Liminal space (aesthetic)

Internet aesthetic capturing strange places

In internet aesthetics, liminal spaces are empty or abandoned places that are eerie or surreal.[1] Liminal spaces are places that are usually busy that appear empty for an unnatural reason. Some research has shown that liminal spaces may appear eerie or strange because they fall into an uncanny valley of architecture.[2]

Photo of liminal space
An image of an empty hotel hallway is an example of a liminal space

The aesthetic gained popularity in 2019 after a post on 4chan showing a liminal space called the Backrooms went viral. Since then, liminal space images have been posted across the internet, including on Reddit, Twitter, and TikTok.[3]

References change

  1. Heft, Peter (2021). "Betwixt and Between: Zones as Liminal and Deterritorialized Spaces" (PDF). Pulse: The Journal of Science and Culture. 8. Budapest: Central European University: 1–20.
  2. Diel, Alexander; Lewis, Michael (2022-08-01). "Structural deviations drive an uncanny valley of physical places". Journal of Environmental Psychology. 82: 101844. doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2022.101844. S2CID 250404379.
  3. Koch, Karl (2020-11-02). "Architecture: The Cult Following Of Liminal Space". Musée Magazine. Retrieved 2023-01-02.