A Thought On Liminal Pools

[grayestofghosts]

I was thinking about the web art/photography phenomenon of 'liminal pools', and was watching a video by youtuber Nightshade most particularly about Jared Pike's art. The video itself is interesting and I also read I think on a reddit post about how people who tend to enjoy or desire solitude find these images calming while people who need people more find them distressing (I love looking at them, and my boyfriend was immediately put off by them).

But I think something that's missing from the overanalysis of Nightshade and a lot of analyses of liminal pools in general is that until very, very recently, you could not bring your phone (or any electronics) to the pool, which I think for at least a certain set of people brings a feeling of nostalgia and calm of not being connected. In the liminal pools, the vibe it brings you is that you are safe from emails, essentially, ironically, considering people are generally viewing these images on a device that receives constant internet communication. While Jared Pike does sell prints of his work, I have a feeling that just sticking it on a wall would not be the same.

Comments

[meridian_rose]

I've never seen anything like that and absolutely it wouldn't be the same without the gentle movement. We don't yet have the ability to print gifs or have Harry Potter style artwork, though you can get digital photo frames (which seem a lot of hassle to be honest!)

[grayestofghosts]

A lot of pool rooms images don't have actual movement, just implied. When I first saw the renderings on instagram they didn't have movement, but I think my point still stands.

[zavodilaterrarium]

The images liminal pools that I see mostly just fill me with a sense of… I suppose disinterest? Some of them do make me uncomfortable in a “Why is it designed like some sort of weird dream where I’m in danger” way, but they all just lack what I personally enjoy about the pool, so it’s hard to find something ‘nostalgic’ in it. I would consider myself 50/50 on preferring solitude vs interaction (I love talking to people, but I also need a lot of time alone to recover), so take that as you will.