We’ve all been there. Walked an empty corridor in a hotel, the seemingly endless unopened doors stretching ahead of you towards the vanishing point. You feel suspended in time, in a realm between destinations. Ambient noises are muffled by the carpeted floors, leaving you alone with your thoughts, in an introspective daze, while you travel between one destination and another.
Perhaps you’ve walked through an airport late at night, your steps echoing off the walls. The empty benches and unattended shops a stark contrast to their normally daylit and busy counterparts. The vast emptiness of the space evoking feelings of vulnerability, with your steps quickening at pace with your heartbeat. The usual hum of human activity has dissipated, replaced by a lingering sense of abandonment.
What is it about walking through once-bustling spaces that are now empty, especially during the late hours, that carries an unsettling feeling? Why are so many drawn to it, and where did it’s sudden popularity come from?
Honor the space between no longer, and not yet.
Nancy Levin
Memetic Contagion
In 2019, a post on the /x/ board of 4chan spawned a wave of fan art, collaborative story telling, creative videos, horror shorts and extended discussions all centred around The Backrooms. It describes an infinite series of bland, non-descript, yellow walled, windowless, rooms and corridors that seem to exist out with, or alongside, our own reality. Participants in the discussions expanded on the original premise through collaborative storytelling describing eerie occurrences and dangers within the Backrooms. This form of memetic and collaborative collective story telling is also known as a creepypasta.
Creepypastas are known for their ability to evoke fear, unease, and suspense through written narratives, images, or sometimes even videos. They often blur the line between reality and fiction, drawing on psychological and emotional triggers to create a sense of horror. The viral nature of these stories has led to the growth of online communities dedicated to sharing and discussing creepypastas, contributing to the development of folklore in the digital age.
The Backrooms became a modern folklore story, incorporating paranormal experiences, supernatural entities, eerie phenomenon, conspiracy theories and clandestine government operations. The stories and media that it generated became a digital manifestation of the liminal, embodying the sense of disquiet and uncanniness associated with such spaces.
The Aesthetics of Solitude & Decay
The unconventional aesthetics and unique atmosphere of liminal space inspires artists, writers and photographers alike. We can see this mirrored in the broad popularity of works depicting the aesthetics of decay, in abandoned buildings and industrial sites, or of solitude in empty streets. These artworks often delve into the interplay between humanity and its surroundings, offering a glimpse into forgotten or overlooked corners of existence.
The decay becomes a metaphor for the passage of time and the impermanence of human endeavours. It’s simultaneously haunting and beautiful, capturing the traces of history while inviting reflection on transience.
Solitude takes centre stage, emphasizing the isolation that can permeate urban landscapes. Abandoned spaces devoid of people create a stillness that prompts viewers to ponder the stories these places hold. The absence of human presence magnifies the sense of abandonment, inviting empathy for the spaces themselves.
Liminal spaces, those neither here nor there, evoke a sense of suspension. Corridors, stairwells, and alleys become symbolic of transitions in life, allowing viewers to project their own experiences onto these evocative settings. The uncertainty and anticipation within liminal spaces mirror the feelings associated with personal journeys.
The Temporal Shift to a Zen-like State
Liminal spaces have the ability to alter our perception of the flow of time. Time in liminal spaces takes on a different pace, slowing down and becoming elusive. In these moments one can step outside of the normal rhythms of life, a break from the relentless frenetic activity, and experience a brief respite free of schedules and deadlines. This sensation can evoke introspection, allowing us time to reflect and understand that the passage of time itself is a nuanced experience.
An argument could be made that a liminal space embodies some of the same concepts of impermanence found within Zen philosophy. A zen garden, like a liminal space, has the ability to evoke contemplation, introspection and a sense of calm. Although the two spaces manifest in very different ways, one as a physical, transitional space, the other as a cultivated and sculpted landscape.
The minimalist design of a Zen garden encourages mindfulness and focus, just as liminal spaces draw your eyes to details otherwise overlooked. Details that would normally be masked by human activity or presence. Both environments provoke introspection by removing distractions, prompting self reflection. The tranquillity of a zen garden, cultivated through carefully arranged elements that change with time and seasons, offers an escape from daily worries. A liminal space feels like stepping into a separate realm, one that has remarkably similar effects on the human psyche in manifesting introspection.
Into The Unknown
Liminal spaces embody an aura of uncertainty and strangeness. This can evoke a mixture of anxiety and curiosity in the visitor. The act of venturing into these spaces can offer a sense of accomplishment and empowerment, demonstrating one’s ability to navigate discomfort and face fears head-on.
In the context of psychological exposure, willingly stepping into these places can function as a controlled and voluntary way to desensitise yourself to various fear triggers. Participants in shared narratives, like the Backrooms, are exploring these spaces virtually through controlled confrontation. It is both fascinating and unsettling, allowing the viewer to push the boundaries of their own resilience and emotional strength.
The safety net of virtual exploration allows for a unique psychological journey, where the boundaries of fear are pushed, reshaped, and ultimately mastered. This virtual stepping stone cultivates resilience, self-awareness, and emotional endurance, acting as a bridge between the digital and the tangible world.
Conclusion
The unsettling nature of The Backrooms aligns with multiple modern life narratives. Whether it is the contemplation and self discovery from the perceived fluidity of time, the pushing of personal boundaries and confronting fear, or a search for meaning in exploration. The confluence isn’t coincidental; it’s a testament to the intricate bond between humans and their surroundings.
In an era of relentless haste, exposure to liminal space serves as a reminder to pause, reflect, and journey into uncharted psychological realms. It is our search for the ephemeral, the pursuit of equilibrium between the unsettling and the serene. It manages to capture the blend of human desires and fears, providing a moment where emotions converge and diverge.
See you in the Backrooms.