Liminal Space

The aesthetic known as a Liminal Space is a location which is a transition between two other locations, or states of being. Typically these are abandoned, and oftentimes empty - a mall at 4am or a school hallway during summer, for example. This makes it feel frozen and slightly unsettling, but also familiar to our brains.aesthetics.fandom.com
==Concept==
True to its etymology ("liminal" is derived from the Latin word limen, meaning "threshold"), the concept of a liminal space classically encompasses physical spaces that, due to their function, are transitional - hallways, waiting rooms, parking lots and rest stops are the archetypical examples of such places. Liminal space aesthetics relate to the unique and combined feeling of eeriness, nostalgia, and apprehension one gets when presented with such places outside of their designed context. Most notably, their function as intermediary points between origin and destination. For instance, an empty stairwell or hospital corridor at night might appear as sinister or uncanny because these places are usually brimming with life and movement. Therefore, the absence of external stimuli (such as conversations, people moving around, or any kind of dynamism) creates an otherworldly and forlorn atmosphere.
While this definition is the closest to the usual, academic meaning of liminality, it should be noted that liminal space aesthetics have recently expanded in scope to include images of places that are simply nostalgic, dreamlike, and/or uncanny, to the point where the only remaining common trait across these ramifications is the striking absence of people. Although these are an incorporated part of the liminal space aesthetic, they are not considered as liminal spaces themselves. While this diversity waters down the definition of a "liminal space" by quite a lot, it also explains the memetic status of physical liminality by linking its mysterious allure to the childhood memories and aesthetics of its fans, usually by invoking the cultural memory of the Millenial/Z generations. At this point, the strong link between liminal spaces and Traumacore, Hauntology, or other related aesthetics becomes apparent.
Liminal space aesthetics also have a significant overlap with those of After Hours, since both explore the atmosphere of vacant spaces - which are easier to find during night time. But while the After Hours aesthetic plays with feelings of peacefulness and a tranquil mindset, liminal spaces have a more unsettling appeal. 
Liminal spaces are also quite subjective. What appears nostalgic to one person may be more unsettling to another, while some may find the same image bland with no emotions attached to it. There is even debate as to whether it should even be conisdered an aesthetic. 
==Visual==
Liminal space aesthetics consists of any room, corridor, or hallway that is big and empty, yet carries an eerie and unsettling vibe with it (this part is key in separating the Liminal Space aesthetic from just a regular photo of an empty room/corridor/hallway). This effect can be achieved with photo edits (Vaporwave, Acidwave, and Glitch, in particular, can assist in this effect. Although applying these can sometimes ruin the liminality of the image), simple lighting tricks, or just capturing the mood at the right time of day.
Some edits of liminal spaces can give the effect of being in a retro horror or RPG video game (as popularized by YouTuber/Instagramer YOURLOCALBREADMAN) which can tap into either the uncomfortable, the surreal, or could just go full-on Lovecraftian with some of the design choices made in these style of video edits. Empty game servers and maps, mainly those presenting old-fashioned graphics like GMod, No Players Online, Team Fortress, and early CoD instalments, have also been described as liminal.
=== The Backrooms ===
Despite this, however, possibly the best-known example of a liminal space is The Backrooms; an entry into the pantheon of creepypasta that is described as "what you see when you no-clip out of reality" The Backrooms has been adapted into a variety of media, but has been a particularly popular topic in the realm of video games, where no less than 5 games are based on the concept. In videos on YouTube discussing liminal spaces, The Backrooms are a popular point of reference to use when describing the aesthetic as a whole.aesthetics.fandom.com
===Resources===
A list of external links to help get a better understanding of this aesthetic.
====Wikipedia====
*Liminality
*Wikimedia category page for free-use pictures of liminal spaces
====Playlists====
* ⚡AESTHETIC: liminal space by Chaotic Good
====Pinterest Boards====
*Liminal spaces by Rintindin
*aes: liminal spaces by not oscar wilde
*liminal spaces by cherie
*Liminal Space by Celina Slattery
====Videos====
*Liminal Spaces (Exploring an Altered Reality)
*Explaining Liminal Spaces
*What is Liminal Space?
====Other Media====
*YOURLOCALBREADMAN
*The Backrooms
*r/LiminalSpace, r/LiminalReality, r/liminalspacesgaming
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* Weird Space; I'm In A Weird Space; Mixed Space; Control Space; Cyber Space; AI Space; Virtual Space; Liminal Reality
* Virtual Reality; Boundary Reality; Boundary Space
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Category:Visual
Category:Recognized Community
Category:Creepy