Liminal Space Art

Liminal space is an area or state of being that is between two different places or phases (Cambridge Art Association). In art, liminal space is often used as a metaphor for the threshold between different stages of life, such as birth and death, or between different states of consciousness. Artists working in this area often use a variety of mediums, such as installation, painting, video, and sculpture to explore the theme of liminality.

There are a couple of reasons why I love this theme of art and how it branches out from surrealism. For one, it is an area of uncertainty and possibility, a place where people can explore new ideas and possibilities. Additionally, liminal space can be a powerful tool for exploring and understanding the human experience, as it often touches on themes such as identity, transformation, and the passage of time. Personally, looking at liminal art or even thinking about creating a piece gives me an unmatched sense of nostalgia and deja-vu. Looking at the places featured in these pieces makes me think that I have visited that place at some point in my life when in reality, I probably haven’t, it is just reminiscent of a memory.

This topic is important to people who are stuck in their lives because it provides a framework for understanding the process of change and growth. By exploring the threshold between different states or phases, people can gain insight into how they can navigate the changes in their own lives. This knowledge can help them to feel more in control and empowered as they navigate the different stages of their lives.

Many artists and creators are investigating and creating works around liminal space. One well-known artist in this field is the American artist, Janet Cardiff, whose work often explores the theme of liminality through the use of sound and video; her pieces Whispering Room and The Paradise Institute are a personal favorite of mine because they carry the element of uncertainty heavily and looking at them makes me anxious in a sense. Another notable artist is the Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama, whose installation and performance works often explore the theme of liminality. Kusama’s pieces, in my opinion, are a real cut from the other liminal arts. In her pieces Obliteration Room and Infinity Mirrors, she features a niche “pop-art” look intertwined with many liminal art elements to give off a peculiar and mind-boggling reaction to her pieces. Especially in Obliteration Room, as museum-goers were allowed to alter the room installation with paint splatter and dots, a time-lapse was shown recording the progress of the room changes. Other artists include James Turrell, Olafur Eliasson, and Doug Aitken, who explore the theme in different forms such as light installation and conceptual art.

Liminal space art is a very relevant topic as it is a way of understanding the human experience and the process of change. Additionally, the theme of liminality can be applied to many different areas of life, from personal growth and transformation to social and political change. Artists working in this area are creating a wide range of works. In all cases, the goal is to use the theme of liminality to explore the human experience and to offer a new perspective on the world.