Angels Morts

Tag: liminal

  • Twilight Between Worlds: Reflections on Liminality

    Twilight Between Worlds: Reflections on Liminality

    The concept of liminality is one that captures our imagination, offering a rich tapestry of meanings that extend beyond the academic sphere into everyday life. Defined in anthropology as the quality of ambiguity or disorientation occurring in the middle stage of a ritual, liminality represents a state of transition where one has left one stage behind but has yet to arrive at the next. The term was popularized by the cultural anthropologist Victor Turner, who expanded on Arnold van Gennep’s original concepts of rites of passage.

    “Liminality is where most interesting — and frightening — transformations happen. It is a place of risk and ambiguity, but also of tremendous innovation and change.”

    – Victor Turner

    The Liminal Spaces in Literature and Myth

    In literature, liminality often manifests as a boundary or threshold space that creates a suspenseful anomaly in storytelling. Consider the crossroads in Robert Johnson’s folklore, where decisions of eternal consequence are made, or Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, where the rabbit hole serves as a gateway to another world. Such spaces in narratives symbolize the transition between familiar realities to the realms of the unknown.

    This concept is also prevalent in mythology. The Greek god Hermes, a liminal figure, is known as a guide between worlds, particularly in his role as a psychopomp, leading souls to the afterlife.

    Liminality in Modern Culture and Society

    Beyond the literary and mythical, liminality finds a robust presence in modern culture and society. In our rapidly changing world, transitional phases such as adolescence, job changes, and migrations embody liminality. These are periods often marked by instability but also profound growth and innovation.

    • Adolescence: A stage fraught with transformation, exploring identity, and envisioning possibilities.
    • Career Transitions: Changing professions, which often involve uncertainty but lead to personal fulfillment and growth.
    • Migration: The physical and cultural border-crossing, often encompassing adaptation and new beginnings.

    As individuals or societies stand on the threshold of new epochs, they experience the “liminal spaces” that so many modern theorists write about. These spaces, be they airports, hotels, or unfinished buildings, act as metaphorical waiting rooms before a new lifecycle begins.

    The Psychological Impact of Liminal Spaces

    Psychologically, the state of being between phases can have a profound impact. It is often during these times that personal transformation is catalyzed. Philosopher and psychoanalyst Carl Jung referred to these moments as periods when critical personal discovery takes form, facilitated by the tension and ambiguity of being in-between.

    “The greatest and most important problems of life are all fundamentally insoluble. They can never be solved, but only outgrown. This outgrowth requires one to go through a state of being in-between — a twilight of the old and the new.”

    – Carl Jung

    Embracing the Liminal

    Accepting and even embracing liminality can be a profound journey toward self-discovery and societal evolution. Though the uncertainty inherent in these spaces can be daunting, they also provide fertile ground for cultivating resilience and creativity.

    Our approach to liminal experiences can shape their impact on our lives. By acknowledging the importance and inevitability of these in-between moments, we can reduce the anxiety they may evoke and instead, see them as opportunities for growth and transformation.

    In conclusion, navigating the twilight between worlds is part of the human condition. Liminal spaces, whether real or metaphorical, remain integral to our evolution, both individually and collectively. As we find ourselves frequently at the junctions of various experiences and phases, it may serve us well to remember that each liminal moment holds within it the promise of change and the possibility to redefine our destinies.

  • Night Windows: Photography of Liminal Hours

    Night Windows: Photography of Liminal Hours

    The world at night transforms into a canvas of shadow and light, offering a unique perspective to those who dare explore its depths. Night photography captures this ethereal beauty, portraying the hidden narratives that unfold during the liminal hours—the moments between dusk and dawn when the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

    The Allure of Night Photography

    Nighttime has long captivated artists and photographers alike. Its appeal lies in the mystery and magic that come alive when the sun sets and artificial lights begin to play their role. According to the renowned photographer Michael Kenna, “I find that the atmosphere at night is more otherworldly and mysterious, with the best possibilities for creative compositions.”

    Exploring night photography allows for experimenting with long exposures, light trails, and the interplay of natural and artificial lighting. These techniques bring an element of unpredictability and surprise, making each shot unique.

    Capturing the Liminal Space

    The term liminal refers to an in-between or transitional space. In photography, capturing these in-between moments can evoke a strong sense of emotion and narrative. Night windows offer glimpses into these spaces—a peek into worlds that are normally hidden in daylight.

    “Photography is an immediate reaction, drawing is a meditation,” said Henri Cartier-Bresson. Night photography combines these elements, demanding both spontaneity in capturing fleeting moments and careful planning to manipulate light and shadow.

    • Technical Challenges: Night photography requires mastering technical aspects like ISO settings, aperture, and shutter speed to successfully navigate low-light situations.
    • Creative Opportunities: The night offers enchanting opportunities to capture elements like star trails, moonlit landscapes, and urban scenery bathed in neon.
    • Philosophical Themes: Liminal hours evoke a sense of introspection, tapping into themes of solitude, introspection, and existentialism.

    Iconic Night Photographers and Their Work

    Many photographers have made their mark by exploring the night. Here are a few who have excelled in capturing the spirit of liminality:

    • Brassaï: Known for his striking black and white captures of Paris nightlife in the 1930s, Brassaï’s work illuminated the character and mood of the city after dark. His collections, notably Paris de Nuit, showcase the allure and mystique of night photography.
    • Michael Kenna: A contemporary master, Kenna’s ethereal landscapes often depict serene, minimalist scenes. His work usually involves long exposures lasting hours, capturing the essence of places over time.
    • Fan Ho: The nighttime streets of Hong Kong became the muse for Ho, whose work brings to life the drama of urban environments and the poignant solitude of metropolitan nightscapes.

    Techniques for Capturing Night Windows

    To achieve captivating night photographs, photographers must embrace both simplicity and experimentation. Here are essential techniques to consider:

    • Long Exposure: Allows for the inclusion of movement, such as clouds or traffic, blurring them into a soft, dreamy effect.
    • High ISO Settings: Though it can introduce noise, a higher ISO is often necessary to capture a reasonably lit image. Balancing noise reduction in post-processing is key.
    • Wide Apertures: Letting in more light helps with exposure in dark scenes, while providing a shallow depth of field that isolates subjects for dramatic impact.
    • Tripod Use: Stabilizes the camera during longer exposures, preventing blur and ensuring composition accuracy.

    Conclusion: Embracing the Unknown

    Night photography is not simply about taking pictures after dark. It’s an exploration of the unknown, a journey into the in-between spaces where day meets night. Night windows offer a unique glimpse into these spaces, revealing the hidden worlds that thrive when most are asleep.

    As you delve into the liminal hours with your camera, remember to cherish the quiet moments, embrace the challenges, and capture the beauty found in shadows and light. Each photograph taken during these hours is a testament to the magic and mystery that the night holds.

    Embrace your curiosity and let the night guide your lens into uncovering the stories waiting to be told. The world at night is yours to explore—one frame at a time.

  • The Clocktower at Dusk: Observing Liminal Hours

    The Clocktower at Dusk: Observing Liminal Hours

    Dusk is a time of transformation and reflection, where day meets night. It is during these moments, particularly from the vantage point of a clocktower, that we begin to see the world under a different light—literally and metaphorically. Observing the clocktower at dusk allows us to appreciate the rich interplay between architecture, history, and the natural transition of time.

    A Beacon of History

    Clocktowers have long been central to urban landscapes, serving as both timekeepers and landmarks. The genesis of these structures dates back to medieval times when they were built to regulate the commercial and social activities of bustling towns. As historian Gerhard Dohrn-van Rossum notes in his work, History of the Hour, “The presence of a mechanical clock represented the burgeoning concept of measured time as a public necessity rather than a private indulgence” (Cambridge University Press).

    At dusk, as the dim light bathes these towering structures, they evoke a sense of continuity through the ages. They stand as sentinels of time, observing the ebb and flow of life around them.

    Liminality: The Twilight Zone

    The term “liminal” stems from the Latin limen, meaning “threshold.” Twilights, both dawn and dusk, are naturally liminal, marking the transition from night to day or vice versa. Clocktowers, often central in our towns and cities, make perfect observation posts for these transitions. The interplay of shadows and light reflected off their faces can serve as metaphors for life’s uncertainties and the delicate balance between past and future.

    “Liminal spaces are where transformation occurs, where the old is absorbed and the new takes shape.”
    — Victor Turner, anthropologist

    From the elevated platform of a clocktower, one witnesses more than the shift of sunlight; there is an intangible shift in the atmosphere, mood, and even sound. The bustle of the day begins to quieten, and the whispers of the night start to emerge.

    The Aesthetic Allure of Dusk

    Dusk is often revered for its aesthetic beauty—an ephemeral spectacle painted with the hues of orange, pink, and purple. Renowned author Ruskin Bond captures this magic in his short story collection, Dust on the Mountain: “There’s a certain magic that descends with twilight, and the colors in the sky are just a theatrical display of nature’s art” (<?penguin.co.in).

    The clocktower, silhouetted against this backdrop, becomes a striking piece of art itself. The shadows it casts stretch outwards, creating shapes that dance upon the streets and rooftops, inviting contemplation and imagination.

    Symbolism and Reflection

    Clocktowers symbolize many things—order, civilization, and the human attempt to reign in and understand time. Observing them at dusk brings a particular intimacy to these symbols, reminding us of our place in the natural cycle of things.

    Dusk is synonymous with reflection, a natural pause where observers are prompted to look back on the day and look ahead to the uncertainties of the night. It is a time to ponder our achievements, confess our shortcomings, and reset our inner clocks in preparation for a new day. Watching a clocktower at this hour underlines these reflections, lending a rhythmic heartbeat to our thoughts.

    A Call to Experience

    For those fortunate enough to live near a clocktower, an observatory session at dusk is a recommended experience. It is an opportunity to reconnect with the rhythm and pulse of a city or town and to observe a living symbol of time’s passage as it keeps tick-tocking through the centuries while quiet moments linger.

    The phenomenon of dusk, when viewed from the unique vantage of a clocktower, is more than just an aesthetic experience; it is a spiritual one, an invitation to embrace the unknown and cherish the timeless art of observation.

    In a world that is increasingly dictated by digital clocks and fleeting moments, let us take a moment, just once, to climb the steps of a clocktower at dusk. There, as shadows lengthen and the world pauses, we might find clarity within the chaos and serenity in the passing of time.