This is a collaboration between artist Hasti Radpour, an art curator and researchers in the humanities and social sciences.

Theoretically our study has found inspirations from concepts such as everyday life practices, ethical dimensions and moral terrains in the use of hot tap water in homes, and includes an exploration of complex intersections between age, class, ethnicity and gender, and how it is interlaced with practices of washing hands, bathing, taking a shower and washing up the dishes.

An overall aim of the project is to contribute with new understandings of resource use in intimate spheres. We are particularly interested in embodied experiences, emotions, performative habits and memories and how these might influence hot water use.  

Currently we are exploring socio-cultural sensitive and ethical methods to understand how hot tap water comes to matter in everyday life. Our ongoing work includes a qualitative iterative research process with collecting narratives of hot tap water practices, thoughts and emotions that are associated with routines in washing hands, showering, bathing and washing up the dishes.

In our planned future work, when we are able to visit people’s homes again, researchers and artist will collaborate in home visits and ask questions about people’s practices: how they use hot tap water; and their thoughts and feelings; and why they think they have these thoughts and feelings related to their use of hot tap water.