing an escape from post-industrial consumer society, the hytte prompts evaluation, comparison or negation of normative domesticity for its occupants. Many priorities such as getting back-to-nature and living the simple life are achieved best, paradoxically, through their material manifestation. Routine and rupture, and discourse surrounding farming culture artefacts are central in evoking contrast.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Country cabins; Norway; modernity; routine; material culture;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Anthropology
Item ID:	8370
Depositing User:	Dr Pauline Garvey
Date Deposited:	27 Jun 2017 11:44
Journal or Publication Title:	Social Anthropology
Publisher:	Wiley
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

Repository Staff Only(login required)

Item control page

Downloads

Origin of downloads