The Art of The In-Between: An Analysis of Liminal Spaces

Summary

The video script delves into the concept of 'liminal spaces,' exploring their eerie allure and psychological impact. It recounts a personal childhood experience of secretly wandering through an empty school, highlighting the fascination with these transitional, often desolate places. The script connects this fascination to a broader cultural trend of photographing such spaces, invoking nostalgia and unease. It also touches on the 'Backrooms' phenomenon and its evolution from a liminal space concept to a mainstream horror genre, discussing how this shift impacts the original unsettling essence of liminality. The video concludes by reflecting on liminality as a metaphor for life's transitions and the comfort found in embracing the in-between.

Takeaways

• 🏫 The speaker fondly recalls exploring their empty school as a fourth grader, appreciating the solitude and the feeling of being in a place typically bustling with life but momentarily quiet.
• 🌆 'Liminal spaces' are defined as transitional areas that can provoke a sense of discomfort or unease; they are places where reality feels altered, often depicted in photos showing empty or abandoned places.
• 📸 Liminal spaces in photography often include scenes like empty hallways, desolate playgrounds, or vacant offices, which can evoke a sense of nostalgia and eeriness due to their 'frozen in time' appearance.
• 🧠 The concept of liminality is psychological, representing an 'in-between' state, and is closely tied to the feeling of nostalgia and the uncanny, which are key in understanding why these spaces are so compelling.
• 🏢 The appeal of liminal spaces is not just in their transitory nature but also in the collective nostalgia they evoke, reminding viewers of similar places they've experienced, even if not the exact same ones.
• 🕰 Liminal spaces often feel 'frozen in time,' invoking a sense of the past and a longing for times that cannot be recaptured, which adds to their emotional impact.
• 🎮 The game '22am' is highlighted as an example that captures the essence of liminal spaces, providing a dreamlike experience that blurs the lines between reality and the surreal.
• 🚧 The 'Backrooms' concept, originating from a creepypasta, has evolved from a simple idea of endless, monotonous spaces to a broader phenomenon with its own lore and levels, demonstrating the malleability of liminal ideas.
• 🎬 'American Psycho' is mentioned as a film that embodies liminal themes, with the protagonist's affluent yet empty life and his struggle for identity and recognition reflecting a sense of being trapped in a liminal state.
• ⏳ Liminal spaces serve as a metaphor for life's transitions, suggesting that we are all in a constant state of change, moving through various 'in-between' phases from birth to death.

Q & A

What is the term used to describe places where reality feels altered, as mentioned in the script?

The term used is 'liminal spaces'.

What does the term 'liminal' mean according to the script?

The term 'liminal' refers to occupying a position at or on both sides of a boundary or threshold, representing the in-between of two states.

Why do liminal spaces provoke discomfort according to the script?

Liminal spaces provoke discomfort because they are transitional spaces that are out of context and can instill a sense of unease due to their emptiness and lack of activity.

How does nostalgia play a role in the perception of liminal spaces?

Nostalgia in liminal spaces arises from the familiarity of places that resemble ones we've been to before, evoking memories and feelings associated with those places.

What is the 'Uncanny Valley' in relation to liminal spaces?

The 'Uncanny Valley' refers to a feeling of unease when something appears almost human but falls short, and in the context of liminal spaces, it describes the eerie feeling evoked by places that seem to bend reality.

How does the script relate the concept of liminal spaces to the game '22am'?

The script relates liminal spaces to the game '22am' by describing the game's environment as an example of a dreamlike, uncanny, and liminal space that captures the feeling of being in an in-between reality.

What is the significance of the 'back rooms' in the context of liminal spaces?

The 'back rooms' is a creepypasta concept that embodies liminal horror by depicting an endless, monotonous space with no escape, which is a manifestation of the discomfort associated with being trapped in a liminal state.

How has the concept of the 'back rooms' evolved from its original liminal space concept?

The 'back rooms' has evolved from its original concept of liminal spaces to a more mainstream phenomenon with its own lore, levels, and entities, as people have added their own interpretations and creative content.

What is the script's view on the modern interpretation of the 'back rooms'?

The script appreciates the modern interpretation of the 'back rooms' as a creative and fun concept, even though it has strayed from the original idea of liminal horror.

How does the script connect liminal spaces to the human experience of life?

The script connects liminal spaces to life by suggesting that life itself is a series of transitions and in-between states, with liminal spaces serving as a metaphor for the ebb and flow of existence.

What is the script's final takeaway about liminal spaces?

The script's final takeaway is that liminal spaces should be appreciated for their role in guiding us through life's transitions, and that they offer comfort in the understanding that life is a continuous journey through various states.