Liminality

About

liminal - from the Latin word "limen": “threshold”

Developed in the early twentieth century by anthropologist Arnold van Gennep, the concept of liminality embodies the essence of uncertainty and confusion experienced during the middle stage of a rite of passage. In this transitional phase, individuals shed their pre-ritual status but have not yet reached the status they will ultimately assume upon the rite's completion. This state of in-betweenness, characterized by a temporary suspension of familiar roles and identities, possesses a unique allure that sparks introspection and contemplation.

Taking up the ritualistic aspects of liminality, Mariana Vale da Cunha cuts her long hair amidst the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Embracing the notion that hair holds memories, the photographer consciously detaches herself from the weight of past pain. Dietrich Meyer explores the theme of grief through installations and performative rituals where the burning of eucalyptus leaves becomes a poignant and symbolic gesture, serving as both a tribute and a conduit for the expression of profound loss. In her video and sound work, Kate Channer repetitively chants the phrase "liminal spaces," almost as a mantra, exploring the concept directly and evoking the threshold between states of being.

In aesthetics, liminal spaces are generally places of transition characterized by a certain emptiness or eeriness. They find a compelling embodiment in Berlin’s architecture, notably within its U-Bahn stations, where the deserted platforms and echoing corridors create an atmosphere of suspended animation. As commuters navigate these spaces, the interplay between the physical environment and psychological states becomes palpable. Adorned with fluorescent lights and ceiling tiles, Culterim Gallery perfectly captures this simultaneous sense of familiarity and disquietude.

In this exploration of liminal spaces, Samuel Lalier's paintings of decaying landscapes present a world suspended between the familiar and the uncanny, where nature's fragile equilibrium can be interpreted as an inner landscape. Alena Yarysh’s work showcases a feeling of transition and lack of belonging, due to her experience of displacement — first from her hometown in Crimea due to the occupation by Russian forces in 2014, and again from Kyiv in 2022. Through the use of traditional textile techniques mixed with 3D, Benkovics Virág explores the theme of healing but also reflects on the growing disconnect in our virtualized world. Viktoria Mladenovski conjures dream-like heterotopic worlds, while Roxy Ruby's empty theaters evoke anticipation, hinting at untold stories.

The city of Berlin itself, a recurring destination for creative souls, serves as the ideal backdrop for transformation, as the artists' inner worlds evolve alongside the changing cityscape. Strategically hiding some pieces and inviting visitors to actively seek and discover them, Danielle Magee explores the intricacies of spatial engagement and mirrors the elusive and chance encounters often associated with liminal spaces. Julian Rümenapf’s installation addresses the housing shortage that the city and its inhabitants have been struggling with for many years. As the time between termination and finding a new apartment can take months or even years, people have to sleep with friends, family or sometimes in the street in the meantime; and not everyone is lucky enough to find a place that feels like home. Presenting a real letter of termination from a Berlin apartment rental, scanned and foiled on an apartment door, the artist presents the ultimate object of liminality.

Addressing a dialogue between personal and collective memory and trauma, Lena Becerra explores the intersections of humanity with non-human elements. Julia Rogosin examines her relationship with womanhood, navigating the complexities of gender-based expectations, the contradiction between societal norms and the internal struggles, violence, confusion, and the pressure to conform to predetermined roles imposed upon her since childhood. Amper's self-reflections about the unpredictable nature of her creative process showcase the feeling of being stuck in a liminal space as a young artist, where doubts and frustrations can pile up unexpectedly like dirty dishes.

Navigating different stages of life, whether it’s the uncertainties of the twenties, a change of scenery, the loss of a situation or a loved one, plunges us into a state of liminality. Presenting young artists capturing the emotions that define the liminal spaces most of us must traverse, Liminality reflects on the dichotomy of belonging and the impermanence that accompanies the pursuit of self-discovery. It is an exploration of the delicate balance between states: losing and finding parts of ourselves; encountering “home” and realizing that “home” is an evolving feeling within oneself; preserving the past while embracing the present.