Social Construction Functions of Consumption Space under Stratification:The Case of Guangzhou

As Chinese cities rapidly transformed themselves into consumerist societies,the relationship between consumers and consumption space under stratification has become a new research area in the field of urban social geography.Based on a consumer behavior analysis,this study explores the relationship between consumption space and the social strata of consumers in typical shopping malls in Guangzhou where the first shopping mall in China was built.The result shows that shopping malls have performed significant constructive functions of organizing consumers from different social classes into different consumption space.For middle-and upper-class consumers,the function of shopping malls centers on utilitarian consumption,identity recognition,and identity construction;whereas for lower-class consumers,its function revolves around pleasure and enjoyment.The symbolism of consumption space is the underlying reason for shopping malls to have their social constructive function.The findings of this research suggest that:1) a shopping mall is a productive consumption space and a geographical space with subjectivity;2) the micro-location of a shopping mall has social construction function;and 3) symbolic consumption is the core of social construction.

功能、符号与审美——日常生活物感美学再认识

日常功能物的物感美学编码形式和审美感知方式的背后,存在着审美意图和消费意图的博弈。相比艺术品,审美主义与消费主义的博弈在日常生活物中更加复杂,因为在设计之初即已预设的消费意图。在这种目标的约束下,法兰克福学派力图以爱欲和审美来解放单面人,但这种构想只能部分实现。当主体的生存需求向着匮乏需求进行过渡,工具理性从工作领域向着休闲领域进军时,感性和审美的需求也愈加突显。