Images of anxiety-inducing places: liminal spaces

Anyone interested in the more horrific online culture in recent years has seen the term "liminal" pop up. For those less familiar with this Internet sphere, just type "liminal space" into an image search engine and you'll see classrooms, reception halls, offices, buildings and the like that create a sense of discomfort, even unease. Why is this?

• Because they're always empty, without the presence of anyone in the shot.
• Because they're often so impersonal that the brain sometimes has the impression of having been there, even though there's a good chance this isn't true.

The term "liminal" comes from the Latin "limen", meaning "threshold". In general, it was used to refer to milestones such as graduation or marriage, for example. The Internet and video game culture have seized on it to create something else.

According to online legend, these spaces are images of a parallel world that can be encountered by passing through our reality. Internet users use the term "no clip", which comes from video games and designates a mistake (or cheat code) where the character crosses walls to find himself outside the game.

What if these images mirrored our deepest reflections, our fear of solitude and the impression that something terrible lurks behind apparent calm? Liminal spaces play on this and create chills for millions of people.

Running time: 4min52